Hello, CALS, and happy Monday,
Before I get into my message, don't forget to attend these upcoming events:
- CALS IGNITE Open House - Tuesday, May 5, 1-4 p.m., 4227 and 4229 SICTR
- CALS Spring Picnic - Tuesday, May 5, 4-6 p.m. on the patio on the east side of Curtiss Hall. Please come out for it, even if it's just to stop by quickly! That’ll feature good food, beverages and music to help us all celebrate a terrific semester and start of summer, and for me to thank you all for all you do!
- Science with Practice poster session - Wednesday, May 6, 2-4 p.m., Kildee Hall atrium
- FSHN Food Product Development Poster Session - Thursday, May 7, 3-4:30 p.m., 2260 SICTR. Come learn from seven teams about their handheld street food. Samples included!
- CALS Pathways Showcase - Spring 2026 - Thursday, May 7, 4-6 p.m., fourth floor, Student Innovation Center
- CALS Convocation - Friday, May 15, 9 a.m. in Hilton Coliseum. Come celebrate our graduating students!
This week, we’ll start with hosting USDA Undersecretary Richard Fordyce and State Farm Service Agency Director Starlyn Perdue at the Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex.
Last week, we were treated to a very excellent seminar, "Building the Next Generation of AI-Literate Agriculturalists and Innovators," by agronomy’s Arti Singh, as the recipient of last year's Rossmann-Manatt award. This award switches each year between CALS and CHHS, and is endowed by Jack and Marilyn Rossmann, and Charles and Kathleen Manatt, who were classmates and friends in the home economics and rural sociology programs. All went on to have outstanding careers and gave back this way. Next year, the recipient is Ling Zhang from the Department of Apparel, Events and Hospitality Management.
Also last week, we hit the triple in the Department of Animal Science with Drs. Elisabeth Huff Lonergan, Stephanie Hansen and Aileen Keating all receiving medallions to mark the beginning of their recognitions as holders of endowed chairs.
And then Tuesday through Friday evening last week, we were host to the CALS participants in the annual spring ISU Foundation week that brings to campus donors, partners, friends and awardees of the university. It was an excellent week highlighting and celebrating people and programs that make a huge difference to the college, from the supporters of the Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods and the ISU-Uganda program, to the Global Resources Systems program, to every other conceivable kind of support. Several CALS people received the university's highest recognitions, and CALS programs and work received lots of great shout-outs (see pics below)!
It was also a week of eating, including a service learners dinner on Tuesday evening for those who went to the new location we are working at in Masindi, Uganda. On Wednesday evening, a service learners dinner for the students about to head out to the Kamuli campus in Uganda. Then on Thursday evening, my wife, Julie, and I hosted 40 people at our home for dinner to celebrate the True and Valiant Award given to Jerry and Karen Kolschowsky. (This is only the fourth time this award has ever been given! And three of the four awardees have been CALS alums.) Finally, on Friday evening, there was a special dinner at the Alumni Center to celebrate all of the university’s award recipients. These are wonderful events to honor the people who support and enable us, and for lots of sharing and inspiring to happen. It all matters!
My best - Dan
Scenes from CALS
