Robert J. Jones

Robert J. Jones
10th Chancellor of the
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Assumed office
September 26, 2016
Preceded by Phyllis Wise
19th President of the
University of Albany
In office
January 1, 2013  September 30, 2016
Preceded by George M. Philip
Succeeded by Havidan Rodriguez
Personal details
Born Dawson, Georgia[1]
Spouse(s) Lynn Hassan Jones
Children 5
Alma mater Fort Valley State College (BA)
University of Georgia (MS)
University of Missouri
Profession Crop physiology scientist
Scientific career
Fields agronomy
Institutions
Thesis Yield components, respiration, and photosynthesis of contrasting genotypes of tall fescue (1978)

Robert J. Jones (born 1950/1951) is a crop physiology scientist and currently the tenth chancellor of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Jones is the first African-American to hold this office. He previously served as president of the University of Albany.[2] In addition to his academic career, Jones was a tenor singer[3] in Sounds of Blackness, a vocal ensemble from Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota[1] that sings gospel, soul, and R&B.[3]

Education

Jones earned a bachelor's degree in agronomy from Fort Valley State College, a master's degree in crop physiology at the University of Georgia,[4] and a doctorate in crop physiology at the University of Missouri.[5][6]

Career

University of Minnesota

Jones worked at the University of Minnesota for 34 years in many positions: a professor in agronomy and plant genetics, executive vice provost, and senior vice president for academic administration from 2004 to 2013.[5][7] The University of Minnesota's Urban Research and Outreach-Engagement Center was named after Jones.[8][9]

University at Albany

Following his career at the University of Minnesota, Jones served as the president of the University at Albany from 2013 to 2016. During his tenure, he created the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.[5]

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

In July 2016,[2] Jones was named as the University of Illinois' tenth chancellor. According to Jones, leaving the University of Albany was one the most difficult decisions he had to make in his academic career.[10] Jones also has a tenured faculty position in the UIUC College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences in the department of crop sciences.[5]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Robert J. Jones". Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  2. 1 2 "Introducing Dr. Robert J. Jones". 19 July 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  3. 1 2 Vielkind, Jimmy (12 September 2012). "Scientist, singer new UAlbany president". Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  4. Jones, Robert James (1975). Calcium requirements of peanut pods and calcium mobility in the pegging zone (M.S.). University of Georgia. OCLC 4616777.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Meet the Chancellor". 26 September 2016. Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  6. Jones, Robert James (1978). Yield components, respiration, and photosynthesis of contrasting genotypes of tall fescue (Ph.D.). University of Missouri-Columbia. OCLC 4616777 via ProQuest. (Subscription required (help)).
  7. "University of Illinois President Timothy Killeen on July 19th named Robert J. Jones chancellor of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign". Retrieved 14 July 2017.
  8. "ROBERT J. JONES URBAN RESEARCH AND OUTREACH-ENGAGEMENT CENTER". Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  9. "Robert J. Jones named chancellor at Urbana-Champaign". 19 July 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2017.
  10. Bump, Bethany (20 July 2016). "UAlbany President Robert Jones leaving to lead University of Illinois flagship campus". Retrieved 14 July 2017.
Academic offices
Preceded by
George M. Philip
President of University at Albany, SUNY
2013 – 2016
Succeeded by
Havidan Rodriguez
Preceded by
Phyllis Wise
Chancellor of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2016 – present
Incumbent
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