Perspectives
D
EAR ALUMNI & FRIENDS
of CASNR. Many of you know of
my decision to retire from Texas
Tech on August 31, 2007. First
of all, please know that this decision has been formulated over several years
and after 30 years at Texas Tech (23 of which
have been in administration including over four
years as acting, interim and dean), I believe
timing is optimal for CASNR and my family for
me to retire from this great college and university after this fiscal year is completed. In my
opinion, CASNR is now strategically positioned,
both within the university and externally. Faculty and staff are exhibiting the highest level of
productivity, and conditions should be favorable for attracting a highly qualified individual
that can capitalize on existing momentum and
lead this college to the next level of greatness.
As you contemplate the above, I offer just a
few of the accomplishments of faculty, staff and
students that are documented within the university’s strategic plan assessment reports from the
past three years:
• Overall enrollment in the college has risen
from 1394 in FY04 to 1464 in FY06 (an increase of 5.0 percent).
• Overall federal initiatives have received
an increase in funding and appropriations
have been received for a new initiative.
• Impact statements have been developed to
support federal initiatives and to justify additional state line-item funding requested
this year.
• Total research revenues have increased
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TEACHING, RESEARCH, OUTREACH
AND OTHER ACTIVITIES.
• Teaching and learning remains a hallmark.
• Faculty continue to receive a disproportionately high percentage of awards and recognitions for superior performance.
• The second of our six departments received
the Teaching Academy “Departmental Excellence in Teaching Award.”
• Students continue to receive numerous
awards and prestigious positions at the local, state, regional and national levels.
• Distance degree offerings grew to include a
baccalaureate in Horticulture, a master’s degree program in Horticulture, a master’s degree in Crop Science, a master’s degree in Agricultural Education and a Master of Agriculture program with specializations in agronomy, horticulture and resource management.
• Fifty-eight courses were developed for distance delivery.
• A significant increase in interest and participation in internships, study abroad and exchange programs is evident.
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from $9.2 million in 2004 to $ 13.6 million
in 2006 (an increase of 47.8 percent).
Research revenues have increased from
$115,847/FTE in 2004 to $164,001/FTE in
2006 (an increase of 41.6 percent).
CASNR’s leveraging ratio for state dollars
received has increased from <2:1 in 2004
to > 5:1 in 2006.
Multi-disciplinary research now comprises
over one-half of the research funding in
the college.
A CASNR Master Plan was completed and
a Planning Study has been requested for
a new Plant and Soil Science Facilities as
well as retrofitting the five central campus Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources buildings.
CASNR and departmental Strategic Plans
for 2006-2010 have been developed.
A Communications Specialist is now employed by the College. Significant improvements in Web pages, newsletters, brochures
and news articles with emphasis on people
and programs are now evident.
Endowments in the college have risen from
$22,000,000 in 2004 to $30,000,000 in
2006 (an increase of 36.4 percent).
Three new chairs and three professorships
have been secured for the college during
the last three years.
Seven new CASNR faculty and staff awards
with $1,200 honoraria have been established.
A $10,000/year faculty enhancement program has been established. Grants of up to
$2,000 are being awarded.
An active and effective CASNR Advisory
Board was organized in the fall of 2004 and
DR. MARVIN J. CEPICA
Dean, College of Agricultural Sciences
and Natural Resources
has met twice a year since.
• External support for the college has been
strengthened.
• Communication, collaboration, partnerships
and teamwork has been a key to success.
Each of you should be very proud of the recent and past collective accomplishments the
college has enjoyed. The future, I trust will be
even brighter. I will continue to do all that I can
to advance the college for the remainder of the
year and I have asked our department chairs and
directors to do more than ever before. I know our
faculty and staff will meet this challenge also.
Much of the college’s success can be attributed to the tremendous support received from
alumni and friends. As the college moves to the
next level, we look forward to your being a part
of our success.
Sincerely,
Marvin J. Cepica
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