Pictures are linked to hi-res scans Donald A. Rutz Copyright: University Photography, Cornell

CORNELL COOPERATIVE EXTENSION
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 23, 2006

Contact: Nancy Fey, (607) 255-2135,
email naf2@cornell.edu

Rutz named director of NYS Integrated Pest Management program

ITHACA, N.Y. - Donald A. Rutz, professor of veterinary entomology at Cornell University, has been appointed director of Cornell's New York State Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. He will continue his research and extension programs while allocating 40 percent of his time to the directorship, which begins February 1, 2006.

Rutz has been actively involved with IPM for over 25 years, having been a member of the NYS IPM program operating committee since its inception.

Announcing Rutz's appointment, Helene R. Dillard, Cornell Cooperative Extension director and associate dean of Cornell's Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Human Ecology, said, "We welcome Don to our leadership team. He has been a highly respected, well-known leader in the IPM field and among Cornell faculty and staff for decades. His knowledge and solid reputation will continue to keep the New York State IPM program well positioned as a national leader in this scholarship area."

Rutz will focus his attention as NYS IPM director on stakeholder involvement and securing funding. "The outstanding reputation that our program experiences today has resulted from the ever constant involvement and input from our extensive list of stakeholders in both agriculture and in our communities; our regulators and legislators at the local, state and national levels; our public health and environmental advocacy groups; and our outstanding Cornell extension educators and researchers both off and on campus. As director, I will constantly strive to make certain that this involvement remains the driving force behind our program."

"A major opportunity for the program is that of funding both for agriculture and community IPM. I will spend time meeting with legislators, regulators, stakeholders and advocacy groups at the state and national levels, educating them about our programs and discussing our funding needs. I look forward to this most critical aspect of this position."

"In addition, I would also like to see our NYS IPM Program be more actively involved in training our IPM practitioners of the future through internships, etc. which could be set up through Cornell and our SUNY campuses and also our community colleges," Rutz said.

Rutz's research and extension programming has focused on the development, implementation and demonstration of integrated fly management programs for dairy cattle and poultry with emphasis on the biological components.

Rutz joined Cornell's faculty in 1981 as an assistant professor, was promoted to associate professor in 1987, and to professor in 1995. Prior to Cornell, Rutz was an extension entomologist at North Carolina State University. Rutz received his bachelor's degree in biology from Kutztown State College in 1970, his master's degree in entomology from Penn State University in 1975, and his doctorate in veterinary entomology from North Carolina State University in 1977. Rutz grew up on a farm near Allentown, Penn., where he said he "received some of the best training and experience for what I'm doing for the dairy and poultry industries here in New York."

During his tenure at Cornell, Rutz served 11 years as director of Cornell's Pesticide Management Education Program and 10 years as chair of the Department of Entomology. He was honored nationally in 2004 with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Veterinary Entomology and statewide in 2003 with the Excellence in IPM Award.

Rutz succeeds Michael P. Hoffmann, who became director of the Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station in September.

Cornell Cooperative Extension is a major outreach arm of Cornell University, disseminating information to New York State communities in support of the university's land-grant mission. Through the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Human Ecology, Cornell Cooperative Extension provides educational opportunities in five major areas: agriculture and food systems; children, youth and families; community and economic vitality; environment and natural resources; and nutrition, health and safety.

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