Francille M. Firebaugh, professor and dean emerita of the College of Human Ecology at Cornell University, has been given the new title of vice provost for land grant affairs to recognize her work with the contract colleges. She also will have the title of special assistant to the president.

These new titles highlight the role that Firebaugh plays in the renewed interest in land grant affairs at the university, which include enhanced efforts to broaden the awareness and recognition of the outreach and public throughout the university.

"Francille Firebaugh's new titles reflect accurately the primary responsibility she has assumed for land grant affairs and her centrality to the university administration. Her experience, talent, values and formidable wit make her an essential member of the provost's staff," said Provost Biddy Martin. "It is an enormous pleasure to work with her, and I am confident that our land grant mission will take on renewed meaning and importance under her leadership."

Firebaugh, who served as dean of the College of Human Ecology from 1988 to 1999 and was succeeded by Patsy Brannon, has been serving as director of special projects in the Offices of the President and Provost. She will continue working on special projects, including undertakings in relation to department chair programs and K-12 science education.

Firebaugh is a specialist in family resource management and a faculty associate in the Cornell Employment and Family Careers Institute funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. She serves on the boards of the Cayuga Medical Center, the Families and Work Institute in New York City, and Kendal at Ithaca. She also is on the board of trustees of Zamorano, a Pan-American school in Honduras.

Before joining the Cornell faculty, Firebaugh held a series of posts at Ohio State University. She earned her bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas in 1955, her master's degree from the University of Tennessee in 1956 and her Ph.D. from the College of Human Ecology at Cornell in 1962.