News
Break test planned for high-performance bridge beam
Engineers will test a bridge beam made of ultra-high performance concrete until it breaks in an Iowa State lab June 9. A similar beam will be used this summer to construct a bridge in Wapello County. It will be the first use of the concrete in an American bridge.
Powder found on campus isn't dangerous
A hazardous materials team has determined the powder that spilled out of an envelope sent to Iowa State's Admissions Office is not a dangerous substance. Members of the Des Moines Fire Department's hazardous materials team determined the powder is a common household cleaner.
Crum named associate dean
Michael Crum, professor of logistics and supply chain management and the John and Ruth DeVries Chair in Business, has been named associate dean for graduate programs for the College of Business.
Unidentified powder sent to Admissions Office
An unidentified powder spilled out of an envelope Tuesday morning (May 31) in the mailroom of the Admissions Office at Iowa State's Alumni Hall. There were about 80 people in the building at the time. They were all evacuated.
ISU closed for holiday
University offices will be closed and classes will not be held Monday, May 30, in observance of the national Memorial Day holiday.
Cuddly bunny or wascally wabbit?
Three bronze scultures recently added to Reiman Gardens symbolize our love-hate relationship with the cute creatures that are devouring our plants.
Scientists will discuss plant stem cells
Plant scientists from throughout the world will gather at Iowa State June 2-5 to discuss meristem biology. Plant meristems contain stem cells, capable of differentiation into many cell types. They are the centers of growth and cellular production.
Conference on tailoring plants for energy, products
The Midwest could someday replace the Mideast as the center of energy production if researchers can develop plants that more readily convert their leaves, stalks and other fibers into energy and biobased products. At a May 16 conference, experts will explore this challenge.
Ethanol-fueled car in top 20
Iowa State's racer goes 0 to 60 in under four seconds. It tops out at 110 mph. And the little blue and white formula car cracked the top 20 at the 2005 Formula SAE races May 18-22 at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Mich.
Foundation pledges $100,000 to endow scholarships
The AEGON Transamerica Foundation, Cedar Rapids, has made a three-year pledge totaling $100,000 to the College of Business to establish an endowed scholarship for finance and accounting students.
Interim for African American Studies program named
Gary Tartakov, professor of art and design, has been named the interim director of the African American Studies program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, effective July 1.
Award to mentor program for new school leaders
A mentoring program for new school district leaders has been awarded a $111,000 grant from the R.J. Carver Charitable Trust.
Solar car qualifies
Iowa State's solar car ran well in a Topeka, Kan. competition, easily qualifying for this summer's 2,500 national race.
Gift to enhance access to rare books
A Lennox Foundation gift will improve access to rare volumes in the Iowa State library and enhance preservation efforts.
Vice provost for Extension search begins
The search is under way for the next leader of Iowa State University Extension, an organization with a network of educational services in all 99 Iowa counties.
Glacier geology still cleaning Iowa groundwater
The last glacier to advance into Iowa left behind a system that is still cleaning Iowa groundwater.
Plant Sciences funds to seven projects
Iowa State's Plant Sciences Institute has awarded start-up funding to seven innovative research projects.
On-farm research program begins
An on-farm research pilot program is under way in northwest Iowa.
Englin to direct residence department
Pete Englin, Iowa State dean of students since 2000, has been named director of ISU's Department of Residence effective July 1. His appointment is pending approval by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa.
Students build shelters for tsunami victims
Bucket by bucket, two Iowa State students and two University of Northern Iowa students recently spent 10 weeks building shelters in Thailand for tsunami victims.
ISU-developed virtual reality tool works on Apples
VR Juggler, an ISU-developed software tool that makes it easier to build virtual reality systems, now works on Apple computers.
Bloedel will step down from vice provost post
Dr. James Bloedel, who has been Iowa State's vice provost for research since 2000, will leave that position Sept. 1 to return to the professorate and continue his research in the area of motor learning and motor control.
Researchers working on technology to detect WMDs
Robert Lipert has developed a technology that can detect a single spore of simulated anthrax or a single bacterium cell of simulated plague. Now the trick will be to figure out a way to capture and detect a spore or cell in something as big as a city's water supply.
Farmers' markets help economy
Farmers' markets generate an estimated $20.8 million annually in sales and more than 325 jobs for the Iowa economy.
Ahmanson's charge to graduates
"It's up to you to decide where you will dig, how deep and lasting your well will be," writer and philanthropist Roberta Green Ahmanson told gradutes at the May 7 commencement ceremony.
Actuarial tools helps predict sexual offenders' recidivism
Several states are using an Iowa State professor's actuarial tool to help predict whether sexual offenders will relapse into more criminal behavior.
ISU graduates first doctorate in human computer interaction
Melinda Cerney is the first Iowa State student to graduate with a doctorate in human computer interaction. Iowa State is one of three American universities offering a doctorate in human computer interaction, a program that trains students to understand how humans and computers interact in various environments.
Fire safety goes high-tech
A new fire safety program will use Iowa State's virtual reality facilites to put children in a computer-generated fire. The exercise will be realistic and safe.
New dairy farm plans OKed
Final plans for Iowa State's new dairy farm got the greenlight from the Board of Regents May 5. When completed, the new farm is expected to be among the premiere dairy education and research facilities in the nation.
New facility will be dedicated to academic success
Iowa State students will soon have a new facility dedicated to improving academic achievement and increasing student retention and graduation rates. Donors committed $10 million to establish the center.
71 on promotion, tenure list
The Board of Regents approved tenure, promotions or both for 71 Iowa State faculty on May 5. Twenty-nine faculty were promoted to the rank of professor, 39 were promoted to the rank of associate professor with tenure, and three faculty were tenured without promotion.
Associate director of teacher ed program named
Veronica Stalker has been named associate director of Iowa State's teacher education program.
New dairy farm expected to be among top farms
When completed, Iowa State's new dairy farm is expect to be among the premiere dairy education and research facilities in the nation.
Students collaborate on collapsible doors
Collapsible door project teaches future designers the art of collaboration.
Schwartz Award to Wayne Davis
Wayne P. Davis, a former community newspaper publisher and past Iowa State public relations staff member and journalism instructor, will receive the 2005 James W. Schwartz Award for Distinguished Service to Journalism and Communication.
Gas from switchgrass is researcher's goal
Iowa State scientist Robert Brown, who hopes that machines of the future will be powered by gas made from switchgrass, is The Science Coalition's "Researcher in the News."
ISU plans modern dairy facility
Iowa State is moving forward with plans to build a state-of-the-art dairy education and research facility south of Ames.
