COLUMBUS, Ohio — Roger Rennekamp, the associate dean for Outreach and Engagement at Oregon State University, has been named the next director of Ohio State University extension.
Bruce A. McPheron, OSU’s (Ohio) vice president for agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, made the announcement at last week’s OSU Farm Science Review. Rennekamp will begin his duties on Jan. 4, 2016, replacing Keith Smith, who retired June 30 after 23 years in the position.
Rennekamp will be the 12th leader of Ohio extension, overseeing nearly 700 employees and a $71 million budget. Extension is the outreach arm of the college.
"Roger brings a great deal of experience at all levels of the Cooperative Extension System, and is known for building collaborative relationships and partnerships," McPheron said.
"His strong background in working across disciplines will serve Ohio State and Ohio quite well. Roger’s enthusiasm and energy will help create the extension organization of the future."
Prior to working for the Oregon extension service, Rennekamp was a professor in the Department of Commu-nity and Leadership Development at the University of Kentucky.
In that role he coordinated program development and evaluation activities for Kentucky extension and is recognized nationally as an expert in using logic modeling as a program development framework.
His research interests include examinations of the role of young people in community change. He earned his Ph.D. in extension education from OSU in 1987. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky and a master’s from Morehead State University.
"I am honored to renew my relationship with one of the nation’s premier land-grant universities," said Rennekamp about his return to Ohio. "The need for extension is as great as any time in its 100-year history.
"Extension of the next century must remain true to key principles of community engagement and responsiveness, while embracing approaches and technologies that will increase its reach and impact."
Rennekamp and his wife, Denise, have two grown children.
