Servello named dean of College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture, and director of the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station

Frederick Servello has been named dean of the University of Maine College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture, and director of the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station, effective July 1.

Servello has been serving as interim dean and director since Oct. 1. A national search was conducted to fill the position of Edward Ashworth, who retired Sept. 30 after a 10-year career as the college’s dean and Experiment Station director.

At the time of his appointment as interim dean, UMaine Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Jeffrey Hecker cited the continuity Servello brought to the position, as well as his extensive record of administration, teaching, research and community engagement.

Now as dean and director, the university and the state will benefit from Servello’s leadership and vision at a time when the college’s teaching, research and public service efforts are critically important, Hecker says.

“Dr. Servello is deeply committed to the important work of the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture, and the Experiment Station in meeting the needs of Maine,” says Hecker. “In the true land grant and sea grant tradition, this college is dedicated to workforce development, and to conducting nationally and internationally recognized research that makes a difference in the state. We look forward to the innovation and advancement he will bring to research and outreach initiatives focused on traditional and emerging industries, and health care in Maine.”

Servello has been a member of the UMaine community for 28 years. He served eight years as associate dean for research in the college and nine years as associate director of the Experiment Station. Prior to these appointments, for five years he was chair of the then Department of Wildlife Ecology. In 2006, Servello received the college’s Outstanding Teaching Award.

He has a Ph.D. in fisheries and wildlife sciences from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, and has conducted research on the ecology and management of waterbirds in Maine, the impact of moose browsing on forest regeneration, and the foraging ecology of white-tailed deer and black bears.

“I am honored to be offered the opportunity to serve as dean of the College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture,” Servello says. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to cultivate a vibrant college community that delivers great value to Maine.”