Inside Update

May 6, 2010
Announcements and news for ISU faculty and staff

News

It's graduation weekend
An estimated 3,306 students will receive degrees from Iowa State at the conclusion of spring semester. Many of them will be honored at three commencement events May 7-8. Two men with Iowa connections also will receive honorary degrees from the university.

Senate concludes year with new elimination policy
In a long-awaited vote at the May 4 Faculty Senate meeting, senators approved new policies governing the termination of faculty positions when programs are eliminated or financial exigency is declared.

$3.5 million available for individual salary increases next year
University leaders have carved out $3.5 million from new, permanent state funds in FY11 for individual faculty and P&S staff salary increases that address equity, merit or retention.

Seize the day
ISU Extension field specialist Mark Licht puts in the extra miles in west central Iowa to assist farmers and encourage collaborative, on-farm research projects as part of ISU's Corn and Soybean Initiative.

Honoring a colleague
A public memorial service for chemistry professor and entrepreneur Victor Lin will be held Friday, May 14 (4 p.m., 1148 Gerdin). Lin, 43, died May 4 in Iowa City following a brief illness. He oversaw the university's Center for Catalysis and served as program director for the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Lab chemical and biological sciences program.

Reminder: Morrill Road closes Monday for the summer
Morrill Road between Osborn and Union drives is being replaced this summer; work begins May 10. Pedestrians will be able to navigate the construction zone, and alternative plans are in place for deliveries, parking and CyRide's orange shuttle route.

Yet another job for Cy
Sports fan, parade entry, picnic guest. Mascot Cy -- albeit a 2-D version of him -- has a new assignment on central campus: Offering directions to pedestrians.

More news: Inside Iowa State

Announcements

The following announcements were added this week:
-- Women participants sought for meeting management skill series next fall
-- Two sessions planned May 12 to share details about new RIO3 and phased retirement programs
-- Optional summer hours begin May 10
-- Marc Harding will discuss student recruitment, retention at May 6 noon forum
-- Wellness session for women is May 13 (noon-1 p.m.); reserve your spot
-- CESMEE launched a biweekly newsletter, Connections, this semester
-- Residence department is recruiting faculty and staff help for August move-in

See: Announcements

Seminars and conferences

The following seminars and conferences were added this week:
-- World Conference on Innovative Virtual Reality, May 12-14

See: Announcements

Appointments

-- Tim Day, ISU biomedical sciences, to faculty athletics representative, effective July 1
-- Patricia Randolph Leigh, ISU curriculum and instruction, to professor in charge of the Carver Academy, for a three-year appointment, effective July 1

Around campus

Researchers work toward faster detection of salmonella
ISU researchers are partnering with Ames-based Advanced Analytical Technologies Inc. to find faster methods to detect and genetically identify salmonella in contaminated foods.

Childhood tragedies don't deter this graduating veterinarian
Graduating veterinary medicine student Tyler Dohlman's "aw shucks" demeanor belies the toughness, grit and sheer hard work that saw him through his education and training. When Dohlman was seven years old, he lost his foot in an auger accident. When he was 12, he lost his father in a grain bin accident. Instead of seeking pity, he worked harder.

Engineer uses Wii Remote™ for in-class lessons
Electrical and computer engineering faculty member Tom Daniels has written computer software that allows a Wii Remote™ to send data from its sensors and buttons to a computer instead of a game console. His students use the devices to propose and complete lab projects.

Open houses/receptions

This week
-- Retirement: Carolyn Payne, Graduate College, May 6 (2-3:30 p.m., program at 2:30 p.m., South Ballroom, MU)
-- Farewell: Meisha Colbert, ISU enrollment services, May 6 (2-4 p.m., 307 Enrollment Services Center)
-- Retirement: Mary Yearns, ISU human development and family studies, ISU Extension, May 6 (3-5 p.m., 1009 LeBaron)
-- Retirement: Kathie Gibbs, ISU art and design, May 6 (3-4:30 p.m., Design atrium)
-- Retirement: Bill Grundmann, ISU landscape architecture, May 6 (6:30 p.m., Hickory Hall, 300 S. 17 St., Ames)
-- Retirement: Mary de Baca, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, May 7 (1-3 p.m., program at 1:30 p.m., Gallery, MU)
-- Farewell: Jack Payne, ISU Extension, May 7 (1-3 p.m., program at 1:30 p.m., first floor atrium, Beardshear)
-- Reception: For May graduates, their families and friends, May 7 (5-7:30 p.m., ISU Alumni Center)

Next week
-- Retirement: Theodore Bailey, ISU statistics, May 12 (1:30-3:30 p.m., 2113 Snedecor)
-- Retirement: Tom Ingebritsen, ISU genetics, development and cell biology, May 13 (2-4 p.m., 1102 Molecular Biology)
-- Farewell: Kate Schwennsen, ISU architecture, May 13 (2-4 p.m., Design atrium, brief program at 2:30 p.m.)

Details about these events are on the university calendar.

Arts and events

Master gardeners' plant sale is May 8
The Story County Master Gardeners will hold its spring plant sale Saturday (8 a.m.-3 p.m., maintenance building at Reiman Gardens). A large selection of house plants, annuals, hanging baskets, container gardens and perennial divisions -- many from the gardens of Master Gardeners -- will be for sale.

Celebrating mom
Here are a few campus options for showing your mom you appreciate her on May 9:
-- Free admission and a carnation for mothers at Reiman Gardens, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
-- Buffet-style brunch by ISU Dining in the Memorial Union ballrooms, 10:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m., reservations required

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.