CALS Online and Dean’s Message
December 8, 2025
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS – Welcome to Prep Week for our students and instructors, and next week finals, CALS Convocation and ISU Commencement! As usual, the semester has flown by, and I hope it has been a great one for you and your students. Last week we celebrated a number of excellent activities… This week is equally busy with the CALS Pathways to Innovation and Leadership Showcase, the Science with Practice poster session and our CALS Holiday Party…
Top Stories
Serving Up Culinary History in New Cookbook
Hadley Shatek (l), Ben Starling and Ellie Recker have spent this semester testing and refining more than 100 recipes that will appear in an Iowa State cookbook being developed by ISU Extension and Outreach’s Farm Food and Enterprise Development unit. The students – Shatek is a sophomore in food science, Starling is a senior in food science and Recker is a junior in dietetics – said the experience has enhanced their cooking skills and knowledge. Many of the recipes came from the Iowa State University Library Special Collections and University Archives and include what Alex Van Alstyne, food business extension specialist with FFED and coordinator of the cookbook project, refers to as “heritage recipes.” Van Alstyne expects the cookbook will become available to the public in either fall 2026 or spring 2027. (Photo by Whitney Baxter/CALS Communications Service)
Teaching and Students
Science with Practice: ‘A Doorway into the World of Scientific Curiosity’
Twenty years ago, at a time when student debt was at an all-time high and the university faced stiff state and federal funding cuts, the Science with Practice program launched to provide experiential learning opportunities for students and pay them for their work. Mike Retallick, professor of agricultural education and studies and associate dean for personnel and finance, spearheaded the program and said there was no other like it at the time. A poster session is held at the end of the semester, during which SWP participants explain their projects to faculty, staff and fellow students. This semester’s SWP poster session will take place Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 2-4 p.m. in the Kildee Hall atrium. All are welcome to stop by to learn about the various projects and research students have been working on this fall.
Give the Gift of a Culinary Workshop
The Culinary Science Club is offering a Sushi Workshop on Feb. 13, 2026, at 6 p.m. in 117 MacKay Hall. Participants will learn about sushi styles and techniques and make fresh veggie sushi rolls. The workshop fee is $35 and space is limited.
Student Posters Sought for CALS Research Day
Undergraduate students, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars are invited to showcase their research and connect with the college community during CALS Research Day on Feb. 3, 2026, from 1-5 p.m. in the Student Innovation Center. Students are encouraged to submit poster presentations by Jan. 26, 2026. Faculty, staff and postdoctoral scholars are also sought to serve as judges.
Inside Iowa State Features CALS Pathways Program
In about a year and a half, the CALS Pathways to Innovation and Leadership program has gone from one micro-credential badge awarded through a single track to more than 160 awarded through seven tracks. Micro-credentials – short, flexible learning experiences that verify skills students or employees gain – often don't show up on a college transcript or resumés, but many business leaders see them as key employee attributes.
Forestry Club’s Christmas Tree Sale Concludes this Weekend
The Forestry Club’s annual Christmas tree fundraiser at the Reiman Gardens parking lot concludes this weekend - Friday, Dec. 12, 3-6 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 13, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 14, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The club will have Korean fir, balsam fir, Canaan fir and white pine, as well as wreaths. Proceeds go toward club activities and student development. Alongside the tree and wreath sales, The Wildlife Society is selling bird houses.
Extension and Outreach
Farmers Challenged by Persistent ‘Cost-Price Squeeze’ Dynamics
The 2025 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll, conducted by ISU Extension and Outreach Sociology, highlights ongoing economic and policy challenges faced by Iowa’s farmers. The annual survey, which gathered responses from nearly 950 farmers statewide, provides insights into farmers’ perspectives on the ups and downs of specialized commodity production.
ANR Extension Spotlight: Cindy Haynes
For more than 25 years, Cindy Haynes has extended gardening knowledge to Iowa Master Gardeners, undergraduate students at Iowa State and youth. As a professor and consumer horticulture extension specialist, she shares her passion for plants and helps others contribute positively to their backyards and communities.
Around the College
Interviews Begin for Agricultural Education and Studies Department Chair
The first of four candidates identified for the position of chair of the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies presented a public seminar on “Vision for the Future of the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies at ISU as a Land Grant University” this morning, Dec. 8. Candidates’ names will be released one day before their interview. Seminars will be recorded and posted after all candidates have presented. All seminars will take place in the CCUR Auditorium, 1951 Food Sciences Building, from 9-9:50 a.m., followed by a faculty forum from 10-10:50 a.m. in the same room.
