CALS Online and Dean’s Message
March 9, 2026
Dean’s Message
Hello CALS – It's impossible not to mention the beautiful weather we suddenly have, and I hope you’re getting out to enjoy it! It's also impossible to imagine that this terrific weather will truly hold. Stick around and find out… Last Monday we had a terrific visit by USDA Under Secretary Scott Hutchins… Today, March 9, we have our annual CALS Faculty and Staff Awards ceremony at 4:10 p.m. in 127 Curtiss Hall. I hope you’ll come out to applaud your colleagues and celebrate with us…
Top Stories
Global resource systems students learn batik - a traditional fabric dyeing technique used by Black Hmong women in Northern Vietnam - to create patterns for traditional clothing during a CALS faculty-led study abroad trip.
Study Abroad at Iowa State, and in CALS
As one of Iowa State's nine high impact practices, study abroad is a vital piece of the Cyclone undergraduate experience. CALS was the first college to offer study abroad experiences, in the 1960s in agronomy and animal science, and now sends about 400 students to study abroad through the college office each year. The animal science department offers two to five faculty-led trips each year. Jodi Sterle, animal science, has led 10 trips since 2013 to Scotland, Wales, South Korea, Portugal, Japan and six times to the United Kingdom.
Research
Faculty Get Excited about Undergraduate Research
Don Sakaguchi has shared his research experience with more than 220 undergraduate students over 35 years at Iowa State, where he is a Morrill Professor and director of the biology and genetics undergraduate programs. Ten to 18 students, many of them undergraduates, work alongside Sakaguchi in his lab every semester in hands-on research projects. Brian Hornbuckle, agronomy professor and director of graduate education for agricultural meteorology, sees mentoring as part of the university's core mission. Known for his research on NASA-related projects, Hornbuckle has taken on a first-year Honors Program mentee nearly every year of his 23 years at Iowa State.
Kilburn Leads At-Home Study of Dogs and their Bond with Owners
A new at-home research study exploring how diet type may influence both dog health and the human–animal bond is underway at Iowa State in partnership with Freshpet, a leading pet food company. The study is being led by Logan Kilburn, animal science.
Research Security Training Required for CALS Faculty
Research security training is required as part of the National Security Presidential Memorandum-33 from 2021 and the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. The Office of the Vice President for Research website provides information on who needs to complete the training, how to access the available training options, required training frequency and specific federal agency implementation timelines.
Teaching and Students
Iowa State Expands Nursing Education with Two New Programs
The Iowa Board of Regents has approved the addition of two new nursing programs at Iowa State. The online Master of Science in nursing will launch in fall 2026, and the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing will launch in summer 2027. These programs will join the university’s existing RN-to-BSN program.
Iowa Valley Community College and Iowa State University
Announce Nursing Articulation Agreement
Iowa Valley Community College District and Iowa State University have established a new articulation agreement that aligns the nursing curriculum at IVCCD’s Marshalltown Community College and Ellsworth Community College with Iowa State’s RN-to-BSN program.
Inaugural Wentz-Griswold Scholars Cohort Announced
Twelve students will enhance their research skills this semester thanks to a newly funded scholarship. The Wentz-Griswold Agricultural Undergraduate Research Scholars Award seeks to engage undergraduate students in research opportunities and get them involved in the CALS Pathways to Innovation and Leadership program.
Video: CALS Students Help Stir the Magic in the ‘Alley’
Maintaining a loud and robust student section is a priority for Iowa State Athletics. CALS students involved in Cyclone Alley recognize their game-day responsibility while also noting it's a really fun part of their Iowa State experience. Tara Iverson, senior in animal science, is Cyclone Alley president. Sawyer Hansen, senior in agricultural studies, serves as Cyclone Alley Men’s Basketball chair.
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 spring. 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:
- Academics
- Leadership and engagement on and off campus
- 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, March 13. Please CC the department chair on the email so they’re aware of nominated students.
Nominations for Senior Awards Due March 25
The CALS Student Council is seeking nominations for spring 2026 senior awards. Every spring and fall semester, CALS Council recognizes graduating seniors through the following five awards. Nominations are due March 25 at 11:59 p.m.
