AWARD
Dr. James K. Bissell 2011 Oliver award receipient.
Robert W. Light, Ph.D.
2008 John C. Oliver Environmental Leadership Award Recipient
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| Robert W. Light |
Dr. Light is senior associate dean for research, graduate studies and outreach at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. He has been with Penn State Behrend for 26 years.
His duties also include promoting the college’s efforts in ecological sustainability, continuous quality improvement, corporate and continuing education, and undergraduate research. He held the position of assistant professor of biology at the college from 1984-1987. Since 1987, Dr. Light has assumed a number of administrative positions with the college, each with expanded responsibilities.
In his 26 years at the college, Dr. Light has been active in the community and University:
- Membership on several boards: Lake Erie-Allegheny Earth Force, National Earth Force Program, Northwest Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center, Lake Erie Research Institute, Great Lakes Commission, Center for eBusiness and Advanced IT, Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Organizational Research and Evaluation, Sea Grant Association, Great Lakes Sea Grant Directors Network, University Council on Engagement, University Graduate Implementation Committee, and University Research Council.
- Held several posts with economic development organizations: director of the Ben Franklin Partnership office in Erie (1985-1988), educational liaison for the Erie Conference on Community Development Community Agenda (1987-1988); and acting director of the Northwest Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center, Inc. (1988).
- Involved in strategic planning for school districts, outreach centers, and conservation groups.
Dr. Light has been responsible for overseeing the implementation of the community and economic development programs at the college: including thirteen outreach centers; the college’s Center for Corporate and Continuing Education that provides customized corporate training and development; and the Penn State Educational Partnership Program, an educational partnership to help middle and high school students stay and succeed in school.
Dr. Light has led the development of several major projects:
- 1998: Establishment of Pennsylvania Sea Grant that brings additional federal and state resources to bear on the environmental and economic issues affecting the major coastal watersheds of Pennsylvania. The program currently has twelve staff members throughout the Commonwealth and grants totaling nearly $2 million.
- 1999: Development of Knowledge Park at Penn State Erie, located on 200 acres of the college’s land that provides space for technology-based companies to locate close to and take full advantage of the physical and intellectual resources of the college. Currently houses fifteen tenants with an employment totaling more than 500.
- 2002: Member of team that helped establish the Center for eBusiness and Advanced Information Technology, a technology development center promoting the use of eBusiness and advanced information technologies.
Dr. Light received a Ph.D. in Ecology from Penn State in 1983, an M.S. in Biology from Millersville University of Pennsylvania in 1979, and a B.S. in Biology from the University of Delaware in 1975. He has received recognition for both athletics and academics, including national recognition in collegiate volleyball. His research specialties include stream and brook trout ecology.
Dr. Light is married to Judy Ellen Light, and they have four children: Courtney, Jeremy, Mackenzie, and Peter.
In 2008, Dr. Light received the John C. Oliver Environmental Leadership Award.
Donate to Friends of TREC in loving memory of Gene Comoss, a great friend to the organization who has recently passed away.
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