Inside Update

June 3, 2010
Announcements and news for ISU faculty and staff

News

IT tutorials at your fingertips
The university community can tap into a massive online video tutorial service at no charge to learn to use all kinds of software programs. More than 800 tutorials are available, such as MS Word, Excel, Google applications, Dreamweaver and JavaScript.

More news: Inside Iowa State

Announcements

The following announcements were added this week:
-- Wellness session on men's health issues is June 15
-- STEM collaboration coffee is June 4

See: Announcements

Teaching

CELT shares five exemplary online courses
In response to the question, "Do you have any examples of faculty-created courses that are strong examples of online teaching?" CELT hosted a selection process, juried by ISU instructors, to identify great courses and make them available for others to "tour." The 2010 recipients of the "STTAR Course Award" are now online. For more information, contact the respective instructors or CELT director Steve Mickelson.

Appointment

-- Jennifer Bousselot, Colorado State University Extension, to Iowa Master Gardener coordinator, ISU Extension, effective since April

Around campus

Former faculty member Barbara Forker dies
Barbara Forker, faculty member from 1948 to 1986 and first chair of the combined men's and women's physical education department, died May 30 in Green Valley, Ariz. At her request, no memorial service is planned. Her family has asked that memorial contributions be directed to the ISU Foundation to support students in the kinesiology department.

Student teams participate in summer competitions
Several student teams have developed and engineered machines for summer competitions, including a:
-- Solar car race
-- NASA lunar mining competition
-- Tractor power pulling competition
-- Mini baja car competition

Open houses/receptions

Next week
-- Farewell: Susan Carlson, Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost, June 7 (4-6 p.m., first floor atrium, Beardshear, program at 4:30 p.m.)
-- Farewell: Kay Palan, College of Business administration, June 8 (2:30-4 p.m., Bergstrom Commons, Gerdin Building)
-- Welcome: Michael Giles, director of ISU recreation services, June 9 (2-3:30 p.m., lobby, Lied Rec Center)

Details about these events are on the university calendar.

Arts and events

Public piano concert
Award-winning pianist Brian Ganz will perform June 7 (Tye Hall, Music, 7:45 p.m.). Tickets, $15 for adults and free for students, will be available at the door.

Leaves of glass
As part of this year's garden ornamentation theme at Reiman Gardens, the conservatory is sporting colorful bottle trees. A Southern tradition that likely came from Africa, glass bottles were hung on tree limbs to protect homes by trapping wayward spirits.

Regents meet June 9 in Vinton
The state Board of Regents is expected to approve FY11 budgets, salary policies and building/renovation priorities when it meets June 9 at the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School in Vinton. Also on the agenda are university strategic plan presentations and annual reports on student financial aid and campus sustainability efforts.

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.