In 1999, AFDOSS established the Mary Logan Scholarship in honor of one of our great members who served as Secretary/Treasurer for our regional affiliate for 30 years. Mrs. Logan, who is now retired, worked 39 years with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.
This scholarship in the amount of $6,000 is designed to be awarded to top students who have demonstrated a desire to serve in a career of research, regulatory work, quality control, or teach in an area related to some aspect of foods, drugs or consumer product safety. Student candidates should have demonstrated leadership capabilities and must have at least a 3.0 grade point average.
The annual recipient of the Mary Logan Scholarship is generally announced during the AFDOSS Business Luncheon held as part of the Annual Education Conference.
The criteria for this award reflects the love and dedication that Mary Logan has for AFDOSS and for every person that belongs to AFDOSS, or supports its goals and objectives. This award stands not only as a tribute to Mary Logan, but as a reminder that AFDOSS must always support and encourage the training and development of people. It is a symbol that the role of AFDOSS will not only live on, but that its role will expand and grow.
Criteria for Selection of Award Recipient
The following criteria will be used by the selection committee to select the award recipient. The applicant must:
- Have already completed their first three years of undergraduate studies.
- Have at least a 3.0 GPA.
- Be enrolled in a college or university located within an AFDOSS State (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, or the territory of Puerto Rico) to pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree in the term following award.
- Have demonstrated a desire to serve in a career of research, regulatory work, quality control, or teaching in an area related to foods, drugs, or consumer product safety.
- Have demonstrated leadership capabilities.
- Complete the Scholarship Application Form, including the submission of two (2) letters of recommendation and a copy of their most recent college transcript(s), on or before the due date set by the AFDOSS Board.
To help rank the applicants, points up to a total 100 score will be given in the following areas:
- Academic achievements and leadership capabilities (25 points)
- Financial need (25 points)
- Extracurricular activities, community service work, and professional experience (25 points)
- Narrative justification (25 points)
Applying for the Mary Logan Scholarship
Thank you for your interest, but the Mary Logan Scholarship application is closed for the 2025-2026 academic year. Check back early next year for information about the 2026-2027 Mary Logan Scholarship application.
Meet Rawane Raad, our 2025 Mary Logan Scholarship Awardee!
AFDOSS is pleased to present the 2025 Mary Logan Scholarship award to Rawane Raad.
Rawane Raad earned her Master of Science in Food Science and Technology at the University of Georgia (UGA) and is continuing her education at UGA in pursuit of a PhD in Food Science and Technology, with an emphasis in Food Microbiology and Safety. She embodies the AFDOSS spirit of community and outreach as the founder and leader of a Georgia Association for Food Protection (GAFP) student-led group that is responsible for enhancing communication between students and food safety professionals and creating a seamless pathway for students to connect with and engage with experts within the GAFP community.
“Over the past decade, I have observed increasing food insecurity and its link to diseases like anemia and mental health problems. Food safety and security are interconnected, as foodborne diseases strain healthcare systems and economies. My passion for food microbiology began with understanding microbes’ roles in food. This led me to pursue food safety research in the U.S. The Mary Logan Scholarship will accelerate my research and career goals, fostering a food safety culture and collaborations between academia and industry. My PhD research focuses on bacterial survival and biofilm formation in irrigation systems, aiming to determine if irrigation lines are a significant source of pathogens. This could lead to new control measures to prevent contamination of fresh produce… My career plan includes a postdoctoral position to enhance my research experience, followed by a role as a food safety researcher and educator at a university.
Food safety aligns with both my professional and personal goals, driving my commitment to this field. Throughout my academic journey, I have built a food science community, taught food microbiology, conducted significant research, and engaged in community service. These experiences have equipped me to make meaningful contributions to food safety advancements. The Mary Logan Scholarship will keep me motivated and enable me to continue this important work. Being part of the AFDOSS community is a valuable opportunity to connect with experts, learn from their experiences, and further my career aspirations. I am truly grateful for this support”.