In her thirty-four years at UVM, Dr. Jean Harvey taught and mentored thousands of UVM students whose lives she consistently changed for the better, and she worked alongside, supported, and befriended hundreds of UVM faculty and staff. 

Being awarded the 2026 Sinclair Cup posthumously captures the enduring impact of Jean Harvey’s life and work. That her contributions continue to be honored even after her passing speaks volumes about the depth of her impact and the remarkable person she was. Her peers knew her as truly exceptional, a view reflected in her nomination by Dr. Lizzy Pope and Dr. Todd Pritchard.

Pope, who is also a former doctoral mentee, described her late mentor’s dedication and depth in her nomination letter:

 “Jean is a true example of what it means to dedicate one’s life to service to others. This included service in the forms of teaching, mentoring graduate students, the Department of Nutrition and Food Sciences, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the University of Vermont, as well as the people of Vermont through her work with Extension. Whether in the classroom, the Chair's Office, or the Dean’s Office, Jean gave her all to whatever she did.”

As Pope describes in the same letter, Harvey accomplished an enormous amount while at UVM. She first arrived at the University of Vermont (UVM) in 1991 after just having received her Ph.D. in Epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh. In addition to teaching several courses, she also spent her time as an Extension State Nutrition Specialist, interacting with the Vermont public on topics of health, nutrition and food security. In 1998 Harvey was promoted to Associate Professor. Her work ethic and commitment to the department resulted in her being selected as chair and to lead the department of Nutrition and Food Sciences (NFS).  In 2004 she was promoted, with tenure, to Full Professor. She held the position of Full Professor until she retired from UVM.

Harvey became the Bickford Endowed Professor of Nutrition and Food Sciences and Professor in the Department of Medicine, fitting status for an internationally renowned scientist and expert in issues of obesity, weight management and nutrition. Throughout her tenure at UVM she maintained an active research program, one that was continuously funded by the National Institutes of Health for over 20 years; her research program included overseeing clinical interventions in various regions of the United States, ultimately creating a national research program and successfully mentoring numerous graduate students. 

Harvey's commitment to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences included seventeen years as the Chair of the Department of Nutrition and Food Science, and in 2011 while still serving as Chair of NFS, she was asked to be a Special Assistant to the Dean, Thomas Vogelmann. In 2018, following Dean Vogelmann’s retirement, she chaired the search for a new Dean. When the search ended without finding a hire, she stepped into the role of interim Dean, a role she would fill until being appointed Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

While at UVM, Harvey was tapped to chair two department chair searches (CDAE, 2001; and Animal Sciences, 2004, 2007, 2008), was a member of an Exercise and Movement Science Faculty search (2006), a member of the CALS HATCH review team, the CALS Faculty Standards Committee, as well as University-wide committees including the UVM General Clinical Research Center Scientific Advisory Committee and the University of Vermont Research and Scholarship Committee.

Harvey was a prolific writer of both manuscripts and grants. She has close to 80 author/coauthor papers, two book chapters, and co-authored a book (The Eating Well Diet). Over her career, she obtained 40 grants ranging from $5,000 to nearly $4.5 million. And she was a reviewer for 18 different journals and magazines. These ranged from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, to International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders, to The European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, to Women’s Health and Health Psychology. 

Over her career, Harvey was recognized with many awards and accolades. These included Certificates of Recognition from the National Association of Extension Home Economists, the Vermont Coalition on Cancer Prevention and Control, the Vermont Association of Extension Professionals, University of Vermont College of Agriculture Bickford Scholar in 2000, the Scientific Advisory Council of the National Dairy Council, a task force on obesity with the American Dietetic Association, and the National Dairy Council Speakers Bureau. She was a fellow for the North American Association for the Study of Obesity, a fellow for the Society of Behavioral Medicine, a recipient of the H.W. Vogelmann Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship, a University Scholar at the University of Vermont in 2011. She served on two American Heart Association Advisory Committees, and served on the Board of Advisors for the Wellness Weight Management program, Fitsme, and Survivorship NOW.

In addition to her impressive professional accolades, Harvey was an invaluable mentor to her many accomplished undergraduate and graduate students. She was a gifted lecturer and innovative thinker. She contributed a sharp wit and distinctive laugh to the Department of Nutrition and Food Science as well as a resilient spirit that continually overcame substantial challenges.

Her legacy extends beyond her personal connections and achievements, as she played a crucial role in establishing Food Systems as an area of excellence at UVM.  She held a fundamental leadership role in establishing the USDA ARS Food Systems Research Unit and the UVM Food Systems Research Institute. 

As Pope points out:

 “Never underestimate the power of a strong and smart woman like Jean Harvey; she had a vision, charisma, and an unbelievable work ethic which made big goals like the FSRI happen.  Jean had an indomitable spirit and an incredible will to live. She withstood multiple personal challenges in the last fifteen years of her life, finding joy in the outdoors, laughter with her friends, and peace with her husband Bob. For those who were fortunate enough to work with Jean, the echoes of her unmistakable laugh still reverberate through the MLS Carrigan Wing. We were so lucky to have her as part of our community.”

Jean is survived by her husband Bob Stewart and her son, Joshua Berino.  Her son, Jacob Berino's death, preceded hers.

Dr. Jean Harvey's Memorial Service will be held May 23, 2026, from 2-4 PM at the Vermont National Country Club. Jean’s husband invites the UVM community to attend and to share stories about the impact Jean had on those whose lives she touched. 

The Sinclair Cup Award honors distinguished alumnus and Dean Emeritus Robert O. Sinclair. Dr. Sinclair’s exemplary career spanned more than four decades of outstanding service to UVM Extension (1944-1953) and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (1953-1987).

This award is presented at the discretion of the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) and the Director of UVM Extension as a means of recognizing individuals who, like Dr. Sinclair, served CALS and/or UVM Extension with distinction as a member of the faculty or staff for a major portion of their professional career.