A nationally-recognized administrator and researcher at the University of Tennessee has been named the new dean of Texas Tech's College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources. William "Bill" Brown will begin his new duties on Monday (Apr. 2).

"I'm honored to be selected for this position and excited to join Texas Tech University and the College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources," Brown said. "CASNR is a national leader in preparing and placing workforce-ready students, discovering groundbreaking knowledge and technologies to enhance people's lives and engaging in public service."

With a long history of personalized instruction and attention to student learning, a new strategic vision and a desire to increase research funding with public impact, Brown said CASNR is in an excellent position to advance student outcomes, deliver discoveries and serve the public in new and exciting ways.

Prior to joining Texas Tech, Brown has served as the dean for research and director of the Agricultural Experiment Station at the Institute of Agriculture at the University of Tennessee since 2008. His office provided support and oversight to all research activities within the UTIA while coordinating with academic programs and extension within seven academic departments.

As director of the UTIA, Brown was responsible for overseeing approximately 170 faculty members and 10 AgResearch and Education Centers across Tennessee, helping facilitate research collaborations with University of Tennessee colleges of engineering and arts & sciences.

Brown earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Florida, his master's degree from the University of Tennessee and his doctorate from the University of Nebraska. His research concentration is in ruminant nutrition. Brown is active in national leadership roles with the Experiment Station Committee on Policy, serving as chairman of the budget and legislative committee and chairman of the National Research Support Program-1 NIMMS.

Prior to his time at Tennessee, Brown served as assistant dean for research and assistant director of the University of Florida's Agricultural Experiment Station within the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences from 1999 to 2008. He helped coordinate interactions with academic programs and extension and interacted with commodity groups and support programs.

"As a result of nine years of service as dean of Tennessee AgResearch, Bill brings remarkable administrative experience to his new role in CASNR," said Texas Tech Provost Michael Galyean. "His people skills and leadership ability are exceptionally strong, which will make him a perfect fit for CASNR."

Additional reporting by George Watson

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