September 30, 2009

Sutton named interim head of Department of Animal Sciences

Sutton succeeds Alan Grant, who will become Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University on Thursday (Oct. 1).

"Dr. Sutton, our 2008 Spirit of the Land-Grant Mission Award winner, is respected in the department and across the college and industry as a researcher and teacher, and for his Extension program," said Jay Akridge, Purdue's Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture. "I know he will continue the positive momentum of the department until we can hire a permanent head."

Sutton joined Purdue animal sciences in 1971. He has been involved in numerous research projects in the areas of animal nutrition and nutrient management, with a focus on reducing the potential impacts of animal agriculture on water and air quality.

In his interim position, Sutton will lead a department of 38 faculty members and approximately 600 undergraduate and 65 graduate students.

"It is a great honor to be asked to be interim head of the Department of Animal Sciences," Sutton said. "I look forward to serving the department this year while we search for a new department head. We have a great faculty and staff who are having major impacts in the areas of research, Extension and teaching for our students, producers, businesses and consumers in Indiana, the nation and globally."

Sutton was raised on a livestock and crop farm at Farmington, Ill. He earned both his bachelor's degree in animal sciences and master's degree in animal nutrition from Iowa State University. He earned a doctoral degree in animal nutrition from Cornell University.

At Purdue, Sutton developed a research and Extension program devoted to animal waste management, the first such program in the nation by a university animal sciences department. He has written or co-authored more than 150 Extension publications, fact sheets and reports; coordinated numerous livestock-related workshops, seminars and Internet-based video programs for industry professionals; aided in the creation of a national curriculum on comprehensive nutrient management planning; and helped the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service establish National Conservation Practice 592, a feed management standard.

Sutton co-taught courses on animal industry travel study and facilities planning and management and has been a regular guest lecturer in many other classes in the departments of Animal Sciences and Agronomy and in Purdue's School of Veterinary Medicine. He also has made presentations or provided expertise in 13 countries on four continents.

In addition to the Spirit of the Land-Grant Mission Award, Sutton has been honored more than 20 times by Purdue and agriculture industry organizations, including the Indiana Pork Producers Industry Meritorious Service Award.

"Through my work I am trying to help livestock operations remain sustainable and produce high-quality food products for consumers, while practicing environmental stewardship," Sutton said.

Writer: Steve Leer, 765-494-8415, sleer@purdue.edu

Sources: Alan Sutton, 765-494-8012, asutton@purdue.edu

Jay Akridge, 765-494-8391, akridge@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-8415;
Steve Leer, sleer@purdue.edu
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