22 Jul 2009

Dr. W.R. Raun Selected as Nutrients for Life Foundation Professor at OSU


The Oklahoma State University (OSU) A&M Board of Regents recently approved the appointment of Dr. William R. Raun to the post of Nutrients for Life Foundation Professor of Soil and Crop Nutrition. The professorship was established in 2008 through a matching funds arrangement backed by oil and energy executive T. Boone Pickens, an OSU alumnus. The announcement came from Dr. Robert E. Whitson, Vice President, Dean, and Director of the OSU Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

The International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) joined with the Nutrients for Life Foundation (NLF) and The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) in providing monetary gifts totaling US$250,000 to the University. Those funds were matched by Pickens’ commitment. In turn, the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education will match the US$500,000 to provide a total impact of US$1 million in endowed funds.

“Dr. Raun’s professorship will allow exploration of linkages between fertilizer use and food nutritional quality. The three sponsoring organizations hope to advance understanding of how nutrients can be managed to optimize the nutritional content of food while also supporting high yields needed for a sufficient and affordable food supply,” explained IPNI President Dr. Terry L. Roberts.

In his 7 years at CIMMYT and 18 years at OSU, Dr. Raun has an impressive list of accomplishments in teaching, research, and extension. He has over 144 refereed publications, six patents, over 300 additional scholarly works, 54 graduate students completed, recognition as Fellow by two professional societies, and numerous other achievements.

“This professorship will allow us to more fully extend the environmentally sensitive and cost-effective GreenSeeker sensing technology that was developed at OSU,” Dr. Raun stated. “We currently have ongoing field projects in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, and Mexico where third-world farmers have realized increased production and profitability by using our nitrogen recommendations for cereal production.”

For more about Dr. Raun’s recent programs and collaborative projects, visit this website: http://nue.okstate.edu/

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