Message from the Dean - December 9, 2024

December 9, 2024

Hello, CALS colleagues,

This week we have plenty going on as we approach the end of the semester:

  • Monday, Dec. 9 -  We have the final candidate interview for our next Associate Dean for Global Engagement (see all the candidates on the website and offer your comments).
  • Tuesday, Dec. 10 – From 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Sukup Hall Atrium, we have the fantastic CALS Holiday Party (great thanks to Alison Parker for making this happen).
  • Wednesday, Dec. 11 – The annual board meeting of the Agriculture Endowment led by Carmen Bain will take place. Also, the Science with Practice poster session will be from 2-4 p.m. in the Kildee Hall atrium. Please stop by and see what the students have been working on this semester! 
  • Thursday, Dec. 12 – Make plans to come check out the student art submissions for the CALS Connection: Crosspollinating Art & Science exhibition in the first-floor gallery space at the Student Innovation Center from 4-6 p.m. The art will be on display from Dec 12-20.
  • Friday, Dec. 13 – A graduation celebration for the newest cohort of CALS Staff Champions led by Ruth MacDonald.

Next week, we culminate the semester with CALS Convocation (Dec. 20, 9 a.m., Hilton Coliseum), and the University Commencement ceremonies for graduate students (Dec. 20, 7 p.m., Hilton Coliseum) and undergraduate students (Dec. 21, 1:30 p.m., Hilton Coliseum)! The special guest speaker at CALS Convocation this semester will be Steve Mickelson, former chair of ABE and now Senior Policy Advisor to the Provost.

There are, of course, lots more things going on in each of your units and departments, and together it all makes the college great.  

Lately I have had a number of very interesting conversations about Iowa agriculture - soil and water quality, and it is a topic of keen interest to our entire sector. There is so much good work happening here at Iowa State, on behalf of the state, in these regards, so I thought to include a link to the Iowa Nutrient Research Center (led by ABE’s Matt Helmers) Water Quality Research Map, where you’ll find reference to an amazing array of studies all around the state. And here is a link to the related Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy – Interactive Data Dashboards. Check these out.

My very best for an excellent week. - Dan

Scenes from CALS

Crowd of people inside a large facility. A green combine is in the background.
Pictures from the ribbon cutting celebration to open the newest CALS facility, the ISU Research Park Alliant Energy Digital Agriculture Innovation Laboratory, developed and led by ABE's Matt Darr. A truly unique and fantastic new facility to enhance the capacity for work in the realm of agronomic technology development. As many as 400 people came out to celebrate this new facility last Thursday afternoon.
One person speaking on a stage while four other people sitting behind the speaker listen.
Speakers at the ribbon cutting ceremony included ABE's Matt Darr, Iowa State President Wendy Wintersteen, ISU Research Park President Rick Sanders, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardshilp Secretary Mike Naig, and Alliant Energy Iowa Energy Company President Mayuri Farlinger.
Five people standing in a row against a wall.
At the CALS Council Banquet last week, the outgoing leadership team of Alex Hoffman (far left), Maddi Klemme (second from left) and Raegan Kime (far right), with Jennifer Holiday missing, celebrated the year along with Leo and Jane Milleman. 
Five people standing in a row against a wall. Three are holding plaques.
During the CALS Council Banquet, the Leo and Jane Milleman mentorship awards were presented to (left to right, starting in the center): Troy Heeren (NREM), David Acker (global engagement), and Justin Chapman (animal science).
Wide view of a river among leafless trees.
View from the top of the Cordova Observation Tower overlooking the Red Rocks Reservoir in Otley, Iowa.