News
Former tailback Stevie Hicks dies
The Iowa State community is mourning the loss of former ISU tailback Stevie Hicks. Hicks, 25, died Friday after police found him lying on Interstate 480 in Omaha, Neb. No further details were available.
Wind Energy Symposium Dec. 9
The first ISU Wind Energy Symposium, on campus Dec. 9, will feature energy, industry and university experts. Researchers, policy makers, industrial leaders, anyone with an interest in energy is invited to attend. Register online.
Turkey talk
Frequently asked food preparation questions (and answers) available from ISU Extension can save your Thanksgiving dinner.
ISU researchers introduce higher-yielding soybean varieties with improved oil
ISU's soybean breeding program has introduced four soybean varieties for 2009 planting that will result in higher yields for farmers.
ISU's Mayberry wins Rachael Ray competition
ISU junior Madison Mayberry has won Rachael Ray's "Hey, Can You Cook?!" TV competition. The 21-year-old Orange City native's final challenge included rolling pie crust, preparing butternut squash, and dressing a turkey in a "Thanksgiving Throwdown." Then, Mayberry had to create an original meal from Thanksgiving leftovers in just 25 minutes. Among other prizes, Mayberry has won a trip to Paris, four days of classes at the world-famous Le Cordon Bleu culinary arts school, and a kitchen full of new appliances -- and she doesn't even have a kitchen. Mayberry will make a future appearance on the Rachael Ray Show to do her own cooking segment.
University hours over Thanksgiving break
Iowa State classes are in recess Nov. 24-28, and university offices will be closed Nov. 27-28 to observe the Thanksgiving holiday.
Companies with ISU ties take top honors in state Pappajohn business plan contest
Submittal Exchange, a Des Moines-based company founded by Iowa State graduate Matt Ostanik; and Innovation Vibration Solutions (IVS), which was founded by Atul Kelkar, a professor of mechanical engineering at ISU; and Jerald Vogel, an Iowa State emeritus professor in aerospace engineering, finished first and third respectively in the third annual statewide John Pappajohn Business Plan Competition.
Geoffroy: ISU developing plans to handle possible reversion
In a Nov. 20 letter to Iowa State faculty and staff, ISU President Gregory Geoffroy said officials are developing plans to handle a possible budget reversion, should one by required by the downturn in state revenues. Geoffroy added that "Iowa's economy is in relatively better shape than many other states, where much larger budget cuts already have been enacted."
Mathematics On the Road Experience 2009 tour set to improve college math preparation
Faculty from the ISU mathematics department have created Mathematics On the Road Experience (MORE) 2009 -- an informational program they plan to take to 10 Iowa Area Education Agencies (AEA) next year to help prepare Iowa students better for the rigors of university level math.
Greenbowe is named Iowa's Professor of the Year
For his emphasis on teaching and learning, Tom Greenbowe, a professor of chemistry at Iowa State, was named the 2008 Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Iowa Professor of the Year.
Political journalist and author Ron Suskind to speak at Iowa State Dec. 4
Ron Suskind, a Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist and best-selling author of books about politics and international affairs, will speak on Thursday, Dec. 4. "Truth and Hope in an Age of Extremism," will be at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. It is free and open to the public. His most recent book examines the consequences of America's failing moral leadership in an age of terrorism and nuclear weapons.
Nanocoatings boost industrial energy efficiency
Scientist Bruce Cook at the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory is leading a research effort to develop ultrahard, low-friction coatings for hydraulic pumps and cutting tools that can dramatically reduce the equipments' energy consumption.
MEDIA ADVISORY: Iowa State experts can discuss economy, recession-related topics
ISU faculty and staff members are available to share their expertise on numerous topics related to the country's current economic crisis.
ISU's Mayberry still sizzles on Rachael Ray show
It's down to the final two contestants on Rachael Ray's "Hey, Can You Cook?!" TV competition, and ISU junior Madison Mayberry is one of them. The 21-year-old Orange City native's challenge on Nov. 17 was to cook a balanced meal inspired by one of three cultures that came through Ellis Island. Mayberry raced against the clock to create Irish Cabbage Wraps in under 25 minutes. Next week's finale airs on Monday, Nov. 24 at 11 a.m. on WHO-TV.
Iowa State experts project a rough holiday retail season
Both Meghan O'Brien, an economist with ISU's Regional Capacity Analysis Program; and Joydeep Bhattacharya, an associate professor of economics, project a decline in retail sales this holiday season, with smaller businesses feeling more of the economic pain.
Iowa State researcher develops biofriendly candle wax that burns cleaner
An Iowa State University researcher has developed a new soy wax that burns cleaner, produces nontoxic smoke and is renewable.
ISU's "Dr. Politics" presents Wed. forum with Iowa Public Radio partner
Join Iowa Public Radio talk show personalities Steffen Schmidt and Arnie Arnesen for a public discussion about the historic November 4 elections, on Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union's Sun Room.
Forums for sustainability director this week
Open forums will be held on campus this week for three finalists for the position of sustainability director. Finalists are Steven Squires, vice president for the environmental consulting firm Trileaf Corp.; Dennis Banasiak, president of Banasiak Development, Urbandale, a consulting firm involved in alternative energy, ag and biotech industries; and Mary T'Kach, executive director in environmental sustainability, Aveda Corp., Blaine, Minn.
