Dr. Robert A. Easter, University of Illinois President Emeritus and Professor Emeritus, was honored with the “Friend of GROWMARK” award at the GROWMARK annual meeting in Chicago today.

Dr. Easter assumed the presidency of the University of Illinois July 2012. He spent his entire 40-year career as a senior administrator and faculty member on the Urbana-Champaign campus, where he earned his doctorate in animal science in 1976.

Presenting the award, GROWMARK Chairman and President John Reifsteck said, “But for those in the GROWMARK System, Easter is most commonly known not as a dean, or a university president or any of his academic titles, but rather as he wants to be known: Bob Easter.”

The Friend of GROWMARK award was established in 1989 to recognize outstanding leadership and commitment to agriculture, and friendship to the GROWMARK System. Since its inception, more than 25 individuals and organizations have been honored.