Patterson named dean and director of Auburn College of Agriculte and AAES uburn University alumnus Paul Patterson has been named dean of the College of Agriculture and director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, effective immediately. Patterson has served as associate dean for instruction in Auburn’s College of Agriculture for almost seven years. “Dr. Patterson has an excellent connection with students, both in the classroom and in the field,” says Auburn Provost Timothy Boosinger. “His background in agricultural economics, especially in international research and marketing, will help Auburn continue its role as a leader in food production for the world. We look forward to his leadership.” In his role as dean, Patterson will report to Boosinger; as director of the AAES, he will report to Auburn President Jay Gogue. Patterson, an Auburn native who
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graduated from the College of Agriculture in 1985 with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business and economics, returned to his alma mater in June 2009 to serve as associate dean of the college. In that position, he was responsible for all instructional programs in the college’s eight academic units, nine undergraduate programs and 19 graduate programs. In that position, Patterson oversaw the development of five new undergraduate and graduate degree programs, increased alumni engagement with the college, improved academic advising services, expanded professional development opportunities for students, worked to enhance the college’s relationship with community colleges and led efforts to develop departmental promotion and tenure guidelines for faculty. “All these accomplishments were realized through working with great faculty and staff,” he says.
Patterson said he is grateful for the opportunity to move Auburn Paul Patterson agriculture Dean and Director of the forward. Auburn University College of Agriculture and “I am the Alabama Agricultural honored and Experiment Station humbled to be selected as dean and director,” he says. “The College of Agriculture and the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station have very important legacies at Auburn University and across the state and nation. We are at a pivotal point in history, where we must build for the future. “I look forward to working with the faculty and staff, our university partners and our stakeholders to strengthen the college and experiment station,” he says. “It is my goal to make sure that Auburn is among the premier colleges of agriculture.” t
March 2016 Southeastern Peanut Farmer
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