Walter Richard Birks (1886–1960), principal from 1927 to 1932, was a distinguished college alumnus[3] but was forced to resign after students' dissatisfaction culminated in strike action.

[5] Research undertaken at the College included use of fertilisers in dryland cropping and a wheat breeding program, each of their released varieties bearing the name of a bladed weapon.

The graduates of the three faculties – Agriculture, Oenology and Natural Resources – were well regarded, and winemaking students were drawn from throughout Australia and New Zealand.

ROCA was created in 1898 and has provided an on-going bond for the many thousands of people who have been associated with the Campus since Roseworthy was established as Australia's first agricultural college in 1883.

The merger would see teaching and research in oenology and viticulture transferred to the University's Waite Campus, along with the bulk of its work in plant breeding.

[8] (The proposal was controversial at the time, and the Student Union Council (RACSUC) held a wake to emphasise the perceived future of the college/campus under the University of Adelaide.)

From the mid 1990s, the major focus of the campus turned to dryland agriculture, natural resource management and animal production.

The campus is also now home to South Australia's first pre-service Veterinary Science training program, which commenced in purpose-built facilities in 2010.

He may have quit Roseworthy due to discipline problems, including a student break-in of the wine cellar, but made no public statements.