VP Payne heading to Iowa State
After five years of serving as Utah State University’s vice president, dean and director of University Extension, Jack M. Payne will further his career at Iowa State University. Payne will begin his new position as vice provost for extension and outreach on Jan. 16, 2006.
“Dr. Payne has exceptional experience as an Extension specialist, faculty member and administrator at several of the nation’s leading land-grant universities. He also brings a wealth of experience in resource management from the private sector,” said ISU President Gregory Geoffroy in a press release.
Payne’s academic background includes obtaining a master’s and doctorate from USU, serving as assistant professor and extension wildlife specialist at Pennsylvania State University and associate professor and extension wildlife specialist at Texas A&M University. During a 10-year break from the academic world, he worked for Ducks Unlimited, the world leader in wetland conservation.
Amidst this variety of jobs, Payne said of his time at USU, “These past few years have been my finest and most rewarding in a 30-year career.” He attributes this to the feeling of unity that he has felt between those he has worked with. “The success of keeping the Extension organization moving forward in a positive way has not been based on money of budget, but based on a sense of common purpose, vision and goals at all levels of the organization,” Payne said.
Payne’s colleagues have felt, “lucky to have had Jack Payne,” said Kevin C. Kesler, director of 4-H and youth programs and assistant director for USU Extension. Kesler said he admired Payne’s ability to talk to people and find something in common with each of them, whether it be a person they know or a hobby they share.
Payne said he is able to do this because of the importance he sees in having a diverse group of friends and colleagues. “I have come to firmly believe that diversity in all its forms and under the broadest definition is essential to achieving excellence,” Payne said. He has and will continue to keep this care for others at the forefront of his life and continue achieving as he has in the past.
Iowa State University was the country’s first land-grant institution and Payne is looking forward to helping move this program into the 21st century. While he will be missed at USU, ISU is excited to have Payne join their university and add his expertise to their programs.
-albaugh@cc.usu.edu