It is wonderful to see fall come to campus, even when everything else seems different this academic year. We have had spectacular weather of late, and I hope you were able to enjoy some of the virtual homecoming festivities last week. Homecoming traditions are special at Mizzou, and the celebration will continue through the end of the month due to the football game postponement. I have been meeting virtually with colleagues across the country in different capacities this month. I was named “chair-elect” for the North Central Section of the APLU Administrative Heads Section Executive Committee at their meeting on Oct. 1. Last week I participated in a call with deans of Midwest colleges of agriculture to discuss the handling of COVID-related issues on our campuses. Also last week, I attended the 2020 Conservation Partners Virtual Roundtable sponsored by our partners in the Missouri Department of Conservation, as well as the 2020 Borlaug Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) Communication Award Presentation. This week, as a member of the Institute of Food Technologists Board of Directors, I will participate in a strategic planning meeting. And next week, as a CAST Board of Trustees member, I’ll virtually engage in their annual meeting. Thank you to our CAFNR Alumni Association board and our director of alumni relations, Kaleigh Summers, for allowing me to kick off their virtual CAFNR Conversations lunchtime webinar series earlier this month! I was amazed by the quantity and quality of the questions our alumni had for me. This series will be a great opportunity for our alumni to learn more about their college. Also, I am thrilled to announce that next week we will be honoring the 2020 recipients of our CAFNR Column Awards, albeit virtually. Please keep an eye on CAFNR’s website and social media outlets to learn about the six alumni chosen for this prestigious honor, Oct. 27-29. As always, I look forward to seeing our CAFNR students this week at the Student Council meeting. I am thankful for everyone who participated in the candidate interviews for the Division of Plant Sciences director position over the past few weeks. Your feedback is very helpful to the selection process. Last week I joined the Division of Applied Social Sciences (again, virtually!) for a faculty meeting. And next week, I’ve been invited to speak with Extension field specialists at the Plant Sciences Extension ISE event. Tomorrow we will enjoy our last virtual field day (South Farm Research Center) brought to us by our CAFNR Agricultural Research Centers. Thanks to everyone who worked to bring those field days to life, including Research Center and Experiment Station staff and researchers, and our communications team. You can find landing pages for all of the events here – I am certain everyone will find something of interest in the videos by our talented researchers. As a follow-up to the virtual field days, I’ve been meeting with our Research Center superintendents and advisory board chairs, as well. I hope you might consider participating in Mizzou’s United Way campaign this fall. United Way benefits so many worthy organizations in our community, and you are able to designate your donation directly to the philanthropies you would like to support. Even if you are not able to give this year, please take time to fill out the form and participate in that way (login with your pawprint to see the giving form). CAFNR has a tremendous record for high participation in Mizzou’s United Way campaign! As a reminder, please take time to participate, as you are able, in the UM System’s Extension and Engagement Week Oct. 26-30. This week-long celebration — with events from all four UM System campuses — will showcase the impact of Extension programming and university engagement. Unfortunately, we will not be holding our annual Novemberfest event this year. Seeing you and expressing my appreciation to you just before Thanksgiving has been a big highlight of my fall in years past! Please know that I will miss celebrating you and celebrating with you. CAFNR Proud, Christopher R. Daubert, Ph.D.
CAFNR Vice Chancellor & Dean |