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Dear Colleagues,
The MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is eager to work with incoming President Samuel L. Stanley Jr. to help Michigan State University and our college reach new heights both academically and culturally.
As president of Stony Brook University, Dr. Stanley has demonstrated tremendous success in integrating research and undergraduate education, increasing student diversity and the number of endowed professorships to an all-time high, and making fundraising a priority having garnered the sixth-largest gift to a public university.
This is a time of transformation for Michigan State University. I have confidence Dr. Stanley will help move us forward in a positive direction. Diversity, equity and inclusion have been cornerstones of his vision for higher education. This year he delivered his 10th commencement address to Stony Brook’s most diverse class, representing 69 countries, 39 states and graduates ages 18 to 72.
As a current member of the board of directors for the Association of Public Land-Grant Universities (APLU), Dr. Stanley is knowledgeable of the land-grant mission. The APLU board is the governing and ultimate policymaking body for this research, policy, and advocacy organization whose membership consists of public research universities, land-grant institutions, state university systems and other affiliated organizations.
I look forward to ensuring that our new president understands all that CANR encompasses, including MSU AgBioResearch and MSU Extension, as well as the roles we play on campus, across the state and around the globe. I am also confident the land-grant mission was relayed throughout the presidential search process given that the search committee was co-chaired by two CANR alumni.
A highly distinguished biomedical researcher and medical doctor, Dr. Stanley was one of the highest recipients of grant support from the National Institutes of Health for his work on enhanced defense against emerging infectious bacterial and viral diseases. He is also chair of the National Science Advisory Board of Biosecurity, which advises the U.S. government on dissemination and performance of sensitive biological research.
He has been a long-time champion of academic-industry collaborations, realizing their vast economic potential. As a member of the Governor’s Long Island Regional Economic Development Council, Dr. Stanley has been involved in innovative projects relating to energy storage, renewable energy, information technology and biotechnology to name just a few.
Please join me in welcoming President Stanley to campus, and wishing him all the best for future success at MSU.
Sincerely,
Ron Hendrick
Professor and Dean
MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
