LAS CRUCES - New Mexico State University's Board of Regents appointed Tom Bagwell as the interim director and secretary of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture during its regular meeting on Friday.

Bagwell, who currently serves as the assistant director for the NMDA and the deputy secretary of agriculture for New Mexico, will replace NMDA Director and Secretary I. Miley Gonzalez, who will step down at the end of the year.

The director of the NMDA serves as the secretary of agriculture on the governor's cabinet, but the position is filled by the NMSU Board of Regents and reports to the board and the university president.

Bagwell is a member of the Border Governors Agricultural Work Table and Western Governors Farm Bill Working Group. He serves on the Governor's Administrative Policy Team and the Tribal Consultation Plan Team. He has bachelor's and master's degrees from NMSU in agricultural economics and is a faculty member in the agricultural and extension education department.

In other business, the Board of Regents approved the financial report for the fiscal year ending June 30, and approved a resolution in support of the Dream Act. In addition, they heard informational reports on the university's biosciences research agenda and the establishment of a Department Head Academy, which will provide professional development for unit-level academic leaders.

During the meeting, the Board of Regents honored:

•Regents Blake Curtis and Chris Anaya, who are

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concluding their terms on the board.

•Nick Franklin, who is retiring from his position as vice president for advancement.

•Miley Gonzalez, who is retiring from his position as interim director and secretary of the New Mexico Department of Agriculture.

•Carmen Gonzales, who is retiring from her position as vice president for student success.