Announcements
October 2012
ISU Ambassadors' mock election through noon Friday
The Iowa State Ambassadors student group is holding a mock election (for president and 45th and 46th districts) through noon Friday. Visit the Ambassadors Facebook page for voting information and final results of the mock election. ISU Ambassadors is a group that seeks to create a bridge between the students of Iowa State’s campus and real world politics.
Reminder: Fall back this Sunday
Daylight saving time will end at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 4. Remember to set your clocks back one hour at bedtime Saturday.
YWCA's dessert party is Nov. 8
The university community is invited to the YWCA Ames-ISU's annual "Just Desserts: A Taste of Chocolate and More" on Thursday, Nov. 8 (7-8:30 p.m., Johnny’s in Hilton Coliseum). Story County vendors will provide 20 desserts for all to sample. Four judges, including ISU first lady Janet Leath, will choose their favorite. Tickets ($35 or $50 for two people, $15 for students) can be purchased in advance from the YWCA office, 210 Lab of Mechanics. Proceeds support programming and scholarships at the YWCA Ames-ISU.
P&S Council open forum is Nov. 1
Mike Otis, associate director for human resource services, will provide an overview of the 2013 university benefits during a Professional and Scientific Council open forum Nov. 1 (noon-1 p.m., MU Campanile Room). Also, Lindsey Wanderscheid and Don Chrusciel from the P&S Awards Committee will discuss nominating P&S staff for awards. All are welcome; feel free to bring your lunch.
Student organization receives $7,500 grant
Iowa State's Mechanical Contractors Association (MCA) student group recently received the $7,500 Chapter of Excellence Grant, a national award for the 10 best MCA student chapters in the United States. The first $5,000 of the award goes toward student scholarships. The remaining $2,500 will be used for chapter operations.
Writing and Media Center open house is Nov. 7
Renovations and upgrades will be showcased at a Nov. 7 open house for the undergraduate Writing and Media Center in 300 Carver Hall (1-2:30 p.m.). Technology improvements include a SMART Board and Mac Lab, which assist students working on multimedia projects and other electronic communication. A ribbon cutting will be held at 1 p.m., with Rachel Azima, the center's new director. Refreshments will be served.
VRAC's Halloween Fun House runs Oct. 30-Nov. 4
The Virtual Reality Applications Center announces its 2012 Halloween Fun House -- designed for children ages 3-12 years, but all are welcome. The fun house contains lots of VRAC technology along with some favorite movie characters. New this year are two viewings just for ISU faculty, staff and their families: Oct. 30 and Nov. 1 (4-5 p.m., 1117 Black Engineering). The other two viewings, Nov. 3 and Nov. 4 (1-4 p.m., 1117 Black Engineering), are open to the public. Admission is free.
Enrollment for biotech techniques courses is open
Enrollment is open for the molecular biology techniques courses offered in spring 2013 by the Office of Biotechnology for graduate students, faculty, staff and other interested people. Students taking the courses for credit are given preference; others may sign up beginning Jan. 7, 2013, where openings are available. Offerings include introductions to: DNA techniques, protein techniques, cell techniques and plant transformation techniques.
Finalists announced for ISU Foundation president
Two finalists have been named in the search for the Iowa State University Foundation president. Finalists are: Patricia A. Borger, vice chancellor, development and alumni relations at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; and Roger Neuhaus, senior vice president for development and university campaigns at the University of Arizona Foundation. Candidates will meet with Iowa State officials and foundation volunteers and staff and will have the opportunity to tour campus and the city of Ames during the first two weeks of November.
Flu shots are still available
If you haven't received a flu shot yet, there still are some available. Occupational medicine staff will continue to administer flu shots at no cost to employees while supplies last. To get a shot, call 4-2056 to make an appointment. Shots will be administered in G11 Technical and Administrative Services Building. Be sure to bring your ISU ID card or your university ID number with you. There is limited parking in front of TASF.
Holiday ham fundraiser is under way
The Meat Science Club is selling high quality semi-boneless hams for the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. Whole hams (12-15 pounds) are $3.50 per pound, and half hams (7-9 pounds) are $4 per pound; payment (cash or check) is due at pickup time. Quantities are limited. Place an order by emailing the club (provide contact info and preferred pickup time) or filling out an order form in 2371 Kildee or at the Meat Lab sales counter, 214 Meat Lab. Hams may be picked up in Kildee Hall Nov. 13 and 15, and Dec. 11 and 13 (4-6 p.m. on all days). Proceeds help cover travel and other costs when members attend professional meetings and conferences.
Brantley Gilbert plays Oct. 26 at Hilton
Country rock music star Brantley Gilbert brings his "Hell on Wheels" tour to Hilton Coliseum for an 8 p.m. show Friday, Oct. 26. Brantley is a nominee for Country Music Association's "New Artist of the Year" award. Tickets are $30 ($37 for floor seats), with a $7 discount for ISU students with ID (limit of one ticket per ID). Tickets are available at the athletics ticket office and through Ticketmaster.
