Message from the Dean - May 11, 2026

May 11, 2026

Hello, CALS colleagues,

I hope you had a great weekend and are enjoying this beautiful spring!

This week is the run-up to graduation exercises in Hilton Coliseum:

The happiest days of the year are here. Please come out and enjoy those and help celebrate our students as they “commence!” This week, we also celebrate those faculty newly promoted!

Last week, I was in Washington, D.C., for a couple of days with a very interesting group assembled by the leadership of CAST - The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology. The group was tasked with considering the formation of a National Academy of Agriculture, or an organization like it, that would have the gravitas to help to carry the broad agriculture message forward in the most compelling ways. It’ll be interesting to see where that conversation goes!

Also last week were celebrations of the Pathways to Innovation and Leadership program, the CALS Start Something program, our annual spring College picnic, a visit at the Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex by USDA Under Secretary Richard Fordyce and Iowa Farm Services Agency Director Starlyn Perdue, a visit to our CALS leadership cabinet by the director of the Ames Lab, Karl Mueller, as well as a key visit to explore the opportunity for new swine facilities for animal science, and so much more! Just a lot of great things going on!

Best for a wonderful week, and hope to see you at some of the happy events coming up! - Dan

Scenes from CALS

Statue of George Washington riding a horse atop a stone block.
Our original George Washington in Washington, D.C., last week, continuing to inspire us forward with his wisdom, calm and fierce determination. Still watching over us!
Six people standing inside a classroom with a CALS Pathways banner behind them.
A great group supporting the CALS Pathways to Innovation and Leadership program at the showcase event last Thursday in the Student Innovation Center!
Six people standing in a line with two holding small plaques.
The inaugural CALS Peer Award for Leadership and Service was presented to Greg Gebhart and Troy Heeren at the CALS spring picnic May 5. Pictured are, left to right: Darwin Campbell, CALS Staff Council president; Roger Hintz, CALS Staff Council recognition and awards committee co-chair; Greg Tylka, accepting the award on behalf of Gebhart; Troy Heeren; myself; and Katy Heineman, CALS Staff Council recognition and awards committee co-chair.
Lilac bush with the Iowa State carillon in the background.
Can't you just smell the lilacs in front of Curtiss Hall this past week?!
Group of people gathered inside a mechanical area wearing yellow hard hats.
Two student trainees, far left, led a tour of the Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex for USDA leadership last week. Also pictured are, left to right: USDA Policy Advisor for Farm Production and Conservation Nick Althoff; USDA Undersecretary for Farm Production and Conservation Richard Fordyce; USDA Iowa Director of Farm Services Agency Starlyn Perdue; ISU Associate Director of Federal Relations Lucas Heitkamp; and CALS associate dean Kendall Lamkey. Not pictured: other student trainees, ISU President Cook, facility leaders Camille Schroeder and Tony Ewing, Department of Animal Science Chair Jason Ross, CALS director of partnerships Ray Klein, ISU Senior Advisor to the President Sophia Magill, and myself.