Announcements
March 2019
Stash the Trash is April 6
Ames' 40th annual Stash the Trash, which numerous ISU units help sponsor, will be held Saturday, April 6 (8 a.m.-2 p.m.). Volunteers check in at Reiman Gardens, where they pick up trash bags and gloves. A free lunch for volunteers also will be served there (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.), and volunteers receive free admission to the gardens that day. Volunteers are asked to register on the Volunteer Center of Story County website, where they can select the neighborhood or park in which they'll work, including campus and the ISU disc golf course.
Next Goldfinch Room performances set for April 20
The next Iowa Songwriter Showcase in the Goldfinch Room, Stephens Auditorium, is scheduled for Saturday, April 20. Iowa songwriters and artists Ben Schrage and Kelli Rae Powell will have two shows: 5 and 8 p.m. Reserved tables cost $40 (4 people) and $25 (2 people). Purchase tickets online.
April 26 event celebrates World Intellectual Property Day
The ISU Research Foundation and the Office of Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer are hosting a World Intellectual Property Day celebration Friday, April 26 (11 a.m.-1 p.m., Parks Library lawn). The worldwide goal is to raise awareness of how patents, copyright, trademarks and design impact daily life. ISU's event highlights innovations developed by Iowa State researchers and includes samples of food products developed with ISU inventions. Meet faculty who are an important part of ISU's intellectual property engine.
ISU Innovation Prize to reward small-group ideas April 5-6
The third annual ISU Innovation Prize April 5-6 will offer students, faculty, staff and community members a chance to brainstorm solutions to three broad challenges in a free small-group competition. Working with mentors and coaches from the co-sponsors -- ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship and Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative -- teams will develop a pitch for an innovation in agriculture technology, education technology or global impact. Winning teams in each area receive a $1,500 prize. Both pre-formed teams and individuals who will join a group assembled at the event are welcome. Check out the event's website for a schedule or to register.
Reminder: Renew 'extended loan' library materials
ISU Library materials that were borrowed on extended loan, due May 10, can be renewed beginning Tuesday, April 2. Many items can be renewed online. Books can't be renewed by telephone or email.
The Head and the Heart concert tickets go on sale March 29
Tickets for a Sept. 19 concert in Stephens Auditorium by the indie folk band The Head and the Heart go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Friday, March 29, on Ticketmaster, LiveNation.com and at the Stephens ticket office. Tickets are $54.50-$74.50; all online purchases include a CD or digital copy (buyer's choice) of the band's new album, "Living Mirage," to be released May 17. The concert starts at 8 p.m. and is part of the band's North American tour, June 21-Oct. 20.
Seven employees correctly guess the date of cyBUY's 500,000th order
Procurement services recorded the 500,000th purchase on cyBUY March 21, and seven ISU employees correctly picked that date in a contest announced in late January. Matthew Breitzman, agronomy; Nathan Covington, residence department; Nicole Oneyear, Institute for Transportation; Christopher Thach, CIRAS; Lexa Krause, Extension Youth and 4H; Levi Powell, agricultural and biosystems engineering; and Erin Norton, food science and human nutrition, will receive prizes provided by cyBUY vendors. Stacie Gould, animal science, placed the 500,000th order and also receives a prize.
Bulb plants added to Reiman conservatory
Reiman Gardens staff added a spring bulb display to the conservatory this spring, through May 18. Visitors can take in hundreds of colorful, fragrant bulbs tucked among the tropical plants. Varieties include Rococo, Tabledance, Princess Irene tulips, hyacinths, and White Lion and Delnashaugh daffodils. One feature of the bulb show is that not all flowers will be on display at the same time.
Robert Stafford banking lecture is April 11
Robert DeYoung from the University of Kansas will deliver the 2019 Robert Stafford Lecture on Banking Thursday, April 11 (12:40 p.m., 1148 Gerdin Building). DeYoung's lecture, "Unpacking the U.S. Economy," is open to the public. DeYoung is the Koch Foundation Distinguished Professor in Business Economics and Harold Otto Chair in Economics at the University of Kansas School of Business, and worked previously as an associate director of research at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., economic adviser at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, and senior economist at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, U.S. Treasury.
