Dr. Catherine Christie was awarded the 2017 Distinguished Professor award, the highest award a UNF faculty member can be given, at the 46th Annual Fall Convocation ceremony.

“I am deeply honored to have been nominated and selected for this award by the faculty. I am proud to work with each of you to make UNF and its many degrees and programs the best they can be for our students,” Christie said during her speech.

Before coming to UNF in 2001, Christie worked at as a practitioner at UF Health Shands and in her own private practice before becoming a professor, which sets her apart from some professors.  

“Especially in health it’s important [to work in the field first] because students want to learn from someone that can tell them what it’s like out there and what they’re going to be doing once they graduate,” Christie said.

Christie holds three degrees from Florida State University. The Tallahassee native became the 40th faculty member to earn the Distinguished Professor award.

Christie is an associate dean and nutrition professor for the Brooks College of Health. Most of her research has to do with overweight and obesity prevention and treatment.

The nutritionist also helped write multiple books including The Latino Food Lover’s Glossary, Fat Is Not Your Fate, Eat To Stay Young and I’d Kill For A Cookie.

Christie had only positive things to say about UNF.

“Our UNF community is a place where faculty, staff, and students who are also from diverse cultures and paths come together for the purpose of learning,” Christie said.“That diversity of thought and experience is one of the great strengths of a university…I am extremely grateful to be a part of the UNF family.”

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