PSC Search Committee Bios
Bruce E. Miller, Search Chair
Professor and Department Head, USU Agricultural Systems Technology and Education
Office phone: (435)797-2232
Bruce Miller is professor and the department head for the Agricultural Systems Technology and Education Department, a position he has held since 2003. He was recruited into the Agricultural Systems Technology and Education Department in 1991, with assignments in research and teaching in both agricultural technology and agricultural education. Bruce’s educational background includes BS and MS degrees from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, in Mechanized Agriculture and a PhD degree from Iowa State University in Agricultural Education. His research career has included work on composting, soil nitrogen, and sustainable agriculture. He has provided mentorship for seven MS students and served as anadvisor for students majoring in Agricultural Systems Technology. These efforts have led to Bruce’s recognition as the College of Agriculture Advisor in 1995 and the College of Agriculture Faculty of the Quarter in 1997. He participated in the ESCOP/ACOP Leadership Development Program in 2001 and is a North American Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture (NACTA) Fellow. Bruce currently teaches ASTE 1010 (Introduction to Agricultural Systems Technology), ASTE 2200 (Electricity in Agricultural Systems), ASTE 4100 (Agricultural Structures and Environment), and ASTE 5260/6260 (Environmental Impacts of Agricultural Systems).
Gary S. Straquadine, Search Manager
Professor, USU Agricultural Systems Technology and Education Department
Office phone: (435)797-3521
Gary Straquadine, a full professor in the Agricultural Systems Technology and Education (ASTE) Department, has served in several administrative positions at USU, including the department head for ASTE (1996-2004), the Associate Vice Provost for Curriculum Management (2004-2005), and the Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Services (2005-2006). He is currently the Associate Dean for Academics in the College of Agriculture. Gary received BS and MS degrees from New Mexico State University, with both degrees in Agricultural and Extension Education. His PhD degree is from The Ohio State University in Agricultural Education. Gary has been with USU since 1988. Because of excellence in both teaching and teacher education, he has been recognized with the College of Agriculture Teacher of the Year Award in 1991, 1998 and 1999 and the College of Agriculture Advisor of the Year Award in 1993. He was also named the USU Advisor of the Year in 1993. In addition to numerous professional organization awards, Gary received the Cache County Sheriff’s Office Citizen of the Year Award and the Utah Department of Corrections Public Services Award for his efforts to build a greenhouse and develop a horticulture training program at the Cache County Correctional Facility. Gary is currently responsible for ASTE 290 (Humanity in the Food Web), ASTE 6300 (Principles of Adult Education), and ASTE 7500 (Diffusion of Innovations).
Craig Aston, Search Committee Member
Senior Lecturer, USU Plants, Soils and Climate Department
Office phone: (435)797-2247
Craig Aston, a senior lecturer in the Plants, Soils and Climate Department, has been with the department since 1983, with a 100% teaching assignment in the ornamental horticulture program. He received an Associate’s degree from Ricks College in landscape horticulture, a BS degree from USU in Plant Science and an MS degree from USU in Ornamental Horticulture. Craig has responsibility for a large number of courses, most recently PLSC 2100 (Introduction to Horticulture), PLSC 2200 (Pest Management), PLSC 2600 (Annual and Perennial Plants), PLSC 2610 (Indoor Plants), PLSC 2620 (Woody Plant Material), PLSC 3050 (Greenhouse Design and Production), PLSC 2900 (Special Problems in Horticulture), and PLSC 3400 (Landscape Maintenance). In addition, he contributes lectures to the Utah Master Gardner’s Program and he advises all Applied Ornamental Horticulture students. In recognition of his work, Craig was named the College of Agriculture Teacher of the Year in 1993 and 2003, and the College’s Advisor of the Year in 1991. Craig has been involved in state and national professional organizations and he is currently the President Elect of the National Landscape Association. Since 1995, Craig has served as the President of A&D Landscaping, LLC, and prior to that, was the owner of White Pine Nursery and Landscaping.
