Paul Wangsness, one of the six finalists for the College of Agriculture dean, spoke Thursday in an open forum in Kildee Hall, outlining what he hopes to accomplish if he is appointed to the post.

“I’m here as a candidate because Iowa State University is a quality institution,” said Wangsness. “The College of Agriculture is a first-class college, not that we don’t have work to do, but we have to take it to another level.”

Wangsness has served as the senior associate dean at Pennsylvania State University since 1997. He received his bachelor’s degree in agriculture at the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1966 and then received a Ph.D. in nutrition physiology from ISU in 1971.

Wangsness was also the Penn State acting associate dean for research and graduate education in 1997, the associate dean from 1994-1996, director of capital extension region from 1989-1994, head of the dairy and animal science department from 1980-1989, and he held various faculty positions from 1972-1980.

“He is very well-qualified for the position,” said Faye Whitaker, ISU assistant provost. “He has long experience at a land-grant university.”

In the open forum Thursday, Wangsness outlined strategies that need to be used in a land-grant university.

“We need to be putting students first,” Wangsness said. “We have to be proactive in helping students discover all the possibilities in agriculture.”

Wangsness also wanted to achieve excellence in teaching and research.

“We want to give good advice and research to the community,” he said. “The university has to be helpful in looking toward the future.”

Wangsness stressed making sure the programs at Iowa State are relevant to the issues now and in the future.

The issues he stated ranged from environmental concerns, rural farmers vs. large corporations and value-added crops.

“Being out among the state is very important for the college and the dean,” he said.

He also wants to increase the interdisciplinary program in getting grant money and keeping the strings attached minimal. Another point he raised was seeking collaborations about external problems.

Wangsness said the college needs to adjust and plan for changing opportunities in agriculture. He talked about receiving grants from the national and state level and seeking private funding.

“Flat funding is the best thing we can hope for this university,” he said. “The next dean needs to spend considerable time on private funding because the opportunity is great.”

The final area he outlined was paying attention to the work environment and keeping diversity in mind by being sensitive to all persons.

“People make things happen,” he said.

With the recent issue of biotechnology and genetics, Wangsness said he sees potential in that area of study. “I see a lot of potential for biotechnology for training students of the future,” he said. “Iowa State’s heavy investment in the Plant Institute seems very positive.”

Wangsness felt his greatest accomplishment at Penn State was the hiring of the first female in dairy and animal science.

“You receive ultimate satisfaction in hiring top people and seeing them succeed,” he said.

Wangsness said he felt that getting out into the state and interacting with people would be one of his top priorities.

“The dean needs to get out in the state, be in tune with the people, and help the agricultural community,” he said.

For anyone still with questions for the candidate, Wangsness will be speaking today at a student forum at 1 p.m. followed by a diversity forum at 3 p.m., both in Room 142 Curtiss Hall.