Richard Linton (educator)

Richard Linton
Linton in 2024
15th President of Kansas State University
Incumbent
Assumed office
February 14, 2022
Preceded byRichard Myers
Personal details
Born
Richard Howard Linton

(1966-03-18) March 18, 1966
New Jersey, U.S.
SpouseSally Jane Peart (m. 2000)
EducationVirginia Tech (BA, MA, PhD)
WebsitePresident Richard Linton

Richard Howard Linton (born March 18, 1966) is an American academic and the 15th president of Kansas State University.

Biography

Linton was born in New Jersey to Howard Richard Linton and Doris Helen Linton (nee Tuckwood). His father held a Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania and worked 35 years for DuPont where he developed several patents.

Career

Linton was a professor of food science at Purdue University (1994–2011). From 2011 to 2012, he was the department chair of food science and technology at Ohio State University. In 2012, he became dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Science at North Carolina State University, a position he held for 10 years.[1] The Kansas Board of Regents selected Linton to be the 15th president of Kansas State University on December 2, 2021.[2]

In addition to his role at Kansas State University, Linton serves as a member of the Food and Drug Administration’s Science Advisory Board. He also serves as the chair for the Binational (Israel and United States) Agricultural Research and Development Fund, a role to which he was appointed in 2018 by the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue.

Kansas State University

On February 14, 2022, Linton became the President of Kansas State University. The priorities of his term include driving statewide economic growth, strengthening university-industry partnerships, and revitalizing the university's facilities and enrolment. One of his most ambitious targets, inspired by a challenge from the Kansas Board of Regents, was to help create 3,000 new jobs and generate a $3 billion economic impact for Kansas by 2030.[3]

In August 2023, Linton announced to the university community that he had been diagnosed with throat and tongue cancer.[4] He subsequently received daily treatments from the University of Kansas Cancer Center. During his absence, Marshall Stewart, senior vice president and chief of staff, stood in for him in the university's decision-making activities and represented him at university events. On October 13, 2023, Linton's cancer treatments were completed and he returned to his campus residence, saying, "I am planning to conduct much of my work from the Pres Res as I regain my strength."[5]

Despite his health challenges, President Linton launched a strategic plan, titled "Next-Gen K-State", plan focused on expanding access, growing research, and deepening the University's impact across Kansas.[6] In 2024, Kansas State University surpassed 20,000 in total enrolment and welcomed its largest freshman class in nine years, which Linton celebrated in his 2024 address to the community.[7]

North Carolina State University

On September 15, 2012, Linton began his service as Dean of the College of Agriculture at North Carolina State University.

Linton spearheaded the development and execution of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Strategic Plan, titled 2020 Vision: People, Programs, and Partnerships. He assembled a forward-thinking strategic planning team and facilitated 27 public listening sessions across North Carolina, engaging more than 5,000 stakeholders to gather input on the state's needs and aspirations. The resulting plan centered on five strategic initiatives designed to promote interdisciplinary collaboration, advance diversity and inclusion, strengthen public and private partnerships, and support the growth of North Carolina’s agricultural economy.[8]

As Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at North Carolina State University, Rich Linton played a key leadership role in launching the North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative (N.C. PSI), a statewide effort to position North Carolina as a global leader in agricultural innovation.[9] Informed by a 2013 statewide agricultural tour where Linton engaged directly with farmers and stakeholders, the initiative was designed to address major challenges in agriculture, including climate change, crop disease, loss of farmland, and global food security.[10]

Under Linton’s leadership, NC State secured significant public and private support for the project. In 2015, the state approved $85 million in bond funding, and the Golden LEAF Foundation contributed $48 million—its largest-ever gift to NC State.[11] An additional $6 million was raised by 44 commodity groups.[12] Key partners in the initiative included the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.[10]

Construction of the Plant Sciences Building began in April 2019, and a ceremonial groundbreaking was held on September 6, 2019, with over 400 supporters in attendance.[10] The building was completed on time and on budget[12] and is considered one of the most advanced agricultural research facilities in the world.[13] It was designed to support interdisciplinary collaboration among scientists, government agencies, and industry leaders to develop resilient crops, boost yields, extend growing seasons, and foster economic development in rural communities.[10]

Linton described the initiative as a model of collaboration and a direct response to the needs of North Carolina’s agricultural community.[10]

Footnotes

  1. ^ "President's Biography". President's Biography, Kansas State University. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  2. ^ Jason Tidd (December 2, 2021). "Kansas State University's new president Richard Linton brings ag background, touts land-grant mission". Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
  3. ^ "Setting "Big, Audacious Goals": New K-State President Tackles Economic Prosperity". Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  4. ^ "A personal update from President Linton". K-State Today. Kansas State University. August 8, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  5. ^ "An update from President Linton". K-State Today. Kansas State University. October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  6. ^ "Three things you need to know about the Next-Gen K-State strategic plan | K-State Alumni Association". www.k-state.com. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  7. ^ Kinander, Jason (2024-09-12). "K-State President Richard Linton gives State of Our University address". WIBW. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  8. ^ "Past Planning". CALS Strategic Plan. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  9. ^ TechWire, WRAL (2021-09-09). "North Carolina Plant Sciences Initiative taps agrichemical exec to become its first executive director | WRAL TechWire". Retrieved 2025-07-30.
  10. ^ a b c d e Matricciano, Mick (2019-10-14). "Golden LEAF Helps North Carolina State University break ground on Plant Sciences Initiative building". Golden LEAF Foundation. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
  11. ^ Matricciano, Mick (2019-10-14). "Golden LEAF Helps North Carolina State University break ground on Plant Sciences Initiative building". Golden LEAF Foundation. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
  12. ^ a b Staff (2021-03-08). "N.C. Plant Sciences Progress Update". College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
  13. ^ Patrick (2019-09-08). "NC State University breaks ground on Plant Sciences building". Morning Ag Clips. Retrieved 2025-07-30.
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