Scott Shearer has been appointed chair of the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering in the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. Shearer is a professor within the department and has been with UK since 1986.The appointment was announced by agricultural Dean M. Scott Smith. Shearer’s term will begin on Aug. 15, pending formal approval by the UK administration.“In my new role as Chair of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering I am excited about the opportunity to serve a program that means so much to me professionally,” Shearer said. “It is a program with a long tradition of providing superior educational opportunities to students while at the same time solving the engineering-related problems of Kentucky agriculture. As I look to the future there are many new challenges facing the College of Agriculture including environmental quality, renewable energy, food safety and security, the changing face of production agriculture in the state, and health of its citizens. I anticipate that many of our faculty members will play essential roles in generating solutions to these challenging issues.”Shearer joined the department’s faculty in July 1986 as an assistant professor. Since that time his assignment has included responsibilities in teaching both at the graduate and undergraduate levels, research and extension. “At the departmental level, I place high value on a productive work environment that celebrates the successes of faculty, staff and students,” Shearer said. “I hope to foster the continuing development of a work environment that rewards productivity and encourages the professional growth of all employees, both essential attributes if programs are to remain relevant to the ever changing needs of our constituents.”Shearer received his degrees from The Ohio State University. His area of expertise is development and analysis of control systems for agricultural field machinery with emphasis in sensor development, fluid power circuit design and product testing and evaluation.