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CELEBRATING OUR FALL 2022 GRADUATING STUDENTS |
The fall 2022 CALS Convocation took place Dec. 16 in Hilton Coliseum, where 93 graduating undergraduate students walked across the stage to celebrate their accomplishments. Jen Merryman (forestry) was the CALS Convocation speaker, sharing how life changes. Payten Watson (food science) was the CALS student marshal at the university's undergraduate commencement Dec. 17, also in Hilton Coliseum. Find convocation photos here.
Six graduating seniors were presented awards by the CALS Student Council during convocation:
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Emma Parkins (ag and life sciences education - communication option) - Outstanding Senior Award
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Hunter Field (animal science) - Leadership Excellence Award
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Grace Howe (ag and rural policy studies) - Academic Achievement Award
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Lauren Mosher (ag and life sciences education - communication option) - Distinguished Service Award
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Andrew Boschert (animal science) - Outstanding Ambassador of Agriculture and Life Sciences Award
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Fatima Najar (forestry) - Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion Award
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ESTABLISHED NETWORK LEADS TO INTERNSHIP, CAREER FOR GRADUATING SENIOR |
A family friend introduced Jacob Mefford to the world of food science, and he’s been hooked ever since. Mefford, who graduated this month with a food science degree, spent two summers interning at a flavor company in Illinois. Following a successful internship with Niagara Bottling in California, he will return there early next year to begin a rotational program, gaining experience working in several departments within the company. More |
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STUDENT PROMOTES EXOTIC PET CARE THROUGH BUSINESS |
Cameryn Schafer, senior in animal ecology, is passionate about exotic pets, which is why she established Spock’s Sanctuary. She and Cole Reiman (‘21 ag and life sciences education) opened this animal rescue operation at their home in Fontanelle, Iowa, to rehabilitate and rehome reptiles and amphibians that previously received inadequate attention. Schafer attributes a large part of her startup’s success to her involvement in Start Something College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. More |
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STUDENTS TEAM UP TO TACKLE FOOD INSECURITY |
Food insecurity is a global concern, but it can also strike close to home. The complexity of this issue cannot be solved with a single solution — it must be approached from multiple angles. Students in CALS teamed up with students from various other departments to compete in Iowa State’s first-ever Food Insecurity Challenge. The event, hosted by CALS, the Ivy College of Business and the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, was designed to encourage participants to think critically about combating food insecurity. More |
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LASERS IDENTIFIED AS MEANS TO GET CHICKENS MOVING |
Motivating broiler chickens to move using specially designed lasers can boost animal welfare and improve meat quality. Elizabeth Bobeck and Anna Johnson, animal science, partnered with Signify, a livestock lighting company, to create a second-generation novel laser device for this study. Their research shows periodically projecting randomly moving, dot-sized laser lights on the floor of broiler pens stimulates birds’ predatory instincts and encourages them to be more active. More |
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IOWA FARMLAND VALUES HIT ALL-TIME HIGH |
One year after skyrocketing 29%, the average value of an acre of Iowa farmland jumped another 17%, or $1,660, to $11,411 per acre. The nominal value of an acre of farmland is again higher this year than at any point since Iowa State began surveying values in 1941. When adjusting for inflation, the 2022 average value surpasses the previous inflation-adjusted record value set in 2013 for the first time. This year's survey asked respondents about their views of current farmland values - 70% feel that current land values are "too high" or "way too high." More |
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ISU EXTENSION AND OUTREACH RESOURCES, EVENTS |
These are just a few of the many new and updated resources and upcoming events from ISU Extension and Outreach - Agriculture and Natural Resources. See more.
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WOMEN IMPACTING AGRICULTURE HONOREES NAMED |
Three CALS alumni are among this year's Women Impacting Agriculture honorees. The award is in recognition of the positive changes they are making in Iowa agriculture. These women are Laura Cunningham ('10 ag business), Bridget Mahoney ('09 animal science, ag and life sciences education, '11 MS ag and life sciences education) and Tara Neal ('02 ag and life sciences education). More |
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LYMAN NAMED ILLINOIS BEEF ASSOCIATION MEMBER OF THE YEAR |
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Al Lyman ('87 ag studies), was named the inaugural recipient of the Illinois Beef Association Member of the Year award. He and his wife, Karen ('86 agronomy), operate Hadley Farms, Inc., in Cambridge, Illinois. Lyman has been heavily involved in Illinois' beef industry, serving on various boards and associations, and encourages fellow cattle producers to do the same. "If you have a passion for the industry and want to be involved, please be involved," Lyman says. More |
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UNRUH TO RECEIVE AWARD FOR ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP |
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Bryan Unruh ('95 PhD horticulture), a University of Florida professor and associate director of the West Florida Research and Education Center, will receive the Golf Course Superintendents Association of America's 2023 President's Award for Environmental Stewardship. The award is in recognition of his efforts to develop and expand golf course best management practices. Unruh was the leading force behind GCSAA's initiative to have BMP manuals created for all 50 states, a goal that was achieved in 2020. More |
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Have feedback to share about STORIES Online?
Want to share career news or accomplishments with fellow alumni and friends?
Email calscomm@iastate.edu.
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