College News

 

ABE, CALS AMONG TOPS IN NATION

Iowa State University is in a three-way tie with two other public universities for the top ranking by U.S. News and World Report for best undergraduate programs in biological/agricultural engineering. Iowa State is tied with Purdue University in Indiana and Texas A&M University, making this Iowa State’s second consecutive year with a first-place ranking. Iowa State also was ranked the third best college for agricultural sciences in a recent posting by Niche, a website that provides readers with information on choosing schools based on key statistics and student reviews using data from the U.S. Department of Education.

 

FOREVER TRUE: KENT, IOWA CORN, SUKUP, UNDERWOOD SUPPORT CALS

Several major gifts were recently announced as part of Iowa State University’s campaign Forever True. In support of a new university educational and research facility for feed milling and grain science Kent Corporation has committed $8 million, the Iowa Corn Promotion Board $4 million and Sukup Manufacturing Co. $2 million. The $14 million in gifts are the first to be announced for the $21.2 million feed mill and grain science complex, which will be funded entirely through private giving. The Roger (’80 ag business) and Connie Underwood Family Foundation of Ames has made a $1 million gift to support the agricultural business and agricultural entrepreneurship programs in the college.

 

BY THE NUMBERS: CALS FALL ENROLLMENT UPDATE

  • 5,333 – enrollment in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

        • 4,603 undergraduate students (54 fewer than a year ago)

        • 730 graduate students (8 fewer than the year before)

  • 3rd largest undergraduate enrollment among agricultural colleges in

    the nation

  • 62 percent higher than 10 years ago, and 7 percent higher than 5

    years ago.

  • Top five majors: animal science, agricultural business, animal

    ecology, agricultural studies and agronomy

  • 52 percent of CALS undergraduates are women

  • 36,321 – Iowa State University enrollment (the second-largest in

    school history)

 

ZEBRAFISH RESEARCH PROMOTES HUMAN HEALTH
A research team at Iowa State hopes advanced gene editing techniques will help them locate genes in zebrafish that may allow for the development of new treatments for disease in humans. The research is supported by a nearly $3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. More

 

FIELD DAY FOCUSES ON MONARCH CONSERVATION

Check out the highlights from a recent monarch conservation field day and learn more about the Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium members and partners in this video. Participants learned about monarch preference among native milkweed species; habitat establishment; habitat and water quality; weed management in conservation plantings; and butterfly biology, annual migration and life stages.

 

HORT STATION PLANTS PEPPERS FOR ISU DINING
The college’s Horticulture Research Station devoted a small plot of land this summer to growing produce for ISU Dining – 3,000 pounds of bell peppers, to be precise. It’s the first time the research farm has planted crops with ISU Dining in mind. The station has been the top source of local produce for campus dining centers, but what's new is the scope and intention. The half-acre of bell peppers was grown specifically for the needs of ISU Dining. Other produce used in dining centers has been grown for research. More

 

50 YEARS OF SOYBEAN TESTS HELP FARMERS MAKE DECISIONS

The Iowa Crop Improvement Association, an Iowa State University affiliated nonprofit, is marking the 50th anniversary of its Iowa Crop Performance Tests for Soybeans, which offers Iowa farmers independent information to help select the best soybeans for their needs. Founded in 1902, the Iowa Crop Improvement Association is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and designated as the official seed-certifying agency in Iowa. More

 

UNDERGRAD EMBODIES SPIRIT OF GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER

Valeria Cano Camacho, a junior majoring in agronomy and global resource systems, was one of five undergraduate students nationwide to receive the George Washington Carver Spirit of Innovation and Service Award on Sept. 21. This is the second year the award was presented as a tribute to the legacy of Carver, recognizing the efforts of young people striving to achieve their dreams and follow in the footsteps of Carver. More

 

SHEDDING LIGHT TO LIFT LIVESTOCK ODORS

Iowa State researchers have literally, and figuratively, shed new light on the odor problems arising from livestock facilities. Jacek Koziel, an associate professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, and his team are using black light to help neutralize the volatile components that make up objectionable odors. More

 

EXTENSION PUBS OFFER LATEST SCIENCE ON PRAIRIES, CORN

New publications from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach outline everything farmers and landowners need to know about integrating prairie strips into row-crop operations. The practice has been shown to keep soil in place, improve soil quality, reduce nitrogen and phosphorus from entering water bodies and enhance wildlife habitat. ISU Extension also has published a new corn diseases booklet to help farmers and agronomists identify, scout and manage corn diseases. More

 

GOV. REYNOLDS PROCLAIMS AG ENTREPRENEURSHIP WEEK

Governor Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation marking this week of September 24-30, 2017 as Agricultural Entrepreneurship Week. Students and alumni from the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative were present, as well as other agricultural entrepreneurs, agribusiness leaders, Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey (’81 ag business), Iowa Farm Bureau President Craig Hill and others. The Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative will be celebrating the week with a variety of activities for continued learning and exploration.

