RelatedPosts
A brand new dean is trying to take Lincoln University’s faculty of agriculture, environmental and human sciences to better heights.
Lincoln introduced Jan. 19 it employed Douglas LaVergne to take the helm of one among its crown jewels — the school answerable for the division of agriculture and environmental science, the Cooperative Research Program and the Cooperative Extension Program. He begins April 1.
“The College of Agriculture, Environmental and Human Sciences has unmatched potential to organize college students to develop into determination makers in fixing the crucial problems with the twenty first century,” LaVergne mentioned in a press release. “I sit up for the chance to deliver my expertise to assist LU’s CAEHS develop into probably the most revolutionary schools of agriculture within the nation.”
The faculty’s former dean, Majed El-Dweik, left Lincoln final summer time for a place at one other college out of state.
In the following couple months, LaVergne will go away his put up as affiliate dean of the school of agricultural sciences and pure sources at Texas A&M University-Commerce, the third-largest establishment within the Texas A&M University System with an enrollment of roughly 7,369 in 2021. He’s becoming a member of one among Missouri’s two land grant establishments, a traditionally Black college with a devoted mission to carry out agricultural analysis and extension. Lincoln recorded an enrollment of roughly 1,833 college students final fall.
LaVergne’s analysis pursuits have targeted on variety in agriculture and extension training. He’s additionally studied the wants of agricultural lecturers and the affect of demographic and societal adjustments to the sphere.
He grew up in Texas and Louisiana, and spent summers working in his father’s rice fields. He holds levels in agricultural training from Southern University A&M College in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the University of Arkansas and Texas A&M University in College Station. He taught agriculture at the highschool stage and at West Virginia University, and beforehand served as an extension specialist for Louisiana State University.
At Lincoln, LaVergne will oversee pupil instruction of the six diploma and 4 minor packages throughout the faculty of agriculture, environmental and human sciences, in addition to direct Cooperative Research and Extension Services. LaVergne shall be answerable for managing the division’s sources, main growth and fundraising efforts and tackling college, workers and pupil recruitment and retention.
“We are excited so as to add Dr. LaVergne to our management group,” Lincoln President John Moseley mentioned in a press release. “As a land-grant establishment with a specific curiosity in empowering underserved populations, Lincoln possesses nice potential and duty for ag training, innovation and analysis. Dr. LaVergne is filling a key place as CAEHS dean, and his training and expertise will properly serve our college students and total mission.”
Lincoln obtained full land grant funding from the state final yr. The $9 million appropriation was used to match and draw down the identical quantity in federal funding. The state and federal land grant funding is spent completely on agricultural analysis and extension.
The college not too long ago invested $4.5 million to construct two greenhouses, a excessive tunnel and a workhouse at George Washington Carver Farm, in addition to three greenhouses, two excessive tunnels and a workhouse at Alan T. Busby Farm. In the works are two extra farm services price about $6 million, which Lincoln plans to develop over the following couple of years. One is a small ruminant processing facility and the opposite is a hemp testing facility, each of that are slated for James N. Freeman Farm.
“It is an incredible honor to be named dean of the school of agriculture, environmental and human sciences,” LaVergne mentioned. “I’m humbled by the chance to serve on this function and, in flip, to contribute additional to the legacy that Lincoln University has embodied since 1866.”
Recommend
