Sharing the story of our college as fully as possible, and with as many people as I can, is one of my highest and most enjoyable priorities. That’s why I am pleased to present to you the next iteration of our college magazine, CAHNRS Confluence.
It’s hard to believe that more than a year has gone by since I first started in my role as the inaugural Cashup Davis Family Endowed Dean for CAHNRS. Looking back, I am amazed at how much we have accomplished across academics, research, and Extension: from fostering life-changing student experiences at home and around the globe, to earning recognition by diverse partners including Wine Enthusiast magazine for our outstanding research scientists, to the launch of the new CAHNRS Community Fund. This magazine is your window on our work, relating the identity and spirit of CAHNRS.
From the beginning, I knew there was no shortage of good stories to be told about CAHNRS students, faculty, and staff. That is one of the reasons why I decided to start a weekly blog, ensuring our friends and partners receive regular updates on how we are working every day to advance the land-grant mission and create a more resilient Washington.
In these pages, you will see how our Research and Extension Centers are helping growers, partners, and producers thrive. You will learn about new scholarship opportunities for current and prospective students, and experience the 50th anniversary of the Master Gardener Program, an organization founded in Washington state in 1973 through WSU Extension.
Read ahead to learn about alumnus Gordon Davis’s new book on an intrepid pioneer ancestor, discover the origins of Cougar Gold cheese, and meet scientists engaged in cutting-edge plant science research. Throughout, you’ll see how CAHNRS is positioned to make a more resilient Washington by training an adaptable workforce, helping to create food security, stewarding our natural resources, and striving to support healthy, thriving communities, families, and individuals.
While this magazine provides just a snapshot of all the important work being done in CAHNRS, I welcome you to visit us online to learn even more. Whether you or someone you know wants to enroll in one of our programs, or if you are looking for ways to get involved through our volunteer projects, feel inspired to support our college, or would like to subscribe to my blog, you can find it all on our new website. I do hope you pay us a visit— either in person or virtually—and that you enjoy this issue of CAHNRS Confluence.
GO CAHNRS COUGS!