As part of his new role as chair of Ohio State University's Department of Animals Sciences, Ronald S. Kensinger plans to create new partnerships, boost the department's fundraising efforts and increase the amount of access to hands-on research opportunities for students. "I want to engage stakeholders to come to an agreement to build state-of-the-art, hands-on, research opportunities so that when students graduate they'll be ready to help businesses here in Ohio continue to excel in the future," he said. "We have an extremely strong animal sciences program here at Ohio State, and I'm looking forward to finding ways to make it even stronger." Kensinger began his duties Jan. 1. He most recently served as professor and head of the Department of Animal Science at Oklahoma State University, where he helped raise $1.6 million in new endowed student scholarships. He also helped raise funds for six endowed chairs or professorships for the department during his four-year tenure. Among his accomplishments at Oklahoma State, Kensinger helped to form the Oklahoma Animal Agriculture Alliance, made up of members of the beef, pork, poultry, dairy and equine industries to respond to common issues. And he advanced the goal of updating the department's aged farm fleet. Kensinger said he'd like to see similar partnerships developed at Ohio State during his time as department chair, both within the department and with departments throughout the university. He calls his management style open, transparent and student-centered. "I have an open door policy, where I want people to be comfortable to express any concerns where they exist," he said. "At the end of the day, without students, why would we be here at all?" The Department of Animal Sciences at Ohio State focuses on advancing animal sciences for the betterment of animals and humans through research, teaching and outreach endeavors. The department is the leading provider of animal sciences education and outreach statewide. Kensinger can be reached at 614-292-6401 or kensinger.4@osu.edu. 2.14.2012