Ann Grandjean, Ed.D., one of the leading nutritionists in the country who provided her expertise to U.S. Olympic athletes, the University of Nebraska Athletic Department, and several professional teams, died Jan. 6 in Plano, Texas, after living with a significant neurocognitive disorder for several years. She was 77.
A native of Amarillo, Texas, Dr. Grandjean earned her undergraduate degree from West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas. She earned her master’s degree from Texas Tech University in Lubbock and her doctorate from the University of Kansas.
She spent the majority of her career in Omaha working at the Center for Human Nutrition (CHN) from 1974 to 2009 and the International Center for Sports Nutrition (ICSN) from 1987 to 2009. She was associate director of the CHN (now called the Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition) from 1976-1993 and director from 1993-2009. She served as the founding director of the ICSN from 1987-2009.
Both centers were housed on the campus of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, which led to UNMC giving her faculty appointments in sports medicine and medical nutrition education.
Dr. Grandjean helped create an international reputation for herself and the CHN, especially through her work with the U.S. Olympics. She served as chief nutrition consultant to the U.S. Olympic Committee in 1978 and was its sole nutritionist until after the 1984 Olympic Games. She supervised the Nutrition Counseling Center at the U.S. Olympic Training Centers in Colorado Springs, Colo., Marquette, Mich., and Lake Placid, N.Y.
Her athletics research included a significant focus on hydration studies, and she also established an infant formula clinical trials unit at the CHN in 1985.
The ICSN became a sports nutrition clearinghouse that translated research on the implications of diets and performance into easy-to-understand print and audio-visual materials for athletes of all ages and levels, from amateur to professional.
The ICSN developed, implemented and evaluated nutrition programs used in the training and development of U.S. athletes, coaches, trainers and physicians. Dr. Grandjean oversaw the sports nutrition program for the University of Nebraska Athletic Department and several professional teams including the Chicago White Sox, New York Yankees, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and Philadelphia Flyers.
Dr. Grandjean conducted nutrition workshops for athletes, coaches and parents; developed a resource center and referral network to provide one-on-one help; and worked with youth athletes at developmental camps.
Following her retirement from the CHN in 2009, Dr. Grandjean worked with Glenda Woscyna, medical nutrition education program director at UNMC to develop and gain approval for a master’s degree program with a medical nutrition emphasis. She continued her affiliation with the medical nutrition education program for three years before fully retiring in 2012 to move back to Texas in 2013 to be with her family.
“Ann was an accomplished researcher and educator, who made particularly significant contributions in sports nutrition and hydration,” Woscyna said. “I worked with Ann for many years and have many terrific memories of projects, deadlines and travel. It was a treasure to have her join the UNMC faculty and help me develop the initial framework for the master's in medical nutrition.”
Dr. Grandjean’s colleagues remember her fondly for pacing around her office with a 50-foot phone cord, while conducting the more than 300 media interviews she did each year.
“One of her main goals in life was to help women meet their full potential,” said Kristi Reimers, Ph.D., a nutritionist for Conagra Brands and a former nutritionist for the CHN. “She accomplished that again and again. Ann never stopped asking why. She told me once that was one of her traits of which she was most proud.
“If I were to describe Ann in one word it would be giver. Ann gave tirelessly of her time, her talent, her wisdom, her humor, her street smarts, her experiences, of herself. The ripple effect of her life undoubtedly goes to infinity.”
Active in numerous organizations, Dr. Grandjean served as a member of the Nutrition Committee of the U.S. Olympic Committee Sports Medicine Council, the Department of Indian Affairs, NASA, the Office on Aging, and the National Collegiate Athletic Association.
In 1996, she was one of eight women selected as an “Outstanding Woman of Distinction” by the Omaha YWCA and received a Leadership in Nutrition Education Award from the Dairy Council of Central States. In 1993, Dr. Grandjean was inducted into the Amarillo High School Hall of Fame, and in 1988, she was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus by the Texas Tech University College of Human Sciences.
