Full of historical items and memorable artifacts, Daniel Robison’s office seems more like that of Indiana Jones, not of a professor of forestry and environmental resources. Now, this is also the office of the future dean of the agriculture college at West Virginia University.

Robison is now finishing up his final months at N.C. State before setting off for the Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design at WVU. Robison said he decided to apply for the dean’s position after hearing about the reputation of Davis College.

“WVU and the Davis College have great programs,” Robison said. “The combination of agriculture, natural resources and design gives the college a very unique outlook on study and research.”

This broad spectrum of disciplines will pose new challenges for Robison, and he said he’s looking to learn more on how to integrate the different fields. He also admires WVU’s exciting atmosphere.

“The university [WVU] is so excited about the future,” Robison said. “They’re really investing in the progress of the institution and are definitely pursuing their own things.”

In the meantime, Robison continues to fulfill his duties within the College of Natural Resources at N.C. State. Currently, he helps with research, arranges collaborations and oversees the distribution of funding for research projects.

Until his departure, he will prepare for his new position by paying special attention to the design and agriculture departments, to gain a better sense of what those respective departments at WVU expect of him.

Robison insisted that while he has sincerely enjoyed his time here in Raleigh, he feels that this is the next step up from his position as associate dean of research at N.C. State.

“As [an] associate dean, we are always looking for the next level up,” he said. “We always have our feelers out. When [WVU] contacted me, I decided to see if it was a good