Choices
A period of restricted funding for higher education and all public agencies appears to have begun. Our elected officials struggle to balance budgets at the federal and state level, and many local governments are beginning to face similar belt-tightening measures.
There never has been and never will be enough resources to do everything we might want to do to serve Kentucky and the nation. Times like these demand, more than ever, that we make smart choices and carefully set the College’s priorities.
Wise, carefully considered choices made by past College leaders have brought us today to an unprecedented level of national distinction in agricultural science. Those faculty, stakeholders, and administrators looked forward, anticipating future trends in emerging fields of biology such as genomics and biotechnology.
Targeted investments in such areas of opportunity have now borne fruit. Recently our college was ranked 10th nationally in agricultural research, with three of our biologically-oriented programs in the top 10 in their fields.
Remarkable achievements such as these are built upon much more than wise campus leadership. The very strong public support enjoyed by our land grant programs throughout Kentucky is essential, but even that is not sufficient to guarantee our continuing success. Guidance, feedback, and leadership from our stakeholders—the people of Kentucky—remain indispensable ingredients.
Communication with stakeholders is ingrained in our work through so many channels: local extension councils; program and department advisory committees and boards; interaction with state leadership, alumni, and commodity organizations; listening sessions and focus groups; and much more.
Particularly in tough times, sustaining the excellence and the impact of Kentucky’s land grant programs will require that we work hard to be worthy of not only your support but your advice. We want you to know that we do more than listen, we respond.
M. Scott Smith
Dean and Director, College of Agriculture
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