Branen Selected to Lead UI College of Agriculture
Wednesday, June 30 1999
June 30, 1999 ^^STORY CONTACT: Larry Branen, (208) 885-9405, lbranen@uidaho.edu MEDIA CONTACT: Jeff Olson or Kathy Barnard, (208) 885-6291, uinews@uidaho.edu^^Black and white photos of Larry Branen are available by contacting Kristin Cook at Agricultural Communications, (208) 885-6436 or kcook@uidaho.edu. An electronic copy is available by email or the World Wide Web at http://info.ag.uidaho.edu^^University of Idaho President Bob Hoover has announced the selection of UI administrator Larry Branen as UI College of Agriculture dean.^^"Dr. Branen's appointment will assure quality leadership for the College of Agriculture to maintain and enhance globally competitive teaching, research and outreach programs," Hoover said.^^"Dr. Branen has an extensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities that face agriculture, and a vision and strategy of how to pull together and help move forward. He has the enthusiastic support of the faculty and staff, administration, and the agriculture community in Idaho," Hoover said.^^"I am excited about the opportunity," Branen said. "Agriculture and the rural areas of Idaho play an important role in Idaho's economic and social well being. The College of Agriculture has a strong tradition of responding to the needs of the agricultural industry, as well as the families and youth throughout the state."^^"I look forward to working with the college and university in building on that tradition as we respond to Idaho's changing needs in the next millennium," Branen added.^^Branen served as the college's dean from 1986-93 and as interim dean since the November departure of David Lineback, who left UI to serve as director of the University of Maryland's Joint Institute for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition after serving as dean since 1993.^^Branen's selection follows a national search conducted by a 27-member committee of state officials, agricultural leaders and UI faculty, students, staff and administrators.^^The committee selected four finalists from a field of 17 applicants this spring for interviews statewide, then recommended that the search be extended. Branen, who was not a candidate initially, decided to seek the position after the search was extended.^^Branen returned to teaching in 1993 as a professor in the UI Department of Food Science and Toxicology. In 1997, he began serving as UI executive director for Institutional Planning and Budget.^^A 1967 graduate of the UI College of Agriculture with a bachelor's degree in food science, Branen earned his doctorate in food science at Purdue University in 1970. He began his career there as a teaching assistant, then joined the University of Wisconsin faculty in 1970. In 1974, he moved to Washington State University as an assistant professor, leaving in 1981 as an associate professor and Food Science and Technology Department chairman.^^He served as professor and head of the Food Science and Technology Department at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln from 1981-83. He then moved to the UI as the College of Agriculture's associate dean and director of resident instruction, a position he held until being named dean in 1986.^^Branen's appointment as dean of the College of Agriculture is effective July 15, subject to Board of Education approval. His starting salary will be $139,000.^^-30-^^BL--6/30/99 AG^
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