A retirement reception for Michael Kocher, Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Systems Engineering, will take place from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. on October 29 in the East Campus Union - Great Plains Room B-C.
Dr. Kocher earned Bachelor and Master of Science degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and a doctoral degree from Oklahoma State University, all in agricultural engineering. He is a registered Professional Engineer. Mike first worked in the Department of Agricultural Engineering Department at UNL as an Extension Assistant from August 1979 through July 1983 before leaving to pursue a Ph.D. Dr. Kocher also served in the U.S. Army Reserves from 1986 through 1992. After a 4-year stint on the Biological and Agricultural Engineering faculty at the University of Arkansas, Mike joined Nebraska faculty in August 1990. Dr. Kocher made significant contributions to BSE teaching programs and most recently taught courses in Power and Machinery Principles, Power Systems Design, and Equipment and Tractor Testing. He is co-author with Dr. John S. Cundiff of the textbook “Fluid Power Circuits and Controls: Fundamentals and Applications, 2nd Edition” which was released in December 2019. The bulk of Dr. Kocher’s research has focused on instrumentation for rapid evaluation of planter seed spacing performance, testing methods for tractor performance, and logistics and economics of biomass harvesting. As a member and chair of the Nebraska Board of Tractor Test Engineers, Mike helped develop new procedures, analyses, and reports of tractor performance, which contributed to international tractor testing codes. He has also worked for several years with the ASABE committee that develops the Professional Engineering Exam for Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Dr. Kocher has received numerous honors and awards during his distinguished career and he has obtained a U.S. Patent.
During his retirement, Mike and his wife, Jodi, are looking forward to visiting their four children more, and spending additional time during the summer fishing and with extended family at their lake cabin in Minnesota. Dr. Kocher is also looking forward to more time outdoors hunting Nebraska’s plentiful wildlife.
The reception is open to the campus community and will be streamed on-line at the site identified below for those who are unable to attend in person. Contributions to a Book of Letters congratulating Mike on his retirement may be sent to:
Christel Burgason
Office Associate, Biological Systems Engineering
Room 200, Chase Hall
University of Nebraska
Lincoln, NE 68583-0726
cburgason2@unl.edu