CALS Online and Dean’s Message
April 3, 2023
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS – I hope this finds you in good spirits this Monday. A short note today of further encouragement as we move toward the end of the semester and the adventure of summer for each of us. Please make an extra effort to reach out to your students, and other students you may see and interact with, and ask them – “How’s it going? No, really, how’s it going?” Our students often start the conclusion of each phase of their educational journey, and start of the next chapter of it, or their next professional move, with uncertainty and sometimes stress. A reach out, an empathic ear, a smile, and your encouragement can make all the difference… More
Top Stories
Agriculture, Forestry Programs Ranked Among Top 10 Worldwide
CALS jumped to No. 8 worldwide and No. 4 in North America for its agricultural and forestry programs, according to the 2023 QS World University Rankings. These are up from last year’s No. 14 worldwide ranking and No. 7 national ranking. This is the first time in eight years that Iowa State has been among the top 10 worldwide. “The college’s high rankings are a testament to the innovative work our faculty, staff and students do each and every day to make positive impacts in our community and our world,” said Dean Robison. More
Research
ISURP Announces New Alliant Energy Agriculture Innovation Lab
Iowa State University Research Park and Alliant Energy announced a new multi-tenant collaboration space to be built at ISURP this summer. The Alliant Energy Agriculture Innovation Lab will provide more than 85,000 square feet for the CALS Digital Ag Innovation team as well as agriculture-based business tenants to access technology, research, development and each other for innovation opportunities primarily focused on digital and precision agriculture. More
Teaching and Students
CALS Study Abroad Fair this Thursday
The CALS Study Abroad office is holding a spring Study Abroad Fair on Thursday, April 6, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. in Harl Commons, Curtiss Hall. Program directors will be available to discuss summer, fall and winter break domestic and international travel courses. A list of available and upcoming programs is available online. CALS Study Abroad staff will also be available. More
CALS Student has Eyes Set on Vet School
Turner Anderson knew from an early age that the only way he could attend college was if he received a full-ride scholarship. With dreams of one day becoming a veterinarian, he buckled down, worked hard and recently made it one step closer to his dream. Anderson, who will graduate summa cum laude from Iowa State this semester as a triple major in animal science, animal ecology and biology, was accepted into the ISU-UNL Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine. More
Ten Years of Teamwork: Graduate Students Plan Plant Breeding Symposium
The 10th annual Raymond F. Baker Plant Breeding Symposium was held March 24, with approximately 100 people participating at the ISU Alumni Center and more than 180 people joining online. The event is a part of Corteva’s Symposia Series and is hosted by the Plant Breeding and Genetics Graduate Student Club. More
Extension and Outreach
Five Questions with Extension and Outreach Leader
Vice president for ISU Extension and Outreach John Lawrence retired on April 2 after an Iowa State career spanning more than 30 years. The Iowa State community and Iowa Senate honored him last week for his service. However, while he is stepping down from his current position, the Iowa native and Iowa State alumnus will remain connected by assisting CALS with a review of its research farms and the continued development of its Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex. Inside Iowa State caught up with Lawrence for a quick five questions. More
Around the College
Arbuckle, O’Neal Will Share Sustainable Agriculture Chair Position
J. Arbuckle, sociology and criminal justice, and Matthew O’Neal, plant pathology, entomology and microbiology, will serve a joint appointment as Henry A. Wallace Chairs for Sustainable Agriculture, starting May 15. The Wallace Chair provides leadership to develop and implement educational and research programs on the sustainability of current and future agricultural practices. On announcing their appointments, Dean Robison said the two leaders were selected primarily due to their complementary visions to support and enable undergraduate education in this arena. Former Wallace Chairs at Iowa State have been Matt Liebman and Lorna Michael Butler. More
GDCB Faculty Honored by Maize Genetics Cooperation
Carolyn Lawrence-Dill, genetics, development and cell biology and CALS associate dean for research and discovery, received the 2023 Maize Genetics Cooperator Award from the Maize Genetics Cooperation. More Marna Yandeau-Nelson, GDCB, received the 2023 M. Rhoades Early Career Award. The Maize Genetics Cooperation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing research in maize genetics and breeding and developing the next generation of scientists. More
Lawrence and Lasley Receive Exceptional Service Award
John Lawrence, former vice president of extension and outreach, and Paul Lasley, professor emeritus in sociology and criminal justice, received the 2023 Iowa Master Farmer Exceptional Service Award from Wallaces Farmer. Helping Iowa farmers has been the focus of Lawrence’s work at Iowa State for more than 30 years. More Lasley’s legacy over the past 40 years has consisted of helping rural Iowans learn more about social effects on their lifestyle. More
Proposals Sought for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows Program
The Dean’s Office for Academic Innovation and Start Something CALS are seeking proposals from college faculty for the 2023 cohort of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows. The program seeks to foster and expand a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship of CALS faculty across departments. To advance this goal, the Dean’s office provides funds to support faculty seeking to incorporate innovation within teaching, research or extension activities. All CALS faculty, regardless of rank, are eligible to apply. Up to six fellowships will be awarded. Proposals are due to Carmen Bain (cbain@iastate.edu) by noon, April 14. More
Calendar
April 6: Shivvers Memorial Lecture
Hannah Lewis will present the 2023 Shivvers Memorial Lecture on Thursday, April 6 at 5:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union, room 3580. The event is free and open to the public. Lewis, an Iowa State alumna, is the author of “Mini-Forest Revolution: Using the Miyawaki Method to Rapidly Rewild the World.” More
April 11: Hertz Lecture on Emerging Issues in Agriculture
Tim Glenn, executive vice president of the seed business unit at Corteva Agriscience, will deliver the 2023 Carl and Marjory Hertz Lecture on Emerging Issues in Agriculture on April 11 at 7 p.m. in the Dolezal Auditorium, 127 Curtiss Hall. He will present “Industry Perspectives and Emerging Trends in the Global Agriculture.” More
April 12: INRC Water Quality Research Seminar
Communications and social sciences will be the focus of the next Iowa Nutrient Research Center seminar on April 12 at 3:20 p.m. Presenters are Laurie Nowatzke, USDA Midwest Climate Hub, Laura Witzling, Public Service Commission of Wisconsin, and Dara Wald, Texas A&M University. Attend in person at 1306 Elings Hall, or register to participate online. More
April 13: Save the Date
Dean Robison is holding a CALS Town Hall meeting for all faculty and staff on April 13 at 11 a.m. in 0125 Kildee Hall.
April 26-27: Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Symposium
The Biological Sciences Graduate Programs are holding an Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Symposium on April 26-27 on campus. The focus will be on “Innovation through Collaboration in the Biological Sciences.” Faculty, staff, graduate and undergraduate students are encouraged to attend. Registration is free, but participants are encouraged to register by April 10. More
Infograzing
Plummer to Chair U.S. Presidential Advisory Council
Paul Plummer, veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine and associate dean of research and graduate studies in the College of Veterinary Medicine, has been appointed chair of the U.S. Presidential Advisory Council on Combatting Antimicrobial Resistant Bacteria. More
Celebrating Frederick Douglass Patterson’s Graduation Centennial
The College of Veterinary Medicine is celebrating 100 years since Frederick Douglass Patterson earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. Patterson went on to lead Tuskegee University for 20 years, started its College of Veterinary Medicine and founded the United Negro College Fund, among other accomplishments. Read more about Patterson in the spring 2023 issue of the Iowa Stater. More
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
http://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/agonline
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online, the newsletter for faculty and staff in Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is published by email every Monday. The deadline for submitting content is 12 p.m. on Thursday.