Hello, CALS,
Hope you all enjoyed this beautiful weekend! Last week was busy at every level, from classes nearing the finish line, to students gaining on their anticipated summer plans, to the ISU Foundation meetings and associated activities. Here in the college, we managed the Iowa Youth Institute with our colleagues from the World Food Prize Foundation (see picture below), had several meetings with supporters and participants in our Uganda Program/Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods (CSRL), now directed by new associate dean Francis Owusu, met with the president of the American Farm School in Greece with whom we collaborate on study abroad and more, helped the College of Engineering celebrate the opening of the new Therkildsen Industrial Engineering Building, and enjoyed the ISU Distinguished Awards celebration (see picture below).
We also honored Gail Nonnecke as she nears retirement after more than 40 years of service and extraordinary accomplishments and impact. Gail has served as professor of horticulture, Morrill Professor, University Professor, global professor, coordinator for the global resource systems program, coordinator for the EARTH and Fork in the Road Station program on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, associate director for CSRL/Uganda, and so much more! Please help me congratulate Gail!
This week, on Wednesday, May 7, we have the CALS IGNITE Innovation Open House in rooms 4227 and 4229 in the Student Innovation Center from 1-4 p.m. Come check out the exhibits and learn about programs going on within our college. Also on Wednesday is the Science With Practice poster session from 2-4 p.m. in the Kildee Hall atrium. Stop by to listen as students talk about the projects they have been working on this semester alongside faculty and staff.
Next week, on Monday, May 12, from noon-1 p.m. in 142 Curtiss Hall, CALS advisors are invited to attend a catered luncheon to learn about the CALS Pathways to Innovation and Leadership Program and how their students can become involved. RSVP's are requested, which are due today, May 5.
During this time of year, we are also watching the end of the Iowa Legislative session come into view and the final considerations of the budget bills. Stay tuned in to see how the ISU Board of Regents' requests are concluded in the session. The State of Iowa's support for Iowa State and specifically the Agriculture Experiment Station, and via the ISU Extension Service, our ANR Extension and Outreach capacity, is strong and enabling. The current legislative session is considering a request for further funding for those and other key aspects of Iowa State programs where we can make even greater positive impacts for the state with additional support.
At the federal level, there continues to be current change and uncertainty and lots of signaling about future movement. The Administration just put forward its first “Skinny Budget,” with a great deal in it of interest to higher education. A Skinny Budget is a brief version of a complete federal budget proposed by the Executive Branch that goes to Congress for full development and action before an actual budget is adopted. Here is a summary and outlook from AAAS’s Science - ScienceAdvisor newsletter on the Skinny Budget with regard to science programming, and here are other summaries:
- What Trump’s Proposed Budget Cuts Mean for Education, Research
- APLU Statement on the Administration’s Budget Request
- Trump budget slashes USDA programs, international food aid
- The 10 Biggest Higher Education Losers In Trump’s Skinny Budget
- Trump Proposes Slashing $163 Billion in Government Programs, While Boosting Military Spending
Have a good week, and remind everyone around you to work safe. Thanks - Dan
Scenes from CALS
