Change happens, and for Oregon State University's agriculture department, it's occurring with news that Dan Arp, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences is stepping down.

RETIRING: Dan Arp is retiring as dean of agriculture at Oregon State University. The university is involved in a search for his replacement.

Arp has been dean since May 2012, and also serves as director of the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station. He will retire effective June 2018.

Arp joined OSU's colleges of Agricultural Sciences, and Sciences, in 1990, with a joint botany and plant pathology position split between the two units. He eventually went on to head the Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, where he earned the honor of "distinguished professor."

In 2008, Arp was named dean of the University Honors College. He worked closely with students to enhance their learning experience. Four years later he was named as the Reub Long dean of Agricultural Sciences and director of the Oregon Agricultural Experiment Station at OSU.

As dean, Arp oversaw record student enrollment and the addition of 25 new faculty members in 2015. The expansion was the result of increased funding from the state Legislature for statewide public services. Arp was also instrumental in obtaining more than $40 million in private gifts and industry support for the college.

Known as a strong collaborator, Arp developed and enhanced partnerships with agricultural commodity groups, companies, government agencies and non-governmental organizations. And in 2014, Arp served as co-chair of the Governor's Task Force on Genetically Engineered Seeds and Agricultural Products.

In a statement announcing his retirement, Arp commented, “I have tremendously enjoyed my five years of service as dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences, and I look forward to doing all I can during my sixth and final year as dean. I am extremely proud of the progress the college has made over the past several years and our recognition as one of the world’s top agriculture programs.”

Oregon State has been recognized as a world-class center in agriculture and forestry, ranking 13th this year in an international survey. The listing appeared in the QS World University Rankings of approximately 200 top institutions for agriculture and forestry worldwide.

Source: Oregon State University