Spring quarter just started, and the trees outside Green Hall are in bloom. There’s pollen in the air (and on the cars — a quintessentially Davis occurrence) and our students are back. It’s always a welcome and comforting sight to see our CBS Aggies on their bikes and scooters, in the classroom and lab, and studying in our lobby. It helps us remember that things continue to move forward.

Right now, higher education is on unsteady footing. A shifting political and budgetary landscape makes it difficult to forecast exactly how things will look even a month out, but one thing remains constant: the dedication of our faculty, staff and remarkable students. This is reflected in recent QS World Rankings, which placed UC Davis in the top 40 globally for biological sciences.

Truly, our community of researchers, leaders, innovators and learners is a source of inspiration and hope. I’ve said this many times over my career, and it bears repeating — especially now: our CBS Aggies really do inspire.

As happens each year around this time, UC Davis Give Day is a chance to show support for programs across the college. Gifts help unlock challenges that further strengthen support for CBS students, faculty and programs. On Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12, the year’s biggest day of giving coincides with Picnic Day, now in its 116th year. I hope you will consider giving, and attending the festivities.

While the world around us may be tumultuous, some things do remain constant, like innovation, discovery and exploration.

Just ask any CBS Aggie.