Background
Roskens, Ronald William was born on December 11, 1932 in Spencer, Iowa, United States. Son of William E. and Delores A.L. (Beving) Roskens.
academic administrator management consultant
Roskens, Ronald William was born on December 11, 1932 in Spencer, Iowa, United States. Son of William E. and Delores A.L. (Beving) Roskens.
Bachelor, University Northern Iowa, 1953. Master of Arts, University Northern Iowa, 1955. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), University Northern Iowa, 1985.
Doctor of Philosophy, University Iowa, 1958. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Creighton University, 1978. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Huston-Tillotson College, 1981.
Doctor of Laws (honorary), Midland Lutheran College, 1984. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Hastings College, 1981. Doctor of Letters (honorary), Nebraska Wesleyan University, 1981.
Doctor of Philosophy (honorary), Ataturk University, Turkey, 1987. Doctor of Science (honorary), Jayewardenepura University, Sri Lanka, 1991. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), University Akron, 1987.
Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), American College Greece, Athens, 1994. Doctor of Humane Letters (honorary), Kent State University, 2005. Doctor of Humane Letters, University Nebraska, 2008.
Doctor of Laws, University North-East, 2009.
Teacher, Minburn (Iowa) High School, 1954;
Teacher, Woodward (Iowa) Eastern State Hospital, summer 1954;
assistant counselor to men, State University Iowa, 1956-1959;
dean of men, assistant professor special education, Kent (Ohio) State University, 1959-1963;
associate professor, then professor, Kent (Ohio) State University, 1963-1972;
assistant to president, Kent (Ohio) State University, 1963-1966;
dean for administration, Kent (Ohio) State University, 1968-1971;
executive vice president, professor educational administration, Kent (Ohio) State University, 1971-1972;
chancellor, professor educational administration, U. Nebraska, Omaha, 1972-1976;
president, U. Nebraska System, 1977-1989;
president emeritus, U. Nebraska System, 1989;
honorary professor, East China Normal U., Shanghai, 1985;
administrator, United States Agency for International Development, Washington, 1990-1992;
president, Action International, Inc., Omaha, 1993-1996;
president, Global Connections, Inc., Omaha, since 1996. Interim Executive officer Omaha Public Library., 1996-1998. Member Business-Higher Education Forum, 1979-1989, Executive Committee, 1984-1987.
Member governmental relations committee Am.Council Education, 1979-1983, board directors, 1981-1986, vice chair, 1983-1984, chair, 1984-1985. Chairman of Commission on financing higher education National Association State Universities and Land Grant Colls., 1978-1983, vice Chairman of Commission on financing higher education, 1983-1984, Chairman of Commission on federal student finance assistance, 1981-1987;member of national advising committee on accreditation and institutional eligibility unites states department Education, 1983-1986, chairman, board directors, 1986. Executive Board North Center Association,1979-1984, chairman of the executive board, 1982-1984, president, 1989-1990.
Active Environmental Americans Board, 1991-1992, Strategic Command Consultation Commission, 1993-1996, National Executive Reserve Corps, Federal Office Emergency Preparedness, 1968-1988. Chairman Omaha/Douglas Public Building Commission, since 1996.
Member Kent City Planning Commission, 1962-1966. Board directors United Church of Christ Board Homeland Ministries, 1968-1974, Metropolitan Young Men’s Christian Association, Omaha, 1973-1977, Mid-American council Boy Scouts American, 1973-1977, Midlands United Community Services, 1972-1977, National Conference of Christians and Jews, 1974-1977, Omaha Rotary Club, 1974-1977, 93—, Foundation Study Presidential and Congressional Terms, 1977-1989, First Plymouth Congressional Church, 1989-1990, Midland Lutheran College, 1993-2000, Council Aid to Education, 1985-1989, ConAgra Foods, Inc., since 1993, Russian Farm Community Project, Capitol Federal Foundation, Topeka, Kansas, since 1999, The Silverstone Group, since 2004. Trustee Huston Tillotson College, Austin, Texas, 1968-1981, chairman, 1976-1978, Joslyn Art Museum, 1973-1977, Nebraska Methodist Hospital, 1974-1977, 1st Central Congregational Church, Brownell-Talbott School, 1974-1977, Harry S. Truman Institute, 1977-1989, Willa Cather Pioneer Memorial and Educational Foundation, 1979-1987.
President Kent Area Chamber of Commerce, 1966. Member Metropolitan Commission College Foundation, 1993-1996. Minister-in-residence Countryside Community United Church Christ, Omaha, since 2003.
Member American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Psychological Association, American Association of University Professors, American College Personnel Association, Association Urban Universities (president 1976-1977), American Educational Research Association, Council on Foreign Relations, Chief Executives Organization, Young President Organization, Scottish Rite (board directors Omaha council since 1999), Lincoln C. of Chamber (board directors 1989-1990), Masons (33 degree), Rotary (board directors Omaha 1974-1977, president Kent, Ohio chapter, 1970-1971), Phi Delta Kappa, Phi Eta Sigma, Sigma Tau Gamma (president grand council 1968-1970, Distinguished Achievement award 1980, Distinguished scholar 1981), Omicron Delta Kappa (national president 1986-1990, Foundation president 1986-1996).
Married Lois Grace Lister, August 22, 1954. Children: Elizabeth, Barbara, Brenda, William.