Appointment of New Dean of Cook College

February 25, 2005

Members of the Rutgers Community:

After a national search and consultation with many campus constituencies and community stakeholders, I am very happy to announce that Dr. Robert M. Goodman, professor of plant pathology and of environmental studies at the University of Wisconsin, has accepted appointment as Executive Dean of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Executive Director of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, and Dean of Cook College, effective June 1, 2005.

An experienced and dedicated teacher, Dr. Goodman has a strong interest in integrated approaches to curriculum design and to de-compartmentalizing the student experience. At the University of Wisconsin, where he chaired the undergraduate major in molecular biology and is affiliated with the Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, he has been deeply involved in curriculum and honors program design.

Dr. Goodman, an expert in soil microorganisms and plant disease, is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. His research has appeared in premier journals such as Nature, Science, Virology, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Robert Goodman holds a B.S. in plant sciences and a doctorate in plant pathology from Cornell University. He completed a post-doctorate fellowship in plant virology at the John Innes Institute in Norwich, England. Dr. Goodman chairs the oversight committee of the McKnight Foundation Collaborative Crop Research Program, which funds research to improve food production and the nutritional content of crops important to developing countries.

I am delighted that Dr. Goodman has agreed to bring his scientific knowledge, his understanding of the land-grant mission, and his proven commercial expertise to Cook College and to Rutgers. He brings highly relevant experience and expertise to ensure that Cook College and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station continue their success in these efforts.

As we welcome Dean Goodman, I want to thank Dr. Keith R. Cooper, who has served with distinction as acting dean since August 2003. His leadership has been critical in enabling the university to engage in a careful and thorough search process. For the success of that process I also wish to thank the members of the search committee, ably chaired by Professor Allan H. Conney, for their thoughtful efforts to present Rutgers with outstanding candidates for the deanship.

Robert Goodman will be a fine leader at an important time for Cook College and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, and I hope you will join me in welcoming him to our state and to the Rutgers community.

View the press release regarding this appointment

Richard L. McCormick
President
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey