Timeless concept gets fresh look for 2023
Campus services team member Kurt Garretson installs the new Principles of Community banners along Morrill Road Tuesday morning. Photo by Christopher Gannon.
Iowa State's Principles of Community banners, which occupy eight Morrill Road light poles between the Memorial Union and Beardshear Hall, have been updated. The office of diversity, equity and inclusion collaborated with university marketing and Des Moines branding and design firm PUSH to reimagine the banners during the fall semester. The new banners still feature a simple and modern design and updated photos representing each of the six principles: respect, purpose, cooperation, richness of diversity, freedom from discrimination, and honest and respectful expression of ideas.
In tandem with the banner redesign, new Principles of Community posters will be printed and distributed this spring.
The first set of banners was installed in early March 2018, timed to coincide with that spring's ISCORE conference. The set was a capstone project of one of the teams in the 2017-18 Emerging Leaders Academy; team members secured funding from all eight colleges and the offices of the senior vice president for student affairs and vice president for diversity and inclusion.
The six principles were developed by a Student Government-appointed commission and endorsed by former President Gregory Geoffroy in 2007, and revived by former President Steven Leath in 2016 during a contentious election window.
Welcome
Shawn Norman joined Iowa State's leadership team Jan. 1 as senior vice president for operations and finance. Photo by Christopher Gannon.
Shawn Norman began serving as senior vice president for operations and finance on Jan. 1. He oversees the five varied units of the division of operations and finance:
- Budget, institutional financial strategy and treasury
- Facilities planning and management
- Finance services
- Payroll, benefits and tax
- Specialty business services and cultural arts
Norman comes to Iowa State from the University of Nevada, Reno, where he had served as associate vice president for planning, budget and analysis since 2018. University functions he oversaw at Reno include institutional budgets, student enrollment data collection and analysis, decision support analysis and campus space coordination.
Prior to that, he served in several capacities at the University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston (2003-18), including director of finance in the office of the provost.
Norman holds a bachelor's degree in accounting from Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, and a master's in business administration from Boise State University, Idaho.
His appointment awaits final approval by the state Board of Regents.
Norman's office is in 1350 Beardshear. He can be reached by email at snorman@iastate.edu or by calling his administrative assistant, Caitlynn Miller, at 515-294-6162.
Jason Henderson to lead extension and outreach programs
Jason Henderson has been appointed vice president of Iowa State's extension and outreach programs. He will join Iowa State April 3.
Jason Henderson
Henderson currently serves as director of extension and senior associate dean for faculty development in the College of Agriculture and assistant vice provost for engagement at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. He succeeds John Lawrence, who last June announced his plans to retire this spring.
"Jason Henderson brings a wealth of experience to Iowa State University, both as an agricultural economist and an academic leader," said President Wendy Wintersteen. "He was raised on a family dairy farm in northeast Iowa. He understands the needs of Iowa's rural communities and the critical role extension and outreach plays in their vitality and success."
Henderson earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Central College, Pella, and master's and Ph.D. degrees in agricultural economics from Purdue University. He served in several positions at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, including vice president and Omaha branch executive, before joining Purdue in 2013 as extension director, associate dean and assistant vice provost of engagement.
A nationally recognized expert in agricultural and rural issues, Henderson has published more than 80 research articles in academic and Federal Reserve publications on topics such as land values, entrepreneurship, e-commerce in agricultural industries, changing demographics in rural America and value-added food manufacturing.
"Leading Iowa State's extension and outreach programs is a tremendous and humbling opportunity," Henderson said. "As a native Iowan, I am excited for this opportunity to serve my home state and to work with our team of faculty, staff and county leaders to maintain a strong Iowa."
In making the announcement, senior vice president and provost Jonathan Wickert praised Lawrence for his performance in the role, and thanked members of the search committee for their thoughtful consideration of candidates.
Editor's note: This story was previously shared on Dec. 21, when the appointment was announced.
Heaverlo to support strategic relations priorities
President Wendy Wintersteen has announced that Carol Heaverlo, director of operations for ISU Extension and Outreach, is taking on a new commitment in support of university priorities in strategic relations and communications.
