FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Distinguished Alumnus Jerold Mande Honored by UConn Alumni Association

June 28, 2011 STORRS, Conn. Jerold Mande 78, Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), has been awarded the University of Connecticut (UConn) Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award. He is best known for designing the Nutrition Facts label that appears on virtually all packaged foods. The Distinguished Alumni Award originated in 1956 with the purpose of recognizing the outstanding professional, personal and civic achievements of former students of the University of Connecticut. The award was one of ten distinctions given by the UConn Alumni Association in 2011. Mande will be recognized at the Alumni Association Awards Celebration on Friday, October 14, 2011 at the UConn Storrs Campus and the following day at the UConn Homecoming Game at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. After graduating from the University of Connecticuts College of Agriculture and Natural Resources in 1978, and receiving his Masters of Public Health from the University of North Carolina, Mande began a career in government and education where he tackled many of the nations most pressing public health and safety concerns. Mande was nominated for the award by university representatives and professional colleagues, all of whom consistently praised his leadership on important U.S. health issues. Jerry Mande is, without question, an outstanding person, said Pamela Chudzik, Coordinator of Alumni Relations for the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. He is a national leader, a creative problem-solver, and educator and life-long learner. He embodies the qualities that UConn strives to impress upon its students and alumni alike. Earlier in his career, Mande worked as a senior legislative assistant from 1982-1991 for then Representative and Senator Al Gore, where he helped research and create the National Organ Transplant Act of 1984. As senior advisor for both the commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (1991-1997) and at the White House (1997-1998), he shaped national policy on nutrition, food safety, cancer, and tobacco control. Mande also served for six years as Associate Director for Public Policy at the Yale Cancer Center before joining the USDA in July of 2009. Former Vice President Al Gore said of Mande: [Jerry] combines a passion for solving the nations most pressing public health problems with a tireless intellect and curiosity that have allowed him to lead creative, transformational change. If schools can be judged by the quality of the citizens they produce, then the University of Connecticut certainly has much to be proud of in Jerrys ongoing and outstanding public service. About the University of Connecticut Alumni Association The University of Connecticut Alumni Association strengthens lifelong bonds between all members of the UConn family by inspiring pride and providing quality programs and services that enhance the diverse university community. Founded in 1888, the UCAA is a group of former students and friends who care about UConn's future. The goals of the UCAA are to connect 220,000 alumni worldwide, support students, and strengthen UConn. Membership is open to all alumni and friends of the University. For more information, contact:

Debra Crary Manager of Alumni Services University of Connecticut Alumni Association 860.486.0842 debra.crary@uconn.edu ###