UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Robert Steele, dean of Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences, was awarded an honorary doctorate by the National Agrarian University in Kiev, Ukraine, this month in recognition of collaborative programs the college has developed with that institution.

The honor was bestowed during the institution's annual Knowledge Day ceremonies. Knowledge Day is a countrywide celebration of the beginning of the new academic year. After receiving the honorary degree, Steele addressed an audience of more than 7,000 new students, parents, faculty, administrators, and local and federal government officials.

Based in Kiev, National Agrarian University has approximately 30,000 students and is the largest comprehensive agricultural university in the country. It has branch campuses around Ukraine. Following the ceremony, Steele and the rector of the National Agrarian University traveled to Simferopol, Crimea, where they participated in Knowledge Day ceremonies at the campus there, addressing 700 new students, their families and local government officials.

Penn State has had collaborative programs with the National Agrarian University since 1992, paid for by government and private funds. Students and faculty from both countries have participated in scholarly exchanges at Penn State and the Ukrainian institution.

###

Writer/Editor: Jeff MulhollemOffice 814-863-2719