Inside Update

Dec. 16, 2010
Announcements and news for ISU faculty and staff

News

A single fall commencement ceremony is set for Dec. 18
An anticipated 1,689 students will complete degrees this week and many of them will participate in a combined undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Hilton Coliseum.

Regents approve 2011-12 faculty leaves, new veterinary center
Meeting Dec. 9 in Des Moines, the state Board of Regents approved 22 ISU faculty development assignments for next year, but agreed to have another discussion on the practice. The board also approved a new swine medicine education center in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

DNR, ISU eye results of wood-coal combo
In a few weeks, university officials hope to find out if it's feasible to begin adding wood pellets or chips to Iowa State's coal-fired boilers. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is reviewing data collected during a series of wood-burning tests at Iowa State.

New possibility for an old problem: Chilly offices
The safer radiant panel heaters have reopened the discussion about portable heaters in our workspaces. When fire marshal-approved criteria are followed, some radiant heat panels could be an option on campus.

Union Drive will close . . . again
Construction crews will take advantage of the winter break slowdown by closing a portion of Union Drive for three weeks, beginning Dec. 20.

Winter break for Inside, Update
This is the final issue of both Inside Iowa State and Inside Update until 2011. Both publications will return Jan. 6.

More news: Inside Iowa State

Announcements

The following announcements were added this week:
-- Save the date: Student success summit planned for March 24-25, 2011
-- Crafters invited to Sloss House over Friday lunch hour

See: Announcements

Teaching

CELT is accepting proposals for 2011-12 Miller Faculty Fellowships
The deadline for Miller Faculty Fellowship proposals for the 2011-12 academic year is Feb. 1, 2011. Details, including eligibility, program changes this year and proposal requirements, are online. Contact CELT associate director Steve Freeman with questions.

Around campus

If you're off campus for winter break . . .
For the second year in a row, university officials are encouraging (but not mandating) that departments and units shut down during winter break. Find out how to prepare offices and buildings for your extended absence.

ISU students honored in design magazine's competition
An interior design project by two College of Design students took top honors in the student/conceptual category of Contract magazine's 32nd Annual Interiors Awards. The competition recognizes outstanding projects in 15 categories related to interior design.

North campus custodian gets her diploma Saturday
Chris Matteo graduates Saturday with a degree in liberal studies. She also works full-time as a custodian on campus. And part-time as a waitress. And she's rehabbing a 100-year old house in Boone while raising two sons.

A little help navigating through winter
As a class project, students in "Designing Effective Learning Environments" developed a website, "Winter Weather Awareness," to help members of the ISU community -- particularly those experiencing their first Midwest winter -- stay safe and healthy. It includes tips on clothing, driving, cold weather health and having fun in the snow.

Smart food
Student affairs staffers served up free pancakes to more than a thousand students late Friday night to fortify them for finals week.

Graduation gowns: Plastic or polyester?
The University Book Store is offering a green alternative to graduates -- a gown made of 100 percent recycled plastic, virtually indistinguishable from its polyester counterpart.

Departmental newsletters

Biotechnology e-news
The Office of Biotechnology has launched an electronic newsletter, E-News.

Living green
Ten ways to live green and a sneak peek at spring semester events highlight the December issue of Live Green! Monthly (PDF), published by the Office of Sustainability Programs.

Open houses/receptions

This week
-- Retirement: Tom Hillson, ISU Ag Experiment Station, Dec. 16 (2-4 p.m., 142 Curtiss)
-- Retirement: Pam Myers, ISU electrical and computer engineering, Dec. 16 (2-4 p.m., 3041 ECpE Building Addition)
-- Retirement: Lilly Parlade, ISU Dining, Dec. 17 (no public event planned)
-- Reception: Fall graduates, family and friends, Dec. 18 (following commencement through 5 p.m., Alumni Center)

Next week
-- Retirement: Barbara Tice, ISU parking division, Dec. 20 (2-4 p.m., 168 Armory)
-- Farewell: Peg Highland, ISU controller's department, Dec. 21 (1:30-3 p.m., 1155 Administrative Services Building)
-- Retirement: Richard Hoversten, ISU controller's department, Dec. 21 (1:30-3 p.m., 1155 Administrative Services Building)
-- Retirement: Karen Larsen, ISU parking division, Dec. 22 (no public event planned)
-- Retirement: Linda Younger, Office of Student Financial Aid, Dec. 22 (no public event planned)

Upcoming
-- Retirement: Sandy Jensen, Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, Dec. 31 (no public event planned)
-- Retirement: Marilyn Lane, Office of University Counsel, Dec. 31 (no public event planned)
-- Retirement: Pauline Miller, ISU Thielen Student Health Center, Dec. 31 (no public event planned)
-- Retirement: Nancy Peterson, ISU curriculum and instruction, Dec. 31 (no public event planned)
-- Retirement: Merle Pochop, Center for Industrial Research and Service, Dec. 31 (no public event planned)
-- Retirement: Cheryl Shreve, College of Business administration, Dec. 31 (no public event planned)
-- Retirement: Susan Thompson, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences communications, Dec. 31 (no public event planned)
-- Farewell: Jessica Rohrig, TRIO Educational Talent Search program, Jan. 3 (2-3:30 p.m., 307 Enrollment Services Center)
-- Retirement: Gary Osweiler, ISU veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, Jan. 13 (3-5 p.m., Alumni Room (2542), Vet Med)

Details about these events are on the university calendar.

Arts and events

A holiday display that shoots for the stars
A tribute to gazing balls, those spherical wonders that have graced gardens for centuries, are the focus of Reiman Gardens' holiday exhibit. The gardens are open daily (except Christmas Day and New Year's Day) from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Regular admission prices apply.

A royal dinner invitation
Make reservations now to enjoy dinner with the king and his court. The music department's 46th annual Madrigal Dinner is Jan. 14 and 15. Tickets are $40 ($36 for ISU students and seniors).

Plenty of basketball to see during the semester break
Eight Cyclone basketball games are scheduled at Hilton Coliseum over winter break, including the women's Cyclone Challenge Dec. 29-30. The tournament format adds a 5 p.m. game prior to each ISU contest, giving basketball fanatics two bonus games to watch.
Men's basketball (discounted tickets available):
-- vs. Dartmouth, Dec. 19 (1 p.m.)
-- vs. Chicago State, Dec. 21 (7 p.m.)
-- vs. Northern Illinois, Jan. 3 (7 p.m.)
Women's basketball:
-- vs. Cal State Northridge, Dec. 20 (7 p.m.)
-- Cyclone Challenge vs. Florida A&M, Dec. 29 (7:30 p.m.)
-- Cyclone Challenge vs. Prairie View A&M, Dec. 30 (7:30 p.m.)
-- vs. Chicago State, Jan. 2 (2 p.m.)
-- vs. North Dakota State, Jan. 4 (7 p.m.)
Ticket information: Cyclone athletics

Extended hours at gardens gift shop on Dec. 16
The Reiman Gardens gift shop will be open additional hours (5-7 p.m.) Dec. 16 for those who can't shop during the work day. Refreshments will be served.

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.

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