Hello, CALS,
Welcome to Monday and truly autumn weather as "we round third and prepare to slide into home plate" on the semester (seems fitting to use baseball metaphors this time of year!). I’d have to look back at my calendar from fall of 2019 to see how things actually compare, but it feels like we are now having more wonderful events and opportunities to share together than ever before, as we also, at least locally, seem to be coming out from under the full cloud of COVID.
Last week was busy with several activities, including the Don Beitz-led Think Tank with CALS alum Bill Northey, former IDALS Secretary and USDA Under Secretary; evening celebrations with President Wintersteen and Provost Wickert for faculty that were promoted in the last cycle; the named faculty position medallion ceremony for Anna Johnson in animal science; and more. This week we have more of the same!
Of late, we are putting extra effort into understanding and watching out for the mental health of our students and ourselves. I ask that each of us please watch out in this regard for all of our CALS community. If you have thoughts/ideas/concerns about this topic – please let me know. Last week, thanks to extra work by Howard Tyler, we had four sessions on this topic, and Howard, Carmen Bain, Andy Zehr and I met with the Dean’s Student Advisory Committee to discuss the same. I’ll also do so with our Faculty Senate Caucus this week.
As always – please let me know what you’re thinking. My best and Go Cyclones - Dan
Nature in Focus
A few weeks ago we had a visit from Diane Kolmer, the daughter of former CALS Dean Lee Kolmer (1928-2010; dean 1973-1987). She was happy to see her dad’s portrait.
And enjoy this view atop the Rocky Mountains in Vail, Colorado, as seen earlier this summer.
Please keep sharing your photos with me via email!
