College News

 

LETTER FROM NEW CALS DEAN DANIEL J. ROBISON

Check out this message from Endowed Dean Daniel J. Robison as he reflects on his first full work week on campus.  From the polar vortex, to a Cyclone victory at the Feb. 6 college-sponsored women’s basketball game, to visiting alumni and friends, it’s been quite an adventure. Read his complete letter and find links to a Cyclone Sports radio interview with Robison online. More

 

COOPER: WE ARE ALL GROUNDED IN OUR LOVE, PASSION FOR AG, LIFE SCIENCES

As assistant dean of diversity for CALS, Theressa Cooper leads the college in finding a universal language and using it to build trust and a shared community. In a Feb. 1 guest essay for the Des Moines Register to kick of Black History Month, Cooper describes the legacy of George Washington Carver and Carver’s view of agriculture as part of our shared language. “Agriculture is still part of our shared language in the college,” she writes. “We are all grounded in our love and passion for agriculture and life sciences. Carver’s life and legacy shows us what is possible, what is hopeful and what can be accomplished.” Cooper’s essay first appeared in Vol. 12. No. 2 of STORIES magazine.

 

BOOSTING BIOREACTOR BACTERIA WITH CORN COBS

With funding from the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, Michelle Soupir, associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, is exploring the next generation of bioreactors. Soupir is assessing the potential of corn cobs as a carbon source to fuel helpful bacteria to denitrify water. She and colleagues monitor nitrate-nitrogen and phosphorus levels in water as it enters and exits the bioreactor. More

 

CALS RESEARCHERS HONORED FOR TOP INNOVATION

A start-up company founded by Iowa State researchers is receiving a national honor for an invention named one of 2019’s best innovations in agricultural, food and biological engineering and technology. Manjit Misra and Yuh-Yuan Shyy of ISU’s Seed Science Center will receive the award this week for their company, FloMetrix, from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. Their invention – the Real Time In-Line Inclined Flowmeter – measures the flow of bulk materials such as seeds, grains, fertilizers, food and pet food ingredients in real time as they move through an inclined pipeline. More

 

MONITORING CHRONIC WASTING DISEASE IN DEER
Julie Blanchong, associate professor of natural resource ecology and management, looks at the future of chronic wasting disease in Iowa deer after the recent confirmation of a case in Dubuque County. Chronic wasting disease, a neurological disorder that arises from misfolded proteins that affect the brains of deer, has been confirmed in four Iowa counties. There’s no evidence humans can contract the disease, but hunters are urged to have harvested deer tested if they suspect the disease is present, and no one should eat venison from infected deer. More

 

FINDING A FUTURE, FAME IN FOOD SCIENCE

 

Adam Schonert, a CALS freshman in food science, came to Iowa State to learn more about the science of food. He was inspired to cook after receiving a farm-animal shaped waffle iron as a kid, and went on to craft his skills at a cafe in Algona, Iowa. His waffles became famous when they were recognized by the Food Network as the best waffles in Iowa and ranked in the top 10 nationwide. Hear from Schonert in this video as he continues his culinary adventure at Iowa State. More

 

Q&A: WHAT TOLL IS THE EXTREME COLD TAKING ON TREES AND SHRUBS?

Worried your favorite fruit tree could fall victim to recent sub-zero temperatures? Learn more from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in this Q&A with horticulturalist Richard Jauron. He explains the cold hardiness of different types of trees, shrubs and perennials and explains how a thick layer of snow might actually help some plants survive. More

 

NEW ZEBRAFISH LAB ADVANCES GENE-EDITING

The rows of new fish tanks in the basement of the Advanced Teaching and Research Building will boost the power of Jeffrey Essner and Maura McGrail's research. By testing in the transparent embryos of zebrafish, they aim to develop gene-editing strategies for applications to create large-animal models of human disease and, ultimately, gene therapy treatments for animals and humans. More

 

IMPROVING THE HEALTH, PERFORMANCE OF DAIRY

Hugo Ramirez, an assistant professor of animal science and extension dairy specialist, works with producers to improve the health and performance of their cows. Ramirez’s research in dairy nutrition, much of which happens at the ISU Dairy Farm, helps him develop new approaches to diet that allow dairy producers to take better care of their animals and improve their bottom lines. Ramirez’s focus on agricultural education grew out of an upbringing in central Mexico, where his father was a faculty member at an ag-centric university. More

 

MORE COLLEGE NEWS

 

Social Media Spotlight

 

