Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
April 18, 2024
Inside news
Welcome, campus leaders
Two leaders began their work at Iowa State this week, arriving from leadership posts at Colorado campuses:

In the five-part, summer onboarding course, incoming students complete activity-based lessons on topics such as academic success, help-seeking behaviors, personal wellness and responsible financial decisions. The modules integrate other required training, including AlcoholEdu for College, First Amendment, sexual assault prevention and mental well-being.

Also on the agenda when the state Board of Regents meets in Ames: board leader elections, final look at parking permit and student housing increases, and the first of Iowa State's degrees of the future, a Master of Digital Health.

The Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching is leading a campuswide effort to explore and implement micro-credentials -- knowledge, skills or abilities achieved in short-term learning modules or co-curricular activities. Ask questions and contribute to the exploration during an April 23 town hall.

Recommendations in the draft include a central salary fund not dependent on state or departmental funding and consideration of additional voluntary employee benefits.

For 60 years, the Center for Industrial Research and Service (CIRAS) has developed solutions to help manufacturers innovate and grow, benefiting local and state economies. Over the past five years alone, CIRAS has helped more than 4,600 Iowa businesses, creating an economic impact of $3.1 billion. This feature is the fifth in the news service team's 2024 Innovation at Work series.
Announcements
The following announcements were added this week:
  • Who's joining public radio's 'Science Friday' show in Ames?
  • Honors program poster presentation, convocation are May 1
  • Reiman Gardens is open late for spring bloom-viewing
  • Volunteers sought for food pantry on-call list
  • You're invited: Distinguished Awards celebration is April 19
  • Woodcarvers gather at Reiman Gardens April 20
Around campus
University Museums again has achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded to museums. The alliance recognized museums staff for "how thoroughly collections, exhibits and programs are woven into the culture of Iowa State University." Nationally, just 16% of campus museums are accredited.

Van Buren County and the community of Manchester are the pilot communities in a new initiative that will build a process for improving the vitality of rural communities -- that can be replicated. ISU Extension and Outreach is a member of the Iowa Rural Vitality Coalition coordinating the project.

Music and theater teaching professor and Grammy-nominated composer Jodi Goble wrote the music for "The Miller's Daughter: A New World Schubertiade," a chamber opera based on a 200-year-old Franz Schubert song cycle. Goble and music and theater colleague Chad Sonka co-direct the world premiere performance on Thursday, April 25.

A research team led by Iowa State scientists has been awarded a phase 1 National Science Foundation grant to develop a portable water purification system for communities with limited water infrastructure and water quality monitoring. The team is one of 15 working on technologies that improve freshwater systems.

Human development and family studies chair Carl Weems' study found Iowa has a successful model for serving youth exiting foster care. Services reduce risks and support these 18 to 21-year-olds as they become self-sufficient and improve their relationships, finances and rates of employment and education.
Appointments
  • Erin Norton, associate director of the Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute, to director
  • Mitch Hoyer, interim director and state program leader for 4-H Youth Development, ISU Extension and Outreach, to director
Retirements and receptions
Employees, their colleagues or supervisors are invited to submit retirements and departures to inside@iastate.edu. Inside doesn't receive this information from a central source.

This week

Next week
  • Retirement, Ann Oberhauser, sociology and criminal justice, April 24 (2-3:30 p.m., remarks at 2:30 p.m., 311 East Hall), post well wishes to Oberhauser's Kudoboard
  • Retirement, Warren Franke, kinesiology, April 25 (3-5 p.m., 213 Forker)

Upcoming
  • Retirement, Dave Ross, student services, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, April 29 (2-4 p.m., remarks at 3 p.m., Harl Commons, Curtiss Hall)
  • Retirement, Beate Schmittmann, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, April 30 (4-6 p.m., program followed by reception, Sun Room, Memorial Union), post well wishes to Schmittmann's Kudoboard
  • Retirement, Lisa Ingalls-Hurley, student wellness, May 1 (no public event)
  • Retirement, Lisa Fontaine, graphic design, May 5 (5-8 p.m., Alluvial Brewing Co., 3715 W. 190th St.)
  • Retirement, Jim Nespor, physical therapy, Thielen Student Health, May 7 (3-5 p.m., Patterson Library, second floor of Thielen Student Health Center)
Campus forums
Each forum begins at 3 p.m. Candidate names and vitae will be posted the day before their visit. The forum schedule is: 
  • Candidate 3, April 22, Sun Room, Memorial Union
  • Candidate 4, April 29, Alliant Energy-Lee Liu Auditorium, Howe Hall

  • Virtual meeting, April 25 (9-10 a.m., via Microsoft Teams), construction activities, impact on campus circulation, project timeline, Q&A, email Liz Clarke, facilities planning and management, by April 24 to receive the meeting link
Arts and events
The final two days of the CODAC (College of Design Art Club) spring sale of work by students in integrated studio/visual arts and club members are Thursday, April 18 (10 a.m.-4 p.m.), and Friday, April 19 (10 a.m.-2 p.m.), in the foyer of the main entrance to the College of Design. 

Separate casts and creative teams for "The Crucible" and "John Proctor is the Villain" will share a two-weekend run (April 18-28), and Fisher Theater's stage crews will turn over the sets six times. Curtain time for "The Crucible" is 7:30 p.m. on April 18, 19 and 27, with a 3 p.m. matinee on April 28. "John Proctor is the Villain" will run April 20, 25 and 26 at 7:30 p.m. A matinee performance on April 21 starts at 3 p.m. Each show's ticket is general admission (adults $20, free for youth and Iowa State students).

The Cyclone football team will conclude its spring season with an intrasquad game Saturday, April 20 (11 a.m., gates 1-3 open at 10 a.m., Jack Trice Stadium). Admission is free.

One of the largest student-produced fashion shows in the nation hits the runway in Stephens Auditorium Saturday, April 20 (7-9 p.m.). Tickets ($16-$31) still are available via Ticketmaster.

Athletics director Jamie Pollard, who was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2021, will share his cancer story as part of a "Confronting Cancer in College" lecture on Tuesday, April 23 (6 p.m., MU Great Hall).
Learning opportunities
Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) programming
Register

University human resources programming
Leadership skills certificate series for supervisors, register in Workday Learning (topics: university human resources, managers at ISU)
  • Managing Conflict, April 18 (10 a.m.-noon, MU Oak Room)
  • Leading with Your Best Self, May 8 (10-11 a.m., via Microsoft Teams)
  • Effective Leadership and Communication, May 16 (1-3 p.m., MU Cardinal Room)
Previous Inside coverage
About us
Inside Update is published Thursday mornings by Strategic Relations and Communications. Questions may be directed to 515-294-7065.