Hello All,
I hope this message finds each and every one of you doing well.
Here is a weekly glimpse of what December 2009 had in store:
December 1 - 4: Tuesday December 1, John Caupert (Director) and Frank Romano (Director of Operations) traveled to Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC). During the visit, we held meetings with faculty of the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Director of the Coal Research Center to explore mutual opportunities of research collaboration. Thursday December 3, John Caupert (Director) participated in a corn quality webinar conducted by University of Illinois. The webinar focused on the impact of corn quality on dry grind ethanol production and DDGS quality.
December 7 – 11: Wednesday December 9, the NCERC hosted St. Louis based NIDUS. Special thanks are in order to Illinois Corn Growers Association for facilitating discussion between the NCERC and NIDUS. Thursday December 10, Frank Romano (Director of Operations) represented the NCERC at the quarterly meeting of the Missouri Coalition for Plant and Life Sciences. John Caupert (Director) attended a meeting of the Illinois Energy Sector Partnership meeting in Chicago, IL on Thursday December 10. Friday December 11, Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IRRA) sponsored a visit of perspective Faculty Assistants from Western Illinois University to the NCERC.
December 14 – 18: The highlight of the week was, “how many miles can one travel by car within the state in one week”? Monday December 14, John Caupert (Director) and Frank Romano (Director of Operations) traveled to Bloomington, IL to visit with Illinois Corn Growers Association / Illinois Corn Marketing Board. During this visit, the NCERC representatives had an opportunity to interface with Rodney Bothast (USDA Retired, Original Director NCERC). Wednesday December 16 John Caupert (Director) conducted a presentation on “Green Jobs” to 30 Deans, Department Chairs, Director’s and Faculty at SIUC. Thursday and Friday it was all systems go at the NCERC as a variety of capital improvement projects are nearing completion.
December 21 – 31: Administrative / Holiday Closure Wednesday December 24 – January 4, 2010.
Until next time, have a good, productive and safe month.
Regards,
John Caupert
Director, National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center
Phone: 618-659-6737 Ext 226
Email: jcaupert@ethanolresearch.com
