07-05-05

Woteki resigns as dean of agriculture at Iowa State

Ames, Iowa -- Catherine Woteki, dean of the College of Agriculture at Iowa State University since January 2002, announced today she will resign to take a position with a national food company. Her resignation is effective July 31.

Woteki will become global director of scientific affairs at Mars Inc. She will be located in McLean, Va.

"I have thoroughly enjoyed serving as dean of agriculture at Iowa State, and I will miss the faculty, staff, students and the Ames community. But this is an exciting opportunity for me, and it will allow me to be closer to family in the Washington, D.C. area," Woteki said.

Woteki is a nutritional epidemiologist, and prior to becoming dean, she served as a senior research scientist at the University of Maryland, College Park, and professor of nutrition and food safety at the University of Nebraska. From 1997 to 2001, she was first under secretary for food safety in the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Woteki is active in several scientific organizations and is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a member of the Institute of Medicine.

"Dean Woteki has done an outstanding job at Iowa State, in directing the College of Agriculture, developing important ties with public officials and agricultural interests around Iowa, and providing leadership in a number of campus projects," said Iowa State University President Gregory Geoffroy.

During Woteki's tenure, the College of Agriculture has undergone major changes while retaining its reputation as one of the leading colleges of agriculture in the world. She oversaw reorganization of the biological sciences departments; supported new research initiatives in animal genomics, food safety, water and air quality; and strengthened outreach to farmers through the Corn and Soybean Initiative. Plans have been finalized for a new dairy research and teaching farm.

Mars Inc., is a privately-held, family-owned company that produces some of the world's leading confectionery, food, pet care, beverage and electronics products and operates in more than 65 countries. Headquartered in McLean, Va, the company's global sales exceed $18 billion annually.

Iowa State vice president for academic affairs and provost Ben Allen will appoint an interim dean to head the college while a search is conducted for a new permanent dean.

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