The University of Idaho Argonaut

The University of Idaho College of Science looked to its existing family when the time came to select a new dean.
Scott Wood, who began as dean Monday, has been a Vandal for more than 15 years, initially joining UI’s faculty in 1992 as an associate professor and receiving full status five years later. He served as associate dean of the college for one year prior to being appointed interim dean in July 2007.
He said he is delighted about the new position and eager to accomplish a variety of goals to better the department.

“I hope to foster increased research output from the college while continuing to provide high-quality, transformational education in science and mathematics to all students who take courses in this college,” he said. “To accomplish this, we will have to find increased funding for undergraduate research experiences, graduate student stipends and faculty start up packages. We also need to find ways to reward the best researchers, teachers and advisers in the college so they do not leave for greener pastures.”
Wood said he believes he is the right man for the job and is prepared to work hard to improve UI despite any obstacles that may come his way.

“The college will have many opportunities and face several challenges in the years ahead, and I feel that I am uniquely positioned to help guide the college towards its strategic goals,” he said.
When Wood arrived at UI in 1992, the department had a home in the College of Mines. The College of Science was instituted in 2002. It currently works with a $22 million budget, houses seven academic departments, employees 95 people and works with 970 students.

While the college evolved, Wood was working hard to keep it strong. A news release regarding his promotion said in the process of earning tenure as interim director, Wood “enhanced research opportunities for faculty members, guided the college’s strategic planning process, and focused on development opportunities and fundraising.”
“Scott has demonstrated a visionary and interdisciplinary approach to move the College of Science forward,” Provost Doug Baker said. “His strengths include vitality, faculty development, engagement of stakeholders and a dynamic approach to administration that balances research with our distinctive classroom environment.”

Although Wood didn’t officially take on his new role until this week, he said he has already received an immense amount of encouragement and congratulatory comments from former and current colleagues and students. He is ready to tackle his new position and said skills he has obtained in the past will help him succeed.
“I have had considerable experience in faculty governance and have served on a variety of committees at the university,” he said. “I consider myself to be a very organized, level headed person, with decent people skills.”

The science department wasn’t the only one on the market for a new addition to their staff. The Idaho College of Agriculture and Life Sciences’ Nancy M. Cummings Research, Extension, and Education Center were in pursuit of a new superintendent.
Their search led them to the East Coast and John Hall.
Hall currently serves as an associate professor and extension beef cattle specialist at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He said he has high expectations for the center to grow into a “premier center” for beef production in the West, and is excited to be part of this line of work.

“I like the environment of a research center,” he said. “This particular center and the entire university seem to have a lot of great opportunities. Everyone’s been very positive and friendly.”
The Auen Foundation donated the 1,100-acre center to the college in 2005. It is dedicated to the study and teaching of sustainable, forage-based beef production and to providing educational opportunities for area youth and adults.
Hall thinks the facility has the power to do great things and is glad to be a part of the thriving outlet.

“(The Center) is a tremendous resource with a lot of potential for research,” he said. “It has (the ability) to help ranchers and farmers all over Idaho.”
Hall said his experience since becoming a Vandal has been nothing but positive and he has high hopes for his new career.
“It’s been really great, at least from this end,” he said. “There are a lot of good colleagues in animal and vet science. Everybody’s been very friendly.”