Virginia Tech Alum Returns to Direct Academic Programs for College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

BLACKSBURG, Va., June 4, 2002 - It's been 30 years since H. Dean Sutphin earned his bachelor's degree from Virginia Tech. He's returning this winter to take charge of the direction of the academic programs for the university's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

The Carroll County native is currently associate dean and director of academic programs for the college's counterpart at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y. He will begin his duties at Virginia Tech not later than Jan. 1, 2003.

"The opportunity to work with the excellent faculty, staff and students at Virginia Tech is a dream come true at both a personal and professional level," Sutphin said. "This completes a journey that started with a one year appointment as a lecturer at Virginia Tech, took me to Ohio State for my PhD, led to a professionally satisfying career at Cornell, and now to return to my roots. It's always been my goal to return to Virginia Tech, but I didn't know how it would be achieved."

Sutphin brings with him a wealth of knowledge in academic leadership.

"Dr. Sutphin's innovative and imaginatively implemented programs have been a hallmark of his tenure at Cornell," said Andy Swiger, dean of agriculture at Virginia Tech. "His ideas, and especially the creative way in which he thinks, will help us build an already-solid academic program into one whose stature is equal to our research program."

The National Science Foundation earlier this year ranked Virginia Tech as the No. 7 university nationally in agricultural research.

Sutphin has maintained his local ties during a career that has taken him from teaching agricultural education at Carroll County High School to the highest academic position for the agriculture college at Virginia Tech.

"I have great love for my alma mater, the state of Virginia and agriculture and the life sciences," Sutphin said. "The family farm, which I continue to operate, subscription to the local newspaper, updates from friends and colleagues, and alumni news have provided points of contact."

Teaching has been at the heart of Sutphin's career from the beginning. He earned a bachelor's and master's degree in education from Virginia Tech in 1972 and 1975, and a doctorate from Ohio State in 1981. He taught agricultural education in Carroll County for six years until 1978, when he joined the faculty at Virginia Tech as an instructor.

After earning his doctorate, he joined the faculty at Cornell as an assistant professor, and worked his way to his current position. Along the way he has undertaken a variety of leadership roles in education and agriculture organizations nationally.

Sutphin said he intends to invest the time to put those connections to use for Virginia Tech.

"I've sought to develop national and international linkages for academic programs, literally around the world," Sutphin said. "I believe students, faculty and the college reap many benefits from these linkages. I have proven to myself that 'a good idea' will attract significant resources and attract partners who are willing to share their resources."

Sutphin succeeds John White, who will retire from Virginia Tech this summer after 35 years with the university, the last 16 years as associate dean and director of academic programs.

Swiger credited White with boosting enrollment in the college, strengthening student clubs and activities, and revitalizing the college's alumni organization. Enrollment in the college doubled during the first 10 years under White's supervision. The rate of students placed in jobs and graduate school after graduation also improved, making the college's graduates among the most employable from the university. In addition, he directed the renovation of the college's curriculum into a model for instruction in agriculture and the life sciences in the 21st century.

Arrangements are being made to conduct the affairs of the director's position until Sutphin's arrival.