Wet grounds, busy day alter gameday parking
Due to muddy conditions and standing water in the grass parking lots near Jack Trice Stadium, Iowa State officials say they will redirect bus and recreational vehicle traffic at this Saturday's football game. In addition, all public parking near the Iowa State Center (north of Center Drive) is expected to be limited due to the 12:30 p.m. men's basketball game, 5:30 p.m. football, and other scheduled events.
ISU professor hits his stride as an artist for new children's book and murals
Chuck Richards is reaping the success of his newfound passion as a children's book author and illustrator. The art and design associate professor's book, "Critter Sitter," was published recently, just as he delivered to the University of Iowa Children's Hospital the last of four commissioned paintings based on an earlier book.
Iowa State physicists part of research team testing Nobel-winning theory
Iowa State's Soeren Prell is analyzing data from an experiment that tests a theory that won a share of this year's Nobel-Prize in Physics. The theory and the data help explain why the universe is made of matter.
ISU Pappajohn Center seeks entries for statewide new venture biz plan competition
Iowa students who want to compete in the 2008 Pappajohn New Venture Business Plan Competition have until Friday, Dec. 12, to file an "intent to compete" form with one of the five Pappajohn centers for entrepreneurship -- Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, the University of Northern Iowa, North Iowa Area Community College and Drake University.
Vice chancellor Hassan Said and President Gregory Geoffroy
Geoffroy's Asian visit bolsters ISU's longtime ties
During a Nov. 11 visit to Kuala Lumpur, ISU President Gregory Geoffroy strengthened ISU links with two Malaysian universities that have a 25-year-plus association with Iowa State.
George Washington Carver sculpture to be unveiled at ISU's Seed Science Center
A life-sized sculpture of George Washington Carver will be dedicated at a ceremony outside Iowa State's Seed Science Center at noon, Tuesday, Nov. 18.
ISU student cooks up success on Rachael Ray show
ISU junior Madison Mayberry has survived another round in Rachael Ray's "Hey, Can You Cook?!" TV competition. The 21-year-old Orange City native whipped up "Modern Frank and Beans" on Monday's show -- her inspired answer to the challenge of a healthful, delicious, last-minute dinner for four. Mayberry and two other finalists will next compete on Monday, Nov. 17. The Rachael Ray Show airs in central Iowa at 11 a.m. on WHO-TV.
Gold Star Hall ceremony is a labor of love for ISU's Kathy Svec
The walls of the Gold Star Hall -- the "memorial" in Memorial Union -- are engraved with the names of former students who died while on active combat duty in the U.S. Armed Services. And Kathy Svec is quietly passionate about ensuring all who should be memorialized are. This year, 20 new names have been engraved. Since February, Svec has spent part of each day tracking down family and friends, photographs and storylines. From these memories, she tenderly crafted each soldier's tribute to be read during a Veterans Day ceremony.
Former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina to give Smith Chair lecture Nov. 17
Carly Fiorina, former chair and CEO of Hewlett-Packard, will visit ISU on Monday, Nov. 17, as the Fall 2008 Mary Louise Smith Chair in Women and Politics. She'll give a free, public talk titled "Tough Choices: Women, Leadership and Power," at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.
Turtles alter nesting dates due to temperature change says ISU researcher
An Iowa State researchers says turtles nesting along the Mississippi River and other areas are altering their nesting dates in response to rising temperatures.
Tyson Foods director to speak on corporate social responsibility at ISU
Tyson Foods community and public relations director Ed Nicholson will speak at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 13, in the Memorial Union Sun Room. His talk, "A Nation Hungry for Corporate Social Responsibility," will focus on Tyson Foods' efforts to fight hunger. It is free and open to the public.
MEDIA ADVISORY: President's Council on Financial Literacy to hold listening forum in Des Moines Nov. 11
President Bush's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy will host a special listening forum with invited statewide leaders on Tuesday, Nov. 11 in Des Moines. Sponsored jointly by the ISU College of Business and College of Human Sciences, the Greater Iowa Credit Union and the Iowa Credit Union League, the session is being convened by ISU's Tahira Hira, who serves on President Bush's Advisory Council.
Social expert to discuss media and diversity Nov. 10
The creative and cultural advisor for Nickelodeon's "Dora the Explorer" and "Go, Diego, Go!," will lecture on how the media are shaping American perspectives on diversity. Carlos Cortes will discuss "How the Media Teach about Diversity" at 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 10 in the Memorial Union Sun Room. The lecture is free and open to the public. A reception and book signing will immediately follow.
Humanitarian Action in the Twenty-first Century
Award-winning humanitarian advocate and former president of Doctors Without Borders, Dr. James Orbinski, will speak at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 11, in the Memorial Union Sun Room. Orbinski accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999 for the organization's pioneering approach to medical humanitarianism. His lecture is free and open to the public.
Student rock band lives, plays together in Iowa State residence hall
Members of the rock band "Tempest Rose" are all living together, thanks to ISU rooming assignments, in an Eaton Hall suite. The four West Des Moines Valley High graduates recently won ISU's Homecoming 2008 "Battle of the Bands" on Oct. 23.
Center for Study of Violence paper finds violent video game effects across cultures
A new study, led by ISU Distinguished Professor of Psychology Craig Anderson, shows effects of violent video games on aggression over a 3-6 month period in children from Japan as well as the United States. Anderson also led the effort to establish the Center for the Study of Violence at Iowa State last fall.
