College News

DANIEL ROBISON FIRST FINALIST FOR CALS DEAN, OPEN FORUMS SCHEDULED

Three finalists have been identified in the search for the next Endowed Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Director of the Iowa Agricultural and Home Economics Experiment Station at Iowa State University. The first, Daniel Robison from West Virginia University, will visit campus Sept. 3-5 with an open forum on Sept. 4 from 3-4 p.m. in the Memorial Union Cardinal Room. Robison is the dean of the West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design and director of the West Virginia Agriculture and Forestry Experiment Station. The second candidate will be on campus Sept. 16-18 and the third candidate Sept. 26-28. Each candidate will be announced one business day before their visit. Candidates will meet with students, faculty, staff and stakeholders during the interview and also hold an open forum. The forum schedule is:

• Daniel Robison – Tuesday, Sept. 4, 3-4 p.m., Memorial Union Cardinal Room
• Candidate 2 – Monday, Sept. 17, 3-4 p.m., Memorial Union Cardinal Room
• Candidate 3 – Thursday, Sep. 27, 3-4 p.m., Memorial Union Pioneer Room

TRANSGENIC RICE MAY NEUTRALIZE HIV TRANSMISSION

An international research group, which included an Iowa State scientist, has proven three proteins that help prevent the spread of HIV can be expressed in transgenic rice plants. Using plants for production could provide a cost-effective means of producing prophylactics, particularly in the developing world. More

PLANTING PERENNIALS IN FLOOD-PRONE FARMLAND

Iowa State University researchers have received a grant to study how well the perennial grass miscanthus performs in low-lying areas of agricultural fields that are prone to flooding. The research has the potential to identify more efficient uses of such land while also providing environmental benefits. More

TAKE A TRIP TO THE PRAIRIE

“Prairie is all about patience,” says Nick Howell, farm superintendent at the Iowa State University Horticulture Farm. Visit a prairie patch at the farm in this video to take in the sights and sounds of its plants, insects, birds and animals. More   

STUDYING THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC IN RURAL AMERICA

The rapid increase of opioid overdose deaths in rural communities across the country has far outpaced the overdose rate in urban areas, and an Iowa State University-led research team wants to know why. The researchers’ goal is to identify prevention strategies and use big data to predict which communities may be at risk. More

YOU’RE INVITED: CELEBRATE AG 450 FARM’S 75TH

Iowa State University’s student-run farm is celebrating its 75th anniversary. Known as the Ag 450 farm, the farm is operated by students enrolled in the course Agricultural Farm Management and Operations. Approximately 150 students are involved in the management of the farm each year. To celebrate this milestone, the Department of Agricultural Education and Studies is hosting a celebration Sept. 21-22 including a banquet on Sept. 21 ($30/ticket) and farm open house on Sept. 22 that is free and open to the public. It will begin four hours prior to the Cyclone football game (kick-off time is yet to be announced). To register or for more details visit www.ag450celebration.org or call (800) 626-0015.  Registration is requested by September 14.

MORE COLLEGE NEWS

• Iowa State University Distinguished Professor Honored by American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
• Iowa State University Ag Communications Director Honored by National Communications Organization
• Animal Scientists at Iowa State University Presented National Awards

Alumni News

WINTERSTEEN NAMED WORLD FOOD PRIZE ADVISOR, WOMAN OF INFLUENCE

Wendy Wintersteen (’88 PhD entomology), president of Iowa State University, was named to the World Food Prize Council of Advisors. Wintersteen will review, advise and guide the World Food Prize leadership on policies as well as the design and implementation of foundation programs. She will also participate in appointing members of the World Food Prize Laureate Selection Committee and endorsing the Selection Committee’s choice of a new laureate each year. Wintersteen also was recently selected as a 2018 Women of Influence honoree by The Des Moines Business Record. Video

HENDERSON HONORED WITH AG EDITORS’ LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, CYCLONES CELEBRATE AT AG MEDIA SUMMIT