Robert R. Gillies, Search Committee Member
Associate Professor, USU Plants, Soils and Climate Department
Office phone: 9435)797-2190
Robert “Rob” Gillies, an associate professor in the Plants, Soils and Climate Department, also serves as the Director of the Utah Climate Center and the State Climatologist. He received an MA degree from the University of Glasgow in Geography, an MS degree from Pennsylvania State University in Meteorology, and a PhD degree from the University of Newcastle in Meteorology and Remote Sensing. He has been with USU since 1996. Rob uses remote sensing to predict land surface processes, surface energy balances, and soil moisture. Eight MS and two PhD students have graduated under his mentorship. As state climatologist, Rob is frequently asked to speak on climate change and its impact on precipitation and water supply in Utah. He has recently served as a member of the Governor’s Task Force on Climate Change. Rob has taken leadership on Utah’s participation in “Focus the Nation” scheduled for January 31, 2008, a national event that will highlight the impact of global warming and climate change.
Paul G. Johnson, Search Committee Member
Associate Professor, USU Plants, Soils and Climate Department
Office phone: (435)797-7039
Paul Johnson, an associate professor in the Plants, Soils and Climate Department, has been at USU since 1998. His degrees, all in Horticulture, include a BS from Iowa State University, and MS and PhD degrees from University of Minnesota. Paul has provided leadership for the turfgrass and drought management programs at USU. His research has led to the development of drought tolerant turfgrasses, release of three buffalo grass cultivars, reduction of water use through plant improvement and better management strategies, as well as investigations of gene flow in Poa. His latest work has focused on salt tolerance in Poa. Eleven students have obtained their Master’s degrees under Paul. He serves as the Technical Editor for Applied Turfgrass Science and is on the editorial advisory board for Mountain West Turf. Paul currently teaches PLSC 3800 (Turfgrass Management) and PLSC 4800 (Advanced Turfgrass Management) in both the on-campus and distance ed Horticulture programs. He also serves as the Graduate Program Coordinator for the PSC Department.
Corey V. Ransom, Search Committee Member
Assistant Professor, USU Plants, Soils and Climate Department
Office phone: (435)797-2242
Corey Ransom was recruited into the Plants, Soils and Climate Department as an assistant professor of weed science in 2006, with assignments in research and teaching. Prior to his USU appointment, Corey was an Assistant Professor at Oregon State University. He received his BS degree from Idaho State University in Botany, his MS degree in Plant Science from Utah State University, and his PhD degree from Michigan State University in Crop and Soil Sciences. Corey has published numerous referred journal articles, extension publications and peer-reviewed special reports on integrated weed management. He has been an active member of the Weed Science Society of America and the Western Society of Weed Science, holding several positions within each organization. Corey currently teaches PLSC 5550 (Biology and Control of Weeds) and PLSC 6570 (Herbicide Physiology) and provides mentorship for two graduate students.
V. Philip Rasmussen, Jr., Search Committee Member
Professor, USU Plants, Soils and Climate Department
Office phone: (435)797-2294
V. Phillip “Phil” Rasmussen has been a full professor in the Plants, Soils and Climate Department since 1990. He has served as the department head for both the Plants, Soils and Biometeorology Department (1996-99) and the Agricultural Systems Technology and Education Department (1992-96). He was appointed as the first NASA Geospatial Extension Specialist in 1999 and has been the Coordinator for the Western Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (Western SARE) for 15 years, with over $40 million cumulative funding that is primarily distributed as grants to small business owners, entrepreneurs, Extension faculty, and research scientists. He has authored over 200 publications, including computer program releases, Extension fact sheets, book chapters, referred journal articles, abstracts and popular press articles. Phil has received several prestigious awards for his work, including the NASA Affiliated Research Center Exceptional Service Award, the National Association of County Agricultural Agents Achievement Award and the National Sustainable Achievement Award from the Renewable Natural Resources Foundation, and is the USU representative on the Utah State Soil Conservation Commission. Phil currently teaches PLSC 5200 (Site-specific Agriculture), and has graduated one PhD and 12 MS students.
