Get to know one of the newest members of our Advisory Board, Dr. Robert Easter, Professor Emeritus - University of Illinois, who recently received the
Outstanding Alumni Award from the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
What is your career and educational background?I completed a BS in Agricultural Education at Texas A&M followed by an MS in Animal Nutrition, then moved to the University of Illinois for a PhD program in Swine Nutrition and Production. I served as a faculty member with the UI Animal Science department from 1976-2001. While at UI, I served as Head of Animal Sciences (1996-2001), Dean of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (2001-2009), Interim Chancellor of the Urbana-Champaign campus (2009-2011) and President of the University of Illinois System (2012-2015). I served for 20 years as an officer in the Army Reserve and was appointed by President George W. Bush to Chair the USAID Board on International Food and Agricultural Development. Since retirement in 2015, I have served as a board member of Agrible and on the board of First Farm Credit Services. Currently, I am an advisor to the Serra Ventures Agricultural Fund and Sivananthan Labs and serve on the boards of several NGO’s.
What motivated you to join the ALEC Advisory Board?
My high school experience in what was then called “vocational agriculture” and FFA followed by my experience as an undergraduate student in the Department of Agricultural Education did much did much to underpin my career so there is some sense of obligation to “give back.” I have also followed the trend to merge the disciplines of education, leadership, and communication into a single unit, having struggled with sustaining programs in these areas during my time as Dean at the University of Illinois. Being involved with ALEC Advisory Board is an opportunity to observe how these programs are now managed in a very successful department. And, finally, three members of the committee were good friends during my student days at TAMU, so I look forward to reconnecting and spending time together on campus.
Being involved with the ALEC Advisory Board is an opportunity to observe how these programs are now managed in a very successful department.
Where do you see the department heading in the future?
Nationally, there is increased focus in colleges of agriculture, by whatever name, on fundamental, federally funded science and that has implications for curricula. There are a variety of good reasons for this to happen, but it is essential that students preparing for careers in education and leadership positions in agriculture continue to have access to a broad curriculum that provides a solid perspective on the industry in addition to specific skills such as communication. I see ALEC departments increasingly serving in this role and thus filling an important role in agricultural higher education.
Tell us your favorite story about your time at Texas A&M as an undergraduate.
During my senior year, I served as the reporter for the Collegiate FFA Chapter and at some point, we invited President Rudder to speak at a chapter meeting in the auditorium of the chemistry building. I was somewhat in awe of General Rudder and jumped at the opportunity to be part of the group that escorted him into the meeting. The War in Vietnam was at its peak and there were massive protests nationally. Rudder spoke bluntly and to the point of his perspective on the conflict and how he would deal with anyone who attempted to start a riot on the campus. His remarks were well-received. Rudder was capable of tough decisions and made difficult changes during his tenure that contributed to making Texas A&M the outstanding institution that it is today.
