Outgoing Ag Dean Smith Moved College Forward

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 20, 2013) — As he completes 13 years as dean of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, Scott Smith is not looking for a lot of fanfare or tributes. Still, it seemed appropriate to this writer that something more should be written about Smith than just a brief sentence or two.

"The fact that we are known as having one of the very best colleges of agriculture in the country is testament to the strong leadership of Dean Smith and his team," said UK President Eli Capilouto. "Dean Smith has helped broaden the college's focus and outreach in innovative ways, always mindful of how we can better serve the citizens of our state." 

UK Provost Christine Riordan thanked Smith for his service as dean and added, "UK is fortunate that Dean Smith will continue in our faculty ranks, providing his guidance to students, faculty and staff in the college and throughout the university."

Smith, who has served Kentucky agriculture for 35 years, has conducted research and taught in the area of soil science, publishing more than 50 research articles about the impact of agricultural practices on soil productivity and environmental quality.  He is a Fellow of the Soil Science Society of America and the American Society of Agronomy.

Smith began his career at UK in 1978 as an agronomy researcher whose field of expertise was nitrogen in soils. He later became chair of the agronomy department before serving as associate dean for research.

Smith became the 10th dean of the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment in January 2001, succeeding C. Oran Little.

Smith led the college during a time when it had a significant, beneficial impact on Kentucky agriculture, including diversification and growth in the Commonwealth's agricultural economy, advances in conservation and environmental quality, the growing public enthusiasm for food and farming, and breakthroughs in science and technology.

During the first few months of Smith's tenure as dean in 2001, Kentucky's signature Thoroughbred industry suffered substantial losses due to Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome. In the face of enormous expectations and pressure placed on the college, Smith is credited with maintaining a steady hand as researchers worked intently and eventually helped to solve the crisis.

As dean, Smith oversaw implementation of several new and different degree programs, including the popular UK Ag Equine Programs which continue to draw students from across Kentucky, the nation and internationally.

During Smith's tenure, UK's Cooperative Extension Service sustained and grew its grassroots support and is now frequently ranked among the top five systems in the nation. Innovations like Fine Arts Extension, Health Education through Extension Leadership, and the Community and Economic Development Initiative for Kentucky have improved the quality of life across the state and brought further distinction to the college and the university.

In 2005, UK President Lee Todd asked Smith to serve as UK's interim provost for one year (2005-06).

During this year, his final year as dean, the name of the college was changed (as of July 1) from the College of Agriculture to the College of Agriculture, Food and Environment to better reflect the wide and diverse nature of the programs it carries out on behalf of the people of the Commonwealth.

Smith will return to a faculty position in the college. He has conducted research and taught in the area of soil science, publishing more than 50 research articles about the impact of agricultural practices on soil productivity and environmental quality.

A native of central New York, Smith holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Cornell University. He earned his doctorate at Michigan State University.

Nancy Cox, who has served the college admirably for the past 12 years as associate dean for research, officially begins her duties as dean on Jan. 1.
 

MEDIA CONTACT: Carl Nathe, 859-257-3200; carl.nathe@uky.edu.