Hello, CALS,
We’re two weeks out from spring break, and the semester is flying by. Hope your flight has been smooth! Lots going on, as you'll read below:
Ukraine
It is sadly incredible to learn what is happening in Ukraine, to that nation’s freedom, and to the lives of so many. Our college has had a strong and long-standing partnership since approximately 1990 with the National University of Life and Environmental Sciences of Ukraine, Kyiv, and with others in Lviv. We have confirmed that at the present time, there are no CALS students, staff or faculty engaged in work or study there.
We do have a local expert on Ukraine on our CALS staff - Jodi Cornell in the CALS Study Abroad Office. Jodi not only studied there as an Iowa State student in 1994, but he was also a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer there from 1996-1999. He also worked on a U.S. government sponsored student exchange program in Kyiv for several more years, and has degrees in political science and Russian, with a focus on global politics and Ukrainian national identity. Jodi continues to travel there to visit close friends (like family) and colleagues, but since 2014, we have not had any student travel to Ukraine following the Russian annexation of Crimea and related events.
There are others in CALS and elsewhere at Iowa State with strong relations and experience in Ukraine. Just as the current events in Ukraine began to happen, Mark Licht in agronomy had to cancel a visit there to do outreach work with Ukrainian farmers.
As we watch these events unfold, let’s keep solidarity with the forces of freedom in Ukraine, and be inspired by the many purposes of our CALS efforts at global engagement, designed to not only teach, learn and study the subjects central to our college, but also to build the bonds of global friendship and care. Let’s do this.
UAE scholarship
On Thursday, Feb. 24, I had the pleasure of helping host delegates from the United Arab Emirates Embassy at a signing ceremony event for their generous gift in memory of Maktoum Al Seiari. Maktoum, an alumnus of Iowa State’s chemical engineering program who was from the UAE, was heavily involved in our college’s study abroad program during his four years in Ames. Maktoum was a kind and generous individual, passionate about enhancing cultural awareness and understanding, who touched the lives of many students and faculty here at Iowa State before his life was tragically cut short in an accident. Two professors in our economics department who knew Maktoum, Amani Elobeid and Ebby Luvaga, worked with the UAE Embassy and Brandon Mumm from our development team to create an endowed scholarship in study abroad to the UAE. This gift, which benefits Iowa State students in the three colleges Maktoum was affiliated with (CALS, College of Engineering and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences), will help future students be able to travel to the UAE to experience another culture, develop as global citizens, and embrace that we are all more alike than we are different.
CALS Faculty and Staff Awards announced
Congratulations to all 2022 CALS Faculty and Staff award winners! Please make plans to join me in congratulating these distinguished honorees on Thursday, March 10, at 4:10 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room.
Read today’s CALS Online newsletter to find links to brief write-ups on each of our winners, plus a list of other honors received by outstanding folks in CALS departments and units. A news release will be distributed on our 2022 honorees following the awards ceremony. Thanks to each of you for all you do to contribute to the excellence of our teaching, advising, research, extension and outreach, diversity and global engagement programs!
INRC brainstorming session
Last week I had great morning with Matt Helmers and partners engaged with the Iowa Nutrient Research Center as they think and plan on research and development priorities for the coming year. INRC works to discover and enhance new ways of understanding and approaches to achieve better water quality. They do important work, and this once-a-year think-tank approach to identifying new ideas is terrific!
4-H Gala
Last Friday evening was the annual 4-H Gala that celebrated the successes and importance of 4-H and the positive impact of youth all across Iowa. 4-H is by far the nation’s largest youth organization, and does so much good everywhere. This year’s honorees are wonderful.
Attend Q&A with CALS administrators
I am looking forward to our CALS-wide Q&A this afternoon (Monday, Feb. 28) in 2050 Agronomy Hall from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Hope to see you there. And then let's also look forward to a great women’s basketball Cyclone win this evening!
Best - Dan
Scenes from CALS
A recognition gathering was held for the first place team of students from last semester's design charrette. The event had CALS and College of Design students join forces to come up with designs for the two CALS-owned collaborative learning labs on the fourth floor of the Student Innovation Center. Pictured are (left to right): COD Dean Luis Rico-Gutierrez; CALS Associate Dean Carmen Bain (she and Marcy Cheville organized the charrette); Marwa Elkashif, graduate student in graphic design; Norah Larson, sophomore in interior design; Laura Maschino, senior in interior design; Jenna Errthum, senior in horticulture; Maeve Cleary, senior in agricultural studies; and CALS Dean Dan Robison.
