William R. Woodson is getting a new office on the Purdue Campus. Woodson, who has been the Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture since 2004 is moving up to become Purdue's provost effective May 1. Woodson will succeed Victor L. Lechtenberg, who has been interim provost since July 2007 when Sally Mason left Purdue to become president of the University of Iowa. 
In addition, the provost's office oversees issues of academic concern for the university's four regional campuses and the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service.
"This is a very exciting time in Purdue's history," says Woodson in a statement released by the university. "We have made important strides in our quest to be a supporting public research university, and I look forward to helping our students succeed, growing the research enterprise and enhancing Purdue's reputation as a globally engaged and locally responsive university."
Woodson joined the Purdue faculty in 1985 and became a professor in the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture in 1993. He was the director of the plant biology program from 1995-97. From 1996-98, Woodson also served as the head of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture.
In 1998 he was named associate dean of agriculture and director of agricultural research programs and was responsible for overseeing the university's research programs in agriculture, including fiscal management and other responsibilities such as program development and direction, budgeting, pursuit of outside funding for research and advocacy for agricultural and natural resources research.
Woodson's appointment as provost will be subject to ratification by the board of trustees.