W. R. “Reg” Gomes, dean of the College of Agriculture at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign since 1989, has been appointed UC Vice President, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources by the Board of Regents, effective September 1.

Gomes will succeed Kenneth R. Farrell, who last August announced his intention to retire after 8 years as vice president. Farrell has extended his retirement date to September 1, to coincide with Gomes' appointment.

“I am looking forward to the exciting challenge that UC offers,” said Gomes. “I am committed to keep its Division of Agriculture and National Resources in the forefront of delivering research, teaching and public service programs designed to help California agriculture remain competitive in domestic and international markets.”

Gomes is a distinguished leader in the agricultural sciences as co-editor of four books and four volumes of proceedings and author or co-author of more than 50 scientific papers, 42 abstracts and several review articles, symposia materials and book chapters.

The Hanford native is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, with a bachelor's degree in dairy science. He earned his master's in animal physiology and endocrinology from Washington State University and his doctorate in the same field from Purdue University.

W. R. “Reg” Gomes

Gomes has served as a member of the Illinois Governor's Board of Agricultural Advisors and the Illinois Board of Natural Resources and Conservation and as vice chair of the American Society of Animal Science Foundation. He has been a member of the National Institute on Co-operative Education Steering Committee of the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives and the U.S.-Israeli Bi-National Agricultural Research and Development Fund. He is active in many professional societies and organizations.

-Editor