Memorial service for David Martin is Nov. 2
Former materials science and engineering faculty member David Martin died Oct. 14 in Ames from emphysema. He was 71. A memorial service will be held Friday, Nov. 2 (4:30 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames, 1015 N. Hyland Ave.). Memorials are preferred to KHOI Radio of Ames. Martin served on the ISU faculty from 1971 to 2000. He founded the Gaffers Guild (glassblowing club) and served two terms as Faculty Senate president in its early years. Full obituary.
Nutcracker ballet tickets on sale now
Tickets are on sale now for the 32nd production of The Nutcracker Ballet at Stephens Auditorium Dec. 8-9. The holiday classic features central Iowa dancers, with professional dancers in the principal roles of the Sugar Plum Fairy and her Cavalier. Performance times are 1:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $20 and $18, with discounts for students, seniors and groups of 10 or more. Purchase tickets at the Stephens box office or all Ticketmaster centers (surcharges apply).
Snow blower service days are Nov. 2-3
The Agriculture Systems Technology Club will hold its annual snow blower service days Nov. 2 (1-6 p.m.) and 3 (8 a.m.-3 p.m.) on the north side of the Industrial Education II building (west of horse barns). The $25 cost includes oil, spark plug, grease and a half tank of gas, but not mechanical repairs. Pickup and delivery (Ames only) is available for $15; call (515) 708-8672 or send an email request by 2 p.m. Nov. 1 to request this service.
Biotech facilities resource now updated
The Office of Biotechnology, in cooperation with the Office of the Vice Provost for Research and Economic Development, is providing updated information regarding Biotechnology Service Facilities on campus. This essential resource for researchers is available online or will be provided free to those who request one or several copies by sending an email to camstock@iastate.edu.
The Grill closes for season Oct. 18
The Grill, ISU Dining's seasonal food cart located on the east side of the Union Drive Community Center, will close for the season Oct. 18.
Meteorology chapter is best in nation
For the second time in three years and third time since 2006, Iowa State’s American Meteorological Society student organization has been named national student chapter of the year.
Prizes, bike tuneups, food and more on Sustainability Day
Free bike tuneups, food and prizes will be part of the local observance of National Campus Sustainability Day on Oct. 24. Activities will take place outside Parks Library from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Among exhibitors at the event will be 88.5 KURE radio, green groups and businesses, and the solar car team. Participants will have an opportunity to recycle plastic bags and build a bench.
You're invited: Oct. 26 Homecoming celebration
Faculty and staff are invited to the Alumni Center (420 Beach Ave.) on Friday, Oct. 26 (5-9 p.m., pep rally at 7 p.m.) for the Cytennial Homecoming celebration and pep rally. A full schedule of Friday and Saturday events is online.
Proposals sought for 2013 ISCORE
Proposals for 50-minute presentations are being accepted through Nov. 26 for the annual Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE), to be held March 1, 2013, at the Memorial Union. ISCORE is a comprehensive forum on issues of race and ethnicity at Iowa State and beyond. Students, staff and faculty will provide concurrent sessions at the conference. Proposals should be submitted online.
FAQ, forums offer more info on presidential research initiative
Teams interested in seeking funds through the new Presidential Initiative for Interdisciplinary Research will find useful details on the initiative and process in a new FAQ. Additionally, university officials will discuss the initiative and answer questions at two forums this month. Forums are scheduled for:
- Thursday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m.-noon, 207 Marston
- Friday, Oct. 26, 11 a.m.-noon, Campanile Room, Memorial Union
Call for Entries for Studies in Creativity 2012
The Student Activities Center has issued a call for entries for Studies in Creativity 2012, the annual fall student juried art exhibit at the Memorial Union. Any ISU student may participate; up to three entries in any media may be submitted. The artwork dropoff date for jurying is Monday Oct. 22 (9 a.m.-1 p.m., MU Gallery). Exhibition dates are Oct. 25-Dec. 9. Entry information is online. Juror Emily Newman, a Drake University instructor, will select up to 40 pieces for the exhibition as well as pick cash award winners. Questions may be directed to Letitia Kenemer, 4-0971.
Reserve a seat at Oct. 17 special dinner
Students in this fall's fine dining management course will host a special dinner, "New England Street Food," on Oct. 17 (6:30 p.m., Tea Room, 23 MacKay). Details about the menu are online. Cost is $35 ($30 without alcoholic beverages). RSVP to Hailey by Oct. 13 if you'd like to attend.
