CALS Online
Oct. 12, 2026
Top Stories
CALS Student is Forage Researcher and Rodeo Queen
Lauren Jaschke, a graduate student in sustainable agriculture, is in her happy spot any time she’s atop a horse. “There’s no greater feeling than loping a horse through an open field or carrying the American flag around a rodeo arena,” she said. Jaschke will fly the flag through many more arenas in the coming year as the recently crowned 2027 Miss Rodeo Iowa. Above she is pictured next to all her current equine teammates. Left to right: BZ Me Again Margo (Margie), Nola, Sparkles Majestic Smokey Pete (Rolo), and WR Kids Encore (Scribbles). Submitted photo.
Research
Baboon Research Also Offers Fieldwork Experience to Students
When Corinna Most, ecology, evolution and organismal biology, first traveled to an olive baboon research site in Kenya, she wasn't immediately convinced she had found her future. The hiking was difficult. The heat was intense. And the dozens of baboons she was learning to study all looked the same. Today, she researches how young baboons learn to navigate the social dynamics within a group and serves as co-director of the Uaso Ngiro Baboon Project in Kenya. She also strives to give students an opportunity to experience the realities of field research while contributing to a project that has been documenting baboon life for more than 40 years.
By Simulating a Savanna without Elephants, Ecologist Shows their Importance
Jake Goheen, natural resource ecology and management, was part of a research team that provided new evidence for co-extinction theory, findings that relied on his long-running research plots designed to simulate the extinction of large animals such as elephants.
Teaching and Students
Veldhuizen Encourages Ag Teachers to ‘Play the Long Game’
After 24 years in agriculture classrooms, Kurt Veldhuizen encourages aspiring ag teachers to do two things: play the long game and provide students with the best learning opportunities. Veldhuizen (’03 agricultural and life sciences education) was on Iowa State’s campus Oct. 5-6 for the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies’ Teacher in Residence Program.
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. Submit nominations using the online Qualtrics nomination form by 9 a.m. Friday, Oct. 16.
Nominations for CALS Council Senior Awards Due Nov. 2
The CALS Student Council is seeking nominations for fall 2026 senior awards. Every spring and fall semester, CALS Council recognizes graduating seniors through the following five awards. Nominations are due Nov. 2 by 5 p.m.
- Leadership and Innovation
- Academic Achievement
- Distinguished Service
- Outstanding Ambassador of Agriculture and Life Sciences
- Outstanding Senior
CALS Students to Hold Annual Bacon Expo Oct. 24
The annual Bacon Expo is Oct. 24, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center. The event includes sizzling bacon, hands-on agricultural education and activities for all ages. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.
Extension and Outreach
Local Food Festival on Central Campus, Oct. 14
The Iowa State Local Food Festival, an annual celebration of local food and healthy living, is Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on central campus. The event will feature local farm and food businesses, community organizations, Iowa State departments and affiliated organizations, and student organizations.
Selective Approach to Fall Cleanup Recommended
Gardeners don’t need to rake every leaf this fall. A more selective approach is often better for plants, wildlife, soil health and next spring’s growth, according to Aaron Steil, consumer horticulture extension specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.
Around the College
Animal Science Welcomes New Equine Specialist
Megan Humphrey (’02 animal science, ’05 MS animal physiology) has joined the Department of Animal Science as an associate teaching professor, bringing almost two decades of experience in equine education, reproduction, judging and outreach to the university’s equine program.
Awards Presented to CALS Alums, Friends
CALS and the ISU Foundation presented awards to several college alums and friends at the 95th annual Honors and Awards Ceremony on Oct. 2.
- Floyd Andre Award – Sally Stutsman (’69 sociology), Commissioner to the Iowa Department of Transportation
- George Washington Carver Distinguished Service Award – Manjit Misra, emeritus professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering
- Henry A. Wallace Award – Wallace Genetic Foundation
- Knapp-Wilson Award – Maynard Hogberg (’66 agricultural and life sciences education, '72 MS animal science, '76 PhD), professor emeritus and former chair of Iowa State’s Department of Animal Science
- Outstanding Young Professional Award – Caleb Floss (’18 global resource systems, business economics), deputy regional director of Southeast Asia and Oceania for the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council
- ISU Foundation’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award - Stephanie (Carlson) Couser ('13 animal science), assistant vice president of state and national relations for the National Pork Producers Council
CALS Career Day Takes Place Tuesday, Oct. 13
CALS Career Day is Tuesday, Oct. 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lied Recreation Athletic Center. Many student clubs will be hosting mixers and networking night events with industry the evening before the fair. Following Career Day, the Memorial Union is reserved on Wednesday, Oct. 14, for employers to conduct on-campus interviews.
Calendar
Oct. 14: INRC Seminar – Denmark
The Iowa Nutrient Research Center’s fall seminar series continues Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 3:10-4 p.m. virtually. Brian Kronvang, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University, Denmark, will present “Denmark’s Nutrient Management Evolution through Four Decades: Solutions, Effects and Learnings.”
Oct. 14: Charles Bessey Lecture
The Charles E. Bessey Lecture is Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 7 p.m. in 210 Bessey Hall. Thomas Givnish, the Henry Allan Gleason Professor Emeritus at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will present “Phylogenomics and Drivers of Megadiversity in Monocots.”
Oct. 15: Fall Treats with CALS Staff Council
Enjoy fall treats with the CALS Staff Council on Thursday, Oct. 15, from 9:30-11 a.m. at Curtiss Hall, Harl Commons Patio (rain location will be inside Curtiss Hall). Apple cider and pumpkin spice donuts will be available.
Oct. 15: Feeding the World Seminar Series
The Feeding the World seminar series continues Thursday, Oct. 15, from 3:40-4:55 p.m. in the Ensminger Room, 1204 Kildee Hall. Laurens Van der Giessen, the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna, will present “Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources.”
Oct. 16: Animal Breeding and Genetics Seminar
The Animal Breeding and Genetics fall seminar series continues Friday, Oct. 16, from 1:10-2 p.m. in 203 Kildee Hall. Tae Kim, Texas A&M University, will present “Harnessing Expanded CRISPR Tools to Understand and Improve Poultry.”
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.
Communications Kiosk
Beginning a Sentence With "However"
However has been used as a conjunction since the 14th century. Like other conjunctions, it can be used at the beginning of a sentence. But however is more ponderous and has less impact than the simple but. However is more effectively used within a sentence to emphasize the word or phrase that precedes it. “The job seemed exciting at first. Soon, however, it turned out to be exceedingly dull.” (The Chicago Manual of Style, 17th ed., pg. 290)
Infograzing
Measuring Nitrogen Loss in Aquatic Ecosystems
Elizabeth Swanner, earth, atmosphere and climate, contributed to a study that demonstrated a more precise way to measure the natural process of denitrification in lakes and other water bodies. The process involves microbes converting nitrate into common, atmospheric nitrogen. The journal Science published the study.
Researchers Say AI Can Help Protect the Grid from AI-Driven Attacks
Iowa State's Manimaran Govindarasu, electrical and computer engineering, is an invited co-editor of a technical magazine's special issue devoted to cybersecurity of the power grid. The special issue's theme: Use AI security tools against AI attack tools.
Marginalia
A Word for Autumn
“The end of the summer is not the end of the world. Here’s to October…” – A.A. Milne, in his 1920 essay “A Word for Autumn.”
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.