The University begins the school year with two new deans – Dr. Michael Clutter and Dr. Laura Dunn Jolly.

Clutter was appointed dean of the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, and Jolly was selected as dean of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences.

Clutter is not new to Athens. He grew up around the University with his father, who was a professor.

After graduating from the Warnell School, Clutter worked in the forest industry.

He has been a faculty member at both the Warnell School and the Terry College of Business, according to the University News Service.

The mission of the Warnell is conservation, restoration and sustainable management of forests and other natural resources, according to their Web site.

Clutter said he hopes to accomplish set goals for the Warnell School in the coming year. “Primarily what we will try to accomplish this year is searches to fill empty faculty positions,” he said.

Clutter is looking forward to working on the urban forestry program located in Griffin, Ga.

“This job will be a very nice change in lifestyle, and Athens and the University has a warm place in my heart,” Clutter said.

In contrast, Jolly is new to Athens.

Before coming to the University, Jolly said she was part of the faculty at Texas Tech University, Oklahoma State University, the University of Kentucky and the University of Tennessee.

Jolly said experience will help with the new position as dean.

She said she plans to increase extramural support for the school. This would consist of acquiring funding to support the faculty in their projects.

There are future plans for a new College of Family and Consumer Sciences building on West Campus. Currently, the college is located in 12 buildings throughout campus. Jolly said the new building would be a way to get everyone together.

“My goal now is to listen, learn and understand the systems and procedures in place,” Clutter said.