Sams Named New OSU College Of Ag Dean

Oregon State University has named their new Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences. Alan Sams comes to Corvallis from Texas A&M where he was the Associate Dean of the school's Ag department. Oregon State’s Ed Feser said they are very lucky to get someone of Sams' caliber.

“He has very detailed knowledge of a large agricultural sciences operation.  He’s got great experience working with stakeholders, he has had a lot of success in some of the work that he’s done, in growing that college, increasing its diversity, increasing its research profile, and its engagement.”

Feser expects Sams to be aggressive in meeting and working with the ag community, find areas for interdisciplinary cooperation, improve their work overseas and the school's global reach, and improve enrollment in the College of Ag.  Feser said it's important to work with the ag community because their work is not a one-way street from the school outwards to the sector.

“Something that benefits us in terms of driving our own research mission and helping us understand the problems that are out there, and what producers are facing.  I think that is something that is in Alan’s wheelhouse and will help us make sure the stakeholders will know we’re here to be of maximum assistance in terms of some things that they are looking for us to bring our expertise to bear on.”

Sams officially starts on October 31st, but Feser expects that he will visit the state and campus before then to meet with stakeholders and members of the college.

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