Extension and Ag Research News

Accessibility


Buchanan Takes Over as NDSU Animal Science Head

David Buchanan began his job as NDSU Animal Science Department head Monday.

David Buchanan has followed in his father’s footsteps.

He is the new head of North Dakota State University’s Animal Science Department. It’s the same position his father, M.L. “Buck” Buchanan, held for 30 years.

The younger Buchanan began his job Monday.

M.L. Buchanan joined the department faculty in 1945. He was named chair the following year and served until 1976. The younger Buchanan took animal genetics classes from his father.

“I observed his work with students, talked to him about genetics and saw his interest in the livestock industries,” David Buchanan says. “When it came time to actually declare a college major, I realized that I wanted to follow a similar career path.”

He graduated from NDSU with a bachelor of science degree in 1975 and completed master’s and doctorate degrees at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He came to NDSU from Oklahoma State University, where he served on the animal science faculty since 1980.

Buchanan says he always had the idea in the back of his mind that he’d like to head NDSU’s Animal Science Department one day, but dismissed the possibility as unlikely. But then a series of circumstances cleared the way for his return to NDSU.

“We are thrilled that David has come home,” says NDSU Vice President for Agriculture and University Extension D.C. Coston. “He brings outstanding professional credentials and is greatly respected by the livestock industries of North Dakota.”

Buchanan has high praise for the department and a vision for its future.

“The department has a great many gifts contained in it and has accomplished tremendous things,” he says. “I want to make sure it takes its proper place among the really great departments like it in the country.”

Buchanan received the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Agricultural Sciences Excellence in Teaching Award in 2006. He was president of the American Society of Animal Science in 2005-06. He also served in leadership positions and received numerous other awards from professional organizations and at Oklahoma State.

He and his wife, Cindy, a Lisbon native and NDSU graduate, have three children – Michael, Peter and Amy.


NDSU Agriculture Communication

Source:David Buchanan, (701) 231-7426, david.s.buchanan@ndsu.edu
Source:D.C. Coston, (701) 231-7656, vpag@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor:Ellen Crawford, (701) 231-5391, ellen.crawford@ndsu.edu
Creative Commons License
Feel free to use and share this content, but please do so under the conditions of our Creative Commons license and our Rules for Use. Thanks.