- Leadership and Innovation
- Academic Achievement
- Distinguished Service
- Outstanding Ambassador of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Outstanding Senior
Extension and Outreach
Request Conservation Station Trailer Visits by March 20
The Conservation Station’s online request system for summer and fall 2026 is open. Water Rocks! and Iowa Learning Farms bring their Conservation Station trailers to public events like fairs, festivals and farmers markets, providing visual demonstrations and discussion to engage adults and youth in learning about Iowa’s land and water resources. The trailers are available to attend events within the state of Iowa at no cost, fully staffed with 2-3 Iowa State team members. The deadline for requests is March 20.
Around the College
Iowa State Pursues Partnership to Establish Academic Programs in Greece
Iowa State is pursuing an agreement with the American Farm School in Greece to establish a partner location in the city of Thessaloniki. The partnership leverages the university's 30-year relationship with AFS to establish an education and research hub in Europe, enhance the reputation of CALS globally, and create new opportunities for students and faculty.
Harris Reappointed as Chair of PPEM
Steven Harris has been reappointed for another five-year term as chair of the Department of Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology, effective April 1. One of his first tasks was leading the merger of the former Department of Plant Pathology and Microbiology and the Department of Entomology, which took effect in September 2022.
Clawson Named Golden Owl Awardee
Barb Clawson, horticulture, was named a Golden Owl awardee by Nationwide and the Iowa FFA Foundation. The award is given to agriculture educators who make outstanding efforts to inspire the next generation of agricultural leaders.
Miller Recognized with NACD Distinguished Service Award
Gerald Miller, former CALS associate dean for extension and outreach and emeritus professor of agronomy, received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Conservation Districts at its annual meeting in San Antonio, Feb. 15-19. Miller has devoted his career to conservation through science, service and leadership. He is currently president of the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts Board of Directors.
Queso Fresco Workshop Offered by ISU Creamery
The ISU Creamery team is hosting a queso fresco making workshop on March 20 from 12:30-3:30 p.m. in the Culinary Discovery Lab, 2379 Food Sciences Building. Cost is $35. Registration deadline is March 17.
Deadline Approaching for Compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines
All faculty and staff should be taking actions now to make public-facing and internal online content accessible. 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. 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
- Staff: Complete the Core Digital Accessibility Training for Staff in Workday by May 15
CALS Online: Next Issue March 23
CALS Online will not be published on March 16. The newsletter will resume Monday, March 23.
Calendar
March 11: INRC Seminar
The Iowa Nutrient Research Center’s next spring seminar is Wednesday, March 11, from 3:10-4 p.m. online. Matt Drewitz, research scientist with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, will present.
March 25: Baker Plant Breeding Symposium
Registration is now open for the 13th annual Raymond F. Baker Plant Breeding Symposium, scheduled for March 25 at the ISU Alumni Center. This year’s theme is “Traditional and Technological Trends: Pioneering the Future of Plant Breeding.” Registration is free for both in-person and virtual attendance. The Plant Breeding and Genetics Graduate Student Club organizes the symposium, which is hosted by the Department of Agronomy.
March 26: The National Geographic Photo Ark
Joel Sartore will present “The National Geographic Photo Ark: One Man's Quest to Document the World's Animals” on March 26 at 6 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room. The National Geographic Photo Ark is Sartore’s ambitious, decades long effort to document every species living in zoos, aquariums and wildlife sanctuaries around the world. Lecture co-sponsors include CALS and the Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology.
April 14: CALS Town Hall
Join Dean Robison for a Town Hall meeting on April 14, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. in the Dolezal Auditorium, 127 Curtiss Hall.
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
Iowa State’s Impact on State Economy Grows to $6 Billion
Iowa State's $6 billion economic impact supports one out of every 36 jobs in Iowa, according to an analysis conducted for the Iowa Board of Regents. The university's total impact includes $2.1 billion in economic development and added income from Iowa State startups and Iowa-based businesses assisted by Iowa State’s Center for Industrial Research and Service and Iowa State’s Small Business Development Center.
An Introductory Q&A with the Cooks
President David Cook and his spouse, Katie Cook, took time for a short Q&A with Inside Iowa State about the start of his presidency and how they hope to meet lots of Iowa Staters. The Cooks are Ames High alums and completed their undergraduate degrees at Iowa State, he in 1992, she in 1994. They arrive in Ames after nearly four years in Fargo, where he served as president of North Dakota State University.
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.