Survivors include two daughters, Cassie Grandjean-Moody and Nicole Grandjean, Ph.D., of Plano, Texas; two granddaughters, Presley Ann Fredkin and Cassidy Brielle Fredkin of Plano, and one grandson, Tyler Moody of Tulsa, Okla. She also is survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Al and Cindy Cunningham of Amarillo, Texas, and her brother and sister-in-law, Kirk and Kay Cunningham of Lubbock, Texas. Dr. Grandjean is survived by five nieces and nephews, each to whom she shared a special bond: Sean, Eric and Allison Cunningham of Lubbock, Amy Harrison of Lubbock, and Spencer Albracht of Morton, Wash.
What others are saying
“Ann loved to tell it like it is. There was no room for unfounded food biases and perfectionistic eating with Ann. She understood that there were thousands of ‘right’ ways to eat and suggesting otherwise was ludicrous. Ann defined mentor. Two of the lessons she preached were that life is gray, not black and white, and the only thing that will never change is change. One of her main goals in life was to help women meet their full potential. She accomplished that again and again.
“As I reflect on Ann’s indescribable personality, so many descriptors came to mind – teacher, mentor, coach, boss, loving mother and grandmother, loyal sister, caring daughter, sports fan, accomplished business woman, distinguished scientist, bundle of endless energy, master story (and dirty joke) teller, ambitious beyond belief, harsh but caring critic, candid, spontaneous yet planned down to the second, bourbon lover, independent, sloppy writer, adrenaline junky, creative, stubborn and curious. Ann never stopped asking why. She told me that was one of her traits of which she was most proud.
“If I were to describe Ann in one word it would be giver. Ann gave tirelessly of her time, her talent, her wisdom, her humor, her street smarts, her experiences, of herself. The ripple effect of her life undoubtedly goes to infinity.”
Kristi Reimers, Ph.D., nutritionist for Conagra Brands and former nutritionist for the Center for Human Nutrition
“I went to work for Ann right after I graduated from college. At the time, I didn’t know how much ‘I didn’t know.’ Ann was always teaching, but she did it in such a way that you didn’t really know you were learning until something happened later on and it hit you that Ann had prepared you for that situation. Ann taught you that making mistakes was OK. She would say if you never made a mistake that meant you weren’t learning or growing. Ann knew your potential before you did, and she always encouraged you to reach your potential. Ann was a mentor, leader, friend and a wonderful person.”
Kelly Allen, former colleague of Dr. Grandjean now living in Avoca, Iowa, working as board secretary for the community school district
“I want to emphasize that Ann was a woman’s advocate long before it was the current trend. Ann always encouraged you to keep learning. And yes, Ann was known for her ‘colorful’ language, but it was like nothing (not shocking for us Catholics) when she said it. And yes, Ann was a sports fan, and even though she was from Texas, she loved her Nebraska football/basketball.”
Rosie Lind, director of finance and operational services, Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition
“Ann’s unconditional respect for her peers, co-workers, friends, and family gave us all the ability to do and be our best. She definitely made us all shine!”
Lynne MacDonald, Dr. Grandjean’s executive assistant
“Ann's accomplishments in her profession are extensive and well documented. While she made a huge contribution to her profession, it should be noted that she was never confused about her priorities. She raised two amazing daughters who are now wonderful, independent and caring women. They were central in her world. She was an incredible mom and a terrific friend to those of us who had the privilege of knowing her well. A woman filled with spit and fire and vinegar, she was a dear friend to me, and I miss her.”
Glenda Woscyna, assistant professor and program director, medical nutrition education division, College of Allied Health Professions
"Dr. Grandjean’s contributions to nutrition research and education, the Omaha community, and the Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition has created a legacy that will benefit many generations to come.”
Amy Yaroch, Ph.D., executive director, Gretchen Swanson Center for Nutrition
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