Lechtenberg

Former Dean of Agriculture Victor L. Lechtenberg, PhD ’71, has been appointed interim provost at Purdue. He succeeds Sally Mason, the recently appointed president of the University of Iowa.

Lechtenberg was Purdue’s dean of agriculture from

1994 to 2004, when he was appointed vice provost of engagement.

“I consulted with many Purdue faculty members and administrators before deciding on this appointment,” Purdue President France Córdova said in announcing the appointment on her first day as Purdue president on July 16.

“Dr. Lechtenberg is deeply respected by these people and by alumni and community leaders throughout the state. His administrative skill and his extensive experience as Purdue dean of agriculture and as vice provost make him the ideal person to lead the academic mission of the university.”

Córdova said she would move quickly to initiate a national search for a new provost. Meanwhile, Lechtenberg has appointed Jay Akridge, MS ’83, PhD ’86, to serve as interim vice provost for engagement until Córdova announces a permanent replacement for Mason. Akridge is the James and Lois Ackerman Professor of Agricultural Economics and director of the Center for Food and Agricultural Business.

As interim provost, Lechtenberg will be responsible for oversight of campus management in research, engagement, teaching and related academic activities. The provost's office, in coordination with the president, also will be directly involved in developing support from federal agencies, corporations and foundations and will be responsible for issues of academic concern for the university’s four regional campuses and Extension sites statewide.

Lechtenberg joined the Purdue faculty in 1971.

Contact Lechtenberg at vll@purdue.edu