Washington State Tree Fruit Association President; WSU Provost Chris Riley-Tillman; Chris Voigt, Washington State Potato Commission Executive Director;
former Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers; Congressman Michael Baumgartner; Senator Patty Murray; CAHNRS Dean Raj Khosla; USDA-ARS Administrator
Joon Park; WSDA Director Derek Sandison; and Tara McHugh, Deputy Administrator of USDA-ARS Post-Production Research (WSU Photo Services-Robert Hubner).
One of the greatest privileges of serving as dean is witnessing the remarkable impact of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and partners. Every week, I am reminded that CAHNRS’ strength lies in what we accomplish together through collaboration, shared purpose, and unwavering commitment to serving Washington and the world.
This month has provided several powerful examples of that collective impact.
Yesterday we celebrated the opening of the USDA-ARS Plant Bioscience Research Building in Pullman, a transformational $125 million investment more than two decades in the making. This facility represents the culmination of a shared vision among growers, federal partners, and university scientists who are working together to advance discovery, innovation, and impact. Beyond the ribbon cutting, this investment expands research capacity, accelerates discovery, and strengthens the innovation ecosystem that supports agriculture, food systems, and rural communities across our region.
The influence of CAHNRS research and scholarship continues to gain recognition well beyond our campuses. On October 8, I was honored to join colleagues in Seattle at the Washington State Academy of Sciences’ Annual Induction Ceremony, during which we celebrated the election of Lindsey du Toit, Girish Ganjyal, and Mark Lange. Their induction reflects individual achievement, the caliber of talent within our college, and the growing influence of CAHNRS in addressing society’s most pressing scientific challenges.
The future of any institution depends on its ability to engage its people. More than 250 colleagues joined our recent CAHNRS Town Hall, demonstrating a shared commitment to shaping our future together. Meaningful transformation requires transparency, dialogue, and participation, and I remain encouraged by the level of engagement across the college. Just as important were the conversations that followed. When colleagues gather across departments, disciplines, and locations, new connections are formed, fresh ideas emerge, and opportunities for innovation often begin.
This spirit of collaboration is also guiding major initiatives across CAHNRS. Through BOOST (Business Operations Optimization and Strategic Transformation) and our efforts to create a new school, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and stakeholders are helping shape decisions that will position the college for future success. Listening sessions across our communities continue to provide valuable perspectives as we work to create an organization that is both responsive to today’s needs and prepared for tomorrow’s opportunities. A Town Hall for external stakeholders, alumni, and donors is planned for Wednesday, October 28, at the Spark building on the WSU Pullman campus.
Partnerships remain one of our greatest strategic strengths. The longstanding collaboration between WSU and Oregon State University continues to gain momentum. During a recent leadership summit hosted by President Elizabeth Cantwell, leaders from both institutions explored opportunities to expand areas of shared impact. With most of the leading collaborative projects between WSU and OSU rooted in CAHNRS, our college is helping demonstrate how land-grant universities can work together to advance innovation, address regional challenges, and amplify collective impact. We look forward to building on this momentum through even larger collaborative initiatives in the years ahead.
As dean of CAHNRS, I am a standing member of the state Board of Natural Resources (BNR). Wisdom for resilience of Washington forests was on display at the October 6 BNR retreat. We visited the Wenas Wildlife Area to see firsthand how science-based forest management practices such as prescribed burning can improve forest resilience.
Perhaps nowhere was the energy and reach of CAHNRS more visible than during Ag Innovation Weekend on October 2 and 3. What began as a bold idea became a powerful celebration of agriculture, innovation, and community. Through Harvest Market, the Tractor Parade, the President’s Tailgate, and numerous partner events, thousands experienced firsthand the breadth of what CAHNRS contributes to Washington. Students showcased their talents. Industry partners demonstrated their commitment. Alumni reconnected. Families, producers, and community members came together around a shared appreciation for agriculture and its importance to our daily lives.
My heartfelt thanks go out to all who made the first Ag Innovation Weekend such a phenomenal success.
During the Fresno State home football game, I had the chance to address the stadium as well as those listening by radio. My message: Food is everybody’s business. Whether enjoying a Cosmic Crisp® apple, Ferdinand’s ice cream, student-crafted wines, Rainier cherries, or countless other products connected to our work, people experience the impact of CAHNRS every day. Food doesn’t just happen—it takes sweat equity and hard work to bring it to the table. Collectively, we must support our food producers.
As I reflect on these accomplishments, I am struck by a common theme. None of these successes happened alone. They were made possible through partnerships, trust, and a shared commitment to advancing our land-grant mission. Together, we are building stronger communities, advancing scientific discoveries, supporting industry, preparing future leaders, and creating solutions that matter.
The momentum across CAHNRS is undeniable. More importantly, it is collective. Thank you for the role each of you plays in strengthening our alliances, expanding our impact, and helping shape a future that is brighter, more innovative, and more resilient for Washington and beyond.
Kudos Corner
Kudos to the Mount Vernon Northwestern Washington Research and Extension Center general administration team for their ingenuity and resourcefulness. At the USA-Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) workshop, Dan Gorton, NWREC facilities and farm manager and current USA-FEPP president, highlighted the team’s creativity in putting Federal Excess Personal Property to work in support of research.
Gülhan Ünlü, associate professor in the School of Food Science (SFS), was selected by the U.S. Embassy in Baku, Azerbaijan, as an Alumni MAX U.S. Speaker, traveling to the Asian nation in September. She also presented research at the American Dairy Science Association’s annual meeting and the 15th International Symposium on Lactic Acid Bacteria in the Netherlands. Her lab recently hosted a hands-on dairy microbiology workshop for Pullman High School students.
Jayden Scott, a SFS master’s student who is mentored by Ünlü, this year earned the Cascadia IFT Graduate Scholarship, the National Milk Producers Federation Scholarship, and the WSU SFS Don and Carolyn Lee Graduate Fellowship. He also represented WSU at the Dairy Products, Process, and Packaging Innovation Annual Conference, the BUILD Dairy Annual Meeting, and the American Cheese Society Annual Conference.
Seng Jar, also a SFS master’s student of Ünlü, presented posters at the Dairy Products, Process, and Packaging Innovation Annual Conference, the WSU GPSA Research Expo, and the Washington Association for Food Protection Conference, and gave an oral presentation at the Western Dairy Center BUILD Dairy Annual Meeting. Jar also helped lead a week-long outreach workshop for high school students.
Swapnika Medikonda, an SFS doctoral student mentored by Claire Murphy, as well as Harpreet Kaur and Sheersa Manna, doctoral students mentored by Frank Zhao in the Department of Plant Pathology, received the Everette and Helen Kreizinger Endowed Scholarship. Medikonda also received the James and Lee Ella Ruck Scholarship.
Until next time, Go Cougs!
Sincerely,
Raj