September was a most exciting month, showcasing what we do in CAFNR! Ag Day, a joint celebration with MU Extension as part of the Sept. 16 football game vs. K-State, was a great day to highlight ag facts, our leaders and to celebrate everyone who works in agriculture across the state! I was honored to check off a “bucket list” item and guest conduct Marching Mizzou during pregame festivities. What an exciting game! The reimagined CAFNR Showcase at South Farm brought together our divisions, presenting degree programs and fields of study with hands-on learning opportunities for families. It was a wonderful opportunity to share CAFNR’s work with the greater Columbia community! Last week was CAFNR Week, a week that included events for students, faculty and staff, including the Fall CAFNR/Arts & Science Career Fair and the CAFNR Research Symposium. We also welcomed alumna Susan Combs as part of our Executive-in-Residence program. The Research Symposium showcased work by our faculty, staff, students and postdoctoral fellows, and featured an address by alumnus Manjit Misra, director of the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The Career Fair and Executive-in-Residence help students see themselves in a future career and provides opportunities to network with industry colleagues. Thanks to everyone who helped bring these important outreach and learning opportunities to life! Coming up in October, I will: - Attend Institute of Food Technologists’ Council of Food Science Administrators/Association of Nutrition Departments and Programs meetings at Purdue University
- Attend Mizzou Hall of Fame Celebration, recognizing Director Sara Parker Pauley of the Missouri Department of Conservation.
- Visit with alumni and friends at the CAFNR Homecoming Parade Watch Party
- Attend APLU Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching Executive Committee meetings in Washington, D.C.
- Meet with Bradley Schad of Missouri Corn Growers Association
- Join Provost’s Promotion and Tenure Workshop for CAFNR faculty
- Attend MU Campus Master Plan Meeting
- Visit with CAFNR faculty and staff at Staff Advisory Council’s Fall Lunch & Mingle event
- Participate in program review for Plant Sciences
Please make plans to join our colleagues in MU Extension for Extension and Engagement Week activities Oct. 24-26. They have a robust slate of speakers, workshops and other activities centered around the theme “All Things Youth.” Note especially the keynote presentation – Orion Jean, 2021 TIME Kid of the Year, will share “What My Generation Needs from You” at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 25, in Jesse Auditorium. Sign up for this session and much more. Finally, I hope you will attend Novemberfest next month, where each year I share an update on CAFNR, as well as delicious Thanksgiving-themed food as a “Thank You” for everything you do for our college! I hope to see you at 3 p.m., Friday, Nov. 10, in Monsanto Auditorium. CAFNR Proud, Christopher R. Daubert, Ph.D.
CAFNR Vice Chancellor & Dean |