Agricultural Sciences

Penn State dean of agricultural sciences to step down

 UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Robert D. Steele, dean of Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, has announced that he will step down, effective July 1, 2009.

Steele, who has served as dean since July 1, 1997, will join the college's faculty as a tenured professor in the Department of Food Science.
 
Steele expressed gratitude for having the opportunity to lead the college -- the first academic college established at Penn State -- in its land-grant mission. "During my time as dean, the Commonwealth and the nation have faced unprecedented challenges, from threats to the safety and security of our food supply and communities to the need for clean, renewable energy," Steele said. "As I prepare to step down next summer, I am confident that the next dean will take the helm of a college that is well positioned to provide the scientific knowledge, practical know-how and highly prepared graduates to help address such societal issues."
 
 Steele has presided over a period of transformation and targeted growth in the College of Agricultural Sciences, noted Penn State President Graham Spanier. "Under Bob Steele's watch, we've been able to maintain and strategically strengthen Penn State's historic commitment to serve the state's agricultural industry and citizens with cutting-edge research and locally relevant cooperative extension programs -- despite funding levels that have not kept pace with needs," said Spanier. "At the same time, the college has made great strides in a renewed effort to attract the highest-caliber of students to the agricultural sciences."
 
Rodney Erickson, executive vice president and provost and the officer to whom deans report, said the university will launch a national search for Steele's successor but will be hard-pressed to replace his leadership. "Bob Steele has been a truly visionary dean who recruited and retained outstanding faculty, whom he inspired and supported in achieving great success for the College of Agricultural Sciences," he said.

 

Robert D. Steele Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

Last Updated November 18, 2010