Auburn finally names replacement dean for College of Agriculture

Auburn University Provost John Heilman announced yesterday that Richard Guthrie, associate dean emeritus, will fill the position of dean for the College of Agriculture until a permanent replacement is selected. This announcement comes 13 days after Heilman told the Auburn Plainsman he would make his selection.

From today's AU Daily (dialy email newsletter for Auburn University):

GUTHRIE NAMED COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE DEAN
Richard L. Guthrie has been named dean of the College of Agriculture and director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, effective immediately. Provost John Heilman announced the appointment on Wednesday, following an internal search that included public presentations by the top candidates. Guthrie, formerly associate dean emeritus and professor emeritus, had served as acting dean and director since coming out of retirement in May to lead the college and its research arm during the search for someone to serve for a longer-term appointment.
He succeeds Michael Weiss, who has assumed full-time duties with the faculty. Guthrie came to Auburn in 1983 as professor and head of the Department of Agronomy and Soils, after nearly 20 years experience with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Soil Conservation Service.

I'm sure Guthrie will serve the college well. However, I am concerned about how a permanent replacement will be selected given the fallout over Weiss and the fact that the last permanently appointed dean was asked by the faculty to resign.

-the Progressive Conservative

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Update: Coverage of Guthrie's appointment in the Birmingham Business Journal.