Saiers named as interim dean at F&ES

James Saiers, the Clifton R. Musser Professor of Hydrology, will serve as interim dean of the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies (F&ES) as the search for a successor to departing Dean Peter Crane continues, President Peter Salovey announced in an email to the F&ES community on June 21.

Crane, the Carl W. Knobloch Jr. Dean of F&ES, announced in September that he was leaving Yale to become the inaugural president of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, an estate of Rachel Lambert Mellon in Virginia. His term as dean ends June 30.

Salovey expressed his gratitude to Saiers for agreeing to take on the responsibilities of interim dean, adding: “Over his 15 years at Yale, he has gained deep knowledge of the university — and of the School of Forestry & Environmental Studies in particular — that will be invaluable during this period of transition. With his willingness to provide interim leadership, and with the dedication that all of you show to upholding Yale’s excellence, I am confident of our continued success.”

“Let us also take this opportunity to reiterate our appreciation to Dean Crane for his outstanding work at the school’s helm over the past seven years,” he added.

Salovey noted that he hopes to announce the appointment of a new F&ES dean soon.