Ronald Roskens, PhD, former University of Nebraska president and University of Nebraska at Omaha chancellor, died Feb. 27 at the age of 89.
Dr. Roskens was UNO chancellor from 1972 to 1977 and president of the NU System from 1977 to 1989. He was the third system president and remains the longest-serving president.
University of Nebraska System President Ted Carter on Monday issued the following statement:
“Tonight we learned that former University of Nebraska President Ronald Roskens has passed away. Ron spent much of his career in education, and after serving as chancellor of UNO, he went on to become the longest-serving president of the NU System. His footprint includes the building at UNO that bears his name, where we help prepare future generations of Nebraska educators. Lynda and I are thinking of President Roskens’ wife Lois and their four children during this difficult time.”
Ronald W. and Lois G. Roskens Hall at UNO, home to the College of Education, Health and Human Sciences, is named in honor of Dr. Roskens and his wife.
UNMC Chancellor Jeffrey P. Gold, MD, who also served as chancellor of UNO from 2017 to 2021, also expressed his admiration of Dr. Roskens, calling him an incredible leader.
"He was a former chancellor of UNO and then university system president at a key time in the history of our great university system. He very warmly welcomed me when I joined the UNMC family, now over eight years ago, and was particularly helpful during my four years of leadership of UNO. Our best wishes go out to all of his family, but particularly to Bill and Lisa Roskens and their family for the loss of their dad and their children's beloved grandfather."