TTU Ag Dean Galyean Selected as Interim Provost

By Heidi Toth, Texas Tech University News Release

LUBBOCK – Michael Galyean, dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources (CASNR) has been appointed interim provost of Texas Tech University. He will take over responsibilities on Aug. 1.

Galyean replaces Provost Lawrence Schovanec, who was announced last week as the 17th president of the university beginning Aug. 1. Schovanec will convene a search committee, which will conduct a nationwide search for the next provost. Galyean will be allowed to be a candidate for the position if he desires.

“Dr. Galyean is a distinguished scholar and educator with an extensive record of professional service and leadership,” Schovanec said. “As dean of the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, he has earned the respect of colleagues within CASNR and across campus. I have great confidence in the leadership Dr. Galyean will provide as our chief academic officer.”

Galyean served on the faculty of New Mexico State University from 1977-1996 and West Texas A&M University from 1996-98. He joined the Texas Tech faculty in 1998 and was named a Paul Whitfield Horn professor in 2006. He is the Thornton Distinguished Chair in Animal Science and became dean of the college in 2012.

He received his doctorate in animal nutrition from Oklahoma State University and has published more than 300 peer-reviewed journal articles, invited papers and book chapters. He has directed the graduate work of more than 50 master’s and doctoral students, served on several National Research Council committees and recently chaired the Committee on Nutrient Requirements of Beef Cattle. He was president of the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS) Western Section, served on the ASAS Board of Director and was section editor and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Animal Science.

“To serve as the interim provost at a Tier One, Big 12 university is something I would never have dreamed of a few years ago, and I am honored Dr. Schovanec has asked me to take on this challenge,” Galyean said. “I look forward to working with him and our great faculty, staff and students as we continue to advance the academic and scholarly missions of Texas Tech University.”