Forbes named head of Department of Ag Communication

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Beth Forbes, a 21-year communications and public relations specialist at Purdue University, has been named the head of the College of Agriculture's Department of Agricultural Communication.

Jay Akridge, Purdue's Glenn W. Sample Dean of Agriculture, announced the appointment Nov. 2.

"Beth is a proven leader in agricultural communications, with more than 10 years of experience as our news and public affairs coordinator," Akridge said. "Her deep understanding of our state and our industry, combined with her appreciation for our land-grant mission, will help us take our communications initiatives to exciting new places."

Agricultural Communication develops publications, Web sites, news releases, multimedia resources and interactive exhibits. It also operates Purdue Extension's The Education Store, which sells and distributes educational materials, and facilitates the toll-free 888-EXT-INFO (398-4636) phone line for information access.

Forbes leads a staff of 40. She has served as the department's interim head since March 2009. Prior to her interim position she was the coordinator of the department's news and public affairs unit.

"Our goal is to serve Purdue Agriculture and Indiana by providing information that helps people be more successful," Forbes said. "The challenge is to stay audience-focused and deliver research-based information in a manner that engages and serves the public."

A native of Bourbon, Ind., Forbes earned a bachelor's degree in mass communication from Anderson University and a master's degree in organizational leadership from Purdue.

Prior to Purdue, Forbes was a radio news reporter and news director in South Bend. She joined Purdue University Relations in 1988, where she produced the radio newsline, wrote news releases, and co-hosted and co-produced the university's public affairs program "Purdue: A Closer Look."

Forbes became the coordinator of Agricultural Communication's news and public affairs unit in 1999. In that role she managed seven writers who produced news releases, a magazine, an alumni publication, an electronic newsletter and text for exhibits. She also consulted on media training and public relations.

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