K-State Past, Present, and Future: A Conversation with President Linton | Powercat Kansan

Aug 24

2 min read

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnqykfzJMcY

Richard Linton is the president of Kansas State University, a role he has held since 2022 following more than four decades in higher education. Originally from Wilmington, Delaware, Linton earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from Virginia Tech, where a food microbiology professor sparked his interest in research and higher education. He went on to spend roughly 25 years as a food microbiologist, focusing on food safety, food quality and technologies to detect pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella.

Linton began his academic career as a faculty member at Purdue University, where he developed an interdisciplinary Center for Food Safety Engineering that brought together researchers from five colleges. His work in that area introduced him to university administration and the importance of mentorship, eventually leading him through roles as a center director, department head and dean before becoming a university president. He later served as a dean at North Carolina State University before taking the helm at Kansas State. Throughout his career, Linton has emphasized the influence of mentors and the importance of identifying opportunities while also setting ambitious goals.

As president of Kansas State University, Linton is focused on advancing what he calls the “next generation land-grant university.” That work includes expanding access to higher education, growing research in areas such as biomanufacturing, water resources and nuclear energy, strengthening K-State's engagement with communities across all 105 Kansas counties, and building partnerships with industry and government. Under his leadership, K-State has launched its NextG strategic plan, increased research activity, expanded scholarship support and undertaken major campus investments. Linton also serves as vice chair of the Big 12 Conference and has made athletics, philanthropy and community engagement central parts of his work to strengthen the university and its connection to the state of Kansas. Click to enlarge