University Professor John Rupe will be retiring at the close of 2025 with 41 years of service to the U of A and the Division of Agriculture.

Please join us in honoring Rupe for his 41 years of dedicated service to the U of A and his outstanding contributions to plant pathology, research and education in the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. A retirement celebration honoring Rupe well be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec.10, in the new Mullins Library Event Space. We will have a brief presentation at around 2:30 p.m. The location is the new event space in Mullins on the southeast side corner, and parking information is listed below.

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 10
Time: 2-4 p.m.
Location: Mullins Library Event Space room 217 (southeast side corner of library)

Parking: Metered parking available in Garland Avenue Garage or Stadium Drive Garage (near the Union). For additional parking information, email parking@uark.edu or call 479.575.7275.

Rupe received a B.A. from Goshen College, a B.S. from Colorado State and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the University of Kentucky.

As a plant pathologist, Rupe is an internationally recognized expert in diseases that affect soybeans. He pioneered work on soybean sudden death syndrome, which is one of the most important diseases of soybeans in North America. He has served regionally and nationally in numerous leadership roles. In 2016, he was named a Fellow of the American Phytopathological Society, which is one of our discipline's highest honors.

Rupe is also recognized on campus as an excellent teacher and leader. He served as chair of the Campus Faculty in 2014-15. In 2019, he was named a University Professor for exemplary service to his profession, the institution and the public.

A quote from Ken Korth, the head of the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology: 

"John is a valued colleague, mentor and friend. He is widely respected for his thorough knowledge of diseases affecting soybeans, one of the most globally-important crops. His research has had an important impact on development of superior soybean varieties, which contribute to enhanced food security. He is an awesome teacher, and has passed along the fundamentals of plant pathology and disease control to countless students over his years at the University of Arkansas. John exemplifies success in all areas of the land-grant mission, and he has never hesitated to step up and serve students, our department or his discipline."