Schickedanz Assumes Interim Dean Post

Date:  June 19, 1997
Editor: D'Lyn Ford  (505) 646-6528, dlford@nmsu.edu

LAS CRUCES -- Jerry G. Schickedanz was appointed interim dean and chief administrative officer of New Mexico State University's College of Agriculture and Home Economics on June 19. Schickedanz moves from the post of associate dean and director of the Cooperative Extension Service in the college.

Schickedanz was appointed by John Owens, who vacated the college's chief post to assume the position of NMSU's interim executive vice president June 18.

"Dr. Schickedanz will offer the calm steady leadership we need in the College of Agriculture and Home Economics," Owens said. "He is very well known around the state by people who deeply care about NMSU and he will maintain their support, while winning NMSU new friends."

Schickedanz served as the associate dean and director since August 1992. He began his Extension career as a county agent in Duncan, Arizona. He joined NMSU as a range management specialist in 1976 after earning a doctorate in range management in 1975 from the University of Arizona.

Schickedanz is credited with developing the idea of the Range Improvement Task Force, a group of faculty who study policy issues related to public land use. The task force was funded by the legislature in 1979 and continues as a part of the college. Schickedanz was coordinator of the group for 10 years.

He also served as Extension program leader for agriculture and resource development from 1984 to 1986, Extension program director from 1986 to 1988, and associate Extension director from 1988 to 1992.

Schickedanz, who grew up on a farm and ranch in Fargo, Oklahoma, has been honored for his service by the college, New Mexico Cattle Growers' Association, and the New Mexico Farm and Livestock Bureau.