The Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology
Message From the Dean
Jordan College Summer 2020 Newsletter
We can all agree that the world has changed immensely in a few short months.
Phrases unknown in February such as coronavirus, social distancing, and COVID-19 became staples of everyday conversation by the end of March.
We began ‘sheltering in place’, zooming, and wearing masks. Now we all hope for a ‘reopening’ of our lives, our communities, and the nation -- a reopening that will not be a return to normal.
Nevertheless, we have hope.
Hope in the form of graduating students like those featured in this newsletter that have completed internships, done research projects, helped children through our Ag Discovery program, worked on the University Farm and have been recognized for outstanding performance.
Hope in the form of outstanding staff like Mark Salwasser and his team that have kept the University Farm operating and Tom Montgomery (our winemaker) both featured here.
Hope in the form of our faculty such as Dr. Aimee Rickman recognized as an Educator of the Year. And hope in the form of alumni and friends who have generously provided support to College.
Featured in this newsletter is the Donald E Gumz estate gift to Viticulture and Enology and Center for Irrigation Technology (CIT), and a Land O’ Lakes for a gift to the Dairy Diagnostics Lab (Karen and Richard Spencer, and Danny Freitas were also instrumental in this gift). Others also continue to provide support and their stories will yet be told.
I am appreciative of all who have taken time to help me better understand the role the Jordan College can/should play not only locally but nationally and even internationally (see the Advanced Olive Milling Seminar story). Your advice and input is greatly appreciated. Stay healthy!
Dennis Nef
Dean, Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology