Colleagues,
This will be my last “In Focus” message to you as Dean of Purdue Agriculture. Since my appointment as Provost of Purdue University was announced I have received so many notes of congratulations and warm wishes, and I appreciate every one of them. The decision to leave Purdue Agriculture was a very tough call for me, as this has been my "home" for 23 years. Obviously, I’m very proud to have been selected by the President to serve in this role and I do look forward to my continued service to Purdue.
I want to thank all of you for all your support during my tenure as your Dean. Our faculty and staff have a dedication to our College, our students and our constituents that few other places can match, and that commitment is a key factor in the tremendous success that we enjoy as an academic organization.
Dr. Jay Akridge has agreed to serve as Interim Dean of the College of Agriculture effective May 1. Jay’s leadership skills, management experience and vision will be extremely valuable to the College, and he will do a tremendous job of keeping the College of Agriculture on a positive course. I hope each of you will join me in welcoming Jay. One of my top priorities after assuming the position of Provost will be to initiate a national search for your next Dean of Agriculture.
I certainly pledge my continued support of the faculty, staff and students in the College of Agriculture from my new position serving as your Provost.
Cheers,
Randy
News around Purdue Agriculture
Jay Akridge named interim dean of Purdue Agriculture
Purdue University officials announced April 15 that agricultural economist Jay T. Akridge will become interim dean of Purdue Agriculture. Akridge, the James and Lois Ackerman Professor of Agricultural Economics and director of the Center for Food and Agricultural Business, currently is serving as the university's interim vice provost for engagement. Full story: http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2008a/080415LechtenbergAg.html
Purdue Agriculture--the next steps
This year we have begun the process of developing the next strategic plan for Purdue Agriculture. The input of our faculty, staff and students is key as we look at the challenges and opportunities facing us in the years to come. We have recently launched a website that will serve as a gateway to information for our strategic plan (http://www.agriculture.purdue.edu/strategicplan/index.html)
We have working groups in four areas: Student Access and Success; Discovery; International Agriculture; and Engagement/Extension. As part of their information gathering process, the working groups are looking for feedback from people in the College. Please help us by completing a brief online survey. Go to the “Strategic Planning Project” link on the Agriculture home page and let us know what you think!
'Tis the season for Awards....
Dr. Christine Wilson, associate professor of Agricultural Economics, received the Charles B. Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award at the University Honors Convocation on April 12. The Murphy Award honors faculty members for outstanding teaching in all phases of the university’s undergraduate instruction on the West Lafayette campus. It is Purdue’s highest undergraduate teaching award and has been awarded since 1967.
LeeAnn Williams, Agricultural Economics, received the Purdue Academic Advising Association’s Outstanding Advisor Award, and Shauna Stapleton, Entomology, received the Flora Roberts award recognizing the outstanding senior woman at Purdue.
Over 800 Agriculture students were recognized for achieving Dean’s List or Semester Honors over the past year--up from under 600 last year. This year 71 of our students were recognized for a perfect record (4.0), while 53 were recognized last year.
At the College of Agriculture Spring Awards Program in the afternoon, we celebrated our college-level award winners. Click here for the complete list.
...and Promotions
Congratulations to the faculty and administrative and professional staff members who have been advanced in rank beginning with the next fiscal year. Click here for the complete list.
TEAM Award to be presented May 1
Celebrate the success of the Purdue University Crop Diagnostic Training and Research Center,
winner of the 2008 Purdue Agriculture TEAM Award. The award will be presented at 2:00 p.m. in WSLR 116. More information.
Trio honored as University Faculty Scholars
Three Agriculture faculty members have been named University Faculty Scholars for 2008-2013: Gerald Shively, Ag Economics; Scott Jackson, Agronomy; and Jin-Rong Xu, Botany and Plant Pathology. The University Faculty Scholars program is designed to recognize outstanding faculty who are on an accelerated path for academic distinction. Select associate and full professors who have been tenured within the last five years are awarded this distinction in recognition of their scholarship. A total of ten current Agriculture faculty members have received the University Faculty Scholar recognition.
Tuinstra named to Wickersham Chair
Dr. Mitch Tuinstra, Agronomy, was named to the Wickersham Chair of Excellence in Agricultural Research in the Fall 2007 semester. Dr. Tuinstra is a professor of plant breeding and genetics. His research interests are in the areas of corn and sorghum genetics and plant breeding, with active programs in crop genetic resources and technology development. He provides statewide leadership in maize improvement and maintains close relationships with industry throughout the United States. The Wickersham Chair of Excellence was created by the College of Agriculture to recognize outstanding mid-career faculty. The endowment was funded by the Wickersham estate for the benefit of agriculture research at Purdue.
Ag student elected student body president
Congratulations to Eric Barnard, a junior in agricultural economics, who was elected Purdue student body president. Eric, who hails from Flora, Indiana, has served Purdue Student Government as a senator for the College of Agriculture. He participates in the Agricultural Economics honors research program, the Dean's Scholars Program, and Farmhouse Fraternity.
April 29: Sendoff reception for Dean Randy Woodson, 1:00-3:00 p.m., Pfendler Hall 2nd floor gallery
May 10: College of Ag Commencement Reception in the Ross-Ade Pavilion from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm, ending before afternoon commencement exercises. RSVP to the Ag Alumni office is required. Please call 765-494-8593 or e-mail debby@purdue.edu.
June 10-20: Day on Campus. Contact the Office of Academic Programs at 494-8470 for more information.
June 11-13: 4-H Science Workshops on campus. Contact Clint Rusk at 494-8427 for more information.
June 11-13: Animal Sciences Workshop for Youth on campus and at ASREC. Contact Rod Allrich at 494-4844 and Clint Rusk at 494-8427 for more information.
June 17-19: Indiana State FFA Convention at Purdue. Contact Brian Buchanan at 317-878-4178 for more information.
June 17-20: State 4-H Junior Leader Conference, University of Indianapolis. Contact Steve McKinley at 494-8435 for more information.
July 14: Indiana black Expo Children's Day activities at the Indiana Convention Center, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Danica Kirkpatrick at 494-9113 for more information.
August 6-17: Indiana State Fair
August 12: Crop Report at the Indiana State Fair, Our Land Pavilion. Contact Beth Forbes at 494-2722 for more information.
Purdue launches new, friendlier Web site
Purdue University has unveiled a newly redesigned Web site aimed at creating a more user-friendly online experience. Features of the new site include a more powerful and prominent search engine, easier navigation, a simpler format, keyword index and drop-down menus. The new site will go live on May 3.
|