College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources: 17th Annual Report August 1, 2009-July 31, 2010

Introduction excerpt Seventeenth Annual Report for the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR). Reflects on the accomplishments of our faculty, staff and students, reviews the year, and serves as an archive of accomplishments. Primarily covers the period August 1, 2009 to July 31, 2010. Seventy-three schools competed for recognition as innovators in undergraduate education. Only 16 were selected. UNL is one of the 16 - the only one in our peer group as well as the only one in the Big 12. In fact, UNL is one of only five major research universities to be named ‘first tier’ for our innovative programs for students. The other universities are Duke University, the University of Michigan, the University of Southern California and the State University of New York at Stony Brook. We are also one of only 17 universities in the nation that are designated both landgrant and AAU. UNL continues its status as the most popular (yield of applications) public university in the country by U.S. News and World Report in its on-line rankings. We are ranked fourth among all Universities, private or public. The three private universities ranked ahead of us are Brigham Young, Harvard and Stanford. Over the past decade our UNL Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources (IANR) scientists are among the most-cited agricultural scientists in the world. The ISE Essential Science Indicators Report, 1996-2006, indexes nearly 9,000 journals, tracking how often articles are cited by other authors. IANR is 17th in the world, 12th among universities worldwide, and 9th among American universities. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension leads the nation in 4-H participation of age-eligible youth. The College’s has exceptional partners in the landgrant mission. In IANR, our faculty and staff so thoroughly integrate teaching, research and extension education that the success of each is the success of all. UNL is a very special place for undergraduate education and CASNR is unique among the colleges of UNL. • During the past five years (2005-2009) CASNR undergraduate enrollment [includes UNO/CASNR, excludes CAS (BIOC) and CE (AGEN and BSEN) undergraduate students] has grown 39.1%. During the same period UNL undergraduate enrollment grew 11.2% and if the CASNR data is removed from the data set, UNL (excluding CASNR) grew 9.0%. • The vast majority of our students have a faculty adviser, some benefit from professional academic advisers complemented by faculty career mentors. • Our College has the highest retention rate (90% freshman to sophomore) at UNL. • We have 40 student organizations that enrich the undergraduate experience. • Craig Brester, a Mechanized Systems Management major was named Nebraska\u27s 2010 Senior Male Student-Athlete of the Year. Craig was a walk-on wrestler who defied odds to become a three-time NCAA All-American. • 148 students registered for the Salute to Graduates ceremony held on May 7 which was attended by almost 750 parents and friends. • The Doctor of Plant Health enrolled its first student, becoming the second professional program administered by the College. • The second UNL/CASNR class in the professional program in veterinary medicine completed its two-year curriculum and will continue at Iowa State University this fall. • The College graduated its first student from the on-line degree completion program. • Forty-nine percent of CASNR students have college and/or departmental scholarships. During the 2009- 2010 academic year, the College awarded 921 scholarships to 822 students amounting to over $899,846. • CASNR has a global campus with 99 students studying in 12 countries during the 2009-2010 academic year and summer 2010. • Nearly 310 students participated in credentialed undergraduate research (84 in UCARE and the remainder in for-credit undergraduate research activities) and another 254 reported that they had a formal internship. • We are the only College at UNL--and the only College among our peers--that has the “Ensuring Your Future” program which guarantees a job offer in their professional area within the first six months after graduation for those students fulfilling the requirements. • Our College has one of the only satellite offices of Career Services dedicated to assisting CASNR students with finding internships and post-graduation employment. About 96% of our students (based on survey) find jobs in their fields or continue with their professional education. We routinely have one of the largest Career Fairs on campus with over 500 students visiting with representatives from 57 employing organizations about internships and full time positions last fall. • We are now on Facebook (www.facebook.com/unlcasnr) and currently have 695 fans. • Based on the Nebraska Foundation records (June 2010), the College has 20,268 graduates. • This annual report is dedicated to the Paul F. and Virginia J. Engler Foundation which provided the single largest gift in the long history of the college to support students. NU Vice President and Harlan Vice Chancellor for Agriculture and Natural Resources. Dr. John Owens resigned on July 1, 2010 from the position that he held nearly 10 years. Dr. Ronnie Green has now assumed the position