Chancellor Green to address May graduates

Chancellor Ronnie Green will offer Nebraska’s May graduates some special words of wisdom before his departure from the university.

Green, who plans to retire at the end of June, will deliver the keynote addresses during the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremonies May 19 and 20.

As chancellor, Green leads Nebraska’s flagship, land-grant, Big Ten institution, where he oversees an enrollment of nearly 24,000 students and about 5,800 faculty and staff. Before becoming chancellor in 2016, he served as the University of Nebraska system’s vice president for agriculture and natural resources, Harlan Vice Chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and interim senior vice chancellor for academic affairs.

A first-generation college graduate, Green earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in animal science from Virginia Tech and Colorado State University, respectively. His doctoral program in animal breeding and genetics was completed jointly at UNL and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Meat Animal Research Center.

Green previously served on the animal science faculties of Texas Tech University and Colorado State University. He was the national program leader for animal production research for the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and executive secretary of the White House’s interagency working group on animal genomics. He later served as a global executive for Pfizer Animal Health’s animal genomics business.

Green is a past president of the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) and the National Block and Bridle Club. He currently serves on several boards, including the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors, Neogen Corporation and Supporters of Agricultural Research. He is also a member of the Presidential Forum of the NCAA, representing the Big Ten Conference; the NCAA Division I Board of Directors Infractions Process Committee; and the Blue-Ribbon Panel of the National Academies, looking at how to enhance land-grant coordination and cooperation. Green was named an ASAS fellow in 2014 and a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2015. In 2017, he was honored with ASAS’ Morrison Award, the highest international academic recognition for an animal scientist.

Chancellor Green and his wife, Jane — a double Husker alumna — will be recognized April 22 as the 2023 Block and Bridle Club honorees for their contributions to Nebraska agriculture through leadership, service, youth projects, community activities and involvement with the university.

The graduate and professional degree ceremony is 3 p.m. May 19 at the Bob Devaney Sports Center, 1600 Court St. Doors open to the public and student check-in begins at 1:30 p.m.

The undergraduate ceremony is 9 a.m. May 20 at Memorial Stadium. Gates open to the public and student check-in begins at 7 a.m.

The College of Law ceremony is 2 p.m. May 20 at the Lied Center for Performing Arts, 12th and R streets. Doors open to the public at 1 p.m., and graduates should arrive no later than 1:15 p.m.

Tickets are not required for any of the ceremonies, and there is no limit to the number of guests for each graduate. Guest seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information on May commencement, including accessibility accommodations, click here.