|
|||
February 2011 |
|||
From the
Dean
Colleagues, Last weekend, about a thousand of our closest friends braved the (really ugly) winter weather and gathered for the Purdue Ag Alumni Fish Fry. The Fish Fry is a real highlight of the year for me because it’s just such a great time to get together with alumni and friends of our College for some fellowship, conversation, and fun. We were honored to host Dan Glickman, former Secretary of Agriculture and now Senior Fellow and Co-Chair of the Democracy Project at the Bipartisan Policy Center. Mr. Glickman also co-chairs a bipartisan initiative on global agriculture and hunger for the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and he spoke on “Renewing American Leadership in the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty.” In my comments to our Fish Fry audience, I talked about our College’s goal of being the national model for the 21st Century land-grant College of Agriculture, and the three ingredients that will be required to reach that aspirational goal: excellence in all three mission areas - learning, discovery and Extension/engagement; focus on important issues and areas where we can lever our strengths and contribute in a meaningful way to solutions; and partnerships—with commodity organizations, the state, industry, other land grant universities, and other colleges on campus, among others—to address the challenges we face at the local, state, national and global levels. With 2012 being the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act, it is a great time to reflect on just what it means to be a land grant college of agriculture, and how to put this powerful model to work in service to society. The Ag Forecast (a regular event held just before the Fish Fry) featured a discussion moderated by Associate Dean Karen Plaut and panelists Paul Ebner, Don Lay, and Scott Radcliffe from the Animal Sciences Department as well as incoming Animal Sciences Department Head Alan Mathew. The morning’s discussion topic was “Animal Agriculture Research: Improving the Health, Environment and Well-Being of People and Animals”. The group did a great job of showcasing some of the important work happening at Purdue in support of the animal industries. In spite of some very challenging weather and road conditions, it was a great day. My thanks go to Donya Lester, Executive Secretary of the Purdue Ag Alumni Association, and her amazing army of volunteers – Purdue Agriculture faculty, staff, and students and others who made the 2011 Ag Alumni Fish Fry another great success.
All the best,
News Around Purdue Agriculture
Trustees vote to explore Wind Energy ParkPurdue's Board of Trustees on Feb. 4 voted to allow the university to pursue leasing land as part of a 60-turbine commercial wind energy park to create and enhance Purdue research and educational opportunities. The wind energy park is a project of the university in partnership with Purdue Research Foundation, General Electric Co. and Performance Services Inc.
The project has some overarching principles that must be met before approval. One of these states that the project must ‘do no harm with respect to farm operations and research’. To that end, there are some issues that must be addressed going forward. In particular, we have to address issues with respect to 1) farm operations; 2) waste management; 3) current and future research and research facilities at both ASREC and the Agronomy Center for Research and Education (ACRE). A number of individuals in the Agriculture Research Programs office, the Department of Animal Sciences and the Department of Agronomy are working on acceptable solutions to these issues. The same group plus others are also exploring research and educational opportunities around waste management, renewable energy, and implications for crop production. The Trustees have until July to make a final decision on this project. Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/general/2011/110204BOTWindpark.html
Animal agriculture focus of Purdue Ag Forecast discussionPurdue Agriculture's work in improving the health, environment and welfare of people and animals was the topic of the Feb. 5 Ag Forecast panel discussion before the Purdue Agriculture Alumni Fish Fry. The Ag Forecast discussion also included animal agriculture's importance to the Indiana economy. Panelists from the Animal Sciences department were Paul Ebner, an assistant professor who specializes in microbiology; Don Lay, an adjunct professor who focuses on animal behavior and well-being; and Scott Radcliffe, an associate professor who studies swine nutrition. Moderator Karen Plaut, associate dean of the College of Agriculture and director of agricultural research programs, said the discussion showcased the latest research by Department of Animal Sciences faculty supporting animal agriculture in Indiana. Full story: http://www.ag.purdue.edu/agcomm/Pages/agnews.aspx
Call for applications/nominations for Spirit of the Land Grant Mission AwardThe “Spirit of the Land Grant Mission Award” is open to eligible faculty in the College of Agriculture, College of Health and Human Sciences, and the School of Veterinary Medicine. The award recognizes an individual faculty member for excellence in integrating and promoting Purdue Agriculture’s core mission of discovery, engagement, and learning. The award winner will receive a plaque and $10,000 to support his/her program, along with an honorarium from the Robert O. and Zelma C. Swaim Memorial Fund. All applications are due to Wendy Madore (wmadore@purdue.edu) by March 11, 2011. Plants can adapt genetically to survive harsh environments Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/research/2011/110131SaltSodium.html Wineries, Purdue wine team report strong Traminette growth
Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/general/2011/110131ButzkeTraminette.html
Wheat resistance genes failing, new approach needed to stop flies
Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/research/2011/110124ShukleGenes.html
Purdue Wraps Up Emission Study
Full story: https://engineering.purdue.edu/ABE/AboutUs/NewsAndEvents/Spotlights/PurdueWrapsUpEmissionStudy Economist: Higher wheat acreage a return to normal
Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/general/2011/110113HurtWheat.html Linton and Mauer featured as "Difference Makers"Access to safe and available food is a basic human need and one that is foremost on the mind of Purdue researchers such as Lisa Mauer, associate professor of food science, and Richard Linton, who guides the University's Center for Food Safety Engineering. Learn what inspires these two and other researchers in food safety and security on the Difference Makers website at www.purdue.edu/differencemakers/food-safety.html.
