Sponsored by American Society of Animal Science

Dr. Robert A. Easter is the president of the University of Illinois. He oversees a $5 billion budget, 77,000 students, three main campuses, and the regional health sciences programs. With the Board of Trustees, he establishes institutional policy and strategic direction for the University; implements effective programs in research, education, public engagement and economic development; and assures compliance with state and federal laws. Previously, Dr. Easter served the Urbana campus as interim chancellor; interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs; dean of the College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences; and head of the Department of Animal Sciences. He came to Illinois in 1973 as a Ph.D. student and served as a faculty member in the Department of Animal Science from 1976 until his retirement. Dr. Easter taught and conducted research in the area of swine nutrition. A total of 20 Ph.D. students and 23 Master’s students graduated from his laboratory.