College News

AG/BIOSYSTEMS GRAD PROGRAM TOPS IN U.S.

Iowa State’s program in agricultural and biosystems engineering jumped one spot to No. 1 in the country, according to this year’s rankings of university graduate programs released by U.S. News and World Report. The program, which is co-administered by the colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Engineering, also jumped to the top of the undergraduate rankings last fall. More

LAWRENCE, HARMON, ALLEN NAMED TO INTERIM LEADERSHIP
John Lawrence (’84 animal science, ’86 MS economics), CALS associate dean and director of extension and outreach, has been named interim vice president of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Lawrence will succeed Cathann Kress, who is leaving to accept a dean position at The Ohio State University. Jay Harmon, professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering and extension livestock housing specialist, will serve as interim associate dean for extension and outreach programs and the interim director of Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension in CALS effective April 1. In regards to the Iowa State presidency, the Iowa Board of Regents has approved Benjamin Allen as Iowa State University’s interim president, effective May 9. Allen succeeds President Steven Leath, who has accepted the presidency at Auburn University.

STUDYING PIPELINE’S IMPACT ON FARMLAND

Iowa State University will study the impact of pipeline construction on crop production and soil compaction. Researchers began collecting data last fall on university-owned farmland near Ames following construction for the Dakota Access Pipeline. The pipeline’s route crosses about 18 acres of farmland owned by the university and affiliated organizations. The project, which will collect data through 2021, is funded by Dakota Access Pipeline LLC. More
 

BUILDING BETTER CROP VARIETIES
New research outlines how genetic pathways governing growth and stress response in plants sometimes clash. The research could lead to better performing crop varieties. Yanhai Yin, a professor of genetics, development and cell biology and a Plant Sciences Institute faculty scholar, recently published the research in “Nature Communications.” More  In other research, agronomy professor Thomas Lubberstedt is part of an international team that uncovered a corn gene resistant to a virus responsible for steep yield losses in corn. Their research could lead to corn varieties that can fight off sugarcane mosaic virus. More

UNDERSTANDING NITROGEN’S ROLE IN SOIL HEALTH
Iowa State agronomists Michael Castellano and Hanna Poffenbarger, recently published research showing nitrogen fertilizer plays an essential role in maintaining soil carbon in corn and soybean fields. Adequate soil carbon is one of the most important metrics of soil health. More
 

PARTNERS UNVEIL NEW PLAN TO CONSERVE MONARCHS
The Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium recently released a science-based strategy to support monarch butterfly recovery in Iowa and North America. The strategy guides the implementation and documentation of a voluntary, statewide effort encouraging habitat improvements in rural landscapes. More
 

WELCOME SPRING WITH YARD AND GARDEN INFO
ISU Extension and Outreach has launched an updated Horticulture and Home Pest News website, providing a one-stop location for yard and garden information. More than 2,400 Hort and Home Pest News articles, produced by ISU Extension and Outreach over the last 30 years, are available. The website’s horticulture encyclopedia includes answers to 1,000 frequently asked questions about garden problems and pests, houseplants, lawns, ornamentals, trees and shrubs, fruits and vegetables and other horticulture topics. More
 

KINZE FELLOWSHIP AWARDED TO DARR, AG AND BIOSYSTEMS

Matt Darr, associate professor in agricultural and biosystems engineering, has received a fellowship recently created by the founders and owners of Kinze Manufacturing Inc. in Williamsburg, Iowa. Jon and Marcia Kinzenbaw established the Kinze Manufacturing Fellowship in Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. Darr is the latest feature in ISU’s Change Agent series, articles telling the personal stories of ISU faculty and scientists whose work is changing the world for the better. More
 

DIFFERENTIAL TUITION RETAINS QUALITY

The Board of Regents, State of Iowa, recently approved differential tuition rates for several academic programs, including majors in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Iowa State will use the added revenue to sustain and improve high quality programs. Even after fully implementing differential tuition, Iowa State’s overall tuition levels are the lowest compared to its peers. CALS awards more than $3 million in scholarships each year, made possible by private giving, and student scholarships are the first priority in the college’s current fundraising campaign. Iowa State will phase in the new differential tuition over three years. More
 

MORE COLLEGE NEWS: 

• John Deere Joins ISU Research Park
• Lawrence Accepts Award for Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy Science Team
• EEOB Professor Details Indirect Effects of Invasive Species in Guam
• Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll Summary Report Released​

MILLER SAVES FALLEN FISHERMAN
While on duty with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources at West Lake Osceola in Clarke County, Iowa, Michael Miller (’06 animal ecology) rescued a fisherman who fell through the ice. More
 

ALLEN INDUCTED INTO USDA STATISTICS HALL OF FAME
Richard Allen ('63 ag business), a retired statistician from Fairfax, Virginia, has been inducted into the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service Hall of Fame. Allen was honored for his service to National Agricultural Statistics Service and U.S. agriculture including his efforts as historian and mentor.