 

MORE COLLEGE NEWS

 

Alumni News

 

SAENZ RESPONDS TO HURRICANE HARVEY AS TEXAS AGRILIFE AGENT

Take two minutes to catch up with Justin Saenz (’11 public service and administration in ag), right, Texas AgriLife Extension county agent and 4-H youth development specialist. Saenz, a member of the CALS Curtiss League, served as the contact between the state and Fort Bend County for agriculture relief efforts following Hurricane Harvey. The Fort Bend County Fairgrounds served as central command for the 500-member search and rescue response teams providing aid to horses, livestock and companion animals west of Houston. More

 

SCHWALBE HONORED FOR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN PUBLIC RELATIONS

Kelly Schwalbe (’82 ag journalism) has been awarded the Professional Development Award for Public Relations by the National Agri-Marketing Association. Schwalbe, Partner and Public Relations Director for Sage, is an active member of the Missouri-Kansas NAMA Chapter. He regularly attends meetings, has served on committees, and has judged for the National Best of NAMA Awards program.

 

SUKUP NAMED DISTINGUISHED ALUM BY TAU BETA PI

Charles Sukup (’76 ag engineering, ’82 MS), president of Sukup Manufacturing Company, has been honored with the 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award by Tau Beta Pi, an engineering honor society. Sukup was selected for his commitment to creating a better world through designing and producing products that increase the world’s food supply, like the Sukup Safe T Homes in Haiti, and his philanthropic support to a variety of organizations.

 

USGC RECOGNIZES FLOSS FOR 20 YEARS OF SERVICE

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) recently recognized Craig Floss (’89 ag and life sciences education, international ag) for 20 years of service as chief executive officer of Iowa Corn. Floss works to help build corn demand not just for Iowa – the top ethanol producing state in the nation – but also for U.S. ethanol exports around the world. He has been extensively involved in the Council over the last 20 years, including as the checkoff sector director on the USGC Board of Directors. 

 

KERNS TO PRESENT LEADERSHIP LECTURE AT IOWA STATE OCT. 5

Joe Kerns (’86 ag business), risk management consultant and president of Kerns and Associates, will present the 2017 William K. Deal Endowed Leadership Lecture Oct. 5 at Iowa State University. He will present, “Suddenly, suddenly, then all of a sudden: A tale of resiliency, entrepreneurship and the value of mentors” at 7 p.m. in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union on the Iowa State University campus. The event is free and open to the public. More

 

CALS GRADS INDUCTED INTO THE IOWA 4-H HALL OF FAME

Fourteen CALS alums were inducted into the Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame on August 20 at the Iowa State Fair. The inductees included Douglas Aistrope ('83 farm operation); Robert L.  Butcher ('74 animal science); Jayne Ferguson ('81 animal science); Randall Gibson ('78 DVM); Gene Hoy ('69 DVM); Darwin Meyer ('71 farm operation); David Moody ('85 animal science); Darcy Murley ('86 horticulture); Don Swanson ('84 ag business); Larry Swanson ('70 ag business); Terri Swanton ('95 ag business); Lisa Tallman ('84 ag business); Rob Willms ('75 animal science); and Sterling C. Young ('71 animal science). More

 

HONORING HOIBERG: CELEBRATING A DISTINGUISHED CAREER OCT. 7

In a nod to the “PSA potlucks” hosted by Eric and Karen Hoiberg, a reunion of Eric’s former students will be held Oct. 7 at 11 a.m. at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center in conjunction with Iowa State’s student-powered Bacon Expo. Hosted by public service and administration in agriculture (PSA) alumni, the event is open to all alumni and friends interested in reconnecting with former associate dean and PSA adviser Eric Hoiberg. The $14-dollar registration covers entrance to Bacon Expo. Remarks will be offered by Hoiberg, Dean Wendy Wintersteen and Hoiberg scholarship recipient and Bacon Expo co-founder Jake Swanson (’14 global resource systems). Register online for the Honoring Hoiberg event by Oct. 3 and consider supporting the Eric O. Hoiberg Scholarship online.

 

CALS BBQ WELCOMES OVER 540 ALUMNI, FRIENDS

The CALS BBQ for alumni, friends, faculty and staff was held Sept. 2, in the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center. More than 540 people attended the pre-football game event where they enjoyed Hickory Park BBQ, Dairy Science Club ice cream and visiting student booths in the CALS Clubs Corner. Dean Wendy Wintersteen (’88 PhD entomology) and Dawn Refsell (’01 agronomy, ’03 MS crop production and physiology) shared remarks. View BBQ photos.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

Young Alum of the Month

Rachel Kula

Title: Data Coordinator II, Rocky Mountain Cancer Centers, Denver, Colorado

Hometown: Springville, Iowa

Degree: '14 biology

Major responsibilities: Serve as a liaison between clinic personnel and study sponsors. Ensure sponsors have completed data.

 

 

Events

 

Sept. 26-28 Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative Week

 

Oct. 2-6 – CALS Week

 

Oct. 5 – William K. Deal Endowed Leadership Lecture, featuring Joe Kerns (’86 ag business), 7 p.m., Sun Room, ISU Memorial Union 

 

Oct. 7 – Iowa State University Bacon Expo

Bacon Expo is a family-friendly event that brings people together, all for the love of bacon. Attendees can snack on traditional bacon strips and unique bacon items (previous offerings include chocolate-covered bacon, bacon cupcakes and jalapeño-wrapped bacon),  enjoy live entertainment and learn about Iowa’s pork industry via ISU student organizations, vendors within the industry and the Bacon Expo Education Committee. Get your tickets today!

