The dean of Iowa State’s College of Family and Consumer Sciences, Beverly Crabtree, has announced that she will step down from her position effective June 30, 1997.

Crabtree, 59, has served as the dean of the college since 1987. She is Iowa State’s senior dean. She said she will remain on the faculty for the 1997-98 academic year as a professor of family and consumer sciences education and studies.

President Martin Jischke said Crabtree has had many achievements while she has been at ISU. He cited tremendous growth in sponsored funds, establishing the Helen LeBaron Hilton Endowed Chair, construction of the Center for Designing Foods and finding private funding for the new Palmer Human Development and Family Studies Building.

“Dean Crabtree has been a national leader in family consumer sciences education, and she has had a successful deanship, and I admire her,” he said.

He believes finding a replacement will not be easy, but ISU will be able to compete for the most talented people in the country.

“It’s always a loss when a person of Beverly Crabtree’s talents steps down. While I am delighted she has served the college for 10 years, I believe we will be challenged in finding someone of her ability.”

John Anderson, interim director of university relations, said Crabtree “feels this is an opportunity to go out on a high note.”

Crabtree said she wants to pursue other areas of interest. “Thirty years of administration and I’d like to reduce my stress and spend more time with my husband and family,” she said.

Prior to coming to Iowa State, Crabtree was the dean of the College of Home Economics at Oklahoma State University from 1975 to 1987 and was an administrator and faculty member at the University of Missouri from 1967 to 1975.

She received her Ph.D. from ISU in 1965.