This summer was one of transition for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. We bid our official farewell to IANR Vice Chancellor Dr. Irvin Omtvedt, a strong advocate for Nebraska agriculture and an effective leader for the Institute. In June we celebrated his retirement after 25 years of service to the University of Nebraska.

Dr. Omtvedt served as IANR vice chancellor for the past 13 years and as vice president for agriculture and natural resources for the NU system since 1992. Before assuming the vice chancellor's position, Irv was the IANR dean for agricultural research and director of the Nebraska Agricultural Experiment Station for five years. He came to Nebraska in 1974 as head of the Animal Science Department, a position he held until 1982.

An outstanding scientist in his own right, Dr. Omtvedt has been the philosophical leader in making IANR's research program more relevant to Nebraska's needs and increasingly respected throughout the United States. While head of animal science, Irv significantly increased the fundamental animal biology research in the unit through careful faculty hiring. Later as dean for agricultural research, he was instrumental in initiating biotechnology and other basic research thrusts within IANR. Irv was also a leader in recognizing the potential for computers in enhancing research capability and a proponent of having first-class computer facilities available to our faculty and students.

As vice chancellor, Dr. Omtvedt championed research that both addresses high priority state needs and adds to our storehouse of knowledge. He has been a strong spokesperson for increased funding for research at the state and federal levels. As a result, IANR research programs are widely recognized as among the most effective in the country.

Dr. Omtvedt has left a legacy of enhanced research facilities for IANR scientists. Under his leadership, a number of significant facilities were constructed on the Lincoln campus and at IANR facilities around the state, including the Animal Science Complex, Food Industry Complex, Beadle Center for Genetics and Biomaterials Research, the Great Plains Veterinary Educational Center at Clay Center, Northeast Lifelong Learning Center at Norfolk, West Central Research and Extension Center swine facilities at North Platte, the Research and Education Building at the Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead and the Dormitory/Laboratory Building at the Gudmundsen Sandhills Laboratory near Whitman. We recently were informed that federal funds have been obtained to partially fund a new Natural Resources Complex † an IANR priority for more than a decade. Many buildings on East Campus and at our off-campus facilities also were renovated to enhance our ability to carry out modern field and laboratory research.

Irv has been a strong proponent of listening to stakeholders and developing strategic and action plans that address the state's most pressing needs. He pioneered strategic planning within the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and used the plans as the basis for developing cutting-edge programs and identifying the most critical facility and equipment needs.

The people of Nebraska owe Dr. Omtvedt a great debt of gratitude for his many years of selfless service to the University of Nebraska and to Nebraskaês agriculture, natural resources, communities and families. In honor of this effective, dedicated service and the improvements and changes his leadership brought to the university, we dedicate this issue of Research Nebraska magazine to Irv Omtvedt.

Please join the Agricultural Research Division faculty, staff and graduate students in extending Irv and Wanda Omtvedt best wishes for an enjoyable and productive retirement. Darrell W. Nelson Dean and Director Agricultural Research Division

Darrel W. Nelson
Dean and Director
Agricultural Research Division

Darrell Nelson

Irv Omtvedt