I know that I have mentioned what an honor it is to serve in the role as Chair of the Animal Sciences department at WSU, and that continues to be my mind-set. Having completed my 4-year contract, I was offered the opportunity to continue as Chair for an additional term. While the years seem to roar by, sometimes realizing improvements and change in an academic unit takes somewhat longer. I am witnessing positive outcomes of the department’s vision. We continue to experience growth in undergraduate enrollment, and we have made significant and strategic improvements to our Beef Center, Feed Mill, land-resources, Knott Dairy Center and the Meats Lab. The AS faculty and staff parlay their expertise and passion into our classrooms and laboratories, creating the next generation of competent animal scientists. While our faculty numbers are low, we have several advertised positions for new faculty and we are excited about strengthening our program further in the service of our students, as well as the livestock and allied industries. An academic program is a direct reflection of its human resources, the addition of new staff and new faculty ensure the strength of our department well into the future. Our aspirations for AS are no less than to achieve “excellence”. We have dreams just like those expressed in the movie; Field of Dreams by W.P. Kinsella and we too believe that if “we build it, they will come”. Our future as the state land-grant agricultural institution depends on our management of the present to prepare for the future, it depends on our students and it depends on our relationships with industry and stakeholders. I hope that we continue to earn your respect and support and that we retain all of the positives that for decades have been associated with being an Animal Sciences COUG! Please enjoy this years Inside Scoop and take pride in both where we are and where we are headed.