To: Oregon State University Community
From: Edward Feser, Provost and Executive Vice President
August 14, 2018
It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Dr. Alan Sams as Oregon State University’s new Reub Long Dean of Agricultural Sciences and Director of the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station effective Oct. 31.
Dr. Sams currently serves as Executive Associate Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University, where he oversees daily operations of the nation’s largest college of agriculture and life sciences, with approximately 350 faculty and 7,800 students. His college also accounts for well over half of the $180 million in annual agricultural research expenditures at the university.
During Alan’s tenure, Texas A&M’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has established significant new domestic and international research and academic partnerships, grown in enrollment, become more diverse, and greatly expanded its programs and participation in study abroad courses, internships, field experiences, honors programs and online education. Alan has led major college- and campus-wide efforts in strategic planning, international programs and grand challenges. A noted scholar of Poultry Science and Food Science, he has received several national and international awards for his research and takes particular interest in global issues in agriculture.
Dr. Sams was selected following a national search that attracted an outstanding pool of candidates. I offer my thanks to the search committee, chaired by Dr. Mark Zabriskie, dean of the College of Pharmacy, for leading the search process and helping us attract Alan to Oregon State.
Dr. Sams succeeds Dr. Dan Arp, who will retire on Aug. 31. Dr. Bill Boggess, executive associate dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences, will serve as interim dean from Sept. 1 to Oct. 30.
Please join me in thanking Dan for his excellent leadership and welcoming Alan Sams to Oregon State University.
Sincerely,
Edward Feser
Provost and Executive Vice President