Parrella Says Goodbye To the U Of I

For the first time since January 2016, Michael Parrella is not the dean at the University of Idaho’s College of Agricultural and Life Science. Parrella said while it’s hard to say goodbye, he feels that he and his staff made great strides not only in Moscow, but statewide.

“My feeling was that that I've accomplished what I had set out to do, and so you know, it's time for retirement," Parrella noted. "And what that next phase of my life will mean.”

CALS enjoyed a period of great growth under Parrella leadership, including the opening of the Seed Potato Germplasm Lab, improvements to the Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension and Education Center, and upgrades to classrooms and other facilities across the state. But Parrella said the projects he’s most proud of have yet to open, and on the top of that list is the Center for Agriculture, Food and the Environment, better known as CAFE. When open, CAFE will be one of the largest research dairies in the nation.

These Successes Were A Team Effort, Parrella Noted

“The need for that is greater than ever. So, to think that that is going to come online mainly because of the efforts of the college moving forward," Parrella said. "And of course it's a partnership; partnership with the university, it's a partnership with industry, private donors as well. And then, of course, the state has stepped up big time and provided support as well. So that's probably the number one facility that I can point to with great pride. And then the other is the new Meat Science and Innovation Center honoring Ron Richards, which is on the campus and that will open this year.”

Parrella said he’s looking forward to retirement so he and his wife can travel the country, visiting grandchildren. But he added he may return to the U of I in a part-time capacity to promote another passion of his, teaching a fly fishing class.