HANSEN EARNS OUTSTANDING RESEARCHER AWARD
Stephanie Hansen (’02 animal science), associate professor of animal science at Iowa State University, received the Outstanding Young Researcher Award from the American Society of Animal Science. Hansen teaches in the areas of animal nutrition, ruminant digestion and physiology and vitamin and mineral metabolism. Her research areas include micronutrient metabolism, feed efficiency and alternative feedstuffs.
 

DEGNER HONORED FOR SERVICE TO PORK INDUSTRY
Rich Degner (’72 ag and life science education, ’77 MS), of Ankeny, was recently honored by the National Pork Producers Council and the National Pork Board with the inaugural Paulson-Whitmore State Executive Award at the annual National Pork Industry Forum. Degner worked for the Iowa Pork Producers Association for 35 years, serving as CEO for 17 years before his retirement in 2015. 

BARKEMA TO PRESENT HERTZ LECTURE APRIL 11 AT ISU
Alan Barkema (’73 farm operations, ’85 MS economics, ’86 PhD), retired senior vice president for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, will present the 2017 Carl and Marjory Hertz Lecture on Emerging Issues in Agriculture April 11 at Iowa State University. Barkema will present, “Pursuing Questions: Prospects for the Economy in Agriculture,” at 8 p.m. in the Richard and Joan Stark Lecture Hall, room 1148, in the Gerdin Building, 2167 Union Dr., on the Iowa State campus. The event is free and open to the public. More
 

BERNS IOWA CROP ADVISOR OF THE YEAR

Brian Berns (’92 ag business), field sales agronomist for Landus Cooperative in Farnhamville and Churdan, was recognized as the 2017 Certified Crop Advisor of the Year by the Certified Crop Advisor-Iowa program. 

CALS GRADS HONORED BY WALLACES FARMER, IOWA MASTER FARMERS
Wallaces Farmer and Iowa Master Farmers presented their Iowa Master Farmer Exceptional Service Award to two Iowa State University Extension and Outreach field specialists. Steve Johnson (’78 ag and life sciences education, ’83 MS), an extension farm management field specialist, and Clarke McGrath (’91 ag business,’06 MS professional ag), an extension field agronomist, were honored at the Master Farmer Awards Program March 16. Will Frazee (’81 farm operation) and his wife Deb, farmers near Emerson, were among the recipients of the 2017 Iowa Master Farmers Award from the organizations.

MATTHIES RECEIVES IOWA MASTER PORK PARTNER AWARD

Doug Matthies (’70 animal science), business improvement manager in the Midwest region for Smithfield Hog Production, has been honored with the 2016 Master Pork Partner Award by the Iowa Pork Producers Association and ISU Extension and Outreach. He has been involved in the swine industry for more than 45 years. 

THORN HONORED AS AG BUSINESS OUTSTANDING ALUMNI
The ISU Agricultural Business Club selected Sarah Fiedler Thorn to receive its Outstanding Alumni Award at the club’s annual award banquet on March 4. Thorn (’81 ag business) spent much of her career working for DuPont Pioneer, ascending through the company’s government relations group. In 2014, she established Thorn Consulting Group, LLC, specializing in public policy trends.
 

RITCHIE HONORED WITH SYMPOSIUM, VIDEO

The 2017 Annual Meeting of the American Society of Animal Science Midwestern Section included the Harlan Ritchie Symposium honoring Ritchie (’57 animal science), the late distinguished professor emeritus from Michigan State University. The symposium began with a video tribute to Ritchie’s distinguished career and contributions to the beef industry. The symposium was held March 13-15 in Omaha, Nebraska.

Young Alum of the Month

Miranda Furrer

Title: Graduate Research Assistant, Purdue University

Hometown: Hanna City, Illinois

Degrees: ’13 animal ecology

Major responsibilities:  Develop curriculum that helps students become more science literate and apply STEM concepts to the real-world problem of native pollinator decline. Coordinate the volunteer educators (Master Gardeners) and prepare supplies for each program session.

