By Fred Miller
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Ryan 501-671-2120
July 14, 2017
Kirkpatrick appointed interim department head of entomology, plant pathology
Fast Facts:
- Kirkpatrick appointed interim head of entomology, plant pathology departmets.
- Kirkpatrick is based at Hope, conducting research and extension
- He will continue his work at Hope but maintain office hours in Fayetteville
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Terry L. Kirkpatrick, professor of plant pathology for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, has been appointed interim head of the University of Arkansas’ departments of entomology and plant pathology.
Kirkpatrick took up his new duties as entomolgy department head July 1. He will assume plant pathology department head duties Sept. 1, when Craig Rothrock, professor of plant pathology, retires. Rothrock has served as interim department head since June 1, 2015.
Kirkpatrick will lead the departments’ research and extension programs for the Division of Agricuture and academic programs for the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.
“We are very pleased that Dr. Kirkpatrick has agreed to take on this challenging assignment,
said Mark Cochran, vice president for agriculture.“He brings a wealth of experience in research, Extension and teaching.He has an excellent reputation as a scientist and tremendous rapport and respect with stakeholders across the state and region.”
“We appreciate Dr. Kirkpatrick’s willingness to take on this administrative leadership role,” said Clarence Watson, associate vice president for agriculture-research and director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station.
Kirkpatrick joined the Division of Agriculture’s faculty in 1984 as an assistant professor of plant pathology, was promoted to associate professor in 1988 and to professor in 1997. He has coordinated the Arkansas Nematode Diagnostic Laboratory since it moved from Fayetteville to the Southwest Research and Extension Center in 1995.
In addition, Kirkpatrick is coordinator for the Arkansas Soybean Variety Disease Screening Program and the Learning Laboratory for Horticultural Crops.
Kirkpatrick is also responsible for county agent education and training in nematology for all crops and cotton and horticultural crops diseases. He provides support to county agents for grower education programs in nematology and plant pathology and develops educational programs and materials for agricultural consultants and other Extension Service clientele. He conducts applied research and demonstration programs statewide.
In his role as interim department head, Kirkpatrick will continue to be stationed at SWREC near Hope, but work at least three days a week in Fayetteville. He will also travel to the division’s research and extension centers and research stations around the state as needed.
Kirkpatrick said he will be seeing the two departments through a rebuilding after a series of faculty retirements. “My job will be to represent both departments during this transition, but the faculty, staff and students are the ones that will make it work,” he said.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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