Sul Ross State University announced the retirement of Dr. Robert J. Kinucan, professor of range management, whose career spans 38 years of service to the university, academic community and the Big Bend region.
Kinucan will officially retire Aug. 31, 2026. The university will celebrate his career with a retirement reception at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, at the Museum of the Big Bend.
During his tenure, Kinucan held several leadership roles, including director of the Division of Range Animal Science from 1996 to 1999, dean of the College of Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences from 1999 to 2017, associate provost for graduate studies and research from 2018 to 2019, and executive vice president and provost from 2019 to 2021. University officials said his leadership contributed to institutional growth and the strengthening of academic programs.
As an educator, Kinucan mentored 35 Master of Science students and served on 72 additional graduate committees. He also contributed to faculty development as both a colleague and administrator.
His academic work includes 17 peer-reviewed publications and numerous presentations at conferences ranging from local to international venues. His research efforts generated more than $5 million in grant funding, supporting advancements in range management and agricultural sciences.
Kinucan also served as president of the American Association of State Colleges of Agriculture and Renewable Resources from 2006 to 2007 and received the group’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. He was honored with the Sul Ross State University Presidential Award in 2023.
Outside the university, Kinucan contributed to the Alpine community and the broader Big Bend region, including involvement with the Big Bend Amateur Radio Club.
In recognition of his career, Sul Ross State University will confer upon Kinucan the title of Distinguished Professor Emeritus. The Everett E. Turner Range Animal Science Center, Room 102, will also be named the Robert J. Kinucan Dean’s Conference Room in his honor.
