VP Whitson to step down as head of OSU agriculture division, college
Friday, February 3, 2012
Since joining OSU in May of 2005, Whitson has provided leadership as dean for the
College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and vice president and director
for the two state agencies administered through the division: the Oklahoma Agricultural
Experiment Station and the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service.
“We appreciate the outstanding leadership and service Dr. Whitson has provided to
Oklahoma State University and to Oklahoma,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “Our
agriculture programs and operations touch students and extend to every county of Oklahoma.
“Bob has overseen strong enrollment growth and his diverse organization has excelled
at carrying out OSU’s land-grant mission of teaching, research and extension. We
wish him and his wife, Linda, all the best as they make more time for their grandchildren.”
Hargis said a committee would be appointed to conduct a national search for a new
vice president and dean of agriculture.
In his position at Oklahoma State, Whitson has been responsible for the overall leadership,
financial development and fiscal management for the agriculture division, which includes
teaching, research, and Cooperative Extension.
Under his guidance, the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources student
enrollment has grown 14 percent in the last three years and agriculture students have
captured many top national scholarships and campus honors. Endowed professorships
and chairs in the college have doubled to 32 since his arrival as dean.
Whitson served as associate vice chancellor and associate dean at Texas A&M University
before coming to OSU. Along with his administrative background, Whitson has experience
as a rancher and farmer, extension specialist, professor and banker.
Whitson earned a B.S. in range management from Texas Tech University, an M.S. in
agricultural economics from Texas Tech and his Ph.D. in agricultural economics from
Texas A&M.