USU Southwest Area News
New Dean/Executive Director for Tooele, Wasatch Front, Southwest
May 26, 2009
Gary S. Straquadine began his duties as dean and executive director of the Utah State University Tooele Regional Campus May 1, 2009.
In addition to executive oversight of the Tooele campus, which has experienced a 20 percent enrollment increase during the last several years, Straquadine is responsible for programs at sites along the Wasatch Front and throughout the southwest area of the state, including the USU partnership with Snow College.
“Dr. Straquadine has an outstanding record of excellence in teaching, research, university extension and leadership,” said Ronda Menlove, vice provost for Regional Campuses and Distance Education. “He emerged from a national search and stood out as someone who understands USU’s mission to make higher education accessible throughout the state and is passionate about making that goal a reality.”
Straquadine comes to the Tooele campus after working for nearly three years as the associate dean of the College of Agriculture at USU. Previously, he was vice provost of academic and faculty services at USU. Earlier, he served as the head of USU’s Agricultural Systems Technology and Education Department. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from New Mexico State University in agricultural and Extension education and his doctorate in 1987 from The Ohio State University in agricultural education. Straquadine has published more than 70 professional papers and articles on agricultural and science education and related areas and has been awarded nearly $750,000 in extramural funding.
“I am excited for this opportunity to lead a regional program for traditional and non-traditional learners,” Straquadine said. “I seek to serve a community of students who will succeed in spite of place-bound restrictions. With technology increasing delivery options, more communities can be served with a greater variety of degree programs.”
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