[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 143 (Wednesday, September 21, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Page S5951]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          TRIBUTE TO TOM PAYNE

 Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, earlier this year, I got the news 
that my good friend, Dean Tom Payne, had announced that he would be 
retiring from the MU College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural 
Resources and vice chancellor for Agriculture. Needless to say, I had 
mixed emotions.
  I am happy that Tom will get to spend more time with his beautiful 
wife, Alice, and his children, Joanna and Jacob, and Jacob's wife, 
Jennifer. Of course, I am also happy that Caroline and Jack, his 
grandchildren, will get to see him more.
  However, his retirement also made me think that someone will have big 
shoes to fill because Dean Payne has set high standards throughout the 
years and exceeded them.
  Dean Thomas L. Payne has served as vice chancellor for Agriculture 
and dean of the MU College of Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources 
since January 1, 1999. Back then he knew that the College of 
Agriculture at the University of Missouri in Columbia was a leader in 
agriculture research and education. Today under Dean Payne's 
leadership, the MU College of Agriculture is at the forefront.
  Dean Payne was born in Bakersfield, CA. He received his B.A. in 
zoology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and his M.S. 
in entomology and Ph.D. in entomology and physiological psychology from 
the University of California, Riverside.
  Payne took his talents to Texas A&M University's departments of 
entomology and forest science. He started his track record in 
leadership, academics, and research.
  The U.S. Department of Agriculture selected him to serve as the 
research coordinator for the Southern Pine Beetle Program.
  He became a professor and head of entomology at Virginia Polytechnic 
Institute and State University.
  In the midnineties, Tom was appointed as associate vice president for 
agricultural administration and associate dean for research at the Ohio 
State University's College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental 
Sciences. He was also the director of the Ohio Agricultural Research 
and Development Center.
  He then moved to the University of Missouri, Columbia and further 
solidified his leadership in research and academics. In addition to 
serving as vice chancellor and dean of the MU College of Agriculture, 
Food, and Natural Resources, he also became the director of the 
Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station. The Missouri Agricultural 
Experiment Station is a network of centers conducting research in 
agriculture, animal science, natural resources, and forestry.
  Of course, Dean Payne is an overachiever. He is the author and 
coauthor of more than 130 publications and is founding coeditor of the 
Journal of Insect Behavior. He is a recipient of numerous awards 
including the Alexander von Humbolt Prize and Missouri Future Farmers 
of America Association Distinguished Service Award. If all that wasn't 
enough, Dean Payne has been a member of the World Agricultural Forum's 
Board of Advisors, Danforth Plan Sciences Center's Board of Advisors, 
Agriculture Future of America's Board of Directors, and a board member 
of the Entomological Foundation.
  There are few people who are able to figure out what they love to do 
and make such a successful career out of doing just that. However, Dean 
Tom Payne is one such person who has had a career doing what he loves, 
but in addition, have a tremendous impact on students, peers, and all 
those that know him.
  Dean Payne has had a career preparing, showing, teaching, and leading 
students and faculty. I am confident that there are many individuals 
who would credit Dean Payne for their interest in agriculture, 
especially agriculture research. He has always had a passion for what 
he does--and not matter what, he always has his wit and humor.
  I have seen his wit and humor bring tears and laughter. I have also 
seen individuals nervous as they waited to hear Dean Payne speak, 
wondering what zingers he might say. I can promise you, he knows how to 
hold his audience's attention--students or career professionals.
  My friend, Dean Tom Payne, has always provided insight and leadership 
at each institution he worked, committee seat he held, and board on 
which he served. I know that at the College of Agriculture, Food, and 
Natural Resources, at the University of Missouri in Columbia, Dean 
Payne has left his mark on the student population, research programs, 
and faculty members. Student enrollment in the college increased by 44 
percent. Student participation in study abroad programs increased 50 
percent. He contributed to making the Bond Life Sciences Center a 
reality. Plant and animal sciences continued to enhance its 
programmatic strength, so it is now ranked among the 15 best programs 
in the world. And he oversaw the hiring of more than half of the 
college's current faculty.
  Again I say, Dean Payne has left big shoes to fill.
  In his retirement, I am confident Dean Payne will play more golf, but 
I am not certain it will improve his game. He might even do some more 
hunting and fishing. I hope he will continue to be a resource for those 
in agriculture, especially agriculture research and education.
  Missourians wish Dean Tom Payne all the best in his 
retirement.

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