College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The first day of classes is just around the corner!

We can’t wait to welcome our students back to campus on Aug. 26 and are ready to meet our latest cohort of first-year and transfer students this week during the CLAS Welcome Party, as part of On Iowa!

While the semester is just starting, make sure you have this change to fall commencement on your calendar. The fall ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 22.

Thanks for all you do and for being a part of CLAS! We hope you have a great start to the semester.

CLAS announcements

Image: The new clas websites on a computer, phone, and tablet.

Explore the newly launched CLAS sites

The new College of Liberal Arts and Sciences websites launched last month. Learn about the differences between them and how to easily find the information relevant to you.

Employee updates

Please join us in welcoming and congratulating CLAS faculty and staff on their hiring, promotion, or transfer within the college. Check out this list of CLAS employee updates from last month.

Featured achievements

Image: A collage of eight faculty photos

CLAS honors faculty with 2024 teaching and international engagement awards

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is recognizing eight faculty members for their outstanding contributions in the classroom and community during the 2023-24 academic year with Collegiate Teaching and International Engagement Teaching awards.

Department of Chemistry receives grant to further grow radiochemistry program

The $558,755 grant from the Carver Foundation will help the radiochemistry program create greater access to the field and address the workforce shortage. Chemistry professor Tori Forbes helps lead the program and is co-PI on the grant with faculty members Scott Daly and Korey Carter.

Spotlight CLAS

CLAS faculty members recognized by students for their commitment to student success

Dozens of CLAS faculty and staff were recognized by the 2024 graduating class as having pivotal roles in shaping their success. Several faculty members reflect on receiving this recognition and explain why they’re committed to helping students reach their academic and career goals.

Cargill featured in History’s new docuseries

Robert Cargill, associate professor in the Department of Classics, believes in the power of digital scholarship and making it accessible to all. He regularly shares his expertise in religion and archeology, including most recently on History’s Holy Marvels with Dennis Quaid, which is now streaming.

Check out more CLAS stories by visiting our news section.

Upcoming events

CLAS Annual Faculty Meeting

Sept. 16
3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Old Capitol Senate Chambers

All College of Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty are invited to attend the annual meeting, which will recognize recent faculty achievements including named professorships, and collegiate awards for promotion and tenure, and teaching and engagement.

Image: A student stands under a research banner

Nominate a student or postdoc for the downtown banner campaign

Until Sept. 5

Nominate outstanding undergraduates, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers for the 2025 Dare to Discover banner campaign, which is sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research. Nominations can be submitted online until Thursday, Sept. 5 and banners will be on display early next year.

For more CLAS-specific events, visit the university events calendar.