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What an exciting month! I am pleased to share with you that our CAFNR delegation’s visit to the recent Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) annual conference was quite “rewarding.” While there, our own John Tummons received a prestigious award from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Dr. Tummons was honored with the National Teaching and Student Engagement award on Sunday, Nov. 10, in San Diego. I am so proud of Dr. Tummons and his dedication to our students. He is the seventh CAFNR faculty member to receive a national USDA teaching award. Also this month I attended the Pearls of Production: Women in Agriculture Conference with Sarah Lovell, director of our Center for Agroforestry. The conference included a visit to our Horticultural and Agroforestry Research Center (HARC). On Nov. 1, I attended the ALOT (Agriculture Leaders of Tomorrow) Annual Meeting and Dinner, where Mark Langworthy, our senior director for advancement, was honored with their Workhorse Award. I also took part in the Our Time to Lead event in Kansas City and in meetings with Kansas State University, with UM System President Mun Choi, to discuss collaborative opportunities. I appreciated the opportunity to connect with Cathy East, our most recent CAFNR Executive-in-Residence and CAFNR alumna, while she was on campus earlier this month. What an amazing chance for our students to hear from the best in their career fields! I enjoyed presenting to a CAFNR Ag Leadership and Policy class Nov. 6. I always appreciate the opportunity to be back in the classroom! I also was pleased to attend the SNR Recognition Banquet later that evening. It has been beneficial to be part of two recent retreats. We held the CAFNR Division Director Retreat on Nov. 7, and I was part of the Provost’s Steering Committee Retreat Nov. 15. It is always good to set aside time for reflection, discussion and planning for looming challenges. I am pleased to announce that a search committee has been formed to help us identify the next director of our Division of Plant Sciences. The goal is to have a director in place in 2020. It was standing-room only when Mizzou and city officials cut the ribbon on the new East Campus Plant Growth Facility last Friday! This building is vital to the work our plant scientists do to help feed the world’s growing population. Many CAFNR faculty and staff members were instrumental in this project. Still this week I will attend Mizzou’s International Engagement Reception, where Mizzou faculty and staff members – including some from CAFNR – will be honored for work internationally. I will lead a panel conversation as part of the Danforth Plant Science Center’s Venture Café Panel tomorrow evening in St. Louis, to discuss work force preparation for the digital age of farming. I also will have lunch with a delegation from Western Cape, South Africa, and visit with leadership from the Missouri Department of Conservation. I look forward to our third Novemberfest this coming Friday! I always enjoy sharing with you the amazing things going on in our college. Please note the location change from the past two years – the event will be held at the Missouri Theatre, starting at 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22. My sincere wishes to all for a wonderful Thanksgiving. Working with you is what makes my job great, and something for which I am truly thankful. I wish you all the best this holiday season! CAFNR Proud! Christopher R. Daubert, Ph.D.
CAFNR Vice Chancellor & Dean |
