UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Eric Barron received a warm reception from faculty and staff in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) – the incoming president’s former home at Penn State.
“We’re welcoming you back for many years at Penn State,” said Susan Brantley, director of the Earth and Environmental Systems Institute.
In 1986, Barron joined Penn State and became head of what was at the time the newly-created Earth System Science Center. A professor of geosciences and expert in climate and environmental change, Barron went on to become dean of the College of EMS.
Most recently, he was president of Florida State University. Barron told faculty and staff in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences that he was glad to return to Penn State.
EESI, which is part of the College of EMS, held the reception for Barron and his wife, Molly, Monday, May 5. He officially takes the job of Penn State president May 12.
“We’re just so thrilled to have you back,” said Bill Easterling, dean of EMS. “Partly because we have nothing but the greatest respect for what you’ve done as an academician and as an academic leader but also because we know you to be a genuinely good person. You and Molly are two of the finest people we’ve had the privilege to know and we are so glad to have you back at Penn State.”
The welcome reception included remarks from Dean Emeritus John Dutton and retiring President Rodney Erickson, who holds a faculty appointment in the College of EMS.
“I couldn’t be more pleased that Eric and Molly are here,” Erickson said, remarking about the incoming president and his wife. “We’re just delighted to have you back.”