Lee

J. Charles Lee, a senior administrator in the Texas A&M University System, has been named vice president for agriculture, forestry, and veterinary medicine at Mississippi State.

Most recently vice chancellor for research, planning, and continuing education at Texas A&M, he assumed his new duties in September.

No stranger to the state, Lee was MSU dean of forest resources and associate director of the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station 1978-83. He has held senior administrative positions at Texas A&M since then.

He succeeds R. Rodney Foil, who retired in June after 30 years as an MSU administrator and 13 years as vice president.

"Charles Lee has a sterling record of achievement in one of the premier land-grant universities in the nation and a proven track record as a leader in scientific agriculture," said President Malcolm Portera.

The vice president for agriculture, forestry, and veterinary medicine oversees the MSU Extension Service, MAFES and the Forest and Wildlife Research Center.

"Mississippi State has a critical role in preparing the professional, industrial and scientific leaders of tomorrow's food and fiber industry," Lee said. "Its agricultural and natural resource agencies will need to develop and disseminate new technologies and information to assist this important segment of the Mississippi economy in maintaining its competitiveness while being responsive to environmental and consumer concerns.

"I am honored by the confidence conveyed in this appointment and very impressed by the current momentum of the university."

Lee holds a bachelor's degree in forestry and a Ph.D. in forestry/genetics from North Carolina State University. He also has done graduate work at Duke University.