PULLMAN, Wash. — Daniel J. Bernardo, a professor and department head in agricultural economics at Kansas State University, will become the new dean of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences at Washington State University.
Provost Robert Bates announced the appointment of Bernardo today (May 12). Bernardo is a WSU alumnus; he received a doctoral degree from WSU in 1985.
“I am extremely pleased that we have recruited such a talented leader in agricultural research and education to advance the mission and vision of this important college at WSU,” Bates said. “Dr. Bernardo is committed to excellence in developing the next generation of leaders and brings his experience in production agriculture to ensure translation of latest discoveries in science to applications in the field and the market. He is an outstanding economist who understands the diversity and complexity of agriculture and related disciplines which will serve him well in the deanship.”
Bernardo, 46, specializes in production economics, farm management and natural resources. As department head at KSU, he has administrative responsibility for the Department of Agricultural Economics’ teaching, research and extension programs.
“One very important factor in my deciding to make this move is that I feel very much tied to WSU. I had a marvelous experience at WSU and bonded to the university during my graduate study. I have always had a great deal of passion for the university, and I am excited about rejoining the university community,” Bernardo said.
“Another of the things that really attracted me is the breadth of the college,” Bernardo said. He said the wide range of academic areas in CAHNRS, including agriculture, human sciences and natural resource sciences, puts the college in an excellent position to meet the needs of the state and its constituent groups. Bernardo said he plans to assume his new position no later than August 1.
Since his arrival at KSU in 1995, Bernardo has directed several new initiatives, including facility renovation and the master in agribusiness distance learning program. His research on irrigation management, rangeland economics and water quality policy has been published in scholarly journals across a variety of disciplines.
Bernardo received a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis, in 1980. After earning his degree from WSU, he joined Oklahoma State University as an assistant professor and was promoted to full professor in 1993.
James J. Zuiches stepped down from the deanship in August, 2003 and R. James Cook has served as interim dean since that time. Warwick Bayly, dean of veterinary medicine, served as chair of the search committee.
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