Dr. William Raun was a distinguished agronomist and Regents Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences at Oklahoma State University, holding the prestigious Walter R. Sitlington Chair in Agriculture. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Agronomy from Oklahoma State University in 1979 and 1982, followed by a Ph.D. in Agronomy from the University of Nebraska in 1985. After completing his doctoral studies, he served for six years as a Regional Maize Agronomist with the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center across nine countries in Central America and Mexico. Dr. Raun returned to Oklahoma State University in 1991, where he established himself as a leading figure in agricultural research and education, eventually achieving the highest faculty honor as a Regents Professor in 2004.
Dr. Raun's pioneering research focused on enhancing nitrogen use efficiency in cereal crops through innovative sensor-based technologies that transformed precision agriculture practices worldwide. He co-developed the globally commercialized GreenSeeker sensor system alongside mechanical and electrical engineers, creating a revolutionary tool that enables farmers to make data-driven nutrient management decisions. His team developed 29 sensor-based nitrogen rate algorithms now implemented across multiple continents for crops including corn, wheat, and cotton, significantly improving fertilizer application accuracy while reducing environmental impacts. This work represented a paradigm shift in agricultural practices, moving from traditional blanket applications to precise, site-specific management that benefits both crop productivity and sustainability.
Beyond his technical contributions, Dr. Raun was renowned as an exceptional mentor who chaired 103 graduate degree programs for students from 22 countries, profoundly shaping the next generation of agricultural scientists. His student-centered approach to research and education earned him widespread admiration, with colleagues noting his dedication to providing international research opportunities that transformed students' careers. Dr. Raun's work directly addressed global food security challenges by developing practical solutions that helped farmers improve yields while reducing environmental impacts. Recognized as a Fellow of both the American Society of Agronomy and the Soil Science Society of America, his legacy endures through the widespread adoption of his methodologies and the continued impact of his former students worldwide.
