At its Feb. 19 meeting, the Michigan State University Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Ronald Hendrick as dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Hendrick, an MSU alumnus, comes from Ohio State University where he currently is interim vice president for agricultural administration and interim dean for the College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Science.
His appointment is effective July 1.
In other personnel matters, the board approved the appointments of Carolyn Holden and Harold Neighbors as C.S. Mott Professors in the College of Human Medicine. Both public health researchers will be based in Flint.
The board also heard a report from several MSU faculty and administrators who are working with the city of Flint during its current water situation.
President Lou Anna K. Simon stressed that MSU has been partnering with Flint for more than 100 years. In fact, Jeff Dwyer, interim director of MSU Extension, pointed out that the first Extension agent in Michigan was assigned to Flint in 1903.
MSU’s efforts in Flint are numerous and varied, including discovering lead exposure and the creation a children’s health initiative, as well as continuing longtime medical education programs in area hospitals and fostering economic growth.
The president said that the work MSU is doing in Flint can be put to use in most any community in need. “This model can be redeployed,” she said.
In addition, over the years MSU has collaborated with the city on a large number of community projects not related to the current water situation.
Kerry Nelson, president of the Flint City Council, addressed the board.
“Thank you for all of your work,” he said, “and for becoming a part of our community.”