Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
May 5, 2022
Inside news
The standing committee that investigates requests to remove names from campus buildings devoted most of its 15 meetings this semester to interviewing individuals with expertise, knowledge or interests in the Catt Hall name removal question. A vote on a recommendation is expected this fall.

Each of the three commencement ceremonies will celebrate two colleges. The student-centric decision ensures there is enough capacity at Hilton Coliseum for graduating students to invite as many guests as they wish.

Following final approval last month of promotion recommendations for 76 tenured or tenure-eligible and 40 term faculty, provost and senior vice president Jonathan Wickert gave his annual review of faculty advancement data at the Faculty Senate meeting May 3.

A central website introduces prospective undergraduates to a portfolio of educational options in innovation and entrepreneurship, regardless of the ISU college they select.

The Kentucky bluegrass installed Tuesday in Jack Trice Stadium was grown at the university's horticulture research farm north of Ames by horticulture students and faculty turf extension specialists. It replaces turf installed 14 years ago.

Using the fall 2021 national survey data and focus group feedback, student health and wellness leaders will work this fall with a student advisory board on strategies and decisions related to student well-being.

A landscape restoration just north of the Biorenewables Research Laboratory will nourish pollinators and serve as a model for an effort to plant similar patches of habitat this year in communities across Iowa.
Announcements
The following announcements were added this week:
  • COVID-19: By the numbers
  • Community radio fundraising concert is May 26
  • Celebration of life for former staff member Dennis Peterson is May 29
  • Application window closes May 6 for arts/humanities post
  • Reiman Gardens is open late May 12-14
  • Alumni association's 2023 travel preview is May 26
  • Art Mart at the MU is May 11-13
  • ISU adds chapter of entrepreneurship honor society
  • Registration open for youth fitness summer afternoon program
  • SHOP pantry seeks finals week, summer volunteers among faculty, staff
Around campus
The easy breathing of a newborn calf and the peaceful inhale and exhale of a child are reassuring sounds. In the next video of the "Innovators of Iowa State" series, President Wendy Wintersteen visits the labs of Jodi McGill, associate professor of veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine, who works to better equip these young immune systems to fight off respiratory diseases.

Since 2004, upper-level students in the College of Human Sciences have worked with cafés, grocery stores, gift shops, pharmacies and other small businesses in more than two dozen -- mostly rural -- Iowa communities. The innovative approach provides hands-on, experiential learning for students and fresh ideas at no cost to retailers. Read the latest in the Innovation at Work series from ISU news service.
 
President Wendy Wintersteen's report, Innovation in Overdrive, shows how Iowa State met its land-grant university commitment to Iowa and the world in 2020 and 2021, refusing to let the pandemic become a lost opportunity for creativity. The website highlights recent innovations in science, technology and education, and is a companion to a publication that was distributed to state and national leaders.

Iowa State is investigating allegations of hazing and other concerns related to the club and issued an interim suspension of all team activities.
Retirements
This week
  • Mark Honeyman, dean's office, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, May 6 (open house 11:45 a.m.-2 p.m., Harl Commons, Curtiss Hall)
  • Brenda Behling and Julie Johnston, office of the senior vice president and provost, May 6 (3-5 p.m., remarks at 3:30 p.m., first floor rotunda, Beardshear Hall)
  • Lee Cagley, interior design, May 6 (4-6 p.m., program at 4:30 p.m., atrium, College of Design), well wishes may be submitted online through May 13

Upcoming
  • Mike Dotzler, facilities and engineering, Ames Laboratory, May 16 (no public event)

Employees, their colleagues or supervisors are invited to submit retirements and departures to inside@iastate.edu. University human resources doesn't provide them for publication.
Seminars and conferences
Arts and events
An estimated 154 Doctor of Veterinary Medicine candidates will graduate Friday, May 6 (11 a.m., Hilton Coliseum, livestream). Their 12-month fourth year of study, completed this week, began before the university's 2021-22 academic calendar became final. Alumna Heather Loenser, who earned B.S. and D.V.M. degrees from Iowa State, will address the graduates. She serves as vice president of professional development, culture and wellbeing at Dallas-based Suveto, which provides support services to the veterinary profession.

The Cyclone softball squad concludes its regular season with a three-game series against Kansas Friday-Sunday, May 6-8. Games start at 4 p.m. Friday, 1 p.m. Saturday and noon Sunday at the Cyclone Sports Complex. Admission is free.

Ames Asian American and Pacific Islander groups are hosting a celebration of AAPI Heritage Month on Saturday, May 7 (4:30-7:30 p.m., MU Sun Room, livestream). It will include musical performances, a short documentary, a keynote by library dean Hilary Seo, an award presentation to essay contest winners and a buffet reception. The event is free; if you're attending in person, registration is requested.
Learning opportunities
Faculty Senate, P&S Council programming

Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) programming

University human resources programming
  • Virtual workshop, Behavior-based Interviewing, for employees who interview candidates as part of the recruiting process, May 24 (10 a.m.-noon, via Zoom), register via Learn@ISU
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Inside Update is published Thursday mornings by Strategic Relations and Communications. Questions may be directed to 515-294-7065.