Officials break ground for new economic development hub

The $12 million facility in a new phase of the ISU research park will be a one-stop shop for business and industry to seek Iowa State expertise and assistance. When it opens in mid-2016, it will house all ISU economic development service units.

Regents will seek state funds to implement new funding model

Meeting Wednesday on campus, the state Board of Regents agreed to ask the 2015 Legislature for about $13 million, the total that otherwise would shift to Iowa State and Northern Iowa from the University of Iowa in the first implementation year of the board's new performance-based funding model.

Iowa State welcomes 34,732 students this fall

Iowa State's fall 2014 enrollment is the largest in school history -- an increase of 4.5 percent -- and the most diverse on record.

Garnett named interim library dean

University librarian emeritus at Western University (London, Ontario) Joyce Garnett has 40 years of experience as a librarian.

Mark your calendars: Flu shot clinic is Oct. 6-17

Fall is approaching, and so is flu season. Iowa State's annual flu shot clinic is Oct. 6-17.

Council endorses policy for exempt staff

Members of the Professional and Scientific Council voted to support a pair of proposed drafts in the policy library. The draft policies apply to "at-will" P&S staff and data classification.

Senate gets update on student-athlete academics

In his annual report to the Faculty Senate, faculty athletics representative Tim Day said the academic performance of Iowa State student-athletes mirrors that of the general student body. All 18 teams exceeded current and future NCAA academic progress rate benchmarks.

The following announcements were added this week:

• Ombuds Office has additional office hours
• September is National Biosafety Stewardship Month
• Reminder: Iowa State has business/ethics conduct code
• Volunteers sought who'd like nutrition counseling

• Bruce Bassler, associate professor of architecture, as the first holder of the the Stan G. Thurston Professorship in Design Build

• Seminar, "Firm Behavior and Emissions Under Emission Intensity Regulation: Evidence from Alberta's Specified Gas Emitters Regulation," Deepak Rajagopal, University of California, Los Angeles, Iowa NSF EPSCoR Energy Policy series, Sept. 11 (3:40 p.m., 1344 Howe)
• Plant Sciences Institute weekly phenomics workshops, Sept. 12-Dec. 12 (noon-2 p.m., 3140 Agronomy except for two meetings), form interdisciplinary collaborations that lead to successful grant applications, research and new companies, email Stacy Ewing-Blount if you will participate
• Conference, "Reassessing East German Art: 25 Years After the Fall of the Berlin Wall," Sept. 15-17, Memorial Union and College of Design, free and open to the public
• Conference, "Strengthening Hispanic Student Success," Iowa Latina/o Education Initiative, Oct. 15 (8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., FFA Center, Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny), free and open to the public

President's annual address is Friday

"Taking the University to the Next Level" is the theme of President Steven Leath's annual address on Friday, Sept. 12. The address will begin at 8:30 a.m. in the Memorial Union Great Hall. Refreshments will be available, starting at 8 a.m. If you're unable to attend in person, you can view a live video stream of the address or follow the speech via Twitter (@IowaStateUNews).

'Emerging writers' reading series begins tonight

Graduate students in the MFA program in Creative Writing and Environment will read fiction, nonfiction and poetry during a monthly series at Design on Main, 203 Main St. The readings begin at 7 p.m. on Sept. 11, Oct. 9, Nov. 13 and Dec. 11. Admission is free and the public is welcome.

Colorful quilts on display at Reiman Gardens this weekend

Reiman Gardens is hosting its fifth annual Garden Quilt Show Sept. 12-14 (Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.; Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.). Visitors will see dozens of colorful, intricate quilts created by Midwest quilters. Sunday's events include quilt instruction, demonstrations, lectures and a fiber and fabric marketplace. Admission is $8 ($7 for seniors; $4 for youth; free for members and Iowa State students with ID).

First-year students share experiences through photos

"Fresh Fotos: My First Year Experience" features the photos of nine freshmen who were given digital cameras last fall to chronicle their first year at Iowa State. Five images from each student currently are on display in the Memorial Union Gallery (third floor).