Lynn Henderson (’74 ag journalism) was presented the American Agricultural Editors' Association's (AAEA) Lifetime Achievement Award on Aug. 7 at the Agriculture Media Summit in Phoenix, Arizona, by Betsy Freese (’84 ag journalism). Henderson is owner of Henderson Communications, whose principle products are Agri Marketing magazine and related digital products. Henderson has worked for ACCO Seed, Century Communications and Doane Agricultural Services Co. Iowa State University students and alumni were among the attendees at the Agriculture Media Summit. Cyclones gathered for an alumni reception to kick-off the conference on Aug. 5. More

MILLER EARNS INTERNATIONAL SOIL SCIENCE MEDAL

Bradley Miller (’00 environmental science, ’06 MS water resources and soil science) was presented with the Dan Yaalon Young Scientist Medal by the International Union of Soil Sciences at the World Congress of Soil Science in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, August 12-17. Miller researches quantitative evaluation of spatial variations in environmental processes that affect the distribution of soil properties and how it impacts environmental quality and sustainable crop production. More

ZUMBACH WINS NATIONAL JERSEY BREEDER AWARD

Jennifer Zumbach (’01 animal science) is one of six national recipients of the American Jersey Cattle Association’s Young Jersey Breeder Award. The award, presented June 30 during the Young Jersey Breeders Luncheon, honors expertise in dairy farming, Jersey cattle breeding, participation in association programs and leadership in agricultural organizations. Zumbach’s farm, Kunde Jersey Farm, currently milks 240 Jerseys, 30 of which make up her herd, in addition to 35 heifers. Jennifer is involved in numerous dairy organizations, and helps her husband, Dave, on the farm he owns with his family. More

KENEALY HONORED BY NATIONAL THETA XI

Doug Kenealy (’69 dairy science, ’74 PhD animal science), right, was selected as a member of "The Order of the Unicorn" at the 154th anniversary convention of Theta Xi Fraternity on July 28 in Orlando, Florida. Kenealy received the award in recognition of his "prolonged and meritorious service" to the fraternity. He served as chapter adviser to the Iowa State chapter of Theta Xi for 38 years and as a delegate to the national fraternity. He is the sixty-third person to receive this award since its creation in 1939. More

CALS ALUMNI RELATIONS EARNS NATIONAL AWARDS

CALS alumni relations efforts and initiatives were honored with top awards during two recent national conferences. At the Association for Communication Excellence annual conference in Scottsdale, Ariz., Melea Reicks Licht (’00 public service and administration in ag, ’05 MS ag education and students), received three editing awards for STORIES magazine: gold, silver and bronze. Haley Cook, assistant director of alumni relations, was honored at the National Agricultural Alumni and Development Association annual conference in Boise, Idaho, as Curtiss League, the college’s initiative for young alumni, received first place in society programming.

About STORIES Online

Young Alum

of the Month

Bridget Mahoney

Title: Agriculture Teacher and FFA Adviser, Lone Tree Community School District, Lone Tree, Iowa

Hometown: Williamsburg, Iowa

Degrees: (‘09 animal science, ag and life sciences education, ‘11 MS ag and life sciences education)

Major responsibilities: Teach agriculture courses, advise FFA members and oversee chapter activities

Class Notes

Did you land a new job? Receive an honor or award? Reach a milestone? We’d like to know! Submit your class note via e-mail to stories@iastate.edu.

2010s

Danielle James (’18 ag and life sciences education) has accepted a position as an ag educator and FFA adviser for the LeMars Community School District.

Lakeisha Perkins (’18 ag and society) has been selected as a Bill Emerson National Hunger Fellow. Her service will take place in Welch, West Virginia. 

Sarahi Trejo-Nieto (’18 horticulture) has joined the staff of the Iowa State Midwest Wine and Grape Institute as a program assistant.

Emma Wilson (’18 ag and life sciences education), publications manager for the Iowa Corn Growers Association, received the 2018 American Agricultural Editors Association Alltech Cultivating Young Ag Journalists Award during the Ag Media Summit in August.

