Richard Zeyen

College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, October 19, 2017

Richard Zeyen, emeritus professor, received a Ph.D. in plant pathology from the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resources Sciences (CFANS) at the University of Minnesota (U of M). After receiving his Ph.D., he served as a research associate in charge of the electron microscopy facility, a member of the U of M faculty (1971-2010), and an emeritus professor (2010-present). Since retiring, Zeyen has played a pivotal role in fostering institutional connections with alumni and friends for the advancement of CFANS through communication efforts. Toward this effort, he is credited with creating a complete digital history of the Department of Plant Pathology and a website devoted to Norman Borlaug. In addition, he is credited with taking the leading role in establishing and building the Stakman-Borlaug Center (SBC) for Sustainable Plant Health, guiding the development of the Plant Pathology Living Legacy Project, working on the Rust Never Sleeps TPT-CFANS documentary, and shepherding to digitization every edition of Aurora Sporealis, the annual newsmagazine of the Department of Plant Pathology. Zeyen, described as a passionate alumnus and faculty member, has been a tireless advocate for CFANS.