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College News
CALS ENROLLMENT REFLECTS POSITIVE OUTCOMES
CALS fall 2019 enrollment is 4,821 — 4,169 undergraduates and 652 graduate students. While less than last fall’s 5,083, it reflects that the most recent graduating class was the largest in CALS history with a record 1,397 degrees awarded. The incoming new student class from Iowa continued to be strong, with CALS departments recruiting more freshmen and more transfer students from in-state than last year. More
- Women make up 55 percent of the CALS undergraduate student body — the fifth straight year the number of women enrolled has exceeded men.
- The top five undergraduate majors in enrollment are animal science (983), animal ecology (418), agricultural business (391), agricultural studies (302) and industrial technology (274).
- Enrollments have grown in some majors, including animal ecology, animal science, culinary food science, environmental science, forestry and horticulture.
- CALS leads one-year retention numbers on campus at 88.1 percent. Also, 80.8 percent of retained students remained in a CALS major – the highest for in-college retention on campus.
CALS OFFERS $3.5 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University has awarded nearly $3.5 million in scholarships to students for the 2019-20 academic year. Since 2005, scholarship totals for incoming freshmen and current students have tripled, thanks to gifts from donors. More
ABE AMONG TOPS IN U.S.
The Iowa State agricultural and biosystems engineering undergraduate program was ranked second in overall national rankings of universities and second among public universities in the 2020 U.S. News and World Report’s “Best College” undergraduate rankings, up from number three last year. More
BREAKING GROUND: FEED MILL, GRAIN SCIENCE COMPLEX
Iowa State University broke ground Friday, Sept. 13, to mark the start of construction of the $21.2 million Kent Corporation Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex. The complex will be located on 10 acres of university-owned land southwest of Ames and include a feed mill tower, feed milling and mixing structures, grain storage bins, warehouse and an educational building with classrooms. Completion is expected during the summer of 2021. More
TEACHING COMPUTERS TO DIAGNOSE SOYBEAN STRESS
A cross-disciplinary team of scientists at Iowa State are working toward a future in which farmers can use unmanned aircraft to spot, and even predict, disease and stress in their crops. Their vision relies on machine learning, an automated process in which technology can help farmers respond to plant stress more efficiently. More
SIX TIPS TO MINIMIZE SOIL COMPACTION DURING HARVEST
Iowans may notice combines harvesting corn deep into November due to late planting last spring, according to Iowa State agronomists. Farmers will be paying close attention to temperature as their crop dries down and are urged to plan ahead to minimize soil compaction during harvest. Iowa State agronomists offer these six top tips to reduce or control soil compaction and minimize long-term consequences of harvesting fields with wet soils. More
TAKING BLOCKCHAIN FIELD TO MARKET
A team of Iowa State researchers have received a $300,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to examine the development of blockchain technology to improve traceability and accountability in food markets. More
EXPORTS TO CHINA ARE GROWING, BUT MINIMALLY
Despite China’s demand for pork, trade wars and supply from other countries are keeping U.S. exports minimal. Iowa State economists have found the U.S. accounts for only about 8 percent of global pork exports to China so far this year. More
FIND YOURSELF A FORESTRY FIELD DAY THIS FALL
 ISU Extension and Outreach will be hosting six forestry field days throughout Iowa with public and private partners this October. Topics include how to manage a forest for profit, water quality, wildlife and aesthetics. Billy Beck (’18 PhD environmental science), natural resource ecology and management, is a new extension forestry specialist at Iowa State. More
NEW SCREENING TOOL QUICKLY DETECTS BOVINE TUBERCULOSIS
A new screening tool developed by Iowa State researchers and the U.S. Department of Agriculture can dramatically reduce the time to detect strains of bacteria that cause a serious livestock disease and impact the health of millions of people worldwide. The new tool collects extremely low levels of volatile organic compounds emitted by the bacteria, making it possible to differentiate between strains of Mycobacteria that do and do not cause bovine tuberculosis.
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KNUTH TO PRESENT DEAL LEADERSHIP LECTURE OCT. 2
 Jim Knuth, senior vice president for Farm Credit Services of America, the largest agricultural lender in the Upper Midwest, will present the 2019 William K. Deal Endowed Leadership Lecture Oct. 2 at Iowa State University. Knuth will present, “Lessons in Leadership and Life,” at 7:30 p.m. in the Leonard and Evelyn Dolezal Auditorium, 127 Curtiss Hall, on the Iowa State campus. The event is free and open to the public. More
CALS DEAN’S TOUR VISITS CLAY COUNTY FAIR
CALS Endowed Dean’s Chair Daniel J. Robison, Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen ('88 PhD entomology) and Vice President of Extension and Outreach John Lawrence visited the Clay County Fair in Spencer, Iowa, on Sept. 12. The three were featured panelists at the Iowa Ag Outlook Panel, hosted by the Iowa Soybean Association. Area extension and outreach staff hosted the campus contingent for afternoon visits with 4-Hers and a tour of the Ag-Citing agricultural literacy program. While visiting the livestock pavilion Robison, Wintersteen and Lawrence met two CALS students and champion exhibitors. From left: Wintersteen, Benjamin McClain, sophomore in animal science; Lawrence; Oliver Dies, sophomore in food science and animal science; and Robison. They also toured Christensen Feedlot and Royal Beef near Royal, Iowa, operated by Jim (’80 farm operations) and Julie Christensen, Wes (’13 ag studies) and Jackie (’12 marketing) Christensen and Mark (’10 ag business) and Lee (’10 animal science) Pierce. Photos
CALS FALL CAREER FAIR, LARGEST IN U.S. OCT. 8
CALS Career Services offers the nation’s largest agriculture and life sciences career fair each fall. The college has maintained a consistent placement rate of at least 97 percent for more than 20 years. This fall’s career fair will be held Oct. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lied Recreation Athletic Center. Learn more about the college’s Career Services office in a recent STORIES article. More
FUNDISU:
SUPPORT BLOCK & BRIDLE NATIONAL CONVENTION
A crowdfunding campaign has been launched in support of the Block and Bridle Club. Iowa State University will host the 100th National Block and Bridle Convention in Ames on April 2-5, 2020. Iowa State’s club was one of four inaugural clubs to become a chapter in 1919. Contributions on FundISU, the crowdfunding site on the ISU Foundation website, will be used to fund speakers and tours. The goal is $5,000 and the campaign runs through Oct. 20. Give today
MORE COLLEGE NEWS
- Iowa Nutrient Research Center Funds New Set of Diverse Water Quality Studies
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ISU’s Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture Offers Scholarships for Iowa Undergraduates
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National Science Foundation Awards $2.9 Million to Iowa State University, University of Wisconsin, to Advance Next Generation of Crop Genetic Engineering
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Iowa State University Partners on Global Agenda to Reduce Food Waste
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Study Led by Iowa State University Takes New Look at Monarch Numbers
Alumni News
VERDE RECOGNIZED BY NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PLANT BREEDERS
Luis Verde (’01 MS plant breeding, ’03 PhD), maize product development director of Latin America and global sorghum lead for Corteva Agriscience, was recognized with the 2019 Plant Breeding Impact Award from the National Association of Plant Breeders. The award recognizes significant advancements in the field of plant breeding, specifically in the area of applied variety and/or technology development. Verde focuses on breeding technologies and methods to accelerate genetic gain and continue delivering the best products to the market.
