Unsung heroes under the soil
Much of the scientific work being carried out at the Massey University led regenerative agriculture project, Whenua Haumanu, is below the ground.
Geor will replace the current Pro Vice-Chancellor of the college, Professor Robert Anderson, who is retiring later this year.
Massey's Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey says he is delighted with the appointment for what is a vital role in the university's mission of defining New Zealand's future and taking what it does best to the rest of the world. "Massey University leads New Zealand – and is known internationally – for its expertise in agrifood, animal and land-based sciences and biosecurity, which are key to New Zealand's success globally."
The College of Sciences employs more than 670 full-time equivalent staff across two of the three Massey University campuses ¬– Albany in Auckland and Manawatu in Palmerston North – educating just over 6000 of the university's 32,500 students, including more than 1000 international students. It undertakes teaching, research, consultancy and commercial activities across disciplines ranging from fundamental, applied, veterinary, natural and land-based sciences to engineering and advanced technology.
Geor is a Massey Bachelor of Veterinary Science graduate (1983) who has worked in tertiary education in the United States and Canada for most of the past 30 years. He was raised in Havelock North and attended St John's College in Hastings.
He has a Master of Veterinary Science from the University of Saskatchewan, a PhD in Physiology from Ohio State University and breadth of institutional experience in Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture as a leader/administrator, professor, clinical veterinarian, teacher and researcher.
That experience includes his current role as chairman and professor of large animal clinical sciences at Michigan State University, Virginia Tech University, Kentucky Equine Research Incorporated, University of Minnesota, the University of Guelph and the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, and as a practicing veterinarian in New Zealand.
"Professor Geor brings extensive research pedigree, together with proven and diverse experience as an academic and managerial leader, to the benefit of the college and the university," says Maharey.
He will join the university in March next year.
