“After a nationwide search, officials at West Texas A&M University have named Dr. Kevin R. Pond, professor and head of the Department of Animal Sciences at Colorado State University, as the new dean for the WTAMU Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences.
Pond, one of three finalists for the position, will begin his duties at WTAMU on Dec. 1. He will oversee all facets of the college, which includes the Department of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Life, Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Department of Chemistry and Physics. Pond replaces interim Dr. Lal Almas, who took on the role in March after the death of Dr. Dean Hawkins.
“I am extremely excited to join the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences as dean,” Pond said. “The stars seem to be aligning at West Texas A&M University with great support from The Texas A&M University System, the agriculture industry, alumni and friends. The new facilities, outstanding faculty, students and programs make West Texas A&M University the rising star in agriculture and natural sciences.”
He is joining the University at an exciting time for the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences. The new Agricultural Sciences Complex was completed just in time for the 2018 fall semester, and the sciences—life and environmental sciences (LEES) and chemistry and physics (CHPH)—are now the sole occupants of the Agriculture and Natural Sciences Building. LEES and CHPH faculty members who have been housed in various locations across campus will all make moves to the building following some maintenance and repairs. It’s a great time of expansion and growth for the college, and Pond’s knowledge and expertise will definitely contribute to its success.
WTAMU’s new dean has been at Colorado State University since 2011 as head of the Department of Animal Sciences. He will finish out the fall semester there, where he teaches both undergraduate and graduate classes in animal science. Pond also has held positions at Texas Tech University, North Carolina State University and Texas A&M University, where he taught classes in introduction to animal sciences, animal nutrition, swine and sheep production and honors program seminars.
“I applaud our search committee for its diligence in selecting such a capable candidate to lead the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences,” Dr. Walter Wendler, University president, said. “Kevin Pond brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and leadership to the position, and his passion for education and student success will serve us well. We are excited to welcome him to the WTAMU community.”
Pond is the recipient of numerous scholarly and professional awards, a member of several professional societies and the author of two books, many refereed journal articles, abstracts, invited papers and more. He also holds several patent awards as an inventor and has received more than $2 million in research grants through the years.
Pond, who grew up in Ithaca, N.Y., earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Cornell University in 1977 and a master’s degree in animal nutrition from Texas A&M University in 1979. He earned his Ph.D. in nutrition in 1982 from Texas A&M University.”
-West Texas A&M University
