After nine years of dedicated leadership, Richard Roush will be stepping down from his role as dean of the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences on September 17th, 2023. Following his departure as dean, he will serve as a special adviser to the interim dean until the end of the year.
Taking on the role of interim dean is László Kulcsár, the head of the college's Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education. Kulcsár is also a professor of rural sociology and demography. He will hold this position until a permanent replacement is selected, with Roush continuing to serve as a special adviser until his retirement in December. A national search will soon commence to find Roush's permanent successor.
Justin Schwartz, the executive vice president and provost, expressed appreciation for Roush's significant contributions during his nine-year tenure. Roush's leadership has been instrumental in advancing the college's essential functions of teaching, research, and outreach. Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences plays a pivotal role in the university's land-grant mission and has tackled numerous global challenges under Roush's guidance.
Before joining Penn State, Roush served as the dean and a professor at the University of Melbourne's Melbourne School of Land and Environment in Australia. During his tenure as dean, the college's research activities thrived, achieving a record-high annual research expenditure of $114.3 million for the 2021-22 academic year. The Institute for Sustainable Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Science, established in 2020, secured over $49.5 million in grants and now involves 150 faculty members across eight academic colleges and four Commonwealth Campuses.
The College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State has consistently been recognized as a research leader by both state and federal authorities. Penn State Extension, a part of the college, has excelled in promoting and supporting water quality in Pennsylvania's water bodies. Moreover, it has gained recognition as a national leader in digital education while expanding its outreach efforts.
Under Roush's leadership, state appropriations to the college increased by more than 25%, reaching approximately $57.5 million for the 2022-23 fiscal year. Undergraduate enrollment remained strong, and graduate enrollment reached a peak of around 550 students, with a significant number of USDA predoctoral fellowships awarded to the college's graduate students.
Roush also made strides in improving diversity within the College of Agricultural Sciences, increasing the percentage of tenured or tenure-track female faculty members from 18.5% in 2015 to 35% today.
Throughout his tenure, Roush led the college in combating the spread and impact of the spotted lanternfly, engaging in awareness and education programs, providing prevention and mitigation advice, and conducting extensive research on the invasive insect.
Under Roush's leadership, the college made substantial capital investments, including renovating the historic Agricultural Engineering Building in 2018 and opening the new Animal, Veterinary, and Biomedical Sciences Building in 2021. Plans are underway to expand and modernize greenhouse facilities and the Animal Diagnostic Laboratory.
During the "A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence" fundraising campaign, the college raised over $113.5 million, surpassing its $100 million target. This campaign garnered significant gifts, including a landmark donation from campaign vice chair Peter Tombros and his wife Ann to establish the Peter and Ann Tombros Dean's Chair in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences.
Richard Roush's extensive academic career includes roles at various universities and organizations, including the University of California, Mississippi State University, Cornell University, Texas A&M University, and the University of Adelaide in Australia. He has held leadership positions such as CEO of Australia's Cooperative Research Centre for Weed Management and director of the University of California's Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program.
Roush is recognized as a fellow and member of the Entomological Society of America and was a founding member of the Australian Council of Deans of Agriculture. He has provided consulting services to major corporations, including Eli Lilly, DuPont, Monsanto, and Dow, in areas related to pest management and pesticide resistance.
His academic journey began with a Bachelor of Science degree in entomology from the University of California, Davis, followed by a doctorate in entomology from the University of California, Berkeley.
Photo Credit: Pennsylvania State Univeristy
Categories: Pennsylvania, Education