King named Outstanding Educator
by Illinois Dietetics Association

Sondra King received the Outstanding Educator Award at the Illinois Dietetics Association (IDA) Spring Assembly held at the University of Illinois in Chicago in April.

King has been a professor at NIU for 26 years in the Department of Family, Consumer and Nutrition Sciences in the College of Health and Human Sciences. She retired from teaching in the fall of 2002 and continues as professor emeritus.

King served on the IDA board for five years and on the board of the district dietetic association the Rock River Valley Dietetic Association (RRVDA) for eight years, including her role as president. The Illinois Dietetics Association is a statewide organization of more than 3,000 registered dietitians. Its mission is to promote optimal nutrition and well-being for all people.

During her years of teaching, King specialized in maternal and child nutrition and health. She was the thesis advisor for 49 students, and served as a committee member for 54 other theses.

She was respected as a specialist on global nutrition issues and focused on malnutrition and its causes. In her work she evaluated population issues, food production practices, the impact on the environment, global debt crises and high risk mothers and children.

In retirement, King will continue her work as an international consultant in health and nutrition. She has worked in Ghana, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Nicaragua, China and Uzbekistan. She also is a consultant for not-for-profit organizations like Winrock INTL, Self-Help International and the Power Flour Network.

5-12-03