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- 2004
- Spring
- Boethel named new research director
David J. Boethel, former associate vice chancellor at the LSU AgCenter, became vice chancellor for research and director of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station effective April 19.
“He brings a strong research background to this job plus classroom teaching experience and a record of leadership in our extension and outreach program,” said William B. “Bill” Richardson, LSU AgCenter chancellor.
Boethel, who has been with the AgCenter for nearly 30 years, had been associate vice chancellor since 2001. He was promoted to assistant director in 1997 and has continued his appointment as a professor of entomology.
Boethel has received international recognition for this research on insect pest management. More recently, he has led efforts to stop the spread of the Formosan subterranean termite and red imported fire ant in Louisiana and expand mosquito abatement to help tackle the threat of West Nile virus.
He replaces William H. Brown, who retired effective April 16 after three years as vice chancellor and more than 28 years at LSU. Brown came to LSU in 1976 to head what is now the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. He has risen through the ranks from assistant director for grants and contracts, to associate director, associate vice chancellor and, finally, vice chancellor in 2001.
A native of Weimar, Texas, Boethel received his bachelor of science and master of science degrees from Texas A&M University in College Station. He was awarded the Ph.D. in entomology from Oklahoma State University in 1974.
Before moving to the Baton Rouge campus in 1980, Boethel was at the LSU AgCenter’s Pecan Research Station in Shreveport.
David Morrison, former LSU AgCenter assistant vice chancellor, has been promoted to associate vice chancellor and associate director of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station also effective April 19.
Linda Foster Benedict
(This article appeared in the spring 2004 issue of Louisiana Agriculture.)
The LSU AgCenter and the LSU College of Agriculture