President Barack Obama has announced the appointment of Montana State University President Waded Cruzado to the Board of International Food and Agricultural Development.
"The extraordinary dedication of (Cruzado and six other presidential appointees) these individuals bring to their roles will greatly serve the American people," says Obama. "I am grateful they have agreed to serve in this Administration and I look forward to working with them in the months and years to come."
The Board advises the U.S. Agency for International Development on agriculture and higher education issues pertinent to food insecurity in developing nations. The President picks members who primarily represent the academic community.
Waded Cruzado
BIFAD was established under the Foreign Assistance Act in recognition of the critical role of U.S. land grant institutions in ag development, domestically and abroad, and support their representation in USAID development programs.
"I am honored to have the opportunity to serve on the Board of International Food and Agricultural Development," says Cruzado. "Through this appointment, I look forward to helping advise the U.S. Agency for International Development on nutrition and global agricultural issues and projects."
Montana senators Max Baucus and Jon Tester congratulated Cruzado on her appointment as a "tremendous educator and talented leader."
During her tenure at MSU, the state has grown as a leader in ag research and strengthened our number-one industry, said Tester. "Her talent and hard work will help solve one of the world's greatest problems – global hunger. I know she will make all Montanans proud."
She took office as MSU's 12th president in 2010.
Considered to be an articulate and inspirational speaker on the role of public university, Cruzado has become known for her understanding of the Morrill Act, which created the land grant university system 150 years ago under President Abraham Lincoln.
She is called a compassionate champion of the land grant's tripartite mission of education, research and public outreach, and the role higher education plays in development of individuals and prosperity of the nation.