M. Richard Rose

Merle Richard Rose (March 6, 1933 – April 10, 2021) was an American academic. He was the tenth president of Alfred University from 1974 until 1978, when he left to become the seventh president of the Rochester Institute of Technology from 1979 until 1992. Rose earned a bachelor's degree from Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania in 1955, a master's degree in counseling from Westminster College and a Ph.D. in higher education administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

Career He served in the United States Marine Corps as a colonel, serving in active duty from 1955 to 1959 and in active reserves from 1962 to 1986. Alfred University Rose became president at Alfred University in 1974, and served until 1978. He came into his tenure at Alfred University with a shrinking applicant pool with the national economy in a recession and inflation threatening private institutions. Edward G. Coll Jr., the twelfth President of Alfred University, described Rose's tenure as bold, in the face of this economic crisis. During this time academic programming was not cut and admissions standards were kept high in order to stay competitive with the nation's leading institutions.

Rochester Institute of Technology Rose was the seventh president of the Rochester Institute of Technology from 1979 until 1992.

In 1991, Rose touched off a firestorm of controversy by allegedly accepting a covert position working for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) at its headquarters in Langley, Virginia, while simultaneously serving as RIT President. The resulting outcry and investigations by the local paper effectively ended his career at RIT, and he resigned, ending his presidency at the close of the 1991–1992 school year.

In 1998, Rose was inducted into the RIT Athletic Hall of Fame. He is honored for his distinguished service to the university. His dedication describes: "With Rose’s encouragement in the 1980’s, RIT intercollegiate athletics steadily gained national prominence.... RIT virtually transformed its athletics program from one that seldom saw national championship play to one where NCAA appearances became commonplace in such sports as hockey, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, volleyball, wrestling, cross country and swimming."

Later career Rose was a Trustee Emeriti at Roberts Wesleyan College, a private Christian liberal arts college in New York state. He was also a trustee of the U.S. Air Force University.

Personal life He was married to Clarice Ratzlaff for 65 years. Together, they had three sons: Scott, Eric, and Craig.

Death Rose died on April 10, 2021, at his home in Brooksville, Florida.