Dr. Phil Tappe will retire from his post as the University of Arkansas at Monticello Dean of the College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources and the Director of the U of A System Division of Agriculture’s Forest Resources Center.
The move is effective on December 31.
Tappe has spent the last 30 years at the university in a variety of positions. He joined UAM and the Division of Agriculture as a research associate and instructor in January 1991.
He progressed through the ranks to a full professor in 2003. In 2006, he was selected as associate dean for the School of Forest Resources and associate director for the Arkansas Forest Resources Center. He was appointed dean and director in 2011.
“Since I first arrived on campus many years ago, there have been several substantial changes. Academic, research and extension programs have all evolved; facilities have been renovated and expanded; and academic units have been merged to form a larger, more comprehensive College. These changes have all been consistently positive. However, what has not changed is the dedication and commitment of our faculty and staff, and the determination and quality of our students and alumni. Serving as dean and director has been a wonderful opportunity,” said Tappe.
Tappe holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas, and a Ph.D. in forestry from Clemson University.
While a national search for Tappe’s replacement is underway, Dr. Robert Ficklin will serve as interim dean and director. Ficklin joined UAM as an assistant professor of forest soils in 2002. He was promoted to associate professor in 2008 and a full professor in 2016. In 2015, he was named associate dean for academics and continues in that role for the College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources.
Ficklin holds degrees from the University of Missouri with a bachelor’s in forest resource management, a master’s in forest soils and statistics, and a Ph.D. in soil and atmospheric sciences.
A search committee has been formed to find Dr. Tappe’s replacement.