CALS Online and Dean’s Message
October 13, 2025
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS Colleagues – Welcome to another great week of the fall semester! Each week of the year at Iowa State brings into focus the wonderful possibilities and outlook of our university and this college. I like to say that being “in education” means you are an optimist, as everything about education is about the future - making it as bright and vibrant as possible, notwithstanding the perpetual challenges in doing so. For land-grant universities, those opportunities and challenges were evident even in the debates in Congress in the 1850s and 1860s about what became our guiding document – the Morrill Act of 1862. If you’ve not read it, here is the Morrill Act (1862) in two short pages…
Top Stories
The TireGrabber Improves Tire Changing Safety at Iowa State Farms
When dealing with tires that weigh more than a ton each, safety is a top priority. At the Agricultural Engineering and Agronomy Farm, where employees like Nathan Meyers, AEA manager, change up to 30 tires in a year, the emphasis on proper training, equipment and procedures ensures that every tire change is done with precision and care. The farm’s newest addition helps minimize risk and maximize efficiency.
Research
In Some Settings, Burping at the Dinner Table is Acceptable
Not only is it acceptable, but it’s also desired, as noted by James Koltes, animal science. For several years, Koltes and his colleagues have worked to identify the most feed-efficient dairy cattle, and more recently, which cows produce less methane. Koltes’ research is featured in the fall issue of Fresh Pickings (pgs. 44-47), published by the Iowa Food and Family Project.
Video: Bailey Award Recipient Studies Placenta Genomics
Geetu Tuteja, genetics, development and cell biology and recipient of the 2025 Bailey Research Career Development Award, studies placenta genomics. Take a look at how Tuteja’s research is affecting her field and broader genomics studies.
Video: Testing Iowa State Apples on a Trellis System
Suzanne Slack, horticulture and extension fruit crop specialist, is studying heritage and heirloom apple cultivars to determine which grow best on trellis systems and in today's growing conditions.
Teaching and Students
Nominations Sought for Convocation Speaker and Student Marshal
Each department is asked to nominate at least one graduating senior for the CALS Convocation speaker (no GPA requirement) and/or CALS Student Marshal for University Commencement (requires 3.5 GPA or above) this fall. For each nomination submission, include:
- Nominator’s name
- Name of student
- Major(s)
- Statement of why this student is a strong nominee in relation to:
a. Academics
b. Leadership and engagement on and off campus
c. Inspiring story - Which honor the student is being nominated for – Convocation speaker or CALS Student Marshal
Submit nominations via email to Carmen Bain, CALS associate dean for academic innovation, by 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 17. Please CC the department chair on the email so they’re aware of nominated students.
Nominations for Senior Awards Due Oct. 31
The CALS Student Council is seeking nominations for fall 2025 senior awards. Every spring and fall semester, CALS Council recognizes graduating seniors through the following five awards. Nominations are due Oct. 31 at 11:59 p.m.
- Leadership and Innovation
- Academic Achievement
- Distinguished Service
- Outstanding Ambassador of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Outstanding Senior
International Baking Industry Exposition Offers Ingredients for Success
Nine students from food science and human nutrition attended the International Baking Industry Exposition in Las Vegas, Nevada, Sept. 14-17. A unique aspect of the event is students get paired with a mentor who is an industry professional through the Student Immersion program. They also took part in guided industrial bakery tours, career panels, two trade shows, educational sessions and hands-on workshops.
Snow Blower Service Days Scheduled for Nov. 7-8
The Agricultural Systems Technology Club will hold its annual snow blower service days Nov. 7 (1-6 p.m.), and Nov. 8 (8 a.m. to 1 p.m.), at Sukup Hall. The $40 cost includes an oil change, a new spark plug and a power wash. Pickup and delivery (Ames zip code only) is available for an additional $25; send an email request to astservicedays@gmail.com.
Micro-credentials Give Iowa State Students an Edge
The CALS Pathway to Innovation and Leadership program was featured in the Oct. 7 issue of the Iowa State Daily. Amy Mendee, assistant director of Pathways, talks about the micro-credentials offered through the program. Katrina Hageman, a junior in agricultural communication, talks about the digital badges she has earned.
Extension and Outreach
Iowa Beef Center Holds Third Annual Genetic Symposium
The Iowa Beef Center is holding its third annual Genetic Symposium on Nov. 19-20 at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center. This year's symposium will focus on the practical implementation of genetic tools and technologies for commercial beef production. The two-day event will feature a combination of classroom-style learning and hands-on sessions covering topics crucial to beef production.
