The Nevada Sagebrush

A severe head injury has left the dean of the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources recovering in Renown Medical Center since falling in his Lake Tahoe home last month, university officials said.

David Thawley, the CABNR dean, was in a coma for most of the month but appears to be recovering, Provost Marc Johnson said.

“Most of the time at the hospital he has been in a coma,” Johnson said. “But there is evidence from the family that he is now opening his eyes and working with therapists.”

Johnson said that he received a call four weeks ago letting him know that one of his deans was in the hospital with a serious injury

“He is undergoing treatment at the hospital and is making measured but consistent progress,” said Mikalee Byerman, communications director for CABNR. “We are optimistic for a full recovery.”

Ron Pardini, the associate director of the University of Nevada, Reno Agricultural Experiment Station, will act as dean and take over Thawley’s responsibilities during his absence.

“He (Pardini) is not serving as the interim dean because there is no vacancy,” Johnson said. “We have full expectations that Dr. Thawley will be back with us as soon as possible.”

Thawley, a New Zealand native, has been a dean at UNR since 1998 and is also the director of the university’s Agricultural Experiment Station. During his time at UNR he has been awarded the highest honorary degree in the Nevada Future Farmers of American Association and an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine in Cluj, Romania.

Tara Verderosa can be reached at tverderosa@nevadasagebrush.com.