By MICHELE F. MIHALJEVICH

Indiana Correspondent

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Three educators have been named by a search committee as finalists for dean of Purdue University’s College of Agriculture. The three will be interviewed on campus next month.

The list includes the current interim dean of the college, Karen Plaut. Her interview is set for April 9. The interview for Alan R. Sams, executive associate dean for the Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is April 16. Titus O. Awokuse, chair and professor with Michigan State University’s Department of Agricultural Food and Resource Economics, will be interviewed April 23.

The interviews will include a 45-minute public presentation by the candidates and a question-and-answer period, said Willie Reed, head of the search committee. Reed is dean of Purdue’s College of Veterinary Medicine.

The previous dean, Jay Akridge, was named university provost and executive vice president for academic affairs and diversity in November 2017. The search for a new dean began in December. Akridge said input would be sought from faculty, staff, students and administrators in the college, plus the campus community and stakeholders across the state.

Plaut, senior associate dean of research and faculty affairs for the college, has been with Purdue since 2010. She has a bachelor’s degree in animal science from the University of Vermont, a master’s degree in animal nutrition from Penn State and a Ph.D. in animal science from Cornell University.

Sams has served in his current role with Texas A&M since 2009. He received a bachelor’s degree in poultry science and food and resource economics, a master’s degree in poultry science and a Ph.D. in food science and human nutrition, all from the University of Florida.

Awokuse was named to his current position at MSU in August 2015. He has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Berea College and a master’s in economics from Murray State University. He earned a Ph.D. in agricultural and applied economics from Texas A&M.

Reed hopes for feedback about the finalists. “This is an exciting time for the College of Agriculture as we prepare to take the college to the next level of excellence and impact. These outstanding candidates are up to the task and I urge faculty, staff and students to take this opportunity to hear from each of them.”