Hunter will leave Geneva Agricultural Experiment Station at end of the year

By Linda McCandless

GENEVA, N.Y. -- After 13 and a half years as director of Cornell's New York State Agricultural Experiment Station in Geneva, James E. Hunter has been granted a leave from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences to pursue other interests, effective Jan. 1, 2004. An interim director will be selected and begin this assignment Jan. 1. A permanent replacement is being sought. Hunter had previously announced his intention to retire effective June 2004.

Hunter

During his leave, Hunter said he will travel in the United States and abroad to study various relationships between universities and businesses that relate to economic development and increased support for bio-based research related to food and agriculture.

"I intend to examine alternative sources of support for land-grant colleges, in general, and experiment stations, in particular," said Hunter. "Public funding for agricultural research is decreasing. In order to retain the Geneva Experiment Station's world-class reputation, alternative sources of support need to be explored and new models built. I am enthusiastic about having this new opportunity to serve the station and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences."

One alternative that Hunter will be studying is research parks that are affiliated with universities and other public institutions. Hunter has served as a member of the Cornell Agriculture and Food Technology Park Corp. at Geneva, since its founding.

"I intend to stay affiliated with the park and the Geneva Experiment Station and to help in the park's continued development, but not as a member of the park board of directors at this time," said Hunter.

Hunter came to Geneva as chairman of the plant pathology department in 1972 and served in that capacity until 1982. He was associate director from 1987 to 1990.

Between now and the end of December, Hunter expects to work with the leadership group at the experiment station to complete as many ongoing tasks as possible, including implementing the new Geneva Administrative Service Center. The interim director will be charged with maintaining all current initiatives.