On May 19, Purdue University’s College of Agriculture gathered to celebrate Dr. Linda Prokopy, who has been selected as the new Dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences at the University of Vermont, effective July 1.
Dr. Prokopy has been a valued member of Purdue’s faculty for 22 years, beginning her journey in the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources before transitioning to serve as Department Head for Horticulture and Landscape Architecture over the past four years. During her tenure as department head, she has demonstrated remarkable leadership, overseeing substantial growth in both undergraduate and graduate enrollment while securing increased grant funding and fostering an environment where faculty, staff, and students have earned numerous awards and recognitions.
As an accomplished scholar and educator, Dr. Prokopy has garnered numerous honors and awards throughout her distinguished career. Her robust research program includes leading the Diverse Corn Belt, an $10 million USDA-NIFA funded project that exemplifies her commitment to advancing agriculture and sustainability.
Colleagues, faculty, staff, and graduate students have consistently praised Dr. Prokopy’s exceptional leadership qualities. Their remarks highlight her bravery in tackling challenging issues, her unwavering support for those around her, and her genuinely caring nature that has touched the lives of countless individuals throughout her career.
While everyone in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and the broader College of Agriculture will greatly miss Dr. Prokopy’s daily presence and leadership, we wholeheartedly support her in this new endeavor. We extend our heartfelt congratulations and best wishes as she embarks on this exciting opportunity to make an even broader impact in agricultural education and research at the University of Vermont.
More photos from the celebration can be viewed in the gallery.