April 15, 2008

Jay Akridge named interim dean of Purdue Agriculture

Jay Akridge
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Akridge, the James and Lois Ackerman Professor of Agricultural Economics and director of the Center for Food and Agricultural Business, currently is serving as the university's interim vice provost for engagement.

As interim dean, he will assume the post vacated by William R. "Randy" Woodson, who will be the university's new provost. Woodson was named provost on March 26, and the board of trustees ratified his appointment on April 11.

Akridge and Woodson begin their new duties May 1.

"Jay has done excellent work in the agricultural economics field and has proven leadership skills that will be an asset to Purdue Agriculture," said interim Provost Victor L. Lechtenberg. "His vision and management experience will help move the college and Purdue Extension forward during this time of transition."

Lechtenberg, who will return to his position as vice provost for engagement, said a search committee will be named and a national search for the new dean will be conducted.

Akridge will be responsible for administering academic programs in the College of Agriculture, the Indiana Agricultural Experiment Station, the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service and a number of state regulatory services, including the State Chemist's Office, the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory and the Indiana Wine-Grape Council.

Akridge's research has examined the buying behavior of commercial agricultural producers, management and marketing strategies of small agribusiness firms and adoption of precision agricultural technologies in the agribusiness industries. He has worked with agribusiness managers in the areas of strategy, finance and marketing in countries throughout the world.

Previously, Akridge led a center that conducts management education programs for working professionals in the food and agribusiness industries. He also directed the MS-MBA program, which consists of a master's degree in business administration from the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University and a master's degree in agricultural economics from Purdue.

Akridge also taught graduate and undergraduate courses in strategic management of food and agribusiness firms. In 1996 he received Purdue's highest teaching honor, the Charles B. Murphy Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award, and he was named a University Faculty Scholar in 2000. In 2003 he was added to the Purdue Book of Great Teachers and was recognized with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Ag Science's Excellence in Teaching Award.

Akridge earned his bachelor's degree in agriculture and business administration from Murray State University in 1982. He earned his master's and doctoral degrees in agricultural economics from Purdue in 1983 and 1986, respectively.

Writer: Christy Jones, (765) 494-1089, christyjones@purdue.edu

Sources: Victor L. Lechtenberg, (765) 494-9095, vll@purdue.edu

Jay Akridge, (765) 494-4327, akridge@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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