Allison Hougland (’17 ag and life sciences education) has joined the staff Alltech as a regional marketing specialist in Jerome, Idaho.

Jessica Lensing ('17 animal science and public relations) accepted a position with Reicks View Farms in Northeast Iowa as a Swine Nutrition Assistant.

Hannah Darr (’16 global resource systems) has accepted a role as a science instructor at Higher Ground Academy in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Kristin Olsen (’16 animal science, ’18 MS) has accepted a role as an extension program specialist for the Iowa State Iowa Pork Industry Center.

Brian Wosepka (’16 ag studies), farmer near Ackley, was featured by the Newton Daily News.

Genna Tesdall ('15 biology & global resource sys) has been selected by the U.S. Department of State as a Fulbright student program award recipient. She will conduct research at the Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany.

Bailey Morrell (’14 ag studies), marketing specialist for Certified Angus Beef in Wooster, Ohio, was selected to participate in the 2018-2019 Ohio Farm Bureau AgriPOWER Institute.

Kitt Tovar (’14 animal science) has joined the staff of the Iowa State Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation as a legal consultant.

Erin Bowers (’13 PhD toxicology) has been promoted to associate scientist in the Iowa State Department of Ag and Biosystems Engineering.

Nathan Johnston (’13 ag business) has been promoted to training innovation manager at Beck’s Hybrids.

Kellie Lasack (’12 ag and life sciences education), owner of Roan Marketing and Communications, received the 2018 American Agricultural Editors Association Alltech Cultivating Young Ag Journalists Award during the Ag Media Summit in August.

Jill Madden (’10 genetics, ’14 PhD) has accepted a position with Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard University as a research genetic counselor.

Kari Christianson (’06 genetics, ’10 DVM), veterinarian near Scottsdale, Arizona, was featured by the Humane Society of Central Arizona.

Michael Fritch (’00 agronomy), farmer near Mitchellville, was elected as the District 5 representative on the Iowa Corn Promotion Board.

1990s

Rob Glick (’94 ag studies), farmer near Cedar Bluff, was featured by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

Stuart Swanson (’90 ag business), farmer near Galt, was elected as the District 2 representative on the Iowa Corn Growers Association board of directors.

1980s

Scott Arnold (’89 ag business) has been named division president of Chubb Agriculture, North America, and president of Rain and Hail. 

Bruce Erickson (’83 agronomy, ’96 MS crop production and physiology), agronomist for Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, received the 2018 Educator/Researcher Award of Excellence from the PrecisionAg institute.

April Hemmes (’82 animal science), farmer near Hampton, was recognized as an Alum of the Day by the Iowa 4-H Foundation during the 2018 Iowa State Fair.

Carl Jardon (’82 dairy science), farmer near Randolph, was re-elected as the District 7 representative on the Iowa Corn Growers Association board of directors.

Stan Nelson (’80 farm operation), farmer near Middletown, was re-elected to serve as the District 9 representative on the Iowa Corn Promotion Board.

1970s

David Nielsen (’77 meteorology, ’79 MS agronomy), research agronomist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service Central Plains Research Management Unit, retired on July 2.

James Linder (’76 bacteriology, biochemistry) has been named chief executive officer of the health care system at Nebraska Medicine. 

Dennis Friest (’68 animal science), farmer near Radcliffe, was re-elected as the District 5 representative on the Iowa Corn Growers Association board of directors.

Larry Glick (’68 farm operation), farmer near Cedar Bluff, was featured by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

Helen Maddock ('49 animal science, '52 MS), retired American Cyanamid animal scientist, was featured in the Farmland News as a "21st Century Pioneer Woman." 

Faculty In Memoriam

Harvey Thompson, 97, died July 21. Thompson was a WWII veteran and served as a professor of agronomy and extension agronomist at Iowa State from 1950 to 1983.

In Memoriam

View alumni memoriams