A stellar career without rival was launched by Dr. J. Robert Warmbrod from his experiences as a Tennessee farm boy. The legacy that is uncommonly his rests on the foundation of his bachelor's studies at the University of Tennessee. It was further strengthened by his experience as a teacher of agriculture at Franklin County High School in Winchester, Tennessee. Upon that rich mixture of theory and practice, Warmbrod added a master's degree from the University of Tennessee and then concluded his final preparation for a life of learning at the University of Illinois under the mentoring of H. M. Hamlin.

A Leader for His Time

Drawing upon this rich background of preparation and guided and shaped by his interaction with stimulating and caring colleagues at the University of Illinois, Bob Warmbrod rapidly ascended into the elite corps of visionaries in agricultural and vocational education in America. He was poised to make an impact on the profession based on his grounding in the tradition of Hamlin, Deyoe, and Phipps and the culture of the University of Illinois. He was stimulated by the boldness and exuberance of Al Krebs. Later as he joined the faculty of the Department of Agricultural Education at The Ohio State University, he was nurtured by the gentle touch and uncommon compassion of Ralph Bender and by his interaction with a diverse group of committed colleagues.

Devoted to Scholarship

A hallmark of Warmbrod's career is his unrelenting devotion to scholarship. He, like Hamlin before him, says research is "a stubborn and persistent effort to think clearly". And, think clearly he does.

Very early in his career, he served as Editor of the Agricultural Education Magazine (January 1968 - December 1970). During his term as editor in the late sixties, he wrote editorials focusing on: "Our Image: A Clear or Distorted Reflection?", "What is 'General' Vocational Education?", "Onlookers or Active Participants?", "Do We Need Another National Student Organization?". He was raising questions then just as he continues to raise questions today. And those questions have guided and shaped the thinking of hundreds of practicing agricultural educators.

J. Robert Warmbrod is a person of vision and conviction. He knows agricultural education from the ground up. He is a leader who values historical tradition while not being bound by it. This leader has the unusual ability to envision what ought to be and communicate it to others. He is liberally educated and has always tried to help his students to liberalize their own thinking.

His writing, teaching and conversation have constantly forced the profession to examine its core beliefs, build on its comparative advantage and create a preferred future for itself. For decades the profession has looked to Warmbrod for leadership and guidance.

Warmbrod has contributed to the literature in a profound way. His 1966 Review and Synthesis of Research in Agricultural Education with Lloyd Phipps and his 1968 Review and Synthesis on the Economics of Vocational Technical Education are hallmark contributions to the literature of the profession.

Few of his many publications attracted more interest and compelled more response than his t974 AATEA Distinguished Lecture "The Liberalization of Vocational Education." This profound piece was fully two decades ahead of the thinking that would eventually emerge in the profession.

His contribution to Methods of Teaching Agriculture superbly captured and explained the rich psychological underpinning of problem-based teaching among other important topics. It's not just that he contributed to twelve books and wrote or co-wrote 46 journal articles; rather it is what he wrote about and how clearly he did it.

Among his most important contributions to literature and thought in the profession was the part he played as a member of the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Agricultural Education in the Secondary School. His keen influence is readily apparent in Understanding Agriculture: New Directions for Education.

Unique Contributions in the Annals of Agricultural Education

Which of the contributions of J. Robert Warmbrod have added the most value? History must be the judge. But, I believe there are a number of contributions which are unique to him. They are quintessentially Warmbrod. I do believe history will judge them to have made an enduring difference to agricultural education.

Few professors at The Ohio State University have twice won the coveted OSU Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award. Bob Warmbrod has. He is a master teacher in the classroom and just as much so in his one-on-one instruction of graduate students. Warmbrod has mentored 48 doctoral candidates and has served on the Ph.D. committees of an additional 201 students; 83 of them in agricultural education. His stellar ability as a teacher has made an unparalleled contribution to the profession.

Early in his tenure at Ohio State, he created a series of advanced graduate courses which would help graduate students become competent in research and data analysis. Today these courses serve over 850 students annually. They serve students from over 40 departments at Ohio State University. Hence, there are countless professors and other professionals throughout the world who are proficient in social science research thanks to the foresight and tireless dedication of this teacher and scholar.

He is clearly a teacher who is in many ways in a class by himself. He has enriched the lives of perhaps more Ph.D.'s in the profession than any other single individual. His courses in research and data analysis, some of which he continues to teach to burgeoning enrollments each Spring and Fall Quarter, have substantially improved the caliber of research in agricultural and vocational education. This should be enough for most distinguished leaders in a profession. Not so for J. Robert Warrnbrod.

He has further distinguished himself as a first rate administrator and leader in professional organizations. Among his many professional leadership posts, Bob served as the AVA Vice President for Agriculture (1976-79); President of the American Vocational Education Research Association (1976); member of the Board of Directors and a Member of the Executive Committee of the National Council for Vocational and Technical Education in Agriculture (1984-87) and as a member of the Committee on Agricultural Education in the Secondary School, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences (1985-88).

He has a distinguished record in higher education administration. Bob was Chair of the Department of Agricultural Education at Ohio State University from 1978-86. During this time, he thoughtfully broadened the charter of this department and substantially enhanced the diversity of the faculty he appointed. Under his able leadership, the department executed a high quality and sound program. He attracted and retained outstanding faculty, championed improved scholarship, and stimulated faculty leadership contributions at the College and University level. He created the template for the modem multi-mission department that can thrive in the decades ahead. During his watch, the department was ranked the top department of agricultural education in the country.

Bob also served as Associate Dean for the College and was Acting Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Dean of the College of Agriculture from July 1989 to September 1991. Throughout the years, he has served in distinguished faculty leadership positions at Ohio State.

Honors and Awards

As one would expect, Bob's list of honors is long and varied. His profession has given him its highest honors such as: Honorary American Farmer Degree, Honorary Life Membership NVATA, AATEA Distinguished Service Award, AATEA Distinguished Lecturer and Fellow, American Association for Agricultural Education.

His university has also honored his excellent achievements. Twice he has won the OSU Alumni Distinguished Teaching Award (1972 and 1995). In 1989, he was named Presidential Professor an honor reserved for one faculty member

each year (on a campus which has 3,300 faculty) who represents an exceptional level of comprehensive excellence in teaching, advising, research, and service to the University community. In December 1997, Bob received the prestigious Ohio State University Distinguished Service Award, something no other active professor of agricultural education at Ohio State has ever received.

Currently

Today, Bob is Distinguished University Professor Emeritus. He still teachers two quarters a year at Ohio State and is co-chairing the university Commission on Faculty Development and Careers. He and his wife, Cathy, enjoy winters in Arizona and a rich and stimulating life in Columbus or traveling the rest of the year.

A Final Note

Perhaps more importantly than all of the publications, elected offices in professional organizations, principal administrative assignments and prestigious awards and honors, is the fact that J. Robert Warmbrod is a deeply humane and caring person. His colleagues from across the campus quickly and frequently point out his deep compassion and genuine caring for the human spirit. He is known for his thoroughness and fairness, his quiet and effective manner, his keen intellect and his always principled approach to solving problems, resolving conflicts and showing the way forward.

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