In this Edition

  • A Message from Dr. Bajwa
  • Upcoming funding opportunities 
  • Awards and Successes
  • Important Notes
  • COA/MAES in the news

A Message from Dr. Bajwa

Dear COA/MAES Family,This month, we got to see the vagaries of weather and effects of climate change up close. My heart goes out to those of you who were impacted by the Bridger Foothills Fire. Be aware of the conditions around you and take the utmost care to protect yourselves.In spite of the stresses of fires and the pandemic, we do have things to celebrate. While MSU had a year of record research expenditures of $167 million, our college excelled with nearly $45 million in total expenditures, more than any other college on campus. MSU has reported its fifth-highest enrollment at 16,249, even amidst all the uncertainty that this pandemic has brought. Along with that, to see our highest-ever rate of retention at 78.2% is truly inspiring. This means that more students are choosing to remain at MSU to continue their studies, to trust us with their health and safety as well as their education, and to walk away with an MSU diploma. The Fall enrollment in the college showed a slight decline from last year with 1903 students, the second highest in the history of our college.As the semester continues, remember to take stock of your well-being and remember that we are in this together. I appreciate your participation in the college health challenge and joining me on my urban hikes. These walks are fun and relaxing. I hope to see many more of you joining me in those hikes in the future. Our new faculty onboarding program is off to a great start. The group had a great discussion of the book "Land-Grant Universities of the Future" by Stephen Gavazzi and Gordon Gee. It will give you a good insight into the mission, history, and challenges and opportunities facing land-grant universities today. I recommend this book to everyone in our college.I have been so proud to watch the care and compassion with which our faculty, staff and students are approaching this, a school year unlike any other. Wishing you a safe, successful and inclusive fall semester.Sincerely, 

Sreekala Bajwa

Upcoming Funding Opportunities

Don't forget to email reagan.colyer@montana.edu with news and developments, including grants, awards, recognitions and research projects you'd like to see featured.

Awards and Successes

  • Animal and Range Sciences undergraduate Haylee Barkley is a coauthor on a new document outlining plants that are poisonous to livestock in Montana and Wyoming. Haylee partnered with the USDA, MSU Extension and the University of Wyoming, making contributions alongside prominent researchers in the field of natural resources. We are lucky to have such incredible undergraduates! You can see the final document attached to this email.  
  • Clain Jones received the Soil Science Society of America's Soil Science Education and Extension Award: Clain provides information to gardeners, farmers, Extension agents and crop advisers on soil nutrient cycling and management. He is actively involved in research of issues that affect farm sustainability and shares results through presentations, bulletins, popular press articles, video, on-line tools, as well as one-on-one interactions. The Soil Science Education and Extension Award recognizes these educational achievements and scientists making outstanding educational contributions through activities such as resident, extension, or industrial education. 

Important Notices

The University Research Capacity team has shared the following resources for faculty, which can be accessed through their respective links: Online and Blended Teaching, Welcome New Faculty Website, Guidance for Faculty and GTAs Around COVID-19 Procedures and Best practices for facilitating an online workshop. The annual report of activities for the CFE is attached to this email.

The MSU Leadership Institute has created resources on COVID-19 and racial justice as they pertain to cultivating leadership, developing racial consciousness, building resilience, facilitating high-stakes conversations, and mobilizing positive social change. You can find those resources here.  

COA/MAES in the News

MSU doctoral student prioritizes excellence in teaching with enhancement grant

Steer-A-Year program seeks donations for 2020-21 academic year

MSU graduate places in national economics competition

MSU's virtual Celebrate Agriculture weekend scheduled for Nov. 13-14

MSU beef specialist honored for Extension work

MSU professor recognized with national teaching excellence award