David C. Knapp, a former Cornell provost and dean who guided the College of Human Ecology (CHE) through an extensive reorganization, died of complications from diabetes April 13 at Concord Health Care Center in Massachusetts. He was 82.

Knapp came to Cornell as dean of the College of Home Economics in 1968, two years after a faculty committee issued a plan to transform the college's mission to its present focus on multidisciplinary problem-solving and the integration of research, academics and outreach. In 1969, the Cornell Board of Trustees approved the renaming of the college -- to the College of Human Ecology -- to more accurately reflect these new objectives.

"Dean Knapp was a change agent," said Kay Obendorf, senior associate dean of research and graduate education in CHE, who was an assistant professor in the 1970s. "He was brought in to carry out the vision of the faculty committee report and to move our college forward in line with the direction of society. He put an emphasis on improved academic rigor and research, more field study and recruiting a diverse group of faculty and students."

Under Knapp, the college consolidated into academic departments to study design and environmental analysis, consumer economics and public policy, textile design, human development and food and nutrition -- the precursors to its current structure. He also oversaw the creation of the Division of Nutritional Sciences.

"Dave played a major role in easing the college toward a restructuring that was considered generally acceptable by faculty," said Henry Ricciuti, professor emeritus of human development, who worked with Knapp on a committee to implement the college's reorganization. "He had honesty and integrity as a leader, and his hallmark was to encourage open discussion and consider all points of view. He gained the respect of a lot of faculty that way."

Knapp served as the university's ninth provost from 1974-78, where he emphasized greater cooperation among the colleges. He is also credited with guiding Cornell through a lean economic period as New York state reduced its higher education expenditures.

A native of Syracuse, N.Y., Knapp received a B.A. degree from Syracuse University and his M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Chicago. He studied at the University of Helsinki in Finland as a Fulbright scholar in 1959-60.

Knapp left Cornell in 1978 to become president of the University of Massachusetts, where he oversaw its expansion to its present five-campus system.

He is survived by his wife, Rita, two children and other relatives.

Ted Boscia is assistant director of communications for the College of Human Ecology.