Rick Foster and others meet to strengthen ties between N. American and Afghan universitiesWestern universities can play a crucial role in rebuilding war-torn Afghanistan but must make sure they listen to local needs and connect with the government's education plan, said Afghan higher-education officials at a conference in January. The meeting, which was organized by Ball State University and sponsored by Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and the U.S. State Department, brought together university and government leaders to discuss ways to strengthen ties between North American and Afghan higher-education institutions. Full story: http://www.ag.purdue.edu/entm/Pages/default.aspx
Global Policy Research Institute awards grants to address global challenges
Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/general/2011/110124DiazGPRI.html
Animal Sciences student featured as "Discovery Maker"
New College calendar now online
Administration: Tanya Dimmich; IPIA: Carole Braund; CES: Teresa Rogers; Ag Comm: Christine Strawsma; AGEC: Brenda Pearl; AGRY: Sandy Spitznagle; ANSC: Diane Patterson; BCHM: Kristi Trimble; BTNY: Pam Mow; ENTM: Paula Layden; FS: Steve Gauger; FNR: Marlene Mann; HLA: Colleen Flynn; YDAE: Jane Robertson Bookmark this link: http://www.ag.purdue.edu/Lists/Agriculture%20Calendar/calendar.aspx
Awards and Recognitions
11 receive Ag Alumni Association's top award
Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/general/2011/110207LesterAwards.html
Dean Jay Akridge has been elected to the Farm Foundation, NFP Round Table. A program of Farm Foundation, NFP, the Farm Foundation Round Table is an invitational discussion forum comprised of leaders from across the food chain and across North America. The Round Table meets twice yearly to provide a forum for discussion and interaction among members and invited government, academic, agribusiness and other interest group leaders. Farm Foundation, NFP, a 501(c)(3) public charity, serves as a catalyst for sound public policy by providing objective information to foster deeper understanding of issues shaping the future for agriculture, food systems and rural regions.
University News
Purdue team recommends budget actions to reduce operating plan by $67 million; proposes plan to continue effortAs Purdue University nears its goal of identifying approaches to save $67.4 million from the West Lafayette campus budget, it also is taking steps to continue the effort. "We plan to institutionalize the approach that we used to come up with this plan," said Al Diaz, executive vice president for business and finance, treasurer. "We not only are identifying plans to save money in the near term, but we also are building an organizational framework to continue our efforts toward continuous improvement." Ken Sandel, director of physical and capital planning and manager for the project called Sustaining New Synergies, outlined the effort for the Finance Committee of the Board of Trustees on Feb. 3. Full story: http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/general/2011/110204DiazSNS.html New web site up for surplus propertyPurdue University’s Warehouse and Surplus, operated by Materials Management and Distribution Services, now has a new website that includes a feature designed to streamline the exchange between departments of University property such as furniture, lab equipment, and even vehicles. The website, www.purdue.edu/surplus is up and running now. The feature, Billboard, operates much like the public domain Craigslist, with listings of Purdue-owned items that are available for free or purchase and those that are wanted on the “Want” list. Recently posted items included a copier, spot welder, cloth bulletin boards and a choral riser. The site, which includes listings from regional campuses, is designed to streamline the mandatory 14-day period during which University goods must be offered for internal campus use before being sent on to the warehouse for public sale. It will centralize transactions that in the past have taken place on a more casual basis — from department to department or by word of mouth. Users must have a Purdue career account and password to sign on and access listings, post items, or add to the ‘want’ list. They must also have a form — available on the site — indicating departmental approval. Nominations needed for Outstanding Innovation in Helping Students Learn awardNominations are being sought for the Class of 1922 Outstanding Innovation in Helping Students Learn award. All Purdue faculty, staff and graduate students who have developed innovative techniques to help students learn are eligible for the $6,000 award. Candidates may either petition directly for the award or be nominated by colleagues, students or alumni. More information about the award, along with the cover sheet that must accompany nominations, is available as a PDF file or at www.purdue.edu/provost/shtml/faculty/awards.html. The deadline for submitting nominations for the Helping Students Learn Award is 5 p.m. Feb. 25 Nominations sought for Rose Awards, Helen B. Schleman Gold MedallionThe Barbara Cook Chapter of Mortar Board is accepting nominations for the Rose Awards and the Helen B. Schleman Gold Medallion through March 4. The Rose Awards are presented to members of the clerical or service staff at Purdue who always go above and beyond the call of duty. Up to a dozen honorees receive a dozen roses in a surprise tribute at their workplace. Nominations may be made at http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~mortarbd/awards/rose.php. The Helen B. Schleman Gold Medallion honors the legacy of Dean Helen B. Schleman, who served as dean of women from 1947 to 1968. The award is presented to a deserving faculty member or administrator for his or her contributions to Purdue, especially in the promotion and advancement of women students and women’s issues. The nomination form and selection criteria are available at http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~mortarbd/awards/gold.medallion.php. A brief statement of achievements and a curriculum vitae will be sufficient for nominations. Additional information and materials are encouraged but are not required. For more information, e-mail Kyle Maple at kmaple@purdue.edu.
Mark Your Calendar
Check the College online calendar for all events, seminars and deadlines here: http://www.ag.purdue.edu/Lists/Agriculture%20Calendar/calendar.aspx |
|||
|
|||