Hello, CALS colleagues,
A few reflections this week on the evolution of higher education.
As we work here at Iowa State to consider new degrees, certificates and micro-credentials, accelerated undergrad and BS-to-MS linkages, new types of master's degrees, online in every dimension, what makes meaningful general education, more and more advanced placement credit, etc., etc. - it’s worth thinking back to how we got where we are now. We are sometimes squeezed between traditions and innovations, between established notions of academic authenticity and new approaches, between disciplinary identity and core competencies and trans-disciplinary approaches, and more! Whew, that’s a lot.
Recall that we used to be on a quarter system and that 75 years ago, degrees like ours required as many as 145 credits; 40 years ago, they required 135 credits, and now 120 credits are required. Who decided an undergraduate degree should take four years? How did we end up with 14 departments in our college, and what happened to degrees like botany, zoology, and many others? How did the many academic fields of agriculture end up split into many departments, while the many academic fields of forestry have remained in a single department (true, as well, in states dominated by forest resources).
These are all questions worth contemplating and looking into. But even more importantly, they challenge us to continue to be bold and willing to embrace change as we’ve always done. Our students and outcomes are stronger and better than ever. Further deliberate change will sustain us. Recall one of the famous Darwin quotes - “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change.” And I’ll add - evolution is revolution.
Last week, we had a terrific early morning CALS Chat that especially recognized our staff and faculty advisors who are mightily working through the transition to Workday Student. Please help me continue to thank and support them!
Also last week, I had the opportunity to participate in a board meeting of America's Cultivation Corridor, and of the leadership of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Both of these organizations speak to the truly extraordinary partnerships that help define the agriculture and natural resource arenas in Iowa. Something to be proud of.
This week, on Wednesday, Oct. 23, at 12:15 p.m. in 2432 Food Sciences Building, we’ll have our annual fall semester CALS Town Hall, and I hope to see you there.
As always, have a great week. - Dan
Scenes from CALS
