I am pleased to share with you that Dr. John Lumkes, Professor, Department of Agricultural & Biological Engineering, will be joining our Office of Academic Programs Team as Assistant Dean (50% appointment), starting March 18, 2019.  Many of you know John, as he has been on the faculty of ABE since 2004. He is a Murphy Award winner and a member of the Purdue Teaching Academy and the Book of Great Teachers. As Assistant Dean, John will be responsible for:

1. Develop and offer initiatives to develop, advance and promote excellence in undergraduate and graduate education through enhancement of instruction, advising, and mentoring;
2. Lead an effort to improve evaluation of teaching effectiveness (the Provost Office is working on this at the university-level);
3. Encourage, through programs and resources, mentoring of students by faculty as a complement to academic advising;
4. Lead the effort to improve and promote recognition of excellence and improvement in teaching (broadly defined) across the educational mission (instructional & mentoring);
5. Strengthen our Dean’s Scholars and Honors College initiatives as a college;
6. Represent the Office of Academic Programs, when needed, on college, university, state, regional, national, and international partnerships with industry and academia, as well as at meetings, functions, committees, etc. as necessary.

We are excited with the proven leadership, vision, and wealth of experience that John will bring to the college and the Office of Academic Programs.  Please feel free to congratulate Dr. Lumkes on his new administrative role in the college.

We are excited about the opportunities! It is a great time to be part of the College of Agriculture and Purdue University!

Marcos Fernandez