Bastian Named Inaugural UW Stark Ranch Management, Agricultural Leadership Professor

Christopher Bastian has been selected as the inaugural Doug and Deniz Stark Ranch Management and Agricultural Leadership Professor at the University of Wyoming.

"I am honored to be the inaugural faculty member in this professorship, and I am thankful for the generosity and commitment of Doug and Deniz Stark to supporting the university, the state and agriculture," Bastian says.

A longtime UW faculty member, Bastian earned his bachelor's degree in farm and ranch management and master's degree in agricultural economics from UW before completing his Ph.D. in agricultural and resource economics at Colorado State University. He joined UW in 1993 and currently serves as a teaching-research professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics, where he has more than 30 years of service.

Throughout his career, Bastian has contributed significantly to agricultural education, research and outreach. His extension work has focused on commodity marketing and risk management for agricultural producers, while his research has examined range livestock production, agricultural markets and land conservation. His scholarly work includes more than 100 journal articles, a book, four book chapters and 95 extension publications, along with numerous professional honors.

The Doug and Deniz Stark Ranch Management and Agricultural Leadership Professorship was established through the generous support of Doug and Deniz Stark to support UW faculty members whose work contributes to ranch management and agricultural leadership and to help advance the future of agriculture in Wyoming.

"It is truly exciting to announce the selection of Dr. Chris Bastian for the Doug and Deniz Stark Professorship in Ranch Management and Agricultural Leadership," says Kelly Crane, the Farm Credit Services of America Dean of the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources. "Professor Bastian is among UW's most distinguished scholars, but it is his extraordinary commitment to serving Wyoming agriculture and his legacy of mentoring UW students to become tomorrow's leaders in the agricultural industry that make him especially deserving of this honor."

The professorship also reflects Doug and Deniz Stark's commitment to supporting faculty excellence, a principal UW priority.

"Faculty members are the backbone of UW, inspiring our students, shaping their experiences and helping them achieve their fullest potential," Doug Stark says. "Deniz and I are especially delighted to see such an accomplished professor as the recipient of this position."

Bastian's appointment represents an important investment in the continued strength of agricultural education, research and leadership at UW. In his new role, he will help advance the university's efforts to prepare the next generation of agricultural leaders and support the future of the state's agricultural industry.

"We genuinely appreciate the generosity of the Starks for establishing this professorship and their associated vision to advance our efforts to train the next generation of agricultural leaders and ranch managers," Crane says.