CALS ALUM HONORED BY SOUTH DAKOTA VET MED ASSOCIATION
Steve Tornberg (’79 animal science) received the 2019 South Dakota Veterinary Medical Association’s (SDVMA) Distinguished Service Award. Tornberg's practice has focused on treating, breeding and working with horses at the Dakota Large Animal Clinic since since 1981. He has served various roles on the SDVMA Board, including president, served as an South Dakota State University extension associate and as an expert witness in equine cases.
CALS ALUMNI INDUCTED TO IOWA 4-H HALL OF FAME
Iowa 4-H recently held their 2019 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame induction ceremony for individuals who have exemplified outstanding service and dedication to the 4-H youth program in their county. CALS inductees include:
- Andrew Lauver (’12 ag studies), Ackley, Iowa, honored by Calhoun County
- Mary Kerndt (’89 ag business), Lansing, Iowa, honored by Allamakee County
- Dean Ekstrand (’81 animal science), Pocahontas, Iowa, honored by Pocahantas County
- Tom Kauffman (’76 ag business), Pilot Mound, Iowa, honored by Boone County
- Curt Schaub (’75 ag and life sciences education), Grafton, Iowa, honored by Worth County
- Joe Yedlik (’70 ag and life sciences education, ’02 MS professional ag), Walker, Iowa, honored by Jones County
- Bill Dohrmann (’63 animal science), Fayette, Iowa, honored by Fayette County
- Roy Hougen (’57 farm operation, ’64 MS rural sociology), Ames, Iowa, honored by Iowa 4-H and Youth Development
ALUMNI TEAM UP TO PREP JACK TRICE FOR CY-HAWK SHOWDOWN
On a regular football weekend, getting the field at Jack Trice Stadium ready is a team effort that takes Iowa State Athletics facilities and grounds staff and a team of nine to 10 CALS students nearly 40 to 50 hours to complete. With rain delaying field prep prior to the Sept. 14 Cyclone Football game vs. Iowa, several college alumni came home to bolster the team effort. More
From left, back row: Troy Nowatzke, Des Moines Area Community College student; Aaron Johannsen, junior in horticulture; Derek Thoms, senior in ag studies; Drew Hormann, ISU Athletics grounds staff; and Michael Young, senior in horticulture. From left, front row: Thomas Gould, senior in horticulture; Chase Manning ('11 horticulture), Iowa Cubs assistant director of grounds; Barret Werner ('12 horticulture), superintendent of Ridge Stone Golf Club in Sheffield; Josh Tvrdik ('10 horticulture), ISU Athletics ag specialist; and Tim VanLoo, ISU Athletics director of facilities and grounds.
CALS BBQ DRAWS MORE THAN 400 ALUMNI, FRIENDS
The college welcomed more than 400 alumni, friends, faculty and staff to the annual CALS BBQ, Aug. 31 at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center. CALS Endowed Dean’s Chair Daniel J. Robison offered comments during the program. Kevin Ross ('03 ag studies) provided the welcome for the program, and Dean Robison presented Bill Northey (’81 ag business), Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation, with a special George Washington Carver/Henry Wallace print. Photos
CONNECTING WITH CALS: BAILEY, FOLEY, PERSINGER
Patrice Bailey (’00 MS ag education and studies), assistant commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, center, spent the day on campus on Aug. 30. He visited with college and university administration, presented to agricultural communications and policy classes and met with students and staffers involved in college cultural competency programs.
Molly Foley (’14 public service and administration in ag), back left, director of intergovernmental affairs and public engagement for the Office of the United States Trade Representative in the Executive Office of the President, paid a visit to her home department of Sociology on Sept. 16. Foley met with undergraduates majoring in agriculture and society to discuss career pathways and share her experiences working in public policy.
Harlan Persinger (’67 dairy science, ’72 ag journalism), fourth from right, a photojournalist and farmer from Grundy County, Iowa, hosted a group of international agricultural journalists for an industry and farm tour in conjunction with the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists conference in Minneapolis in July. Their itinerary included a visit to Iowa State University campus and a diverse collection of farms and agribusinesses -- several owned by fellow CALS graduates.
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