Two named associate deans in College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

By Esther Baker

James E. Hunter and John Finamore have been named associate deans in Cornell's New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS).

Susan Henry, dean of the college, made the appointments in October, saying that their titles now reflect the important roles each plays in the administration.

Hunter's new title is associate dean of the college and director of the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Geneva. He has served as director of the Geneva station since 1990. Before becoming its director, Hunter was chair of the station's department of plant pathology and associate director of the station.

His scientific research focused on the biology and control of bacterial and fungal diseases of vegetable crops. Hunter also serves on the Dean's Executive Council, the executive committee of the college's Integrated Pest Management Program, the Zimbabwe Steering Committee of the Cornell International Institute for Food and Agricultural Development and as a member of the board of directors of the New York Wine and Grape Foundation and the Boyce Thompson Institute for Plant Research.

Hunter received his B.S. degree in microbiology in 1961 and his doctorate in botany in 1964, both from the University of New Hampshire.

Finamore's new title is associate dean for financial affairs. He has served as chief financial officer and director of administrative services for CALS since 1980. In his role, Finamore serves as financial adviser to the dean and is responsible for leadership within the college in the areas of budget, financial management, business services and administrative information systems. He is also a member of the University Costing Review Committee and the College Officers Group. Finamore earned his B.S. degree in accounting at Siena College in 1971 and his masters of science degree in accounting at the State University of New York-Albany in 1973.