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Small Farm Sustainability program offers a number of ways for acreage and small farm owners to learn – including a podcast. The latest episode covers beekeeping basics. Follow the program on Facebook and Twitter or visit them online to get notifications when a new podcast is available. Recent posts include information on producing lavender, protecting orchards during winter and maintaining poultry production during cold temperatures. More  

 

Alumni News

 

RUDOLPHI APPOINTED NATIONAL RURAL HEALTH FELLOW

Josie Rudolphi (’09 ag and life sciences education, ’11 MS) associate research scientist at the National Farm Medicine Center, Marshfield Clinic Research Institute, in Marshfield, Wisconsin, has been selected as a 2019 Rural Health Fellow by the National Rural Health Association. Rudolphi will spend this year advocating for increased availability and accessibility of mental health care in rural areas, specifically for agricultural populations. More

 

BURNS-THOMPSON NAMED IOWA EMERGING LEADER

Elizabeth Burns-Thompson (’11 ag business, international ag), of Altoona, has been named the 2019 Emerging Iowa Leader by the Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Burns-Thompson is regulatory affairs counsel for the Iowa Corn Growers Association. “Elizabeth is a leading member of our college’s young alumni program, the Curtiss League, and is incoming chair of the Iowa State University Young Alumni Council. From guest lecturing, to writing recommendation letters, to supporting the college’s student council, she positively impacts the college and our students in many ways,” said Daniel J. Robison, endowed dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. More

 

CALS ALUMNI NAMED MASTER PORK PRODUCERS, PARTNER

Several CALS alumni were recently honored by the Iowa Pork Producers Association. Karen Hogan (’98 ag and life sciences education), a farmer near Monticello, and Dominic Hogan (’96 animal science), a farmer near Monticello, were each honored with Master Pork Producer awards. Josh Bowden (’04 ag systems technology, ’09 DVM), veterinarian at Winthrop Veterinary Clinic in Winthrop, was named a Master Pork Partner. The awards were presented at the 2019 Iowa Pork Congress in January.

 

GREIMAN INDUCTED TO CATTLEMEN HALL OF FAME

Ed Greiman (’92 ag business), a farmer near Garner, was inducted to the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Hall of Fame. Greiman operates a cow/calf and feedlot operation with his family. He has held positions in some of the most influential organizations and companies in Iowa’s beef industry and is known for helping to shape the industry locally and nationally.

More

 

CALS ALUMNI EDUCATORS HONORED BY FFA, NATIONWIDE

Several CALS alumni and one faculty member were recently honored for educational excellence by the Iowa FFA and Nationwide Insurance with the Iowa Golden Owl Award. Honorees will be considered for the national Golden Owl award. They are: Melissa Hageman (’14 MS ag and life sciences education) South Winneshiek High School in Calmar; Brad Taylor (’78 ag and life sciences education, ’00 MS professional ag) Roland-Story High School in Story City; Jacob Hunter (’11 ag and life sciences education)  North Scott High School in Eldridge; Matt Eddy (’99 ag and life sciences education, ’09 MS) Southeast Polk High School in Pleasant Hill; Steve Sonntag (’95 animal science) Southwest Valley High School in Corning; and Robert Martin, CALS professor in ag education and studies. More

 

GOMEZ HOSTS CALS STUDENTS IN COSTA RICA

Robin Gomez (’12 PhD sustainable ag), associate professor of weed science at the University of Costa Rica, hosted eight CALS students for a visit to Fabio Baudrit Agricultural Experiment Station, of the University of Costa Rica, as part of the International Association of Agricultural Students (IAAS) Director´s Meeting of America. Gomez explained research underway at the experiment station, and shared memories of Iowa State people and places. The students learned about crop breeding (beans, tropical fruits, orchids and vegetables) and Gomez shared his work with cover crops in papaya, coffee and banana production. CALS students and recent grads pose with Gomez during their visit, from left to right: Shannon Rauter, Amanda Fortman, Natalie Bidner (’18 global resource systems, political science), Gomez, Erin Cork, Susan Schwickerath, Tia Snyder, Emily Hugen and Gregory Eaton.

 

Young Alum

of the Month

Adam Sacquitne

Title: agricultural educator and FFA adviser, Wapsie Valley Community School District, Fairbank, Iowa

Hometown: Decorah, Iowa

Degree: ‘16 ag studies, ’18 MS ag education

Major responsibilities:

Assist students in planning, developing, and conducting agricultural experiences in and outside the classroom.

 

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

 

Rebecca Nellis (’18 ag and society, food science) has accepted a position as an associate product development scientist with Johnsonville.

 

Haley Hillyard (’17 animal science) has accepted a position as an area procurement manager for Smithfield Foods.

 

Kylie Peterson (’17 ag and life sciences education) has accepted a position as director of marketing and communications for the Iowa Beef Industry Council.

