Rich Koenig has been named interim dean of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences at Washington State University, according to a news release. The appointment is effective July 1, and Koenig will assume the position of acting dean on June 7.

André-Denis Wright is resigning from his role as dean, effective June 30, and will join the University of Oklahoma as provost of its Norman campus, according to the release.

Koenig joined WSU as an associate professor in 2003 and has served as chair of the department of crop and soil sciences since 2017, his second four-year term in that role. From 2012 to 2019, Koenig was the associate dean for CAHNRS and director of WSU Extension. He also served as interim chair of the department of horticulture from 2017 to 2019.

“We are grateful to Rich Koenig for taking on the role of interim dean for CAHNRS,” WSU provost Elizabeth Chilton said in the release. “His significant leadership experience and extensive familiarity with the college and WSU Extension will allow them to continue the important work toward their goals and serve a vital role within our university and our state.”

Koenig earned his doctorate in soil science from WSU in 1993 and is a fellow of both the Soil Science Society of America and the American Society of Agronomy.

As interim dean, Koenig will serve a one-year appointment. WSU will launch a national search in the fall to identify a permanent dean for the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences.

—by Jonelle Mejica