The head of the University of Arkansas at Monticello’s College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources is retiring at the end of 2020.
Dr. Phil Tappe will be retiring from his UAM post, in addition to his role as the director of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s Forest Resources Center, effective Dec. 31, 2020.
“Since I first arrived on campus many years ago, there have been several substantial changes. Academic, research, and extension programs have all evolved; facilities have been renovated and expanded; and academic units have been merged to form a larger, more comprehensive College. These changes have all been consistently positive. However, what has not changed is the dedication and commitment of our faculty and staff, and the determination and quality of our students and alumni. Serving as Dean and Director has been a wonderful opportunity,” Tappe said in a statement.
Tappe joined UAM as a research associate and instructor in 1991 and was named a full professor in 2003. He was appointed the associate dean for the School of Forest Resources and associate director for the Arkansas Forest Resources Center in 2006 and became the dean and director in 2011.
The University of Arkansas System has launched a national search for Tappe’s successor with Dr. Robert Ficklin tapped to serve as the interim dean and director. Ficklin has been with UAM since 2002 and is the associate dean for academics for the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources.
According to a university release, the finalists for the dean and director roles will be able to visit the UAM release to meet with local stakeholders.
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