 

Mikayla Sullivan (’17 public service and administration in ag, global resource systems), co-founder of KinoSol, was featured in the Silicone Prairie News.

 

Shelby Fields (’16 animal science) has accepted a position as territory business manager at Zoetis, Inc.

 

Jessica Bowden (’15 MS ag and life sciences education), ag educator at LeGrange High School in LeGrange, Georgia, is a finalist for the Troup County School System teacher of the year honor.

 

Molly Foley (’14 public service and administration in ag, ag and life sciences education) has been promoted to director of intergovernmental affairs and public engagement for the Office of the United States Trade Representative, Executive Office of the President.

 

Corey Van Otegham (’13 ag and life sciences education) graduated with a master’s degree in ag business from Kansas State University. 

 

Chris Flansburg (’12 agronomy) has sold his company BCA Ag Technologies in Albion, New York, to LandPro Equipment. He will lead the agronomy and data management portion of the new LandPro Equipment ag technologies division.

 

Alle Buck (’11 animal science), farmer near Diagonal, has been appointed to the Iowa Beef Industry Council board of directors. 

 

2000s

 

Joe Vanstrom (’08 industrial technology, ’12 MS industrial and ag technology) has accepted a position as a senior engineer—technical leader for process engineering at Pella Corporation.

 

Scott Cherne (’06 ag studies), a farmer near Guttenberg, has been appointed to the Iowa Beef Industry Council board of directors.

 

Erik Christian (’04 agronomy, ’07 MS crop production and physiology, ’12 PhD) has accepted a position as an agronomic services manager at Trace Genomics.

 

Tamara Heim (’04 ag business) was appointed treasurer of the Iowa Beef Industry Council executive committee.

 

Beth Rachut (’04 ag and life sciences education) accepted a position as a project coordinator for Ag 1 Source.

 

Steve Rachut (’04 ag business), farmer near Osage and owner of Steve’s Sweet Corn and Produce was featured in the Mitchell County Press News.

 

Amber Harrison (’02 public service and administration in ag) has accepted a position as Innovative Ag Services business development manager for the western region.

 

Dan Hanrahan (’00 agronomy), farmer near Cumming, was elected to serve as a director of the Iowa Beef Industry Council executive committee.

 

1990s

 

Corinne Rowe (’99 dairy science), a farmer near Dallas Center, was elected to serve as a director of the Iowa Beef Industry Council executive committee.

 

Kirk Scheckel (’95 agronomy) was appointed director of the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development Land and Materials Management Division in Cincinnati, Ohio.

 

Ryan Schon (’95 agronomy) has accepted a position as general manager at Latham Hi-Tech Seeds. 

 

Dainna Smith (’93 ag business) of Decorah has been appointed to the Iowa Beef Industry Council board of directors. 

 

1970s

Dave Drennan (’75 ag journalism) is retiring as executive director of the Missouri Dairy Association on May 1 after serving 23 years.

 

View Alumni Memoriams

 

Faculty Memoriams

 

Wayne Bidlack, 74, food science and human nutrition department chair from 1992 to 1995, died Dec. 12. Bidlack also was former director of the Center for Designing Food to Improve Nutrition and served as dean of the College of Agriculture at Cal Poly Pamona. More 

 

John Pesek, 97, Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor of Agriculture and Life Sciences and emeritus professor of agronomy, died Feb. 11. Pesek joined the Department of Agronomy in 1950 and served the department and the university for more than 40 years. He was department chair for 26 years, and served as interim dean of the College of Agriculture from 1987 to 1988. Under Pesek’s supervision, the addition to Agronomy Hall was funded and con-structed. He spearheaded the development of the Agronomy and Agricultural Engineering Research Farms and helped establish the Soil Tilth Laboratory, a USDA-ARS facility now called the National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment. His research, teaching and extension work focused on soil fertility, application of fertilizers and economics of fertilizer use. The department has added a memorial page on Pesek and his achievements. One that had tremendous impact across the world was his chairing the National Academy of Sciences National Research Council’s committee that developed the 1989 report, Alternative Agriculture. In 2007, Pesek was featured in the first issue of STORIES magazine.

 

 

About STORIES Online

STORIES Online is a supplement to STORIES magazine. The e-newsletter delivers college and alumni news, class notes and relevant links each month. If you have news or story suggestions or would like to subscribe please contact editor Melea Reicks Licht at mreicks@iastate.edu.
 

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Iowa State University 

303 Curtiss Hall

Ames, Iowa 50011

(515) 294-5616

stories@iastate.edu

http://www.cals.iastate.edu