[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 113 (Friday, July 24, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S8092]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                      COMMENDING ROBERT D. STEELE

 Mr. CASEY. Mr. President, today I honor the service of Robert 
D. Steele, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences at the 
Pennsylvania State University. After 12 years of serving the students, 
the college and the university, Dr. Steele is stepping down as dean and 
rejoining the faculty in the Department of Food Science at Penn State.
  As dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences, Dr. Steele was 
responsible for the day-to-day operation of a college that is renowned 
for its top-notch agricultural research. Dr. Steele administered an 
annual budget of over $175 million, managed a staff of over 2,000 
employees, and was a leader for approximately 2,500 students.
  Bob Steele is dedicated to the students and the growth of the College 
of Agricultural Sciences. During his tenure he oversaw the 
transformation and planned growth of the college. Dr. Steele has to his 
credit many accomplishments as the college's dean, including major new 
additions including the new Food Science and Forest Resources 
buildings; implementation of new marketing and recruitment programs 
that have led to increased undergraduate enrollment, reversing a trend 
of declining enrollments experienced by colleges of agriculture 
nationwide; steady growth in the research funds for the college; 
addition of key new research initiatives in chemical ecology, 
reproductive biology, and infectious disease and immunology, which have 
resulted in the addition of internationally renowned scientists to the 
college and enhanced graduate education; a renewed focus on 
environmental and energy issues, including the establishment of the 
Environment and Natural Resources Institute, the Biomass Energy Center, 
and the Agriculture and Environmental Science Policy Center; and 
significant progress in the planning, development, and fund-raising for 
The Arboretum at Penn State.
  Dr. Steele has taken his academic expertise outside the campus of 
Penn State serving on many committees that moved agriculture forward on 
the national level. His passionate interest in the success of Penn 
State and other land grant universities is evident with his service on 
the Special Think Tank Committee on the future of land grant colleges 
of agriculture partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dr. 
Steele was also instrumental in providing valuable ideas and leadership 
for the 2008 farm bill through his service on various national 
committees, such as the National Association of State Universities and 
Land-Grant Colleges Agriculture Deans.
  Although Dr. Steele's dedication and talents will be missed in the 
administration of the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State, 
the students enrolled in that program will benefit from his return to 
the classroom. I am certain that his expertise, knowledge, and 
experiences will serve them well.
  I congratulate Bob Steele on his outstanding achievements as dean and 
his distinguished service to Penn State and the Commonwealth of 
Pennsylvania and his continued commitment to Pennsylvania's farm 
families. I also personally thank him for his friendship and his 
invaluable advice to me and my staff. I wish him all the best as he 
returns to the classroom.

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