Hello CALS Colleagues,
Welcome to the semester and all the wonderful energy, excitement and potential such days on the calendar represent. This is why we’re here, why we have this great institution to call home, and what keeps us motivated and inspired. Take stock of the energy our students bring to campus, remind yourself of what it's like to be in school and looking to the future, and remind yourself to smile and encourage our students (and each other) at every turn. Yesterday I drove around campus and Campustown to take in that energy, and saw students everywhere finding their way. Let’s help them.
This annual cycle of students returning in the fall is always special, and this year fraught with concern, as well. This is our fourth COVID-ian semester, and it's still a struggle. In President Wintersteen’s University Town Hall last week, one of the speakers, Dr. Dan Fulton from the Mary Greeley Hospital, said something like – remember the blissful days of June and July when COVID was almost gone locally, and now it has come back....
We must all do our part to mitigate the threat of this disease, to ourselves and to others, to be role models, and to take full advantage of the university’s approach:
- taking feedback and questions
- providing timely information
- new allowances for immunocompromised individuals
- expanded sick leave program for COVID
- encouraging vaccination, and face masks indoors, as CDC recommends
- revamped Cyclones Care campaign (encourage vaccination, monitor your health, stay home if sick, wash your hands)
- COVID testing and surveillance availability
- availability of isolation and quarantine rooms, and case management and contact tracing for students in residence halls and Greek houses
- reminding us all to be kind and understanding of each other
You’ll recall in my message last week, Virginia Hansen, chair of the CALS Faculty Senate Caucus, and I have planned to offer and call for your contributions for "Snippet Stories" of the good, happy, encouraging things that happen all around us at Iowa State, and put some into these Monday messages. Here are two for starters from Virginia and me. Please send to me your contributions (~100 words) for the next weeks. Enjoy.
CALS Snippet Story
By Virginia Hansen, AgEdS
As we continue to battle COVID-19 and mitigate the many challenges it presents, I find myself thinking about ways to stay motivated. Certainly, I can’t be at my best for my students if I’m having trouble finding inspiration. What is helping? Looking for the “good stuff” – those energizing experiences that will carry me as I navigate the challenges of the coming academic year. One example comes from a surprise visitor to my office – a student whom I’d taught online but never met in person. It is an odd feeling to meet someone who’s really only been a name on your Canvas roster all summer. Yet here she was: a bright, engaged, grateful, interesting young person who was not only herself excited about the coming fall semester, but somehow helped me grow a bit more excited, too. Double win! Despite the gravity of the social distancing measures we made sure to take, our conversation flowed easily and we have plans to keep in touch.
So please, let’s share the “good stuff” with one another. Perhaps something is indeed working in the way of your teaching, research, or extension work, be it large or small. It’s another way to keep the conversation going and the CALS community strong during this time.
CALS Snippet Story
By Dan Robison
About two weeks ago I came into my office early in the day, and there was a small group gathered, chatting excitedly. Among them was one of our terrific professors, making an appointment, and telling the group of a new $10 million(!) grant he and colleagues had just received. He was absolutely floating with enthusiasm – metaphorically dancing with excitement! While the announcement of this grant is still restricted by the sponsor, it was the third attempt by this group of fine scientists to win such support, and their persistence on a good idea was about to be rewarded! I am still left smiling and inspired by the sheer joy this colleague of ours showed – to be enabled to do the important work they are here to do! Watch for an announcement on this!
Nature in Focus
Jack Dekkers, distinguished professor of animal science, came across this memorable surprise on his adventures earlier this summer in Door County, Wisconsin, at Cave Point County Park, overlooking Lake Michigan. The bench is in memory of Nick Lauter, former USDA-ARS Research Geneticist and Faculty Affiliate at Iowa State who passed away Jan. 7, 2021.
Finally, a little notion someone recently sent me. Nice thought, huh? (Story by G. Andreas, art by M. Andreas)
Please keep sharing your photos with me via email!
