CALS Online and Dean’s Message
March 3, 2025
Dean’s Message
Good Morning CALS – Last week there was a Provost’s celebration for recipients of Nationally Competitive Awards. It was an excellent event to honor those being recognized for outstanding accomplishments… We continue to watch, monitor and respond as best we can to the happenings in the federal government that intersect with higher education and especially funding to the university and the college… In the meantime, and frankly – always, let’s keep our focus on the many excellent and impactful missions of the university, our science and the service we provide to our students, our stakeholders across Iowa and beyond, and each other…
Top Stories
CALS Students Marching Toward Success
Two of the three fall 2024 Iowa State University Cyclone Football “Varsity” Marching Band drum majors call CALS home. Thomas Vastine and Emma Mostek, seniors in animal science, started their band careers in fifth grade and have reached the prestigious level of leading the Iowa State Marching Band. Throughout their collegiate-level marching band experience, both students have learned the importance of time management and having a strong support system. With spring 2025 graduation on the horizon, both are making the most of their final semester at Iowa State and in the band program by participating in the men’s basketball pep band. In March, Vastine and Mostek will travel to the Big XII and NCAA tournaments. Pictured left to right: Emma Mostek, senior in animal science, Thomas Vastine, senior in animal science, and Katie Richards, fall 2024 graduate.
Teaching and Students
Students Develop Life Skills in Culinary Lab
Erica Beirman, culinary food science program coordinator, developed a culinary boot camp she leads in the Culinary Creation Lab at the Student Innovation Center. Students from all majors can learn essential culinary techniques while considering nutrition, food safety and strategies to reduce food waste. Students can also take other courses offered in the lab by the food science and human nutrition department, including ones related to baking, pasta making and international cuisine. The lab itself is available for others on campus to rent and use outside of class periods.
Block and Bridle Club to Hold Annual Cake Auction
The Block and Bridle Club is holding its annual cake auction on Tuesday, March 4, at 5:30 p.m. in the Kildee Hall atrium. All proceeds go to animal science scholarships.
Extension and Outreach
Anaerobic Digestion Webinar Series Returns
The “Emerging Science of Anaerobic Digestion” monthly webinar series returns for 2025, beginning March 11 at 1 p.m. via Zoom. This year's series will alternate between industry and academic perspectives, offering a well-rounded look at the latest advancements, challenges and opportunities in anaerobic digestion.
Around the College
Clark Awarded Medal for Excellence in Tropical Botany
Lynn Clark, ecology, evolution and organismal biology, has been awarded the José Cuatrecasas Medal for Excellence in Tropical Botany from the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. This medal is presented to a botanist and scholar of international stature who has contributed significantly to advancing the field of tropical botany. Clark will receive the medal at the 22nd National Botanical Symposium in Washington, D.C. on May 16. The event is free, and virtual attendance is an option. The registration deadline is May 9.
CALS Programs Featured at ISU Day at the Capitol
On Tuesday, March 4, President Wendy Wintersteen will lead a group of more than 40 faculty, staff and students representing 17 Iowa State programs that demonstrate how Iowa State innovation serves Iowans by building the state's economy, supporting its nation-leading agricultural industry and preparing students for future careers. Programs associated with CALS that will be present for legislators, statehouse staff and other visitors to get a close-up, in-person look at include:
- Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex
- Iowa Nitrogen Initiative
- ISU Creamery
- Digital Ag Innovation Lab
- Egg Industry Center
- Center for Agricultural and Rural Development
- Manure and Nutrient Management Lab
- Iowa Soybean Research Center
- Iowa Beef Center
- Iowa Pork Industry Center
Nominations for Gamma Sigma Delta due March 7
The Iowa chapter of Gamma Sigma Delta, the honor society of agriculture, is accepting nominations for membership and awards. Nomination forms for faculty, staff and alum membership and awards are available online and are due Friday, March 7, at 5 p.m.
ANR Extension’s Roberts Retiring
Julie Roberts, administrative assistant to the director of Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension, is retiring today, March 3. Roberts began her tenure at Iowa State in June 1987. She has worked in the sociology, animal science and natural resource ecology and management departments, as well as different extension offices. There is no public event.
Calendar
March 11: CALS Awards Program
The CALS Spring Awards Program, honoring faculty and staff achievements, is March 11 at 4:10 p.m. in Dolezal Auditorium, 127 Curtiss Hall. The program will include brief comments from Dean Robison and recognition of the 2024 CALS faculty and staff award recipients. A reception in Harl Commons will follow the program.
April 10: CALS Town Hall
Join Dean Robison for a Town Hall meeting on April 10, at 1:30 p.m. in 1414 Molecular Biology Building.
Communications Kiosk
Workday Offers Pronunciation Feature
Names can have a mind - and a sound - of their own. For those with a name that's prone to mispronunciation, Workday offers a task that lets users submit an audio clip, a phonetic spelling or both for the accurate pronunciation of their name in their profile. Inside Iowa State provides a summary of a help article on using the pronunciation feature in Workday. To find this information on an employee or student's Workday profile, type their name in the Workday top search bar and navigate to find their record. If they've provided a pronunciation tip, you'll see the phonetic pronunciation and/or the sound icon under their name.
Infograzing
Volunteers Needed for SHOP during Spring Break
The SHOP student food pantry needs faculty and staff volunteers Monday through Wednesday afternoons, March 17-19, during spring break. Volunteers may sign up for shifts on the SignUp Genius site.
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Online
Julie Stewart, Editor
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
https://www.cals.iastate.edu/cals-online
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.