Watson names interim VP of agriculture
Mixon to take on interim president's former responsibilities
Lawrence Simmons
Issue date: 4/8/08 Section: News
As Interim President Vance Watson assumes his new position at Mississippi State, a series of changes has been proposed to steady the university's course. Melissa Mixon's appointment to interim vice president for the division of agriculture, forestry and veterinary medicine is one such measure.
Mixon, formerly associate division vice president, was appointed Friday to fill the positions Watson formerly held.
Mixon said she feels honored for the confidence Watson has in her to take on the job.
"Under the previous leadership of Dr. Watson, the division has made tremendous contributions to the research, teaching and outreach needs of our state, the clientele we serve and the students," she said. "It is my goal to continue in the direction of where those contributions are headed."
Watson said Mixon's job description will include oversight of 1,800 people located throughout the state of Mississippi and those on campus.
"MSU's division of agriculture, forestry and veterinary science is ranked eighth in the United States," he said. "She will work with the deans and department heads and will work as a team with them to ensure the program continues to grow and maintain its national reputation."
As Mixon takes on the new role, she said she recognizes that it will be a challenge.
"I believe this is going to be a tremendous challenge to balance all of these [responsibilities], but I know that I am going to rely on the wisdom that Dr. Watson had in putting this administrative leadership team together," she said.
Watson said Mixon is an extremely hard-working person with impeccable integrity.
"The other people in the division have great respect for her ability," he said.
Bob Williams, project coordinator for the division, said Mixon is a highly competent person with good experience who has worked with the division for 25 years.
"I have worked closely with her for four years and have known her since she became a faculty member in 1983," he said.
Mixon, formerly associate division vice president, was appointed Friday to fill the positions Watson formerly held.
Mixon said she feels honored for the confidence Watson has in her to take on the job.
"Under the previous leadership of Dr. Watson, the division has made tremendous contributions to the research, teaching and outreach needs of our state, the clientele we serve and the students," she said. "It is my goal to continue in the direction of where those contributions are headed."
Watson said Mixon's job description will include oversight of 1,800 people located throughout the state of Mississippi and those on campus.
"MSU's division of agriculture, forestry and veterinary science is ranked eighth in the United States," he said. "She will work with the deans and department heads and will work as a team with them to ensure the program continues to grow and maintain its national reputation."
As Mixon takes on the new role, she said she recognizes that it will be a challenge.
"I believe this is going to be a tremendous challenge to balance all of these [responsibilities], but I know that I am going to rely on the wisdom that Dr. Watson had in putting this administrative leadership team together," she said.
Watson said Mixon is an extremely hard-working person with impeccable integrity.
"The other people in the division have great respect for her ability," he said.
Bob Williams, project coordinator for the division, said Mixon is a highly competent person with good experience who has worked with the division for 25 years.
"I have worked closely with her for four years and have known her since she became a faculty member in 1983," he said.
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Selby Parker Sr., Ed.D
posted 4/10/08 @ 10:07 AM CST
Can you provide me with the top three candidates that were considered for the MSU presidency by the IHL Search Committee? I look to write a letter to the editor, CL, re: search committe actions, but do not plan to use the names, but need for my own accountability. (Continued…)
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