The Intersection

The September 2023 College of Science

Faculty & Staff Newsletter

Welcome to Utah State’s 2023-24 Academic Year! From varied places, experiences, perspectives and traditions, our shared Aggie spirit, curiosity, interests, quest for knowledge, passion for discovery and

love of SCIENCE UNITES us.

The college offers heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, students and colleagues of Alex Boldyrev, USU’s inaugural R. Gaurth Hansen Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, who died Aug. 26. His funeral is Friday, Sept. 1, at noon, at White Pine Funeral Services in Providence.

The college congratulates Professor Greg Podgorski, our most recent Associate Dean for Undergrad Programs and Services, on his retirement, and thanks him for 35 distinguished years of service at Utah State. We welcome Dr. Brynja Kohler, who succeeds him as associate dean. 

Science Unwrapped was awarded USU’s 2023 Committed Community Partner Presidential Award for Community Engagement. We’re excited to kick off our new 2023-24 “Building on Basics” series, which debuts Friday, Sept. 22, with the presentation “Waves,” by USU climate scientist Jon Meyers. 

The College of Science’s very own JanaLee Johnson, undergraduate advisor, was elected by her peers to serve as president for USU’s Staff Employee Association (SEA). Congratulations, JanaLee, and thank you for serving your colleagues.  

Effective Aug. 1, Utah State became an institution member of the National Center for Faculty Diversity and Development. USU faculty, postdocs and grad students may register individually with the NCFDD to access to a nationwide mentoring network, as well as numerous career-building resources.  

USU offers opportunities for undergrads to pursue, fund and present research. Make note of these upcoming events and deadlines, and encourage your students to explore these opportunities: 

• Tues, Sept. 5: Fall Research Mentor Reception, 3:30-5 p.m., South Lawn, ECC 

• Wed, Sept. 6: Undergrad Research Fair, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Engineering Quad

• Thurs, Sept. 7: Application Deadline for Scholars Transforming through Research Program Nov. 5-6, 2023, in Alexandria, VA. 

• Opens Oct. 1, Deadline Oct. 15: Undergraduate Research & Creative Opportunities (URCO) 

USU Libraries is hosting USU’s inaugural Science Story Slam! Wednesday, Oct. 25, in the TSC Big Blue Room. All students, faculty and staff are invited to be considered to participate in a STEM communication workshop and present a 5-minute story.  

Student leaders for the 2023-24 academic year are Science Senator Jaxton Wilder and Science Council President Joe Halling. They and the student-led Science Council are planning a number of activities, including USU Science Week, Oct. 30-Nov. 3. 

Learn about opportunities offered through the USU Provost Office’s program to promote teaching excellence. Resources are available to all USU instructors, regardless of role statement or location.

The College of Science website has a newly updated Student Clubs and Organizations page with an online form to encourage groups to keep their contact information up-to-date. As clubs you advise ramp up for the coming year, please encourage students to update their organization’s information on the website. 

USU’s University Marketing and Communications (UMAC) Office maintains a public, online Experts List at usu.edu/experts to assist media and other entities seeking expert commentary and analysis on a broad range of topics. Would you like to be included on the list? You can join using an online form.  

No need to re-invent the wheel! USU’s University Marketing and Communications Office offers attractive, effective, university brand-compliant poster templates (and templates for other communications materials) to aid your communications efforts. 

All USU employees driving university vehicles must complete State of Utah Defensive Driving Training before operating state-owned vehicles. The training, which takes about 30 minutes, can be completed online on USU’s Institutional Learning System. 

Sep 4

• Labor Day - No class

Sept 6

• Computer Science Opening Social @5 pm

Sept 18 - May 3

• Geo Speaker Series: Tanisha Barker @3:30 pm

Sep 22

• Science Unwrapped: Waves @7:00 pm

Sept 25

• Geo Speaker Series: Dr. Marissa Tsugawa @3:30 pm

Stay in touch for event updates and announcements