Dear Agronomy Friends,
On June 18, 1984, I started work for the Department of Agronomy. Exactly thirty-four years later, on June 18, 2018, I assumed new responsibilities as the Interim Head of the Department of Agronomy. First, I would like to thank Gary Pierzynski for his 29 years of service to K-State with most recent service as Head. I had the pleasure of serving on the Search Committee that recruited Gary to come to our department as an assistant professor of soil and environmental chemistry. I enjoyed working with Gary over the years and really appreciated his outstanding leadership as our Department Head. Gary and his wife, Joy, will be greatly missed.
I have gotten to know many of you over the years in my previous teaching and research appointment. I taught classes in soil genesis and classification, advanced soil genesis and classification, and soil mineralogy. Perhaps, the most rewarding aspect of my previous work was coaching the Soil Judging Team. It will probably take about one to two years to get a new permanent head. My plans are to retire once the permanent head is on the job.
Gary ended his farewell letter to the department by saying that the Department has a very bright future. I certainly agree. However, we have some challenges ahead due to the loss of faculty positions as a result of budget reductions at the university. We have lost two positions following retirement: Curtis Thompson’s weed science position in extension and Gary Cramer’s position as agronomist-in-charge at the South Central Experiment Field in Hutchinson. In addition, Ray Asebedo has left his faculty position in precision agriculture to work in private industry. Ray’s position was not lost, although we do not expect to be able to open a search for the position for a period of time.
I would also like to announce the appointments of Dallas Peterson as the new Extension State Leader for Agronomy and Anita Dille as the new Assistant Head for Teaching.
The department will be working on plans to meet the needs of our students, clientele, and citizens of Kansas despite the reductions in faculty positions. On a more positive note, faculty and students continue to receive many awards at the university and national level as illustrated in another section of this newsletter. Undergraduate and graduate enrollment is steady with a strong job market. The Agronomy Education Center will go out for bids soon with construction starting in early fall.
I look forward to the challenges of serving as Interim Head and to working with each of you in my new position. Please feel free to call, send an e-mail, message, or just drop by for visit.
Sincerely,
Michel D. “Mickey” Ransom, PhD
Interim Head and Professor
Department of Agronomy
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506-0110
785-532-6101 (office)
mdransom@ksu.edu