Carol Heaverlo
Heaverlo will continue serving as director of operations for extension and, over the next three years, also will contribute expertise in developing and supporting priority university projects through the office of strategic relations and communications.
"As director of operations, Carol Heaverlo has worked to strengthen ties with extension program units and county services and to enhance programs, products and materials. Through this new commitment, she will do similar work to optimize the strengths of extension service professionals in connection with university communicators and marketing specialists working on university priorities," Wintersteen said.
Heaverlo has served as extension's director of operations since 2020, providing leadership to several service units, including communications, multimedia and creative services, extension information technology, program development and evaluation, professional development, grants and contracts, conference planning and management, registration services and the Extension Store.
Previously, Heaverlo served for six years as extension's director of professional development. She worked for the Program for Women in Science and Engineering (2005-14) and as director of extension education in Ida County (2000-05).
Heaverlo earned a bachelor's degree in biology from Mount Mercy University, Cedar Rapids; a master's degree in biology from the University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls; and a Ph.D. in higher education leadership and policy studies from Iowa State.
Five questions with the voice of the Cyclones
John Walters has been calling Iowa State football and men's basketball games on the radio for 20 years. Photo by Luke Lu.
John Walters is the eyes and ears for countless Iowa State football and men’s basketball fans as the voice of the Cyclones. Now, in his 20th year on the radio, Walters reflected with Inside on his professional journey, memorable moments and impactful athletes.
What got you started as a broadcaster and how did you come to Iowa State?
Growing up in suburban Chicago, I loved sports but wasn’t the most talented athlete. I wanted to stay connected in some way, and I loved listening to the great broadcasters in Chicago, particularly Jim Durham, the voice of the Chicago Bulls. I went to Drake University and got a part-time job working for (former ISU play-by-play radio announcer) Pete Taylor in the sports department at KCCI-TV. When I graduated, I moved into a full-time position there and continued to do radio play-by-play. I did Drake women’s games on KRNT Radio and then Drake men’s games. In 1996, I became sports director at WOI-TV which allowed me the opportunity to do TV play-by-play for Iowa State. I was blessed to call those games with the great Gary Thompson. When Taylor tragically died in 2003, I stayed at WOI-TV but also became the radio voice of the Cyclones, and I'm now in my 20th year with the Cyclone Radio Network. In 2012, I left WOI to take a full-time position as the director of broadcasting at Iowa State, helping launch Cyclones.tv.
What's your favorite Cyclone sports memory?
There are so many that it's hard to name just one. But at the top of the list is the football win at Oklahoma in 2017. Kyle Kempt had thrown just two passes in his five-year collegiate career and he made his first start. Iowa State was about a 31-point underdog. Kempt found Allen Lazard for a late touchdown and Iowa State pulled the upset, which really accelerated the success Cyclone football has had in the Matt Campbell era.
Who are the memorable athletes you've interacted with during your time?
Another tough one because there have been so many great athletes -- and great people -- to come through Iowa State. Breece Hall and Brock Purdy were great examples of that. In basketball, I don't know that I've enjoyed being around a player more than Georges Niang. Georges wasn't a native Iowan, but I can promise you that he considers Iowa home. He's playing professionally for the Philadelphia 76ers, but he still comes back every summer and teams with another great Cyclone, Lyndsey Fennelly, to conduct a charity event that's raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities. I also would be remiss if I didn't mention how lucky I've been to work with Eric Heft. I've been so blessed to work with three of the greatest Cyclones of all time in Taylor, Thompson and Heft.
What's changed with Cyclone sports during your 40 years of covering them?
The biggest development was the hiring of Jamie Pollard as director of athletics (September 2005). Jamie wasn't afraid to level with the fan base about its expectations and what needed to happen to help make those expectations a reality. He has hired several great coaches, and he's stayed in it for the long haul to take Iowa State athletics to new heights. He has a terrific understanding of the role athletics plays within the university structure, and he's cognizant of that when making decisions. On top of all that, he is a great listener. To me, that's the number one quality to have as a leader.
