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We celebrated our newest CAFNR graduates this past Saturday. Commencement is the best day in the life of a university – it is inspiring to celebrate our students’ successes and wish them well as a new chapter begins! Fall meetings with faculty have continued with Animal Sciences, Applied Social Sciences and with professional track faculty in Plant Science and Technology. I also met with several “Preparing Future Faculty – Faculty Diversity (PFFFD) Postdoctoral Program” candidates, as well as director candidates for the Southwest and the Central Missouri Research, Extension and Education Centers. Last week, I attended President Choi’s local legislator luncheon and visited Barry and Marge Slayton, great friends of CAFNR. Barry is a CAFNR alumnus and Marge a Mizzou nutrition alumna. They have supported our Division of Animal Sciences and the former HES college for many years. Earlier in the month I attended meetings with the professional track faculty and promotion committee; CAFNR policy committee; and the Institute of Food Technologists finance committee. I participated in the Missouri Farm Bureau Annual Meeting Dec. 6, and in the President’s Fall General Faculty Meeting follow-up Dec. 8. Thanks to the CAFNR Staff Advisory Council and the Division of Food, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences for sponsoring my Traveling Office Hours in Eckles Dec. 9. I enjoyed visiting with faculty and staff in the east campus area, and indulging myself with a sampling of Buck’s seasonal ice cream! That same day I attended a Meat Processing Workforce Development Program discussion. Later that day I presented an update on the Missouri Agricultural Experiment Station restructure to the Missouri Corn Growers Association Board of Directors in Jefferson City, and welcomed Michael DeCesare of Swift Prepared Foods to MU and Columbia. Dec. 3 we brought together the CAFNR Administrative Leadership Council (CALC) and the CAFNR Foundation for a joint update on our Drive to Distinction. We also celebrated the generational giving of the Wenneker family with a dedication in the Ag Building, naming the Wenneker Family Conference Room honoring Dr. Homer Patrick and Ronald R. Wenneker. It was truly an inspirational event! I wish you and your family happy and healthy holidays. I hope the break is refreshing and relaxing, and I look forward to seeing all of you in 2022! CAFNR Proud, Christopher R. Daubert, Ph.D.
CAFNR Vice Chancellor & Dean |