Book Talk series with faculty authors returns Oct. 30
Assistant professor Julie Courtwright (history) and associate professor Radford Davis (veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine) will give informal presentations about writing and publishing their respective 2011 books during the ISU Library's "Book Talk" series Oct. 30 (3-4:30 p.m., 192 Parks Library). Courtwright's Prairie Fire: A Great Plains History details fire as a pervasive element in human life on the plains. Caring for Family Pets, which Davis edited, explains roles and responsibilities in caring for companion animals, including common surgeries and alternative care.
CYtation award nominations due Dec. 1
Know an outstanding professional and scientific employee? Nominate him or her for a CYtation award by Dec. 1. Nominees must be P&S employees (on or off campus) who have performed above the call of duty, done something extraordinarily well or made a significant difference at the university within the past year (from date of nomination submission). Any employee may submit a nomination. Nomination forms and more information are available online.
HeartReach mobile lab makes stop at ISU Oct. 17
Medical staff with the HeartReach mobile lab will be on campus Oct. 17 (7:10 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Lot 29, north of the Communications Building) to conduct health screenings. A list of screenings and costs (PDF) is online. Make an appointment by calling 866-935-5432.
Alumni association seeks nominations for two awards
The ISU Alumni Association seeks nominations by Dec. 1 for the 2013 Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award and the 2013 STATEment Makers. The Barron award recognizes ISU seniors who display high character, outstanding achievements in academics and university or community activities, and promise for continuing these qualities as alumni. The STATEment Makers award recognizes ISU graduates ages 32 and younger with accomplishments in the areas of scholastic, career, entrepreneurial, service or personal achievement. More information, including nomination forms and directions, is online. Questions may be directed to Julie Larson.
Iowa Water Center seeks grant applications
The Iowa Water Center (IWC) is currently accepting applications for the Institute Research Grants 104(b) program, funded by the U.S. Geological Survey. This is an annual competitive statewide program that funds research focused on Iowa water resources problems. Proposals are due Nov. 19. Grantees will be notified in December. More information is available online. Contact Melissa Miller, 4-7467, with questions.
Apply for CIAG funding by Oct. 31
The Center for Integrated Animal Genomics (CIAG) is seeking applications by Oct. 31 for research seed grants. Grants will provide funding for preliminary data collection and research personnel working with CIAG faculty. The proposed support should have the potential to enhance newly developed or ongoing research programs and contribute to innovative and significant research. Faculty members affiliated with CIAG are eligible. Principal investigators must be from the Colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Liberal Arts and Sciences, or Veterinary Medicine. The maximum award is $20,000 per grant and requires a 50 percent match of the total requested from non-CIAG sources. Additional information, including an application, is available online.
Apply for biotech event funding by Nov. 1
The Office of Biotechnology provides funds for biotechnology-related conferences, symposia and workshops that are held on campus and are organized by faculty members or jointly by a faculty sponsor and graduate students. Applications are due Nov. 1 for proposed events that will occur before June 30, 2013. More information, including the application form, are online or contact Glenda Webber, 4-4749.
Student-athletes collect food donations before K-State game
Iowa State's Student Athlete Advisory Committee and Cyclone student-athletes are holding a "Can the Cats" food drive Saturday before the Kansas State at Iowa State football game. Student-athletes, pushing Hy-Vee donated shopping carts, will collect donations before the game (7:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.) from the paved parking lots around Jack Trice Stadium. The game between the No. 25 Cyclones and No. 5 Wildcats kicks off at 11 a.m. "Can the Cats" is being held in conjunction with the Food Bank of Iowa, recipient of the donations. Food Bank of Iowa distributes food to 425 partner organizations in 55 Iowa counties.
Library workshop series continues
The library's fall workshop series, targeting faculty and graduate students, continues with three more events this month. Preregistration is required for all workshops; location provided at registration:
- Knovel, a searchable database of datasets and reference sources in science, technology and engineering (ISU offers access to nearly 4,000 full-text eBooks through this service), Oct. 16 (3-4:30 p.m.)
- Web of Science (citation indexes for science, social sciences and arts and humanities), Oct. 18 (11 a.m.-noon or 1-2 p.m.)
- Finding grant funding from non-government sources, Oct. 23 or Oct. 25 (3-4:30 p.m.)
Lane closure on 13th Street at Ridgewood
North commuters who arrive on campus via 13th Street are asked to be alert to a lane closure on westbound 13th Street at Ridgewood Avenue, beginning Wednesday, Oct. 10, and lasting approximately two weeks. The lane closest to the curb will be closed to allow road pavement workers to complete the Ridgewood-13th Street intersection. Eastbound traffic will not be affected.
Annual conference focuses on veterans in higher education
ISU faculty, staff and students are invited to participate in the third annual Iowa Statewide Veterans Conference on Nov. 15 (9:15 a.m.-4:15 p.m., Memorial Union). This conference will help participants learn how best to support our student veterans in ways that also strengthen our Iowa higher education institutions and communities. Registration is $30 (free for students) and can be completed online. The Office of the VP for Student Affairs will host a reception recognizing student veterans at the end of the conference (5-7 p.m., MU Great Hall, program at 5:30 p.m.).
