SDSU prof prepares for Israeli fellowship

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BROOKINGS – South Dakota State University Natural Resource Management professor Alexander “Sandy” Smart will soon get the opportunity to experience Israel – and discover its cultural, historical, religious and agricultural sites – firsthand through the inaugural Winter Faculty Fellowship program.

“It looked very interesting. I’ve always thought about wanting to go there,” Smart said. “The fellowship pairs U.S. university faculty with Israeli university faculty to find opportunities to exchange ideas, work on projects together and work collaboratively on grants, among other opportunities.”

The Jewish National Fund and Media Watch International sponsor the fellowship and cover airfare, room and board for the 11-day program.

During the trip, Smart, along with a group of other U.S. university faculty, will visit many historical, cultural and religious sites, including the Sea of Galilee, Tel Aviv, the Dead Sea and Capernaum.

“It’s an opportunity to develop goodwill with university faculty while learning about what’s going on in Israel,” he said. “There’s a broad scope of people going, so I’m excited to interact with other university faculty in this way.”

Smart adds that he’ll get to spend time with at least six different Israeli university faculty during the program and is considering possible collaborations with faculty from the southern part of Israel.

“If nothing else, I’m looking forward to getting a greater appreciation for another country,” he says.

Smart said he is anticipating that some of the participating Israeli faculty, who work in agricultural systems and ecology, will allow him the chance to see research plots near Bathsheba. Smart is also looking forward to visiting with Israeli university faculty about Israel’s sheep and goat industries, which is one of his interest areas.

Smart will depart on Dec. 27. Upon returning, he plans to give a presentation about his experiences in Israel.

Smart has his Ph.D. in agronomy and range management from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He’s a member of the Society for Range Management and the South Dakota Grassland Coalition. 

Smart serves as South Dakota coordinator of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education Program. He has authored or co-authored 25 successful research proposals, totaling more than $5 million, and in 2009, was awarded the Early Career Undergraduate Teaching Award from the Range Science Education Council and Society for Range Management.

SDSU assistant professor Tammy Yonce with the School of Performing Arts will also take part in the fellowship.