What's New
OAC Dean Steps Down to Assume International Role
February 23, 2007
OAC bids farewell to Craig J. Pearson, dean of the college since 2001, who announced this week that he will be leaving his current role to take on a new challenge on behalf of the University of Guelph. Prof. Mary M. Buhr has been appointed as interim dean for OAC, effective immediately.
In his new role, Pearson will work to expand U of G’s international programs and partnerships, concentrating initially on China. Early activities will focus on the development of integrated programs for English and scientific training for Chinese graduate students to study at Guelph, with the longer term goal of building strong strategic alliances between U of G and leading Chinese universities.
While he looks forward to embracing the challenges of his new role, Pearson admits that he will miss working with the many people — faculty, staff, alumni, government and industry partners across OAC’s four communities of interest — whose contributions make the college strong.
Under Pearson’s leadership, OAC has evolved as a multi-campus provider of world-class education, research and outreach programs. The college has re-visioned itself as four interacting communities of interest: environment, agriculture, food and rural communities. These developments have increased the reach of the university’s influence and, importantly, strengthened its contribution to societal needs, from skills training to leading edge research and policy centres. Among many highlights:
- The successful development of both Master Plan and Operational Plan for the University of Guelph’s Arboretum provides clear direction for education, research and outreach programs for this unique living laboratory and outdoor learning resource.
- The Institute for Agri-Food Policy Innovation, established in 2005 as a cooperative venture between the university and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, provides research and analysis for policy innovations on future opportunities for agriculture.
- The Guelph Institute for the Environment, launched in 2007, will connect the university's environmental research with policy makers, establish ties with non-governmental organizations committed to environmental causes, explore ideas for new environmental initiatives, and promote public discussion on pressing environmental policy issues.
- In the fall of 2006, a study by Science Watch ranked the University of Guelph seventh among universities worldwide for its impact on agricultural sciences research during the past decade. U of G is the only Canadian university to be ranked in the top 25.
For these, and many other achievements over the last 5 years, OAC is indebted to Craig Pearson’s vision, his leadership, and his unwavering commitment to excellence. He will be missed.
