Ray Hammerschmidt has been named interim director of Michigan State University Extension as of Jan. 1.
Hammerschmidt had been interim associate director of MSU Extension since July 2014. Previously, he was the associate chair of the MSU Department of Plant, Soils and Microbial Sciences, where his research and teaching focused on the physiology and biochemistry of plant disease and disease resistance. He replaces Margaret Bethel, who came out of retirement to fill the role after the departure of Tom Coon in July 2014.
Fred Poston, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources at MSU, says he looks forward to working with Hammerschmidt in his new role.
"Dr. Hammerschmidt has a lot of experience in many areas of the university," Poston said. "His background in research gives him a unique opportunity to move MSU Extension forward."
Through partnerships with local, state and federal governments, MSU Extension has faculty and staff members on campus and throughout the state. For more than 100 years, MSU Extension has helped grow Michigan¹s economy by equipping Michigan residents with the information they need to do their jobs better, raise healthy and safe families, build their communities and empower their children to dream of a successful future.
Hammerschmidt says he looks forward to continuing the work of the organization¹s mission.
"I've worked in the research realm for a long time," he explained. "I understand the importance of using research to guide us and make decisions, and the results of research are most valuable when shared with the people who can use them to make a difference. We have experts and outreach professionals who are outstanding and experienced in delivering this important information. I look forward to working with them to improve the lives of Michigan¹s residents."
Hammerschmidt received a bachelor¹s degree in biochemistry from the School of Agriculture at Purdue University in 1974 and a master¹s degree in plant pathology from Purdue in 1976. In 1980, he received a Ph.D. in plant disease resistance from the University of Kentucky. Hammerschmidt joined MSU in 1980 with a research and teaching appointment and conducted fundamental and applied research on potato diseases.