Virginia Tech appoints Richard Linton as 17th president

The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors has unanimously appointed Richard Linton as the university’s 17th president. Linton, a three-time alumnus who holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and a master’s and doctorate in food science from the institution, will succeed Tim Sands. Sands will remain in his role until Linton officially assumes office at the start of the 2027 spring semester.

Linton currently serves as the president of Kansas State University, a position he has held since 2022. During his tenure at Kansas State, he oversaw strategic initiatives that increased student enrollment to over 21,000 and enhanced research expenditures by 30 percent. His professional background includes roles as a professor at Purdue University, department chair at Ohio State University, and dean at North Carolina State University.

Linton expressed that returning to serve his alma mater is a “true honor” and stated his intention to build upon the university’s land-grant legacy and expand its impact.