Purdue News
Purdue News
|
|
August 18, 2004 Purdue School of Agriculture names 4 new department leadersWEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The Purdue University School of Agriculture recently named two new and two interim department heads. Chris W. Sigurdson now heads the Department of Agricultural Communications and Patrick D. Smoker is head of the Department of Agriculture Information Technology. "Chris and Pat are seasoned professionals who bring a great combination of experience and innovation to their respective departments," said Randy Woodson, interim dean of agriculture at Purdue. "We feel fortunate to be able to recognize Chris and Pat for their outstanding leadership abilities and know they will help Purdue agriculture continue to move forward."
Sigurdson, a Purdue staff member since 1991, served as interim head of the Department of Agricultural Communications for five years. Prior to that he was the department's news and public affairs coordinator. "I'm a big believer in Purdue's land-grant mission," Sigurdson said. "I see our job as helping people tap into the university and its expertise. We do that by using the best practices of communication and innovative technology. "One of this department's strengths is communicating about technical subjects and making them accessible to lay audiences. That may be a sixth-grader looking at an exhibit at the state fair or a chemical engineer who's reading a Wall Street Journal article about Purdue research." Purdue Agricultural Communications develops Web sites, news releases, interactive exhibits, CDs, DVDs and other communication products for the School of Agriculture. "Purdue Ag Communications has become one of the premiere services of its kind," Woodson said. "Our ability to offer unbiased, research-driven information during times of agricultural emergencies and calm is due in part to Chris' leadership."
Smoker began his career at Purdue in 1986 and joined the School of Agriculture in 1991. He was interim head of Agriculture Information Technology (AgIT) for three years. Prior to accepting the interim position he served as operations manager for the department. "I'm excited about the opportunity to work with an extraordinary group of individuals here in AgIT as we identify, implement and sustain technology to help Purdue agriculture reach out and serve the citizens of Indiana," Smoker said. AgIT provides Web-based application development and multimedia and database expertise to the School of Agriculture and Purdue Extension statewide. The department also is responsible for computer support and research and development of new technology. The department also partners with county governments to provide broadband Internet access. "This access is something that many wouldn't be able to afford if they were working alone," Smoker said. Woodson said, "Pat and his colleagues have grown our technological infrastructure significantly over the last few years, making our connectivity statewide much more reliable and secure. We are able to serve our stakeholders effectively thanks to the systems AgIT maintains." In addition to the new department heads, the School of Agriculture has appointed two new interim department heads. Rob Swihart, a faculty member at Purdue since 1991 was appointed interim head of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. Swihart was a professor in the department prior to being named interim head. Former department head Dennis Le Master retired. Bernie Engel will lead the Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering as interim department head. Engel has been a Purdue professor in agricultural and biological engineering since 1988. Vince Bralts, former department head, accepted the position of associate dean of resource planning and management in Purdue's College of Engineering. Writer: Kay Hagen, (765) 494-6682, kjh@purdue.edu Sources: Randy Woodson, (765) 494-8362, woodson@purdue.edu Chris Sigurdson, (765) 494-8396, sig@purdue.edu Patrick Smoker, (765) 496-6806, pds@purdue.edu Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722; Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
|
