Experiment Station
will continue to be relevant to all Alabamians for the next 100 years as the
research program continues to find the answers to today's problems and solutions
for tomorrow's challenges."
A native of St. Paul, Minn., Weiss got his
bachelor's degree at Purdue University, a master's degree at Ohio State and
his Ph.D. at the University of Nebraska — all in entomology.
Funding
for AAES has been an ongoing issue at Auburn the past several years, a problem
that Weiss says he understands.
"While the College and Experiment Station
will always be faced with challenges, it is important to keep them in perspective
and not lose sight of our overriding mission of providing access to a high
quality education in the agricultural and supporting sciences that results
in a 'society-ready graduate' discovering new knowledge and finding ways to
apply existing knowledge to solve issues both in the state and nation, and
ensuring we are using research based knowledge to develop educational programs
that serve the needs of the state, region, and nation," he said.
Weiss
said AU and AAES should continue to work with its existing partners, Alabama
A&M University and Tuskegee University, while developing new partnerships "to
allow us to help all Alabamians improve their lives and economic well being."
"I
was attracted to Auburn for several reasons, the outstanding reputation of
the faculty in the College of Agriculture and their commitment to the land-grant
mission of teaching, research, and extension-outreach, very strong support
from Alabamians for the university and in particular the College of Agriculture
and Agricultural Experiment Station, the opportunity to lead the both the College
and the Experiment Station, and a chance to contribute in moving both the College
and Experiment Station to the next level of excellence," he said.
Weiss
began his academic career as an assistant professor of entomology at Montana State University
in 1 9 8 3. He
Alabama
Agricultural Experiment Station.
Weiss comes to Auburn from the University
of Idaho, where he is a professor in the department of plant, soil and entomological
sciences. He had also been interim dean of the College of Agriculture and
Life Sciences at Idaho.
"Dr. Weiss' background in agriculture sciences
and research are impressive," said Hanley. "Among the things that
resonated with me were the volume and quality of his scholarly works and
his ability to attract external funding.
"I believe the College of Agriculture
and the Experiment Station have found a first rate administrator and faculty
member who understands the importance of basic research and its application
for the benefit of Alabamians."
Weiss, 49, will succeed interim Dean
John Jensen, who is in his 33rd year at AU. He said he looked forward to
working with Jensen "to assist me in becoming familiar with Alabama
and Alabama Agriculture."
"My wife, Cindy and I are very much honored
and humbled to be asked to join the Auburn Community," said Weiss. "Auburn's
College of Agriculture has outstanding students, taught by a dedicated faculty
who are supported by a superb staff. To become part of that over 100-year
tradition is truly an opportunity of a lifetime.
"The Agricultural Experiment
Station has supported superior research programs to address the needs of
all Alabamians for over 100 years. Without question,
the
joined
the faculty at North Dakota State University in 1985 and advanced to full professor
in 1996.
Joining the faculty of the University of Idaho in 2002, Weiss was
named head of the department of plant, soil and entomological sciences and
professor of entomology. He served a stint as acting associate dean before
being named dean of the college in March 2003.
Auburn University is a comprehensive research institution with more than 23,000
students and 6,500 faculty and staff. Ranked among the top 50 public universities
nationally, Auburn is Alabama's largest educational institution, offering more
than 230 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs.
A
U B U R N — Auburn University Provost Thomas Hanley on July
9, announced the appointment of Michael J. Weiss, a career entomologist, as
dean of AU's College of Agri-culture and director of the
