McPheron approved as dean of College of Agricultural Sciences

Bruce McPheron

Hershey, Pa. – The appointment of Bruce A. McPheron, associate dean for research and graduate education at the University's College of Agricultural Sciences and director of the Pennsylvania Agricultural Experiment Station, as dean of Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences was approved Friday (March 20) by the University's Board of Trustees. McPheron begins his tenure as dean effective July 1. He succeeds Robert D. Steele, who is stepping down after 12 years to return full-time to the college's faculty as a professor in the Department of Food Science.

"Bruce is an outstanding scholar and teacher with proven leadership skills and is an excellent choice for the position," said Executive Vice President and Provost Rod Erickson. "His deep knowledge of Penn State and various land-grant universities gives him an invaluable understanding of the great potential of this college."

McPheron earned a bachelor of science degree in entomology at The Ohio State University, and a master's degree in biology and doctoral degree in entomology, both at the University of Illinois. He began his teaching career at Penn State in 1988 as assistant professor of entomology, and became associate professor in 1994 and professor in 2000. In 2002 he was named to his current position as associate dean and director of the agricultural experiment station.

McPheron's scholarly research and teaching interests focus on many topics in agriculture, including entomology, agricultural biosecurity, systematics and international agriculture.

"I became an entomologist because of early influences of my 4-H Club, the youth education programs of Cooperative Extension," McPheron added. "The opportunity to lead this college -- with its exceptional students, staff, educators and faculty -- represents a great trust, and I am excited to begin working with this amazing talent to continue on the path we have set toward excellence."

McPheron has said the need for new knowledge in agriculture has never been greater; that it is nearly impossible to not find issues related to food, fiber or fuel systems in the headlines each day.

"This public awareness provides an exciting backdrop for the work we do in the College of Agricultural Sciences, whether it is the discovery of new knowledge through research or the dissemination of that knowledge through our diverse resident education or our highly valued Cooperative Extension programs," McPheron said. "The College is poised to lead in the development and implementation of science-based solutions to many pressing societal problems, from safe and nutritious foods to alternative energy to healthy and vibrant communities. We will continue to be student-centered and attentive to our public stakeholders. Our goal is to lead the way to an economically and environmentally sustainable future."