Early voting comes to campus Oct. 15-19
Iowa State officials have worked with the Story County auditor's office to provide early voting on campus Oct. 15-19. In Iowa, college students have the option to vote in Story County or in their home county. At the satellite voting station, ISU students who will be 18 years or older on Nov. 6 have the option to:
- Register to vote in Story County and complete a ballot
- Fill out a request form to receive by mail an absentee ballet from their home county
Entrepreneurship speaker series is Oct. 23; register now
Iowa State's Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship announces its Reiman Speaker Series for Tuesday, Oct. 23. Adrian Sannier, vice president of product at Pearson eCollege and a former faculty member at Iowa State, will give a luncheon address, "The Rise of the Rock Star Teacher" (noon, MU Sun Room), and moderate a faculty discussion about teaching entrepreneurship (1:30-4 p.m., MU Campanile Room). Both events are free and open to the public, but registration is required for the luncheon and the faculty roundtable.
LAS hosts online auction for United Way Oct. 10-17
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is hosting an online auction for the 2012 United Way campaign. Homemade cupcakes, a feng shui consultation and a hand-crafted wooden bowl are just a few of the items up for bid. The auction will run from 8 a.m. Oct. 10 through 4 p.m. Oct. 17. Anyone with an ISU net ID can bid (verification required).
Major fair is Monday
Shopping for a new major or not sure what you want to do? Attend the ISU Major Fair on Monday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. Explore 100+ majors and talk with representatives who can answer your questions. If you’re an open-option student, considering a change in major, or struggling to find the right career path, the Major Fair is for you.
Show your Cyclone pride ... at home
Would you like to help promote Iowa State’s Centennial Homecoming celebration? The ISU Alumni Association has colorful yard signs (18 by 24 inches) to advertise this milestone event in the Ames and university communities. Stop by the association (8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 420 Beach Ave.) and pick up a sign while the supply lasts. Signs are distributed at the second floor reception desk and the first floor window; donations for the signs will be accepted.
Show your Cyclone pride ... in the office
The Homecoming Central Committee invites faculty and staff members to show your Cyclone spirit by decorating your department office, personal office or office door. If you'd like to participate, email your registration by Oct. 5. Then, decorate your office or door by Oct. 24. Judging takes place Oct. 25-26, and only those offices and departments that registered ahead of time will be part of the judging. Prizes will be awarded for the following:
- Best overall school spirit
- Best use of the ISU logo (past or present)
- Best use of ISU colors
- Best use of homecoming theme: "Homecoming CYtennial Celebration: Taking Ames by Storm"
- Most creative decoration
- Best overall decoration
A look at last year's winners is online.
Attention merit employees: Job line is going away
Beginning Jan. 1, 2013, the merit job phone line (4-0146) will be eliminated. Employees interested in learning about the latest job postings should instead visit the ISU employment website. You may sign up for an RSS feed to receive automatic updates of new positions posted. Contact human resources services at 4-4800 with questions.
Trainor will discuss P&S salary report at open forum
David Trainor, associate vice president of human resource services, is the featured speaker at this month's Professional and Scientific Council open forum on Oct. 4 (noon-1 p.m., MU Campanile Room). He will discuss the annual P&S salary report, and provide an update on key HRS initiatives. All are welcome to attend; feel free to bring your lunch.
Annual report lists crime stats, safety tips
Iowa State's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (PDF) contains information on campus security and personal safety including topics such as: crime prevention, fire safety, university police law enforcement authority, crime reporting policies, the ISU Alert System, disciplinary procedures, and other matters of importance relating to security and safety on campus. The report also contains crime statistics and fire data for the previous three calendar years.
David Peterson will present October Osborn Club lecture
Professor of political science David Peterson will present the next Osborn Club lecture on "The Dynamic Construction of Candidate Image" on Oct. 8 (7 p.m., Gold Room, Hilton Garden Inn, 1325 Dickenson Ave.). Peterson will demonstrate the power of the media in crafting the image of who political candidates are, and also that these images are partially responsible for who wins in November. The lecture portion of the Osborn Club's monthly meeting is free and open to the public, and follows a dinner of members.
Reminder: Regents request input by Oct. 17 on replacement proposal for tuition set-aside
The state Board of Regents is accepting, through Wednesday, Oct. 17, public input on a recommendation to replace student financial aid set aside from tuition dollars. Comments may be submitted via email to regents@iastate.edu. The proposal before the board is to create a state-funded financial aid program that would serve resident undergraduates with financial need attending an Iowa regent university, supplemented with private aid dollars raised by each university foundation. More information about the proposal (Agenda item 12 from the board's Sept. 12 meeting) PDF is online.
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.