- Thursday, Dec. 11
- Monday, Dec. 15
- Wednesday, Dec. 17
Interviews Begin for Associate Director of CALS Career Services
Four candidates have been identified for the position of associate director of CALS Career Services. Each candidate will present a public seminar on “Cultivating Future-Ready Talent: A Strategic Vision for Innovating Career Services in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.” Faculty and staff are invited to attend the public presentation. A light lunch will be provided.
- Monday, Dec. 8, 12:10-1 p.m., CCUR Theatre, 1951 Food Sciences Building
- Tuesday, Dec. 9, 12:30-1:20 p.m., 1131 NSRIC
- Thursday, Dec. 11, 12:10-1 p.m., CCUR Theatre, 1951 Food Sciences Building
- Friday, Dec. 12, 12:10-1 p.m., CCUR Theatre, 1951 Food Sciences Building
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 2026 cohort of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellows. The program seeks to foster and expand a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship among 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 Dec. 14.
Nominations for Professorship Awards Due Jan. 15
Nominations for Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor, University Professor and Morrill Professor are due to CALS by Jan. 15. Use the online submissions portal under Nominating Instructions and Form on the CALS Honors and Awards website. Contact Alicia Hauser (ahauser@iastate.edu) with questions.
Deal Lecture by Gretta Irwin Available Online
Gretta Irwin, executive director and home economist with the Iowa Turkey Federation, presented the 2025 William K. Deal Endowed Leadership Lecture Dec. 3 at Iowa State. A video of the full lecture, “It Takes One: Leadership, Legacy and the Power of Belief,” is available online.
Compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines Required
Following a federal ruling by the U.S. Department of Justice under the Americans with Disabilities Act, all public entities are required to comply with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 at the AA level by April 24, 2026. This means all content, both public-facing and internal, must meet those accessibility requirements. Iowa State’s Digital Accessibility Team offers training and resources to help ensure digital materials are accessible. What you should do:
- Read Inside Iowa State's "What to know about the digital accessibility initiative" article
- Faculty: Complete the Core Digital Accessibility Training for Faculty in Workday by May 15, 2026
- Staff: Complete the Core Digital Accessibility Training for Staff in Workday by May 15, 2026
Calendar
Dec. 8: CALS Art Science Exhibition
An exhibition curated by CALS is today, Dec. 8, from 3-5 p.m. in 4227 and 4229 Student Innovation Center. The exhibition features original artwork by students around the theme of Agricultural Icons. The art reflects iconic images in agricultural landscapes, practices and research.
Dec. 10: Iowa Learning Farms Conservation Webinar
The Iowa Learning Farms conservation webinar on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at noon will feature Matt Stephenson, Iowa State data research manager. He will present “Prairie Strips Support Migrating Monarchs and Breeding Birds.”
Dec. 10: Science with Practice Poster Session
This semester’s Science with Practice poster session open house is Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 2-4 p.m. in the Kildee Hall atrium. Science with Practice is a CALS experiential learning and work program for undergraduate students.
Dec. 10: Retirement Reception for Brenda Emery
A retirement reception for Brenda Emery, graduate student services specialist in food science and human nutrition, is Wednesday, Dec. 10, from 3-5 p.m. in the Culinary Discovery Lab, 2379 Food Sciences Building. There will be a program at 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 10: Water Quality Research Seminar
The Iowa Nutrient Research Center’s final water quality research seminar in the fall 2025 series is Wednesday, Dec. 10, at 3:10 p.m. The Valley of Death is Easier with Partners (Key Learnings from RegenPGC, and Where We Go Next) will be presented by D. Raj Raman, agricultural and biosystems engineering and director of the RegenPGC initiative, and Brandon Schlautman, The Land Institute and RegenPGC research theme leader. This seminar will only be presented online.
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
Receptors in Mammary Glands Make Livestock and Humans Inviting Hosts for Avian Flu
A new study led by Rahul Nelli, veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, shows the mammary glands of pigs, sheep, goats, beef cattle, alpacas and humans are biologically suitable to be infected by H5N1 avian influenza, which has so far affected mostly poultry and dairy cattle.
Barks at Parks Available During Prep Week
Students are invited to drop by the University Library's Upper Rotunda each afternoon during Prep Week between noon and 3 p.m. to destress by petting certified therapy dogs. The dogs are here today, Dec. 8, through Friday, Dec. 12.
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.