I always say April is the busiest month at a university, and this year is no exception! I am thrilled we successfully launched our strategic plan, Drive to Distinction. Following months of hard work, we now have defined priorities with goals for the College that will push CAFNR to excellence. Also as part of the strategic plan launch, we announced our seven inaugural Programs of Distinction. These existing examples of excellence help set CAFNR apart from other colleges across the country. See the finished plan on our website, and learn more about our inaugural class of CAFNR’s Programs of Distinction. Reengaging with our emeriti faculty has been a highlight for me since I joined CAFNR. Earlier this month, I enjoyed sharing our vision for the College they helped build, just days after the plan’s rollout. CAFNR’s 150th anniversary is not far off, and the emeriti, along with many of you, will help determine the best ways to recognize this important and historic milestone for the College. I was honored to introduce UM System President Mun Choi at the Agricultural Business Council of Kansas City luncheon last week. President Choi spoke to the group about the many contributions CAFNR makes to Missouri agriculture and how the UM System intends to invest in the future of agriculture. I enjoyed celebrating CAFNR’s outstanding faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends at our annual spring awards ceremony, Celebration of Excellence, on April 11. I am always impressed with the accomplishments we recognize each year! I was also honored to be in attendance to recognize two of our emeritus faculty members earlier in the month, as Doug Randall and Ed Coe received awards from the St. Louis Academy of Science. I always appreciate connecting with our amazing team of Research Center superintendents at the spring meeting, this year on April 4 at South Farm Research Center. It also was great to visit with Dr. Abner Womack and other faculty and staff from CAFNR’s Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (one of our inaugural Programs of Distinction!) as they hosted the informative and impactful 2019 Abner Womack Missouri Agriculture Outlook Conference April 17 at Bradford Research Center. I attended the Extension state specialist meeting just earlier today. Thanks to these groups for all they do for Missouri agriculture and natural resources. I hope you will join us for the William A. Albrecht Earth Day lecture this afternoon. Dr. Albrecht, a CAFNR faculty member for more than 40 years, was the foremost expert in the field of soil fertility and health, and we are proud that his legacy lives on through this annual event. This week I look forward to attending the Boone County Cattlemen’s Association Scholarship Banquet, a meeting with the Legion of Black Collegians, and the Missouri FFA Convention held each year on campus. On Saturday, I look forward to addressing donors and friends at CAFNR’s Monticello Society Brunch. I encourage all of you to consider becoming involved with our CAFNR giving society. I value the opportunities to connect with so many different groups this month, as we make our final push to graduation – the greatest day in the life of a university! Speaking of graduation, I am proud to announce that Missouri Governor Mike Parson will be our speaker for the CAFNR commencement ceremony on May 18. I hope you will consider joining us as we celebrate our new graduates – and the end to a busy semester! |