Clarke Named To Texas A&M Homeland Security Post

COLLEGE STATION, Sept. 23, 2003 - Institute for Countermeasures Against Agricultural Bioterrorism Director Dr. Neville P. Clarke has been appointed interim director of the Texas A&M University Integrative Center for Homeland Security (ICHS).

Vice President for Research Richard E. Ewing said Clarke's leadership of the center is a natural continuation of Clarke's 25 years of service and dedication to The Texas A&M University System.

"Clarke has served the center from the day it was created, and I think he will continue to bring together the homeland security expertise of the University and the A&M System," he said.

As interim director, Clarke will provide leadership in establishing a strategic framework for the ICHS parts to engage and in continuing an effective federal and state communication on behalf of the center. The mission of the ICHS is to establish and sustain a university-based homeland security program that integrates the full spectrum of information services, research, development, evaluation, education, training and field delivery of responder services that leads to a safer and better-prepared society.

Parts of The Texas A&M University System involved in homeland security include selected colleges and departments within the university, the engineering and agricultural agencies and the health science center that are part of the A&M System and a number of centers and institutes specifically established to address various aspects of the homeland security agenda.

The ICHS is part of a consortium of Texas systems of higher education that has formed the Lone Star Partnership to unify the Texas' university-based homeland security research efforts. The Partnership schools are the A&M System, the Texas Tech University System, the University of Houston System, the University of North Texas System and the University of Texas System.

Clarke said that he was honored to be asked to take the position while a national search continues for its director. He stressed the importance of maintaining and increasing momentum for the center and moving it forward in the national arena during the critical days ahead when new agendas for homeland security are being set.

Clarke, a 1954 graduate of the College of Veterinary Medicine and director emeritus of the Texas Agriculture Experiment Station, served for 21 years in the U.S. Air Force Research and Development Command and retired as a colonel in 1975 after serving as director of the Air Force's medical research programs for six years.

Clarke was associate dean for research and professor of physiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine from 1975 to 1977 and served as director of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station from 1977 to 1989. He also was associate deputy chancellor for agriculture in The Texas A&M University System.

He is a member of the American and Texas Veterinary Medical Associations and a fellow of the Aerospace Medical Association. He received the XIIth International Veterinary Congress Award in recognition of outstanding contributions to international understanding of veterinary medicine in 1999.

Clarke is the author of more than 100 major publications.