Joel M. Rodney, chancellor at Penn State York, announced today (Aug. 26) that he will retire effective June 30, 2011. Rodney, 72, who joined Penn State York in March 2003, made the announcement to faculty and staff at the annual campus orientation.
“My time at Penn State has been exciting professionally and personally rewarding, and I will forever cherish the many friends that I have made on the campus and in the York community,” Rodney said.
Before he leaves, Rodney hopes to have the new certificate in entrepreneurial studies fully developed and operational, meet the goals of Penn State York’s capital campaign, and continue to improve services to students -- especially those from around the world.
"Joel Rodney has played a significant role in Penn State's presence in the region," said President Graham Spanier. "He has helped to focus Penn State York's vision for the future and his deep involvement in the community has allowed him to better understand the needs of the region."
Rodney originally came to the campus as the campus executive officer in 2003 and when the University reorganized in 2005 he was named chancellor of Penn State York.
Under Rodney’s leadership the campus has earned an international designation from the University and the number of international students has grown significantly. Rodney was instrumental in designing a two-plus-two program in 2006 between Penn State and the Vidyalankar School of Information Technology in India that allows students from India to combine their first two years of university education in computer science in India with their final two years in information sciences and technology (IST) at Penn State York. The first students came to York in 2008 and the program continues to be strong.
In addition, Rodney helped found a multi-campus, India Initiative which expanded the two-plus-two program in IST to six additional schools in India and now also includes the following Penn State campuses: Berks, Greater Allegheny, Hazleton, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Worthington Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, as well as York.
Also under Rodney’s leadership, the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center) on the campus was completed in 2005 and a theatre minor was added to the curriculum at York. The Edward M. Elias Science Building, featuring updated classroom and lab facilities, opened this summer and renovations are under way to the chemistry labs at the campus which will be transformed into a high-tech engineering facility, the Ralph G. and Madeline B. Swenson Engineering Center.
In the community, Rodney serves on numerous boards. He is a member of the Rotary Club of York and serves on the boards of the Advanced Skills Center in York, the Susquehanna Heritage Trust, the Art Institute of York, and the York Area Regional Charter School. He held several posts including chair-elect, chair and other offices in the York County Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the board of directors and as vice president of the Crispus Attucks Association; he was on the board of directors of the York County Economic Development Corporation.
He also is listed in Who’s Who in America and has served as a U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration grant and program reviewer.
Rodney and wife, Judy, plan to remain in York and continue their community activities. Rodney also hopes to serve as a consultant to a number of small colleges that have shown an interest in international student recruitment. He also looks forward to joining his predecessor, Don Gogniat, in sailing the seven seas as part of the University of Virginia’s Semester at Sea Program.