KINGSTON, R.I. – Feb. 26, 2025 – The University mantra during John Kirby’s years here has been “think big, we do,” but he admits that one of the initial draws for him to come to the University of Rhode Island was the fact that it was such a small place—geographically, that is.

Kirby came to URI from the plains and wide-open spaces of South Dakota, with a sizable curriculum vitae to match, and a commitment to the unique mission of land-grant universities. He was previously on the faculty at the University of Arkansas before serving as director of the South Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station at South Dakota State University, where he was also associate dean for research of the university’s College of Agriculture and Biological Sciences.

Kirby first heard about the opportunity at URI from a friend and colleague from Arkansas who had moved to New England for a position in Connecticut and was touting the benefits of working in the smaller states.

“He expounded the virtues of living in a state you could crisscross in a day, as opposed to South Dakota, where I’d have to hop on a plane to fly to the outlying ag stations,” Kirby said with a laugh. With a diverse background that touched on all the areas the college was looking for, Kirby decided to apply, and made the move across the country.

Clearly, the job proved to be a good fit.

Kirby is now the longest serving of the University’s deans, having served as dean of the College of the Environment and Life Sciences (CELS) since 2010, a trusted mentor, colleague and friend to many.

“John is a champion of our University’s land-grant mission,” says Provost Barbara Wolfe. “He has connected the college’s research, education and extension efforts for the betterment of the University and the state of Rhode Island.”

URI President Marc Parlange says Kirby’s dedication to fostering international partnerships expanded the University’s global impact in ecosystems research.

“Under John’s guidance, CELS has seen significant growth in research initiatives, with major projects funded by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture,” Parlange said. “I am grateful for his leadership and friendship and for the contributions and lasting impact he’s had on URI.”

Branching off in new directions

So what’s next? Kirby is wrapping things up at URI, with March 8 his last day, heading off to a relaxing spring break at the same time URI students will take their break, though his is the extended version.

Leaving URI will also give him more time for his off-campus interests. He’s looking forward to having time for other pursuits and planning to spend more time with his bonsai, a fitting career coda for an environmental college dean, and a collection started, incredibly, in 1968. The bonsai even traveled to Arkansas and South Dakota with him before coming to New England with Kirby and his wife, arriving in a small fleet of 26-foot trucks.

Kirby says the bonsai have provided a good way for him to recharge as needed.

“It keeps you centered,” he says.

That green escape was welcome as Kirby led the college through challenging times, arriving at the University in the wake of the 2009 economic collapse, and later leading the college through the COVID-19 pandemic. Faculty members who have worked for Kirby note that his time at URI has been bookended by major transitions, changing landscapes, and different URI presidents.

“Even with these constraints, he’s been a strong leader for the college, applying a vision for increasing our capacity to tackle coastal and marine issues, while maintaining our strengths in other areas,” says Christopher Lane, chair of biological sciences. “John has been creative in using the land-grant center of the college to leverage opportunities for new faculty, while identifying ways to encourage existing faculty to find their strengths and lean into them. He has been a fierce advocate for his faculty taking on larger roles at the University and beyond, while still engaging faculty within departments. He is going to leave big shoes to fill.”

Kirby credits his time in the military with providing him the skills to work with people through times of change, and invaluable leadership career training. He served as a Polish linguist in the U.S. Air Force during the height of the Cold War, completing extensive language training at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California for that role. The training taught him a language, and much more.

“In the military, you learn how to work with people in groups, how to help people move forward, to identify what needs to happen and move toward community solutions as a group,” he says.

At URI, he has been a strong supporter of the University’s Center for Military and Veteran Education and was supportive of the Sea Services Symposium when the University launched the annual program in 2023.

“He’s been very supportive of veterans on campus,” says Bob Flynn, director.

URI highlights

Kirby readily speaks to many highlights of his time at URI. He’s proud of the opportunities students in CELS have to engage in research and experiential learning, to gain real-world experience and prepare for study and career paths after graduation. Students in the college now have about 150 unique internship sites, with nearly 300 students interning each year at locations such as Save the Bay, Mystic Aquarium, Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, and more. 

“It’s our hope to get as many students as possible into programs and experiences like the Energy Fellows, CELS Summer Fellowship program, and other types of opportunities,” he says.

The college has also drawn increased interest and enrollment. During Kirby’s tenure, the number of degrees conferred by the college increased more than 35 percent, with the newest major added in sustainable agriculture and food systems. Enrollment in the college’s doctoral programs also grew close to 30 percent.

“We’ve developed a faculty here that is really spectacular, and it’s been a great joy to be a part of that,” he says. “It’s a testament to the intellectual capacity and the great potential of the people here at URI. There are so many important things the college does, connected to human health and the human condition, with our environmental and agriculture programs. It’s an opportunity to help people, working or studying here. I’ve been happy to help the University and the college move forward. It’s been a good ride.”

Kirby imparts some reassuring departing wisdom, perhaps as someone who has navigated challenging times and can take the long view.

“There are lots of challenges in science and academia right now, that’s true,” he says. “But they will pass and we’ll see what comes next. You just have to figure out what to do and see how best to adapt and move forward. Things have ways of working out. If we can think how to do good in the world and take the long-term view, we can adapt to things when they change and move ahead.”