Frito-Lay’s Topeka, Kansas, plant operates 24 hours a day, so while most of us are sleeping, Catherine Swift, a 2010 graduate in mechanical engineering, is monitoring production lines that produce bagged snack foods, ready for supermarket shelves. Swift helps monitor the plant’s production process for moisture and oil levels, and each shift compares its batches to a reference product for appearance, flavor and texture. Swift ensures that the snacks that leave the Topeka plant are the same quality as the ones made in other locations.

Share This Story

Spark a Memory?

Share your story! Fill out the form below to share your fondest memory or anecdote of S&T. If you'd prefer not typing, you can also share by phone at 833-646-3715 (833-Miner150).

Jenna (Freese) and Aaron Wundrack

Jenna (Freese) and Aaron Wundrack

Jenna (Freese) and Aaron Wundrack met in the mining engineering department in 2013, where they were both pursuing bachelor’s degrees…

Jacquelyn (Stroble) and Robert Nagel

Jacquelyn (Stroble) and Robert Nagel

Jacquelyn (Stroble) and Robert Nagel met in 2005 during their first semester as graduate students. “We both took the same…

Shahd (Alassadi) and Danny Ryan

Shahd (Alassadi) and Danny Ryan

Shahd (Alassadi) and Danny Ryan first met during the 100th Best Ever St. Pat’s in 2008, but it wasn’t until…

Hilary (Kuehn) and Christopher Zerr

Hilary (Kuehn) and Christopher Zerr

Hilary (Kuehn) was living in the Residential College in August 2006 when her roommate, Emilie, took her to a party…

Memories from “Mr. Miner,” Jerry Bayless

Memories from “Mr. Miner,” Jerry Bayless

After earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 1959, Jerry Bayless began teaching in the department...

From uranium to wine

From uranium to wine

Richard K. Vitek, a 1958 chemistry graduate, began his career as a research chemist producing uranium from ore, before moving…