Dear CALS alums and friends,
Welcome to the second annual issue of the new STORIES magazine from your Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences! This is a key way we keep you informed of the happenings here, and we keep our community together. It matters.
Our college has been doing its work since 1858 and is poised for continued excellence, relevance and impact. This year we were ranked #4 in the nation and #7 in the world for agricultural and forestry programs (by QS World University Rankings), our highest rankings ever. We are thrilled to be pushing the boundaries of science and technology, in all aspects of agriculture and life sciences, and in the mission areas of the great land-grant tradition – teaching, research and extension/outreach. We do this with the world’s best students, staff and faculty!
The whole of Iowa State, too, is pushing boundaries and excelling, including as a top 10 ranked undergraduate school for entrepreneurship studies by The Princeton Review. This issue of our magazine is focused on Innovation and Entrepreneurship in CALS, and how we amplify the mottos - Innovate at Iowa State and Science with Practice!
As I write this, I am preparing to step away this summer from the privilege of being the dean of your college, after seven-and-a-half years in the role. I will return to serve here in forestry as the Mary Moffitt Professor of Excellence. That is my original discipline, and something I have always planned to do. I also turned 65 last fall, and that alone gives a person cause to pause and reflect on a career and future plans. I am excited for the next few years to work more closely with students and faculty. I have complete confidence in the college’s broad leadership team to lead forward, and I know that all across the college we are positioned for success! The stories you are about to read are a sampling of the evidence that we are striving and thriving.
So many of you have leaned in and helped our college through your support and encouragement and through telling our stories far and wide. Please continue to do so! I will, too!
As I conclude my role as dean, the college will have the terrific leadership of Ruth MacDonald as interim dean. She has been here more than 20 years, served in a variety of leadership positions, and is an accomplished food scientist.
Wishing you all my very best. Go Cyclones, and I look forward to seeing you around!
Daniel J. Robison, Ph.D.
Dean, Endowed Chair and Professor
Director of the Iowa Agriculture Experiment Station