What stands out about ISU fans?
Their loyalty and their passion for Iowa State. Heft and I see it everywhere we go. Iowa State fans feel a very deep connection to the university, and they seize every opportunity to come out and support our teams. It means so much to those players to see that support, and every one of our coaches would tell you that their No. 1 selling point with recruits is the passion of Cyclone fans.
Criminal history inquiry removed from job application form
Effective Dec. 28, Iowa State has changed when and where it asks about job seekers' criminal history. An applicant's criminal history will be addressed in the background review process after a candidate has received a contingent offer of employment. The intent is to remove bias from the selection and interview processes and encourage a broader pool of applicants based on their skills and qualifications.
Since the background check policy's inception in 2009, ISU's employment application form had contained a question about job seekers' criminal history. In addition to the application form, the applicant also discloses this information when ISU's third-party provider completes a background check.
The question:
Have you ever been convicted, received a deferred judgment or sentence, paid a fine, served probation or plead guilty or no contest of a felony or misdemeanor including traffic violations?
"This change helps remove the temptation for hiring managers to overlook an applicant because of their disclosure, without further follow up. We're removing that up-front barrier to employment," said Abi Block, assistant director of talent acquisition, university human resources (UHR). "We want to give everyone the opportunity to apply for a position and have the same principles applied to their disclosure, background check and job-related analysis of the results of that check.
"It's important for campus to know that UHR still will conduct the same background check review and analysis," she added.
The federal Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, which included this so-called "ban the box" provision, took effect a year ago, though without a compliance timeline for federal agencies and contractors. Block said many federal contractors are making this change.
Applicants to some Iowa State jobs still will see the question, for example, police officers and Ames National Laboratory positions requiring federal clearances. Units that use a paper application process for student workers should review their application form and remove any criminal history questions.
Winter break important time for ITS team
Upgrading classroom technology typically is a summer project for the information technology services (ITS) audiovisual experience team (AVXT), but supply chain issues did not allow that last summer. Seven members of the team are hoping to catch up on some of those projects during winter break. Summer and winter break are the best times to complete significant technology projects without disrupting the daily flow of a university classroom.
"It is an atypical winter break for us because we are trying to catch up, now that the parts we need have arrived," said Dan Brauer, a member of ITS AVXT. "Normally we are doing other things at this time."
Brauer said ITS still is dealing with delays depending on the components needed. Orders were made last April for projects to be completed during the 2022 summer, but current projections have an arrival date of midsummer 2023.
The projects
One of the biggest projects is upgrading the audiovisual technology in six small general university classrooms (Gilman 1801, 1805, 1811 and 1813, and Physics 0038 and 0039). The rooms will have touchscreen interfaces installed to control technology, replacing push-bottom panels. The team will upgrade the networking cables and install laser projectors, eliminating lamp ones. When the upgrades are complete, the rooms will match most others across the university.
"The rooms will look much more standard so when faculty move from one building to the next, these rooms will function similarly," Brauer said.
A teaching lab in the Town Engineering Building will be equipped with a camera and microphones to record lectures and provide web conferencing options. Brauer said room 0322 does not have a drop ceiling because it is where HVAC installation is taught.
"We want to make sure our work looks good because students and instructors are going to be looking up at it often," he said.
Additional projects include adding a second camera in Bessey Hall 210. The room can accommodate virtual conferences, but the lone camera is pointed toward the front of the room and does not allow a presenter to see and interact with students.
Confidence monitors -- a screen mounted in a room that lets presenters see what slide is on screen without turning their backs to the audience -- will be installed in the back of Gerdin Business Building's room 1148.
The Child Development Laboratory School in the Palmer Building also will have cameras and microphones installed in a classroom to assist research for the College of Human Sciences.
Other projects focus on improving signal strength and video quality at various sites across campus.
Gerdin
Contractor crews out of Marshalltown that were involved with the Gerdin expansion are in the process of doing full renovations to seven additional classrooms by the end of winter break.
"They are familiar with how everything is laid out, so they are overseeing that part," Brauer said. "We come in after completion, just to make sure everything is functional."
