The Farm Science Review Manager position has been posted. Please review carefully and encourage those that meet the qualifications apply. Please review the posting, here.

I am pleased to share with you that Dr. Jerry Bigham has accepted our offer to serve as the Interim Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education as Steve Slack transitions out of that position on December 31, 2015. Jerry will serve in the position while we conduct a national search for a new Associate Dean that will kick-off next month.

Jerry has a distinguished career at The Ohio State University and is uniquely qualified to serve in this important position during this leadership transition. Jerry came to the college in 1977 as an Assistant Professor in Soil Science and built an outstanding scholarship agenda throughout his career. Jerry has served in a number of administrative positions in the college since 2002 when he was the Research Coordinator for the School of Natural Resources. Jerry had a successful tenure as director of the School of Environment and Natural Resources from 2005-2009 and has since served in a variety of capacities supporting the college research enterprise.

Please join me in congratulating Jerry on this appointment! As we work through the national search for the new Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Education, we will be share the position description and opportunities for engagement in the process.

Sincerely,

Ron Hendrick
Acting Vice President and Dean
College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences

Acting Vice President and Dean, Ron Hendrick announced the establishment of the Steven A. Slack Lecture on Innovative Research in AgBiosciences.  The Lecture Series recognizes Steve’s 16 years of leadership at The Ohio State University and his strong commitment to AgBiosciences research. A fund (#315349)has been established to support the lecture series; those interested in contributing to the fund please go here

Steve Slack Lecture Flyer.

We are pleased to share with you that Dr. Terry Niblack, Chair, Department of Plant Pathology, has accepted our offer to serve as the Acting Sr. Associate Dean for the college, pending approval of the Board of Trustees. Terry will begin this role effective December 2, 2015 and Plant Pathology will be led by Larry Madden, Acting Chair and Guo-Liang Acting Associate Chair.

Terry has a distinguished teaching, research and outreach career that has prepared her for this role. In 2011, Terry joined The Ohio State University as professor and chairperson of the department and has maintained an active teaching, research and outreach program. As chair, her highest priorities have been to support and encourage faculty governance and enable faculty, staff, and students in every possible way. While serving as chair, Terry has maintained an active laboratory and has continued research and extension efforts with colleagues in Ohio and throughout the Midwest on the biology and distribution of the soybean cyst nematode. Terry has been published extensively throughout her career and recognized for her outstanding professional contributions. She has served as editor or associate editor of multiple professional journals, received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the United Soybean Board in 2004, and was elected a Fellow of the Society of Nematologists in 2012.

Please join me in congratulating Terry and thanking her, Larry and Guo-Liang for accepting these additional leadership responsibilities for the coming months.

Bruce A. McPheron & Ron Hendrick

As you have heard from President Drake, I have been appointed as Interim Executive Vice President and Provost. I am honored to have this opportunity and am tremendously excited to engage in the broad work of the university. Over the past three years, our college has accomplished a tremendous amount, and each of you has played an important part in its success. I have no doubt that the strong upward trajectory we have begun will only continue in the coming months.

I am pleased to share with you that Ron Hendrick has agreed to serve as the Acting Vice President for Agricultural Administration and Dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences. Most of you know Ron and his unwavering commitment to the success of our college. This commitment, coupled with his deep understanding of CFAES, leads me to have tremendous confidence in Ron’s leadership.

None of us lead alone. Ron will work with a terrific team of leaders, and their energy will be complemented by your excellence in carrying out our teaching, research, and outreach missions.

Bruce A. McPheron

I am pleased to share that Bruce A. McPheron has accepted our offer to be the interim executive vice president and provost at Ohio State, effective December 2.

For the last three years, Bruce has served as the vice president for agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES). He is a highly respected researcher, teacher and leader who has demonstrated a deep commitment to advancing the academic mission of the university and engaging with the community. Bruce is a member of our Discovery Themes executive team, and served as the 2013-14 chair of the Policy Board of Directors of Agriculture for the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities.

We appreciate his leadership during this transition period. We will launch a national search for a permanent incumbent shortly and I look forward to input from faculty, staff and students as we progress. I’d also like to express my gratitude to Senior Associate Dean and Professor Ronald Hendrick, who has agreed to step into the role of interim dean at CFAES.

Please join me in welcoming Bruce and Ron to their new roles — and once again thanking Provost Joseph Steinmetz for his service to Ohio State as he prepares to become chancellor at the University of Arkansas.

Sincerely,
Michael V. Drake, MD
President