Comedian Offerman to perform at Stephens
Comedian and actor Nick Offerman will return to Stephens Auditorium with his "All Rise" tour Thursday, Sept. 26 (7 p.m.). Tickets go on sale at noon Friday, March 22, and range from $39.75 to $69.75. Tickets can be purchased at the Stephens Auditorium ticket office or online at OffermanWoodshop.com or Ticketmaster. Offerman, who also performed at Iowa State in 2012, is perhaps best known for his roles in the TV shows "Parks and Recreation" and "Fargo."
Apply to exhibit at Destination Iowa State events
The new student programs office invites the university community to exhibit during the Center of ExCYtment picnic (Aug. 22) and Late Night at the Memorial Union event (Aug. 23) during Destination Iowa State for all incoming new students. This year, the applications for the two events are combined, so potential exhibitors can apply for both with one submission. University departments can apply here, and recognized student clubs or organizations can apply here. Questions may be emailed to nsp@iastate.edu. Applications are due July 29.
Brit Floyd tickets go on sale Friday
Brit Floyd, a Pink Floyd tribute show, is coming to Stephens Auditorium Saturday, July 20 (7:30 p.m.). Tickets for the general public, which range from $50 to $65 and $172 for the VIP package, go on sale at noon on Friday, March 22. Tickets can be purchased at the Stephens Auditorium ticket office, by calling 800-745-3000 or on Ticketmaster. Brit Floyd is performing a 40th anniversary celebration of Pink Floyd's "The Wall" as well as other popular songs from the band.
Happy birthday, Iowa State
March 17 marks the 150th anniversary of the opening of Iowa State College, dedication of the first college building and installation of president Adonijah Welch. According to a Board of Trustees report in university archives, "on the following two days, March 18 and 19, applicants were allowed to sit for the entrance examinations. Those that passed the requirements entered the freshman class (93 in total)." March 22, 2008, marked the 150th anniversary of the Iowa legislation that created the school.
Third online course receives Quality Matters certification
Jennifer Shane, associate professor in civil, construction and environmental Engineering, and a program director at the Center for Transportation Research and Education, is the most recent ISU faculty member to successfully complete a Quality Matters certified course review, for CE 501 (Preconstruction Project Engineering and Management). QM certification is a national quality assurance process in which a faculty member must meet at least 85 percent of eight general standards for online course design. Shane joins Jeanna Nation, human development and family studies (Personal and Family Finance), 2016; and Gayle Brown, Center for Food Security (Case Studies: Emerging and Exotic), 2015; who also have certified courses. The Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching provides staff support for the QM process.
UHR staff member Connie Sabin dies unexpectedly
Connie Sabin, a 19-year employee of Iowa State, including the last 18 in university human resources, died unexpectedly March 11 at Mary Greeley Medical Center. She was 51. Sabin worked in UHR's service center and interacted with many Iowa Staters in that capacity. Her family will have a private memorial at a later date; there won't be a public service. Obituary.
Lawn mower service days are March 29-30
The Agricultural Systems Technology Club will hold its lawn mower service days March 29-30 (Friday 1-6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.-3 p.m., west side of Sukup Hall). This routine service includes oil change, spark plug replacement, blade sharpening, air filter cleaning, deck cleaning and power wash (no major repairs). The cost is $30 for a push mower (riding mower $50, weed eater $15). Pickup and delivery is available for an additional fee; call 515-708-8672 or email astservicedays@gmail.com to schedule a pickup.
Thin mint ice cream is back
The Dairy Science Club is selling ice cream today (11 a.m.-1 p.m., near the north doors of Lush Auditorium in Kildee Hall). Flavors this week are vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, Reeses, Heath caramel, Butterfinger and thin mint. The price is $2 for an 8-oz. cup.
Morel mushroom certification workshop offered twice
ISU Extension and Outreach will twice offer a training class for those interested in being certified to sell morel mushrooms legally in Iowa. Certification is good for three years. The class will be offered March 30 and repeated on April 6 (2-5 p.m., 1302 Advanced Teaching and Research Building). Cost is $50; register online by March 26.
