Position Announcement:
Read the official announcement that began the search for the Dean of the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky.

Schedule of Open Meetings

UK Announces Four Candidates

Streaming Audio
Listen to each candidate's presentation via streaming audio.
Jeffrey Dyer Armstrong
Donald C. Coston
Colin Guy Scanes
M. Scott Smith

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UK NAMES ONE OF ITS OWN AS AGRICULTURE DEAN

Nov. 21, 2000 (Lexington, Ky.) -- M. Scott Smith will be the new dean of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture on Jan. 1, 2001, pending Board of Trustees approval, Chancellor Elisabeth Zinser has announced. Selected following a competitive national search that yielded a large pool and four outstanding finalists, Smith succeeds C. Oran Little, who is retiring as dean of the college after serving UK for 37 years, the last 13 as agriculture dean.

"Dr. Smith is a talented academic leader," Zinser said. "He possesses knowledge of and commitment to a wide range of goals for agriculture and the further development of our economy and communities. His vision, ideas and understanding of Kentucky bode well for the future in building upon the college's achievements while developing new directions aligned with emerging opportunities and challenges." In addition to being the chief administrative officer of the college, Smith will direct the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station and the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, both statewide entities with links to national networks.

Smith has been with UK since 1978, the year he received his doctorate from Michigan State University. He currently is associate dean for research, associate director of the Agriculture Experiment Station, and professor of agronomy.

Smith, 51, started his career as professor of soil microbiology. His research on nitrogen fertilizer in soil and water has had agricultural and environmental significance. In 1989 he became chairman of the Department of Agronomy, a large and diverse area.

"The UK College of Agriculture has a tradition of excellence in teaching, research and cooperative extension," Smith said. "Now we must build upon that strength while responding to the pressing needs of farm families and communities throughout Kentucky. This decade will bring daunting challenges as well as great opportunities in agriculture and natural resources. We will fully commit our energy and abilities to addressing these issues." The UK Board of Trustees is expected to approve Smith's appointment at its Dec. 12 meeting.

For More Information Contact:
Lori Garkovich
lgarkov@pop.uky.edu
500 Garrigus Building
Lexington, KY 40546
Tel. 859.257.7581