Infographic Series Released on Protecting Our Pollinators
Iowa Learning Farms has published a new infographic series titled, “Protecting our Pollinators.” Each document provides accessible and fact-based information about pollinators as well as tangible actions that can be taken by Iowans to support these important contributors to the local and global food web.
Proper Care of Trees Now Contributes to Success Next Spring
Fall is a critical time for care and preparation of trees – especially those newly planted. According to horticulture specialists with ISU Extension and Outreach, this season offers an opportunity to help trees establish and prepare for the challenges of winter.
Around the College
Final Interview Session for Egg Industry Center Director
The fourth finalist for director of the Egg Industry Center will present a public seminar from 9-9:50 a.m. followed by an open forum from 10-10:50 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 16, in the Ensminger Room, 1204 Kildee Hall. Seminars will be recorded and posted after all candidates have presented.
Dentzman Receives RSS's Best Paper Award
Katherine Dentzman, sociology and criminal justice, received the Best Paper Award from the Rural Sociological Society at its annual conference, July 30–Aug. 2 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Dentzman authored, "A Fair Comparison: Women's and Men's Farms at Seven Scales in the United States," with Paul Lewin, University of Idaho.
Introducing the Iowa State University Cidery
The Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute, home of the Iowa State University Winery, has launched the Iowa State University Cidery. There are two hard ciders – original apple cider and carbonated cider and rosé wine – crafted with apples grown at the ISU Horticulture Research Station and produced in the Food Sciences Building. The cider is available for purchase at Cyclone Liquors.
CALS Hosts U.S. Farm Report’s College Roadshow
The U.S. Farm Report’s College Roadshow stopped at Curtiss Hall for its Sept. 24 broadcast. Tyne Morgan, host, interviewed Chad Hart, extension economist, John Crespi, director of the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, and Peter Orazem, interim chair of economics.
Calendar
Oct. 14: CALS Career Day
CALS Career Day is Tuesday, Oct. 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lied Recreation Athletic Center. In addition to the opportunity to meet prospective employers, CALS is committed to helping students turn their academic experiences into meaningful careers.
Oct 15: CALS Town Hall
Join Dean Robison for a Town Hall meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 15, from noon to 1 p.m. in 1131 National Swine Research and Information Center Building.
Oct. 15: Horticulture Hall Art Walk
University Museums is holding a guided tour of the indoor and outdoor public artworks at Horticulture Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 15, from 3:10-4 p.m. Rooted in both art and nature, explore stories of plant science and the horticultural pioneers who helped it flourish at Iowa State. Meet at the main entrance to Horticulture Hall.
Oct. 16: Feeding the World Seminar Series
The Feeding the World seminar series concludes Thursday, Oct. 16, from 3:40-4:55 p.m. in the Ensminger Room, 1204 Kildee Hall. Dina Gutiérrez Reynoso, director general of the Genetic Resources and Biotechnology Directorate with the National Institute of Agrarian Innovation in Peru, will present virtually.
Oct. 16: Errington Memorial Lecture
The Paul L. Errington Memorial Lecture is Thursday, Oct. 16, at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. Scott Loarie, executive director of iNaturalist, will present “How One App is Engaging the Public in Citizen Science and Conservation.” The Errington lecture is held annually by the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management.
More Events Listed on CALS Website
Find more events on the CALS Events webpage. Submit events for inclusion on this list to madelyno@iastate.edu or jstewart@iastate.edu.
Infograzing
Research and Innovation Roundtable Scheduled for Nov. 6
The Office of the Vice President for Research is hosting a virtual Research and Innovation Roundtable for faculty across campus who would like to explore issues related to “Building Biosecurity: Protecting Plants from Pests and Pathogens.” Register by Oct. 31 to participate in the roundtable on Nov. 6, from 2-6 p.m.
New Quotas Released for Cloud Storage Optimization Initiative
Effective Jan. 12, 2026, new storage quotas for the Iowa State community will take effect for CyBox, Microsoft OneDrive, SharePoint Online and Microsoft Teams. These changes are part of the Cloud Storage Optimization initiative, a university-wide effort to meet vendor requirements, promote sustainability and ensure campus resources are available fairly and efficiently.
Wintersteen: A Legacy of Leadership
The Iowa State University Foundation looks at President Wendy Wintersteen’s “Legacy of Leadership” in an article recently published online. After 46 years at Iowa State, Wintersteen leaves behind a future-focused institution.
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.