A North Dakota State University graduate will be following in his father's footsteps when he returns home to serve as animal science head at NDSU.

David Buchanan will begin in July. He is a 1975 NDSU animal science graduate with honors. His father, M.L. ""Buck"" Buchanan, served on the department's faculty 1945-1976. The younger Buchanan took animal genetics classes from his dad.

""My dad led me into this profession,"" Buchanan said. ""I observed his work with students, talked to him about genetics and saw his interest in the livestock industries. When it came time to actually declare a college major, I realized that I wanted to follow a similar career path. But through it all, I never had a sense of being pushed. He wanted me to find my own way. I am looking forward to the opportunity to give back to NDSU; to interact with the students, faculty and staff; and to work with the animal industries of North Dakota."

""Dr. Buchanan will provide leadership for the animal science department's research, teaching and Extension programs,"" said Ken Grafton, College of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Natural Resources dean and North Dakota Agricultural Experiment Station director. ""Under Dr. Buchanan's leadership, the department will continue to provide international leadership in reproductive physiology, ruminant nutrition, meat science and other research areas; quality education to undergraduate and graduate students; and relevant information to producers."

Buchanan completed master's and doctorate degrees at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has served on the Oklahoma State University animal science faculty since 1980.

Buchanan served as 2005-06 president of the American Society of Animal Science. He received the USDA Food and Agricultural Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award in 2006 and has served in leadership positions and received numerous other awards in professional associations and at Oklahoma State.

Buchanan and his wife, Cindy, a Lisbon native who also is an NDSU graduate, have three children: Michael, Peter and Amy.