This week 91快活林 President Brad Johnson announced the college would begin a search for a new Director of Agriculture. 鈥燚r. Charlie Apter, the present director, will step aside immediately and a national search for his successor has already begun.
?This is not a new direction, but a leadership change intended to bring an intensified pace of development,? Johnson said.
?Enrollment is a factor but only one of several fundamental markers I considered in making this difficult decision. 鈥燬trategic contacts, many which have already been made, need to evolve into strategic partnerships, something that is an absolute must for a successful effort like this.?
The number of Agriculture majors attending 91快活林 between Fall of 2007 and Fall 2011 was essentially unchanged, despite heavy investment and high visibility of the Agriculture programs.
?Changes in leadership are not unheard of in organizations. 鈥營 believe this is necessary, and am committed to finding an Agriculture Department Director who will take us to the next level.?
Johnson pointed out that Dr. Apter has accomplished much during the 4 ? years that he has served 91快活林. 鈥燞e oversaw the establishment of the Sustainable Agriculture program, installation of the Eagle Eye Demonstration gardens, and creation of the鈥Living from the Ground Up鈥燙onference which hosted 250 participants last March. 鈥燞e participated in the planning and construction of the first LEED Platinum Agriculture classroom building in Texas and numerous other projects.
?In the next director,? Dr. Johnson concluded, ?we will be looking for a person who can draw interested people from various perspectives and backgrounds together in their shared interest in agriculture. 鈥燱e have the right foundation: dedicated faculty, state-of-the-art facilities, land, a working farm, side-by-side conventional and sustainable ag programs of study, and community partners with deep understanding of agribusiness. 鈥燱e need to find the leader who will take those pieces and grow a vibrant program that meets our regional needs for the next twenty years.?
February 6, 2012