Storm spotter training is March 27
Environmental health and safety will host National Weather Service storm spotter training March 27 (1:30-3:30 p.m., MU Cardinal Room). Training highlights include severe weather threats and how to identify them, thunderstorm types, how to report severe weather, spotter safety and severe weather communications. The session is open to anyone and registration is not required, however ISU employees and students are encouraged to register via Learn@ISU. March 25-29 is Severe Weather Awareness Week in Iowa, and the National Weather Service will focus on a different severe weather topic each day. More information is on the National Weather Service and EH&S weather websites.
State women in higher ed conference is April 5
The 2019 Iowa Women in Higher Education conference, focused on developing female leaders for higher education, will be held April 5 at Reiman Gardens. A preconference workshop on negotiation will be held April 4. Information about the conference and workshop, including registration details, is online. Questions may be directed to Jackie Rees Ulmer, Ivy College of Business, 294-6232.
Reminder: 2018 flexible spending claims due April 30
Employees have until April 30 to submit claims to their flexible spending accounts for qualified health and child care expenses incurred in 2018. Up to $500 of unclaimed 2018 health care funds can be carried over and added to an employee's 2019 contributions for current-year claims. However, 2018 dependent child care funds not claimed by April 30 will be forfeited. Dependent child care funds can't be carried over to the next year. More information is online. Direct any questions to university human resources, 294-4800.
April 3 session added to Workday faculty forum lineup
Organizers added a fifth faculty forum that provides a targeted look at how Workday and improved service delivery (ISD) will impact faculty's teaching, research and extension work. Faculty are encouraged to bring their questions and visit as many topic stations as they wish during the breakout sessions. Workday demonstrations and conversations led by ISU experts will focus on: managing grants (post-award); supervising employees; processing travel and expenses; purchasing; recruiting/hiring; choosing B-base appointment salary/benefit options; and navigating Workday.
Faculty are encouraged to attend one session. Registration is open on Learn@ISU (type "WorkCyte faculty forum" in the keyword search). Dates and times are:
- Thursday, March 14 (11 a.m.-1 p.m., MU Sun Room)
- Tuesday, March 26 (10 a.m.-noon, MU Sun Room)
- Tuesday, March 26 (1-3 p.m., MU Sun Room)
- Tuesday, April 2 (10 a.m.-noon, MU Sun Room)
- Wednesday, April 3 (9:30-11:30 a.m., MU Great Hall)
Daylight saving time returns Sunday
Spring ahead. Daylight saving time begins at 2 a.m. Sunday, March 10. Prepare to lose an hour of sleep Saturday night -- and remember to set any manual clocks ahead one hour that night.
Registration is open for April 26 sleepout
Registration is open for the Friday, April 26, "Reggie's Sleepout -- Ames" to be held at ISU's Cyclone Sports Complex. The event, which started in Des Moines 12 years ago and added an Ames location in 2017, raises awareness and funds to end youth homelessness. Proceeds of this event will go to Youth and Shelter Service, Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support (ACCESS), and the Emergency Residence Project, all in Ames. The goal is to raise more than $100,000 through peer-to-peer fundraising and sponsorships.
Nearly 120 join 25 Year Club
Nearly 120 university faculty and staff were honored March 4 at the 84th annual ISU 25 Year Club banquet. Honorees had marked 25, 35, 45 or 50 years of continuous service to Iowa State during calendar year 2018. Sixty-nine employees reached 25 years of service; 43 completed 35 years; five reached 45 years; and one -- Carl Bern, professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering -- was honored for 50 years. In sum, the group has provided 3,505 years of service to the university. The 25 Year Club now records more than 3,500 members dating back to 1934. Congratulate the honorees in your area!
Registration is open for youth TAG summer camp
The Office of Admissions Early Outreach (OPPTAG) serves talented and gifted youth through academically challenging experiences and extracurricular activities that provide social enrichment for students in grades 3-11. There are many new courses being offered this year in various fields such as STEM, arts, design, social sciences and engineering. Courses fill on a first come, first serve basis; the application deadline is April 15. Eligibility requirements, a list of courses and application materials are online. Questions may be directed to opptag@iastate.edu.
Arts and events
'Die Fledermaus' is a farce of mistaken identity, flirtation and a practical joke with unanticipated consequences. It opens Nov. 7 in Fisher Theater.
