John Cranfield named dean of the Ontario Agricultural College

John Cranfield is the new dean of the Ontario Agricultural College at the University of Guelph, removing the “acting” part from his title earlier this month.

He had been serving in an interim capacity since July 2023, taking on the role after the university named the previous dean, Dr. Rene Van Acker, as its interim vice-president (research).

The five-year term that started March 1 is the latest in a longstanding relationship between Cranfield and the university, where he began as an undergraduate student.

Cranfield told The Observer he had spent most of his adult life as part of the University of Guelph, starting as an undergraduate studying biology before transferring to agriculture in his third year.

“It really set me on an amazing path, partly because I think I was a little older when I transferred into the program. So, I had some good habits, matured a bit,” said Cranfield.

“I just felt incredibly well supported, and a lot of opportunity was created for me, especially as a master’s student when I was here.”

Cranfield earned his MSc and BSc from U of G in agricultural economics. After obtaining his PhD from Purdue University, Cranfield briefly taught at the University of Manitoba before returning to Guelph in 2001.

Since then, Cranfield has been a faculty member at OAC in the Department of Food, Agricultural Resources and Economics (FARE), fulfilling increasingly senior roles including assistant department chair, department chair, and associate dean external relations.