Lechtenberg named Purdue's acting provost

July 12, 2012  


Vic Lechtenberg

Victor Lechtenberg
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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Victor Lechtenberg, who has held several key leadership positions over four decades at Purdue, will be the university's acting provost officials announced Thursday (July 12).

Lechtenberg's appointment is effective Monday (July 16) when Timothy D. Sands, executive vice president for academic affairs and provost, will become acting president. Sands will serve in that position until January, when Indiana Gov. Mitchell E. Daniels Jr. becomes the university's 12th president.

The appointment is pending approval by Purdue University's Board of Trustees.

"I am excited to have the opportunity to work with Tim Sands and others in the provost's office to help ensure a smooth transition until Gov. Daniels becomes president," Lechtenberg said.

Sands said Lechtenberg was a natural choice.

"With his vast experience at Purdue, including serving as interim provost just a few years ago, Vic is perfect for this position," Sands said.

Lechtenberg currently is special assistant to the president and director of the Center for Regional Development.

He joined the Purdue faculty in 1971 as a professor of agronomy. He taught crop science and conducted research on forage and biomass crops until 1982. From 1982-1993, Lechtenberg served as associate director of agricultural research programs and as executive associate dean of agriculture. He was dean of Purdue Agriculture from 1993-2004.

From 2004-2011, Lechtenberg served as vice provost for engagement, a position that was established in 2001. He was interim provost from 2007-2008, and from 2008-2009 was interim vice president for governmental relations.

Lechtenberg served as chair of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's national Agricultural Research, Extension, Education and Economics Advisory Board from 1996-2002. In that capacity, he provided written testimony on biosecurity for the U.S. Senate. He is a Fellow of the American Society of Agronomy and the Crop Science Society of America. He is a past president of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, an organization of 30 scientific societies and associations relating to agriculture.

In recognition of his impact on the state of Indiana, Lechtenberg received the Indiana Economic Development Corporation's (IEDC) 2009 Accelerate Indiana Award. He was recognized as the IEDC's best resource for connecting Indiana's strong academic culture with that of the business world.

In April, Lechtenberg received the inaugural Morrill Award, given by Purdue for members of the faculty who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, research and engagement missions.

The Office of Engagement puts Purdue resources to work to address issues affecting the state, nation and world's prosperity and quality of life. Areas of focus include economic development, P-12 education, community service and lifelong learning.

 

Writer: Greg McClure, 765-497-9611, gmcclure@purdue.edu

Sources: Timothy D. Sands, 765-494-9709, tsands@purdue.edu

                Victor Lechtenberg, vll@purdue.edu

 

Related website:

Purdue University Office of the Provost

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