 

Oct. 7 – Honoring Hoiberg: Celebrating a Distinguished Career Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center, 11 a.m., Registration requested.

 

Oct. 15 - Alumni Show at Little North American, Iowa State University Block & Bridle students invite alumni to show in the Little North American livestock show on Oct. 15 in the Hansen Agricultural Learning Center on Iowa State University Campus. Portions of the proceeds raised from registrations – $10 for one species and $20 for two – will support a member in need.  Registrations encouraged by Oct. 2.

 

Oct. 17 - Ag Communications Update, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences alumni and friends with an interest in the agricultural communications program – an option within the agricultural education major at Iowa State – are invited to join Dean Wendy Wintersteen, agricultural education faculty, staff and students for an update about the program on Oct. 17 at 3 p.m.  The event will be held at Meredith Corporation, 1716 Locust Street in Des Moines. Please RSVP to Bobbi Smith

before Oct 9.

 

Oct. 26, 28 – Iowa State University Homecoming, “Sound the CYren.” College-specific events available on the alumni events webpage.

 

 

Social Media Spotlight

 

John Lawrence (’84 animal science, ’86 MS economics) serves as Iowa State University Interim Vice President for Extension and Outreach. As he provides leadership for the unit of the university that delivers the land-grant mission statewide, he shares his thoughts in his blog “Did You Know."

 

 

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

Kayla Prosser (’17 ag studies) has been hired as a risk management consultant for Hurley and Associates in Grundy Center.

 

Sarah Wille (’17 ag and life sciences education) has been hired as the ag educator and FFA adviser for MFL MarMac Community Schools in Monona.

 

Ashtin Walker (’16 animal science, ag and life sciences education), has been hired as an ISU Extension and Outreach youth outreach educator in Jefferson County.

 

Rob Frutchey (’15 ag and life sciences education, ’16 MS), lecturer in ag education and studies has been named the James and Clare Frevert Ag 450 Fellow.

 

Kyle Behrens (’14 ag business), has been promoted to sales representative in the Ohio Valley Region for Hormel Foods.

 

Dan Cwach (’12 MS sustainable ag) has been hired as the high school physics and physical science educator at Vermillion Schools in Vermillion, South Dakota.

 

Kristine Harms (’11 animal science, ag and life sciences education, ’16 DVM) has joined the veterinary staff of Topigs Norsvin USA in Burnsville, Minnesota.

 

Laura Cunningham (’10 ag business), marketing manager for Latham Hi-Tech Seeds and farmer near Nora Springs, was featured in the Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman.

 

Rita Cook (’10 public service and administration in ag, ag business) has been hired as an assistant vice president and ag loan officer at Green Belt Bank and Trust in Iowa Falls.

 

2000s

Heather Reid Duncan (’06 public service and administration in ag), tribal water quality program liaison and Nebraska watershed program liaison for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in Kansas City, Missouri, has been elected to the ISU Alumni Association board of directors.

 

Laynnea Myles (’04 industrial technology) accepted a new position as senior manager of safety at Luxottica in McDonough, Georgia. 

 

Kevin Ross (’03 ag studies), a farmer near Minden, was featured by National Geographic online.

 

Justin Chesnut (’00 ag systems technology), business to business account manager with Elanco, has been appointed adviser to the Eta Chapter of Alpha Gamma Rho at Iowa State University.

 

1990s

 

1980s

Steve Berger (’86 ag business), a farmer near Wellman, was featured in the Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman.

 

Ron Zelle (’83 ag and life sciences education, ’87 MS), retired ag educator at Nashua-Plainfield Community Schools, was featured by Iowa Farmer Today.

 

Bill Northey (’81 ag business), Iowa secretary of agriculture, was nominated by President Trump to serve as the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation.

 

Curtis Chrystal (’81 entomology) has been named president and chief executive officer of Wisconsin Bank and Trust.

 

Koral Clum (’80 forestry), forester with Clum Forestry Consultants in Dover, Ohio, received the 2017 Ohio Tree Farm of the Year honor.

 

1970s

Glen Smith (’79 ag business), owner of Smith Land Service Company in Atlantic, was nominated by President Trump to serve on the Farm Credit Administration board of directors.   

 

1960s

Marshall Martin (’66 ag business) has been named interim director of the Indiana Ag Experiment Station at Purdue University.

 

Donald Hoy (’63 ag business), associate professor at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, has been elected to the ISU Alumni Association board of directors.

 

Varel Bailey (’62 farm operation), a farmer near Anita, received the 2017 Iowa Corn Walter Goeppinger Lifetime Achievement Award.

 

1950s

Robert Kauffman (’54 animal science), retired professor at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was honored with the 2017 University of Wisconsin College of Agriculture and Life Sciences distinguished service award.

 

In Memoriam

View alumni memoriams

 

 

 

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