Weiss Named New Dean, Director

Mike Weiss and Cindy Schwinden
New Dean: Mike Weiss and his Wife Cindy Schwinden

Back in June, when Michael J. Weiss interviewed for the position of CoAg dean and Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) director, his enthusiasm for the job was obvious.

That enthusiasm has not waned now that he is officially the new dean and director, but he's likely to tell you that it's easy to be enthusiastic when you assume leadership of organizations that have such an outstanding faculty, staff and students.Weiss (which rhymes with "nice") is a career entomologist who comes to AU from the University of Idaho.

He assumed his dean/director role Aug. 4 and has spent his first two months learning about AU, the College of Ag, the AAES and Alabama agriculture.

He already knows one thing for sure. He wants to carry on the positive momentum, cooperative spirit, expanded vision and determination to be relevant to all Alabamians that characterized John Jensen's two-and-a-half-year stint as interim director and dean.

At Idaho, Weiss was a professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences. He also served for a time as dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences there.

Weiss, 49, was selected from a field of four finalists for the Auburn dean/director post. In announcing his selection, AU Provost Thomas Hanley praised Weiss' background in agricultural sciences and research, the volume and quality of his scholarly works and his ability to attract external funding.

"I believe the College of Agriculture and the Experiment Station have found a first-rate administrator and faculty member who understands the importance of basic research and its application for the benefit of Alabamians," Hanley said.

A native of St. Paul, Minn., who grew up in southern Indiana, Weiss earned his bachelor's degree in entomology from Purdue University and his master's degree and Ph.D., also both in entomology, from The Ohio State University and the University of Nebraska, respectively.

He began his academic career as an assistant professor of entomology at Montana State University in 1983, then two years later moved to North Dakota State University, where in 1996 he advanced to full professor and to the position of assistant director of the North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station.

In 1998, Weiss joined the faculty of the University of Idaho as head of the Department of Plant, Soil and Entomological Sciences and professor of entomology. He served as acting associate dean and later dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences before coming to Auburn. According to Weiss, he is fortunate to be taking the reins from someone as exceptional as John Jensen, who will continue to advise Weiss and AU's upper administration on matters relating to agriculture at Auburn and across the state.

"John's leadership has put the College and the Experiment Station on the right track, and he has built a culture and environment that has great forward momentum. I'm just lucky enough to be able to step in and continue that momentum," Weiss says.

Weiss and his wife, Cindy Schwinden, have set up housekeeping in Auburn and both agree that the people of the College, Experiment Station and Auburn community have already made them feel welcome and at home here.

The people, faculty, staff, alumni and students associated with the college have just been so gracious and welcoming. I have felt instantly at home," says Cindy.

"Of all the places I have worked in the past 21 years, Auburn agriculture without exception has a support base of alumni and friends that is second to none," says Weiss.

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