SHARE YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THE CALS COMMUNITY

As the college continues to work towards achieving an inclusive campus environment and excellence in higher education, it has launched the Creating Inclusive Communities Project. Led by CALS Assistant Dean of Diversity Theressa Cooper, the program is seeking alumni and student stories to broaden the perception of community. Current CALS students and alumni are invited to share some brief information online in this survey. Some will be selected for more in-depth follow-up to feature their experiences and perspectives. Contact Cooper for more information at tncooper@iastate.edu or (515) 294-8574. Take the survey. 

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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 stories@iastate.edu.

2010s

Locky Catron (’16 ag business), partner at CleBer, LLC, was featured by the Women, Food and Ag Network.

Andrew Weaver (’16 ag studies) has joined the staff of the ISU Northwest Research Farm as an ag specialist.

Jess Frank (’15 animal science), is the new content editor for Corner Post Marketing in Fort Dodge.

Emily Lair (’15 horticulture) is the new ag instructor and FFA adviser at Spirit Lake High School.

Aaron Wagner (’15 ag business) was promoted to business and ag banker at Security Savings Bank in Eagle Grove.

Trey Kellner (’14 MS animal science), graduate student in animal science, received the Stahly-Peo Outstanding Swine Nutrition Midwest Graduate Student Award from the American Society of Animal Science.

Hannah Phillips (’14 animal science), graduate student at the University of Minnesota, was awarded first place in the Organic Research Forum Poster Session at the 2017 Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service Conference.

Cody Vantiger (’14 animal science) has been promoted to associate product manager in the marketing department at Kent Nutrition Group.

Andy Edson (’13 ag business), a farmer near Ionia, has been appointed as the at-large representative on the Iowa FFA Alumni board of directors.

Debra Zelle (’12 horticulture), of Waverly, has been appointed as the Northeast representative on the Iowa FFA Alumni board of directors.

2000s

Michael Hotz (’08 ag business) is the new senior commodity manager at Kent Corporation-Enterprise Services.

Adam Heathcote (’05 animal ecology, ’13 PhD ecology and evolutionary biology), an ecologist at the Science Museum of Minnesota in Marine on St. Croix, was featured in Science Magazine.

Jason Ellis (’03 MS meat science, food science and technology, ’06 PhD ag and life sciences education), associate professor at Kansas State University, will serve as interim head of the Department of Communications and Agricultural Education.

Jeff Mayes (’02 animal science, ’06 MS ag and life sciences education), president of the Iowa Association of Ag Educators and ag educator at AHST Community Schools, has been appointed to the Iowa FFA Alumni board of directors.

1990s

Tim Westrum (’99 ag studies, ag and life sciences education) and his family near Albert Lea, Minnesota, have been recognized as the 2017 Freeborn County Farm Family of the Year.

1980s

Clyde Johnson (’81 ag and life sciences education, ’99 MS), of West Bend, has been appointed as the north central representative on the Iowa FFA Alumni board of directors.

In Memoriam

Susan Ulmer Wallace (’79 PhD agronomy), 65, of Clemson, South Carolina, died March 5.

Donald Sievers (’78 fisheries and wildlife biology), 67, of Jefferson, died Feb. 20.

Michael Menn (’74 animal science), 64, of Carthage, Illinois, died March 2.

Terry Hobson (’70 ag and life sciences education), 68, of Ames, died Feb. 18.

James Brandt (’63 agronomy), 76, of Moses Lake, Washington, died Feb. 17.

Richard Anderson (’59 forestry), 85, of Columbia, Missouri, died Feb. 28.

Jerald Bergeson (’58 rural sociology), 80, of Radcliffe, died Feb. 19.

Rex Chesnut (’58 ag business), 93, of Longmont, Colorado, died Feb. 28.

Larry Olson (’58 ag business), 80, of Okoboji, died Dec. 7.

Arlo Erickson (’56 animal science), 86, of Hayden, Idaho, died Feb. 19.

Roland Craft (’51 forestry), 87, of Post Falls, Idaho, died March 14.

Walter Pilgram (’50 ag and life sciences education), 89, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, died March 2.

Warren Gregg (’43 agronomy), 95, of Storm Lake, died March 1.

Faculty In Memoriam

John Robyt (’62 biochemistry), 82, of Ramsey, Minnesota, died Feb. 25. Robyt was a faculty member in the Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology from 1967 until his retirement in 2015.