By:
Cindy Spence

Source(s):
Don Poucher (352) 392-0437

GAINESVILLE—Larry J. Connor, dean of the University of Florida’s College of Agriculture, announced Wednesday (8/12) that he plans to retire by the first of the year.

During Connor’s 7 1/2-year tenure, dramatic changes have occurred at the college, a part of UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Enrollment in the college nearly doubled, jumping from 2,002 in fall of 1991 to 3,886 through spring 1998, with minority enrollment growing to 25 percent of the total. The college also is now the sixth largest College of Agriculture in the United States in undergraduate and graduate programs.

Faculty ranks grew, too, with restructuring of curriculum in some areas and expansion into distance learning in West and South Florida. The changes brought 44 new faculty members into the college.

Connor started the College Honors Programs and helped bring teaching into the high-tech age with new multi-media laboratories.

“I am very proud of the enrollment and faculty growth, curricular changes, faculty development programs, distance education and off-campus programs, and student activities of the College of Agriculture,” Connor said. “The college and faculty have carried out our teaching mission to the state and university with distinction.”

In a letter outlining his plans, Connor said he would like to depart sometime between Nov. 1 and Jan. 1, depending on when a successor can be named.

“The time has come for me to turn to other professional and personal interests,” Connor said. “I look forward to facilitating a smooth transition process with my successor. My wife and I would like to express our deep gratitude for the opportunity to work with the faculty, staff and students of this great university.”

The new dean likely would begin work following the arrival of incoming Vice President for Agriculture and Natural resources Michael Martin, who is expected to assume his new duties with the fall term in progress.

“Larry Connor has played a major role in advancing the status of academic programs of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and the College of Agriculture,” Martin said. “Connor leaves an extremely strong foundation on which we can build future programs.”

Connor’s educational background is in agricultural economics. He was awarded a bachelor of science degree by the University of Nebraska in 1956. His master’s degree and doctorate were awarded by Oklahoma State University in 1960 and 1964. He came to UF in 1991 from Michigan State University. His research has been focused on agricultural production economics, farm management and agricultural resource economics.

Connor is a member of several professional and honorary societies and has frequently been tapped for consulting work by other universities, national committees and agricultural associations. He has authored 145 professional publications and papers, including one book and chapters in several other books.

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