Lexington, Kentucky
June 3, 2009
A familiar face in the
University of Kentucky
Department of Plant and Soil Sciences recently was appointed the
department’s chair.
Todd Pfeiffer has been a member of the department’s faculty
since 1982 as a plant breeding and genetics specialist for
soybeans and, most recently, sweet sorghum. During his UK
career, he has developed five varieties of soybeans and the
first-ever hybrid of sweet sorghum.
Pfeiffer earned his bachelor’s degree from UK and his master’s
and doctorate degrees from the University of Wisconsin.
“It is both gratifying and a bit amazing that strong, new
leaders so consistently and reliably step forward in our
college. Once again they did so in this case,” said Scott Smith,
dean of the UK College of Agriculture.
With agricultural technology and practices constantly evolving,
Pfeiffer has many goals to keep the department at the forefront
of the industry and strengthen Kentucky farming operations
through education.
“I want the department to remain integral in improving crop
production in Kentucky so it’s more profitable and stays
environmentally sustainable,” he said.
Over the years, Pfeiffer actively helped students reach their
full academic potential. He has been the director of
undergraduate studies for the department as well as the
coordinator for the World Food Issues track in the UK Honors
Program. This year, he received the Gamma Sigma Delta Master
Teacher Award for the college.
“In the department, we strive to teach students the science part
of plant and soil sciences, so they’ll have a strong science
background that will help them make decisions throughout their
careers,” Pfeiffer said.
Pfeiffer replaces Michael Barrett, who has served as department
chair since 1999. Barrett remains on faculty at UK.
“I also want to publicly thank Mike Barrett for his 10 years of
dedication to the department,” Smith said. “Mike returns to a
faculty research and teaching role, leaving Dr. Pfeiffer to
administer a strong department with an exceptional history of
achievement and a great future.”
UK College of Agriculture, through its land-grant mission,
reaches across the commonwealth with teaching, research and
extension to enhance the lives of Kentuckians. |
|
