Inside Update

June 14, 2012
Announcements and news for ISU faculty and staff

Kosovo president visits Iowa State
Atifete Jahjaga, president of the Republic of Kosovo, visited campus and the university's Horticulture Research Station Wednesday. The Iowa National Guard, which has a military exchange program with Kosova, is hosting Jahjaga's three-day Iowa visit, aimed at fostering Iowa-Kosovo relationships in such areas as education, agriculture and business.

Transportation hub offers south campus parking option
The new Ames Intermodal Transportation Facility will open July 1. The hub, located at the intersection of Hayward Avenue and Chamberlain Street, offers 384 parking spots and several transportation options.

Akinc named interim dean of College of Engineering
Mufit Akinc, an Iowa State faculty member since 1981, has been named interim dean of the College of Engineering, effective July 30. He succeeds Jonathan Wickert, who will become senior vice president and provost at Iowa State on the same date.

New Distinguished and University Professors will be honored this fall
They have left a distinct footprint on their academic disciplines or valuable improvements on their university. Five ISU faculty were promoted to Distinguished or University Professor this spring; the university community will honor them in September.

More news: Inside Iowa State

The following announcements were added this week:
-- Emergency repairs will slow Lincoln Way traffic June 13-14
-- Sign up now to volunteer at the university's State Fair exhibit

See: Announcements

College of Business appointments, effective July 1
-- Qing Hu, chair of the department of supply chain and information systems, to associate dean for graduate programs
-- Danny Johnson, interim associate dean for undergraduate programs, to associate dean for undergraduate programs
-- Sree Nilakanta, associate professor of information systems, to chair of the department of supply chain and information systems
-- Russ Laczniak, professor of marketing, to chair of the departments of management and marketing
-- Diann Burright, University of Kansas (and previously in the College of Business), to director of undergraduate programs

Other appointments:
-- Caroline Hayes, University of Minnesota, to chair of the department of mechanical engineering, effective Oct. 1

Getting started on their college education
An estimated 4,900 students are participating in 2-day orientation sessions during June. Part of their transition from high school to college is registering for their first semester of classes.

USAID post broadens scientist's international perspective
Since last fall, ISU animal scientist Max Rothschild has served as an ag research and policy adviser for a bureau of the U.S. Agency for International Development. What he has learned, he said, will lead to additional research at Iowa State.

They call him Spider Man
Read about spider silk as a potential heat conductor, improvements to organic solar cells, superfast 3D imaging technology and more in the spring issue (PDF) of the mechanical engineering department's Dimensions magazine.

Next week
-- Retirement: Arleen Faeth, ISU Science Bound program, June 21 (1:30-3:30 p.m., 2015 Morrill, program at 2:15 p.m.)
-- Reception: Elizabeth Hoffman, ISU provost, June 21 (3:30-5 p.m., first floor atrium, Beardshear)
-- Retirement: Judy Weiland, ISU educational leadership and policy studies, June 22 (3-5:30 p.m., ISU alumni center, brief presentation at 3 p.m.)

Upcoming
-- Retirement: Doug Kenealy, ISU animal science, June 26 (2-4 p.m., Kildee atrium, program at 2:30 p.m.)
-- Farewell: Craig Sanderson, ISU office of student financial aid, June 29 (2:30-4 p.m., MU Campanile Room, program at 3 p.m.)
-- Retirement: Carol Newton, ISU enrollment services, July 2 (2-3:30 p.m., 307 Enrollment Services Center)

Details about these events are on the university calendar.

Rose Festival is Saturday in the gardens
Reiman Gardens will host Rose Fest on June 16 (9 a.m.-4 p.m.). View the winning blooms in the Iowa Rose Society's annual juried show (1-4 p.m.), learn the art of flower pressing during a free demonstration (1-3 p.m.), get advice on rose care, purchase roses and see rose-themed student artwork. Admission is regular garden admission (adults $8, youth $4, seniors $7, free for members and ISU students).