Texas Tech University names new College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources dean

William F. “Bill” Brown, a researcher and administrator at the University of Tennessee, has been named the new dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources at Texas Tech University.

Brown has served as the dean for research and director of the Agricultural Experiment Station at the Institute of Agriculture at the University of Tennessee since 2008. His office provided support and oversight to all research activities within the UTIA while coordinating with academic programs and extension within seven academic departments.

“I am honored to be selected for this position and excited to join Texas Tech University and the College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources,” Brown said. “CASNR is a national leader in preparing and placing workforce-ready students, discovering groundbreaking knowledge and technologies to enhance people’s lives and engaging in public service. With a long history of personalized instruction and attention to student learning, a new strategic vision and a desire to increase research funding with public impact, CASNR is in an excellent position to advance student outcomes, deliver discoveries and serve the public in new and exciting ways.”

Brown will begin his new duties on April 2. He replaces interim CASNR dean Steve Fraze, who has served in the role since August 2016.

“I am excited and pleased Dr. Brown is joining us at Texas Tech to become the next dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources,” Galyean said. “As a result of nine years of service as dean of Tennessee AgResearch, Bill brings remarkable administrative experience to his new role in CASNR. His people skills and leadership ability are exceptionally strong, which will make him a perfect fit for CASNR. I am confident that all aspects of the CASNR mission – academics, research and engaged outreach—will be advanced significantly under Bill’s leadership.

As director of the UTIA, Brown was responsible for overseeing approximately 170 faculty members and 10 AgResearch and Education Centers across Tennessee, helping facilitate research collaborations with University of Tennessee colleges of engineering and arts & sciences.

Brown earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, his master’s degree from the University of Tennessee and his doctorate from the University of Nebraska. His research concentration is in ruminant nutrition.

Brown is active in national leadership roles with the Experiment Station Committee on Policy, serving as chairman of the budget and legislative committee and chairman of the National Research Support Program-1 NIMMS.

Prior to his time at Tennessee, Brown served as assistant dean for research and assistant director of the University of Florida’s Agricultural Experiment Station within the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences from 1999 to 2008. He helped coordinate interactions with academic programs and extension and interacted with commodity groups and support programs. He also facilitated the development of faculty-driven, multidisciplinary centers and served as a liaison between the IFAS and university-level sponsored programs and technology transfer offices.

“It is indeed a pleasure to have Dr. Bill Brown join Texas Tech University as the new Dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources,” said Michael San Francisco, dean of the Honors College and chairman of the CASNR dean search committee. “Dr. Brown was identified after an extensive national search. He brings to our university a wealth of experience and knowledge that will allow him to maximize the potential of CASNR in research, education and outreach. Dr. Brown’s personality will make him a valued colleague, and his vision for the future of CASNR is coincident with that of Texas Tech University. I look forward to working productively with him.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to the CASNR dean search committee that maintained a strong and unified vision throughout the process, which was facilitated by the search firm of Isaacson, Miller.”

Brown’s research in the Animal Science Department at the University of Florida focused on forage quality, energy and protein supplementation, grazing systems and heifer development for beef and dairy cattle. He has been widely published and referenced in numerous journals and served in editorial capacities for several academic journals.

“I want to express my appreciation to Dr. Steve Fraze for the outstanding manner in which he has served the College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources as interim dean, and for so ably sustaining the excellence and core values that are distinguishing characteristics of the college,” said Lawrence Schovanec, president of Texas Tech University.

“I am very pleased and excited that Dr. Bill Brown will be joining Texas Tech as the CASNR dean. He brings impeccable administrative and research credentials to this role, as well as a clear commitment to the culture of CASNR that is valued by the students, faculty, staff and alumni. I have no doubt CASNR will thrive under his leadership. I want to thank Provost Galyean and the search committee for the thorough and conscientious manner in which the search was conducted.”