Oct. 9, 2002--The following tribute was presented by Robin Morgan, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, on Oct. 7 at the General Faculty Meeting.

John C. Nye, former dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and director of the Delaware Agricultural Experiment Station and the Delaware Cooperative Extension Service, died suddenly and unexpectedly on April 30. The cause of death was a brain aneurysm. Nye, who was 57 years old, served as dean from 1991 to 2001.

Born in Anthony, Kansas, John Nye grew up on a wheat farm and attended Kansas State University, where he received a bachelor’s degree in agricultural engineering in 1968. He received his master’s and doctorate degrees from Purdue University, and joined the faculty there in 1971.

He began his professional career at Purdue in a research/extension position, where he worked with livestock producers to ensure that they met state and federal requirements for containment of runoff and manure.

Nye left Purdue in 1984 to head the agricultural engineering department at Louisiana State University. There, he developed a network of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) workstations that could be used to evaluate optimal land use, environmental planning and economic development strategies.

A proponent of agriculture, natural resources, education, research and extension, Nye understood the importance of providing research to resolve problems in the community. He worked to support and define issues for the Farm Bill, and he was instrumental in establishing national research priorities for land-grant colleges and universities. John believed deeply in the land-grant mission and he encouraged work that was relevant to problems in agriculture. He worked hard to integrate Cooperative Extension into college academic life. John understood the need for infrastructure to support scholarship, and under his watch, information technology in the college was developed and emphasized, and many buildings were constructed or upgraded. These include the Charles C. Allen, Jr. Laboratory and the Paradee University Center for Kent County Cooperative Extension, as well as the renovation of Townsend Hall, a refurbishing of the Edward R. Wilson farmhouse and the acquisition and renovation of Lasher Laboratory near Georgetown.

He was instrumental in establishing the Center for Agricultural Biotechnology, and from this center, the Delaware Biotechnology Institute evolved. Under Nye’s leadership, the college expanded its major areas of excellence, including the world-class poultry research program, nutrient management programs and soil sciences research. The Agricultural Scholars endowment tripled during his decade as dean.

Nye’s list of professional accomplishments was long. However, he considered his greatest achievements to be those forged from one-on-one relationships, in which he could see the direct difference that he made in the lives of others. His most cherished honors included the many “Best Teacher” awards that he earned in his early years, and a Martin Luther King Jr. “Keeping the Dream Alive” award in 1990 from Louisiana State University. John Nye developed close and caring relationships with countless students, faculty and staff throughout the college and university. Many were influenced by his belief in them. He encouraged family members, students, friends and colleagues to accomplish extraordinary things, and he truly believed that anyone could do whatever they set their mind and heart upon.

Among many other things, John loved to fly….may his spirit soar through the heavens forever.

May. 1, 2002--John C. Nye, 57, dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources from 1991-2001, died Tuesday, April 30, at Christina Medical Center. At the time of his death, he was director of Delaware Cooperative Extension.

Devoted to his family and students of the college, Dr. Nye was a proponent of agriculture, natural resources, preservation, education, research and extension. He understood the importance of providing research to resolve problems in the community. Many accomplishments took place at the college under his leadership, including the construction of the Charles C. Allen Jr. Laboratory and the Paradee University Center for Kent County Cooperative Extension, as well as the renovation of Townsend Hall, a refurbishing of the Edward R. Wilson farmhouse and the acquisition and renovation of Lasher Laboratory near Georgetown.

He initiated the Center for Agricultural Biotechnology, and from this center, the Delaware Biotechnology Institute evolved. Funding to the college increased under Dr. Nye’s tenure, and the college expanded its major areas of excellence, including the world-class poultry research program, nutrient management programs, soil sciences research and the Longwood graduate program in ornamental horticulture. The Agricultural Scholars endowment tripled during his decade as dean.

Dr. Nye came to UD as dean in 1991, after serving as head of the Agricultural Engineering Department at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests gifts to the John C. Nye Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of Delaware. Contributions can be directed to the University of Delaware Office of Development, Rees Hall, 78 East Delaware Ave., Newark, DE 19716.