Message from the Dean - September 9, 2024

September 9, 2024

Hello, CALS,

What great football wins these past two weeks! The one against the University of North Dakota back on Aug. 31 seems like a long time ago (we did not have a Monday newsletter last week on Labor Day), and the one just this weekend against the University of Iowa was quite incredible and I am sure fresh in everyone’s mind! I’m thinking football in part because back on Aug. 31, we had our annual CALS Alumni BBQ at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center before the first game – and it, too, was a great win for the college. We had record attendance with nearly 450 people there and terrific CALS spirit. Greatest thanks to Angie Weeks and team for making it happen! A couple of the highlights:

  • Erin Norton, director of the Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute, was there to tell people about the Iowa State award-winning wines we produce. Attendees could also purchase the wines, which resulted in record sales at the event!
  • Of course, we ran out of ISU Creamery ice cream cups – always a favorite! Thanks to Sarah Canova and team!
  • We recognized Sara Kvidera, a rising leader with Elanco Animal Health and former doctoral student here in nutritional sciences with Lance Baumgard and Don Beitz, with our CALS Emerging Iowa Leader Award.
  • We made the inaugural announcement of the Bill Northey Legacy of Leadership in Agriculture Scholarship. This was a wonderful thing to be able to do in remembrance of a truly great Iowan, agriculturist and alum, who sadly left us all far too soon earlier this year. We will now and forever be able to remember Bill and the energy and inspiration he lent us all with this scholarship.  
  • We made mention of the terrific CALS and ANR Extension tent at the Farm Progress Show a couple of weeks ago, where more than 120,000 people attended. Great thanks to Kendall Lamkey, Jay Harmon and a terrific team of many others who led this exhibit effort.
  • And we recognized the 13 scholarship athletes CALS contributes to Iowa State athletics (10 on the football team), 37 CALS members of the Marching Band (including two of the three drum majors, Emma Mostek and Thomas Vastine, seniors in animal science), and 40 CALS participants in Cyclone ROTC.

This past week, we had a visit from Katie Hendrickson, chief of staff of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy at the U.S. Department of Energy, to check out the progress being made at the Alliant Energy Solar Farm at Iowa State University, led by Ajay Nair, Matt O’Neal, Ray Klein, Hongli Feng, Anne Kimber and a host of others!  

And we had a terrific presentation and Q&A from President Wintersteen and Provost Jason Keith this past Tuesday. Afterward, a small group of us toured ATRB and Kildee with Provost Keith to begin to show him the length and depth of the college. And the EXCITE! open house in the Student Innovation Center took place, featuring for CALS the new artwork on the fourth floor (go over and check it out!), and the Freshman and Transfer BBQ in Kildee Pavilion. So much and all so very good!

Hope you all have a great week, and let me know what you’re thinking. Please send any pics you’d like me to include in an upcoming Monday newsletter! Very best - Dan

Scenes from CALS

Group of people seated around tables inside the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center arena.
Nearly 450 people were in attendance at the CALS Alumni BBQ on Aug. 31, at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center prior to the Iowa State vs. North Dakota football game.
Group of people standing around a high-top table while another person stands off to the side.
Sarah Canova with the ISU Creamery brought several ice cream flavor options that CALS Alumni BBQ attendees could try.
Two men standing next to each other.
Many happy reunions occurred during the CALS Alumni BBQ, including this one between Kent Nelson ('68 PhD animal science), left, and Don Beitz, distinguished professor of animal science.
Open field with tents in the background.
A miniature Iowa State University football field showcasing turfgrass was part of this year's Iowa State exhibit at the Farm Progress Show near Boone.
Person talking to another person while a third person watches.
Farm Progress Show attendees could visit with Iowa State experts about everything from vegetables growing hydroponically to hand-held apps that can identify insects and weeds. Here, Alison Robertson, professor and extension field crops pathologist, talks to an attendee.
Painting of George Washington Carver holding a flower.
Another great George Washington Carver painting, this one in the Gilman Hall auditorium, celebrating especially his work as a natural products chemist. Check it out sometime. There are other great portraits in that same auditorium worth a good look, too!