Inside Update

April 15, 2010
Announcements and news for ISU faculty and staff

News

Everyday hero leads the parade
Marcia Clendenen, mentor of hundreds of students during 33 years in ISU's parking division and behind-the-scenes helper at a floatload of Veishea parades, will lead this year's procession as grand marshal.

Veishea weekend gears up today
Cherry pies, Taste of Veishea, SOV, canoe races, battling bands, Dr. Drew, and the Bonnaroo College Comedy Tour are among highlights of the next four days of Veishea.

ISU helped pioneer direct lending plan
Recent legislation that removes private lenders from the federal student loan process won't have much effect on ISU students. Iowa State was among schools that helped pioneer direct lending in 1994.

Earth Day turns 40
Iowa State will commemorate Earth Day's 40th anniversary with lots of on-campus events during Earth Week, April 19-25.

ISU Dining menu includes student creations
A unique partnership between ISU Dining and a culinary science class gives students a shot at developing menu items for their peers.

Move-in begins at biorenewables lab building
Faculty and staff are starting to check in at the new Biorenewables Research Laboratory on the west side of campus. Move-in will continue into the summer; a building dedication is scheduled for September.

More news: Inside Iowa State

Announcements

The following announcements were added this week:
-- Central Stores will be closed April 21-23 for inventory
-- Graphic design students' Senior Portfolio Night is April 22
-- Entrepreneurship learning community teams to hold Apprentice-style competition April 15-22
-- Some north parking lots closed Friday for Veishea; use Iowa State Center lots instead
-- Fire safety training begins April 20
-- Storm-spotter training scheduled for April 27
-- Vet Med dean search committee seeks input for position description at April 21 forum
-- Submit requests now for course reserve materials (summer and fall) at the library
-- Register to volunteer for Special Olympics by April 23
-- New computer virus captures keystrokes to gather sensitive financial information
-- P&S employees' new pay grades available now through AccessPlus

See: Announcements

Seminars and conferences

The following seminars and conferences were added this week:
-- Beginning Elementary Teachers, Curriculum Materials and Inquiry-Oriented Science Teaching, April 20
-- Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression, April 20

See: Announcements

Appointment

-- Lois Wright Morton, professor of sociology, to interim director of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, effective July 1

Around campus

Student dies; bacterial meningitis suspected
An Iowa State senior died Tuesday night at Mary Greeley Medical Center. Initial lab tests at the hospital indicate bacterial meningitis was the probable cause of death. Final results are pending from the University of Iowa Hygienic Laboratory in Ankeny.

Giving corn a vitamin boost
Maria Salas-Fernandez, assistant professor of agronomy, was part of a research team that introduced more vitamin A into corn hybrids, helping fill a nutritional hole in the diets of people in developing countries.

A crime-fighting professor
Jennifer Davidson, associate chair of the mathematics department with a joint appointment in the electrical and computer engineering department, has been working with Iowa's Division of Criminal Investigation to develop methods to detect hidden content in digital image files -- specifically, child pornography concealed in seemingly innocent digital photographs.

MBA case competition comes to Iowa State
Groups of four MBA students have 24 hours to analyze a Harvard-style general business management case during the fourth annual Big 12 MBA Case Competition, hosted by Iowa State April 23-24.

Departmental newsletters

From the ISU Foundation
A look at the recipients of this year's Distinguished Awards Celebration, a philanthropic workshop for women and the establishment of the Palmer Departmental Chair in Electrical and Computer Engineering are some of the articles in the most recent Philanthropy Focus.

From the Library
Historical Veishea photos, how to help the library acquire new research materials and ways to access other academic libraries are part of this month's Your Library newsletter.

Open houses/receptions

Next week
-- Retirement: Kenneth Windom, ISU geological and atmospheric sciences, April 21 (2-4 p.m., program at 3 p.m., 257 Science I)

Upcoming
-- Open house: Sloss House, prior to closing for the summer for renovations, April 29 (2-4 p.m.)
-- Retirement: Beverlyn Allen, Ramona Wierson and William Woodman, ISU sociology, April 28 (3-5 p.m., Campanile Room, MU)
-- Retirement: Hamilton Cravens, ISU history, April 29 (2:30-4 p.m., program at 3 p.m., Campanile Room, MU)
-- Retirement: Lonnie Gaumer, Thielen Student Health Center, April 30 (3-5 p.m., 2305 Thielen Student Health Center)
-- Retirement: Robert Gregorac, Howard Levine and James Murdock, ISU mathematics, April 30 (3-5 p.m., Cardinal Room, MU)
-- Retirement: Sara Kadolph, ISU apparel, educational studies and hospitality management, May 5 (3-5 p.m., Tearoom, 23 MacKay)
-- Retirement: Bill Grundmann, ISU landscape architecture, May 6 (6:30 p.m., Hickory Hall, 300 S. 17 St., Ames)

Details about these events are on the university calendar.

Arts and events

Idol finals
The finals of the 2010 Cyclone Idol competition will be held April 15 (8 p.m., MU Great Hall). ISU student vocalists battled through preliminary rounds earlier this month to make the finals. Television's American Idol competitor Jackie Tohn from the 2009 season will emcee; admission is free.

Dancing (and singing) with 'Stars'
This year's Stars Over Veishea production, the Tony Award-winning musical Guys and Dolls, brings gamblers, gangsters and showgirls to Stephens Auditorium April 16-17.

Big 12 softball
In the heart of its conference season, the Cyclone softball team plays at home three times in four days, hosting Nebraska on April 15 (4 p.m.) and Texas A&M April 17 (2 p.m.) and 18 (11 a.m.). All games are at the Southwest Athletic Complex; admission is free.

Stephens stage will sizzle on Sunday
Luna Negra Dance Theater and the Turtle Island Quartet will bring the cha cha, salsa and rumba to Stephens Auditorium April 18 (3 p.m.). Tickets, available at the Stephens ticket office, are $33-$37 (youth, $25; ISU students, $10).

Come to Cabaret
Tony and Academy Award-winning, Cabaret makes a stop at Stephens Auditorium April 22 (7:30 p.m.). Tickets, available at the Stephens ticket office and through Ticketmaster, are $43-$47 ($20 for ISU students). The show is not appropriate for children due to adult content.

Outdoor rec equipment sale is April 22
ISU's outdoor recreation program will hold an equipment sale (PDF) April 22 (6-8 p.m., Lied). Sale items include tents, bikes, climbing shoes, coolers, sleeping bags, life jackets, paddles, canoes and kayaks. Call 4-8200 with questions.

More campus events
Talks, performances, athletic contests and other campus events are listed on the university calendar. Also, see the Arts and Entertainment page.

Submitting your news
Inside Update is published Thursday mornings by the Office of University Relations. Send Update news to inside@iastate.edu. For questions, call 4-7958.