Kensinger named new head of animal science

“Dr. Kensinger’s extensive and outstanding record of leadership, educational and research accomplishments, combined with his proven ability to seek out and secure extramural funding, makes him highly qualified for the position of department head,” said Robert E. Whitson, vice president, dean and director of agricultural programs at OSU. “We are very pleased that he is joining our agricultural leadership team.”

Kensinger said his first day “in the office” will be Jan. 2, 2008.

As department head, Kensinger will provide leadership for planning, developing, integrating and implementing departmental teaching, research, extension and international programs; diversity efforts of the department in recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty, staff and students; and the pursuit of competitive grants, research contracts, gifts and other special funding to include endowments for scholarships, fellowships, chairs and professorships.

“The land-grant missions of teaching, research and extension are more important today than ever,” Kensinger said. “Agriculture today must not only deal with product quality, profitability and financial risk but also increased demands from the public about animal welfare, water quality, air quality and consumer issues.”

Kensinger said the tradition of OSU agricultural programs in working with individuals, commodity groups, communities and organizations to find science-based solutions to real problems and concerns played a large role in his applying for the position.

“It’s absolutely vital that animal agriculture industries maintain a strong working relationship with land-grant universities,” he said. “The (Division) is uniquely positioned to be proactive in addressing issues faced by agricultural producers and businesses. We have to take our role of providing unbiased research-based information very seriously.”

Kensinger currently serves as professor of animal nutrition and physiology at Pennsylvania State University, where he has been a faculty member since 1982. He also served as a senior research fellow at the University of California, Santa Cruz, from 1991-92, while on sabbatical leave from Penn State.

His research and work has encompassed most major species, with a particular focus on dairy cattle. He also served as a member or panel manager for eight national U.S. Department of Agriculture review panels from 1990-2006.

Kensinger has served on the organization committee or chaired three international workshops on the biology of lactation in farm animals and has been an author or principal investigator of funded grant proposals that generated $1.8 million in direct cost funds for Penn State programs.

Recent honors include receiving the 2003 Purina Teaching Award from the American Dairy Science Association (ADSA), 2003 Penn State Chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta Teaching Award of Merit and Penn State’s 2007 Community of Teaching Excellence Award.

He is a member of the Endocrine Society, American Society for Nutrition and American Society of Animal Science, as well as the ADSA. He has served on the editorial boards of the Journal of Animal Science, Journal of Dairy Science and American Journal of Physiology.

Kensinger earned his doctoral degree in animal science from the University of Florida in 1982. He earned his master’s degree in dairy science and bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Illinois – Urbana in 1979 and 1975, respectively.

“Dr. Kensinger’s credentials are exceptional. We’re looking forward to the passion and commitment he will bring to this position,” said Ron Elliott, head of OSU’s department of biosystems and agricultural engineering, who chaired the nationwide search for the position of head, OSU department of animal science.

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E-Mail: donald.stotts@okstate.edu

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