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From the
Dean
Colleagues,
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a wonderful holiday and had a chance to catch up with family and friends (and perhaps to relax just a bit...). 2010 promises to be another very exciting, very productive year in Agriculture. Last October in this newsletter, I told you about some of the strategic plan initiatives we had begun working on. Several of them—like the Purdue/Ivy Tech Pathway program, the pre-award center to facilitate the submission process for sponsored research grant proposals, and Extension’s Thematic Advisory Groups (TAGs)/Issue Based Action Teams (IBATs)—are moving forward. But there is much more to accomplish, and this year’s agenda is an ambitious one. Just a few examples:
I hope this list communicates an important message: despite budget pressures, I know we will find a way to continue to move the College forward through these initiatives and others that are in progress. Last fall, the Associate Deans and I made our way around the College, sharing the strategic plan with each department. The thoughtful discussions we had make me very optimistic that 2010 will be a year of great progress toward achieving our strategic plan goals. On another note, by now you all have heard that our Provost Randy Woodson has been appointed Chancellor at North Carolina State University. While we’re very sad to see Randy leave Purdue, we’re proud of him and delighted that he has this terrific opportunity to use his considerable leadership talents at the next level. I know everyone in Agriculture joins me in wishing Randy all the best in his next adventure!
All the best,
News Around Purdue Agriculture
Provost Randy Woodson named North Carolina State University chancellor
Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/faculty/2010/100108CordovaWoodson.html
Ag Fish Fry features Purdue's World Food Prize winners
Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/events/2009/091221LesterFishFry.html
Wally Tyner Appointed to National Academy Committee
Dev Niyogi wins NSF early-career award
Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/faculty/2010/100107NSFCareer.html Purdue program sends farm managers back to schoolSchool will be in session for farmers wanting to better educate themselves on sound business management practices during Purdue Management Academy: Target 2015. The new program takes place Feb. 18 and 25 and March 4 and 11 at seven locations across Indiana. It is sponsored by Purdue University Extension and the North Central Risk Management Education Center. Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/outreach/2010/100111HeckamanAcademy.html
Indiana Horticultural Congress to address fruit, vegetable issuesAn annual conference for fruit and vegetable producers will address a cornucopia of production-related issues, including a daylong workshop on food safety. The Indiana Horticultural Congress takes place Jan. 19-21 at the Wyndham Hotel in Indianapolis. Purdue University Extension and the university's Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture are among the event sponsors. "A broad range of topics will be covered that are very timely in their importance to the industry," said Bruce Bordelon, Purdue Extension grapes and wine specialist. "There is a full-day session on good agricultural practices and good handling practices for fresh fruit and vegetable growers that will cover U.S. Department of Agriculture third-party food safety audits and similar issues. There also will be full-day sessions on agritourism and high tunnel production." Full story:http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2010a/100107BordelonCongress.html
Indiana electricity rates may rise, growth in demand slow through 2013Indiana electricity rates are projected to increase 12 percent over the next four years, while the recession and more efficient appliances will lower overall demand, according to a report prepared by analysts at Purdue University. Major factors driving up rates will be new federal air-quality standards, coupled with increasing construction and fuel costs, said Douglas Gotham, director of the State Utility Forecasting Group, a state-funded panel of researchers based at Purdue. The report, entitled "Indiana Electricity Projections: The 2009 Forecast," contains projections of the state's energy needs between 2008 and 2027 and was prepared for the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC). Analysts presented the report's findings to the state utility commission on Dec. 29. The forecast was prepared by Gotham; Paul Preckel, professor of agricultural economics; and analysts Forrest Holland, Marco Velastegui and David Nderitu. Full story: http://news.uns.purdue.edu/x/2010a/100104GothamElectricity.html
University News
Walk the Talk: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of ServiceFaculty, staff, and students are invited to volunteer to help area nonprofit agencies with various needs — from stuffing envelopes to cleaning kennels. If you would like to volunteer, sign up by January 15 by contacting the Boiler Volunteer Network at (765) 496-2450 or bvn@purdue.edu or visit www.purdue.edu/bvn. Transportation to the agencies will be provided, and an appreciation luncheon will follow as a thank you for volunteering your time and talents to the community. More information: http://www.purdue.edu/mlk/day_of_service.html APSAC seeking new membersEfforts are underway to fill six vacancies on the Administrative and Professional Staff Advisory Committee (APSAC). Established in 1988, APSAC builds a formal communication link between A/P staff and the central administration. Twenty-five members serve on APSAC and represent administrative and professional staff from all segments of our Purdue campus community, including regional campuses. APSAC members discuss and make recommendations on issues affecting administrative/professional staff at Purdue. The University central administration consults with the committee on many issues and relies upon it for input and active involvement. Members of APSAC also have the opportunity to represent A/P staff on various University committees. APSAC is encouraging A/P staff from the College of Agriculture to apply for APSAC membership. The term of service is three years (June 1, 2010 until May 31, 2013).Membership applications and instructions may be downloaded from www.purdue.edu/apsac. The application deadline is February 15, 2010.
Purdue seeks comments as part of accreditation processPurdue is seeking comments from the public in preparation for a comprehensive evaluation by a team representing The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The evaluation team will visit Purdue's West Lafayette campus March 22-24 and will review the University's ongoing ability to meet the commission's criteria for accreditation. Purdue has been accredited continually by the commission since 1913. The public is invited to submit comments regarding Purdue to: Public Comment on Purdue University; The Higher Learning Commission; 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400; Chicago, IL 60602. Comments must address substantive matters related to the quality of the institution or its academic programs. Comments must be in writing and signed and must be received by Feb. 19. Comments should include the name, address, and telephone number of the person providing the comments. Comments will not be treated as confidential.
Mark your calendar
January 19: PCARET Legislative Luncheon at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, Downtown Indianapolis. Contact Teresa Rogers at 49-48489 for more information. February 3-5: HASTI (Hoosier Association of Science Teachers, Inc.) Conference at the Indiana Convention Center. Purdue Agriculture exhibits at the conference on Feb. 4 and 5. Faculty and specialists present throughout the conference. February 6: Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry, 11:30 a.m. Toyota Blue Ribbon Pavillion, Indiana State Fairgrounds. Tickets are available by contacting the Purdue Ag Alumni office at 494-8593 or by e-mailing agalumni@purdue.edu. February 24: College of Agriculture Career Fair, 10:00-3:30; Pfendler Hall. For more information, contact Linda Austin at 494-8473; laa@purdue.edu March 5: Distinguished Agriculture Alumni Awards convocation and reception. For more information contact Debbie Claeys at 49-67894. March 6: Dean's Advisory Council spring meeting. For more information contact Dinah McClure at 49-49505. April 17-18: Spring Fest on campus from 10 am – 4 pm on Saturday and Sunday. College of Agriculture and other units from across campus present this educational event. Spring Fest information on the web: http://www.purdue.edu/springfest/ |
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