Congratulations!
Congratulations to Dan Duncan on his appointment as Executive Director of Nebraska Innovation Campus. Dan has served IANR most recently as Assistant Dean and Director of the Ag Research Division. Prior to that, Dan was Director at the Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead. We look forward to working with Dan in this new capacity as he reaches across the University and private sector to build partnerships leveraging our strengths in Food, Fuel, and Water. Congratulations to Dan!
Effective October 5, 2011, Dr. Ron Yoder moved from his current role as Department Head of Biological Systems Engineering to become the IANR Associate Vice Chancellor. In this role, he will chair the newly formed Deans and Unit Heads working group, will oversee IANR promotion and tenure and programmatic reviews, and will serve as the primary leader in implementing recommendations emanating from the IANR to 2025 process, amongst several other responsibilities. Ron will be located in 202 Agricultural Hall. Congratulations to Ron!
Dr. Milford Hanna has agreed to return temporarily to the faculty to assume the role of Interim Head of the Department of Biological Systems Engineering. Dr. Hanna has had a long and distinguished career in the department and will be working closely with us to provide consistent and steady leadership to the program during this interim period. A national search will soon begin to identify a permanent head for Biological Systems Engineering. Dr. Hanna will be located in 223 Chase Hall. Welcome back Milford!
We are excited to announce that Amy Peterson was named as the President of the National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences during their meeting in Albuquerque. She will serve in that role for the next year. In addition, Gail Brand was elected as Central Region Director. Award winners for NEAFCS include: Distinguished Service Award - Cami Wells and Mary Ann Holland; Continued Excellence Award - Jeanne Murray. Congratulations to all who were recognized!
2011 4-H National Science Experiment
The 2011 4-H National Science Experiment Day was held October 8. This experiment was written by F. John Hay and Brad Barker. The experiment titled Wired for Wind teaches youth about engineering design, experimental design, physics, and renewable energy. Youth get to design, build, and test wind turbine blades. In Nebraska, the experiment was done in more than 40 locations teaching over 1,500 youth. Thanks to John and Brad for their work on this project!
Front Door Forum
The Front Door Forum for office support staff was held in Kearney on October 6-7 under the theme of "There's no 'I' in Team." I was privileged to provide the opening welcome followed by several sessions related to professional and personal development and financial management. This in service provides an excellent opportunity for our office support staff to build their working networks and enhance skills that help all of us do our work. Thank you to all who made attendance possible for your office staff. Kudos also go to this year's planning committee chaired by Barbara Junck, Dixon County. Her committee members were: Kathy Beck (Gosper), Linda Boeckner (administrative liaison), Larae Buresh (Lincoln-McPherson), Brenda Kerns (Thayer), Ginny Koranda (Seward), and Stephanie Stanley (York).
-- Elbert C. Dickey