Contact: Joe Farris
A nationwide search begins this month to find a replacement for Mississippi State University's retiring vice president for agriculture, forestry and veterinary medicine.
R. Rodney Foil, vice president for the past 13 years and a Mississippi State administrator for 30 years, will conclude his career at the Starkville university on June 30.
President Malcolm Portera said he hopes to have Foil's successor named by that time.
"This is a critical position for Mississippi State and for all of Mississippi," he said. "The research, service and teaching performed by the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine has a direct and far-reaching impact on a major segment of our state's economy.
"We have to identify a leader who can maintain and build on the tremendous momentum we have in scientific agricultural research, service to the state's food and fiber producers and to youth and families, and in preparing the next generation of agribusiness leaders," Portera added.
Portera is appointing Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs George Rent to head a search committee, with the remaining members to be elected by the faculty or named by the president during January.
A Bogalusa, La., native, Foil was a faculty member for 11 years at Louisiana State University before coming to MSU. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from LSU.
A doctoral graduate in forestry from Duke University, Foil joined MSU in 1969 as head of the forestry department. He went on to serve as dean of the School of Forest Resources and, in 1978, was named director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.
Portera said "Rodney Foil's contributions over the past three decades have been a key ingredient in the transformation of agriculture and forestry related enterprises in our state.
"Mississippi's agriculture and forestry sector is more productive and efficient than ever before, and the research and service provided with his leadership have been important factors in bringing that about, along with expanded services in 4-H youth development and family and consumer education.
"On a personal note, I can think of no one who has contributed more than Rodney Foil to the success that we have enjoyed during my first year as president. He has been a key member of the team and we appreciate his many contributions to Mississippi State and to this administration."
The Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine includes the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, the MSU Extension Service, the Forest and Wildlife Research Center, and the Office of International Programs.
Also reporting jointly to the vice president for agriculture, forestry and veterinary medicine and to the vice president for academic affairs are the colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Forest Resources and Veterinary Medicine.
Foil has garnered a long list of academic and professional honors. He has been recognized for contributions by the Society of American Foresters, Mississippi Seedsmen Association, MSU's veterinary college, and LSU's School of Forestry and Wildlife Management, among others.
He has held numerous leadership positions in the Society of American Foresters and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges and has served on various governmental councils studying agriculture and forestry-related issues.