The search committee this week selected eight semifinalists from a pool of 64 candidates -- 59 men and five women. Their deliberations Tuesday followed training on how to prevent implicit bias in hiring decisions.

The results from a national survey of faculty satisfaction were shared at the Sept. 12 Faculty Senate meeting.

A tuition task force presented its report to the state Board of Regents Sept. 7, but made no recommendations. Task force chair Larry McKibben said the solution to underfunded higher education in Iowa has three pieces: better state support, predictable tuition rates and greater savings and efficiencies at the universities.

The professional and scientific classification and compensation review continues to make progress. Here are the latest details.

Iowa State has earned its first LEED® certification for a residence building. Natural lighting, energy efficiency and reduced water consumption are a few of the features that earned Geoffroy Hall a Gold certification.

Fall is fast approaching and so is influenza. Mark your calendars for Iowa State's flu shot clinic, Oct. 9-20.

At its Sept. 7 meeting, the Professional and Scientific Council continued discussing the group's top priorities for the year.

A $50 million gift from Debbie and Jerry Ivy, Los Altos, California, will establish an endowed fund that eventually will provide approximately $2 million annually to the College of Business for short and long-term priorities, including programs and initiatives, faculty support, technology and student scholarships.

A total of $14 million in private gifts from Kent Corp., Sukup Manufacturing and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board are the first announced for a $21.2 million feed mill and grain science complex in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences that will be built with all private gifts.

Iowa State is tied for 53rd among 132 public national universities in U.S. News and World Report's "Best Colleges" undergraduate rankings released this week. A year ago, Iowa State tied for 51st among public universities.

A shortage of high-skilled jobs is a primary factor driving Iowa's brain drain, according to an analysis by Iowa State researchers. The report measured Iowa's competitiveness in attracting and retaining highly skilled, educated workers as compared to the rest of the country.

The College of Design received a new front plaza over the summer, a planning collaboration of the college and facilities planning and management. Funds came from former President Steven Leath's campus beautification initiative.

• Mike Weber, assistant professor of natural resource ecology and management, to the department's Harmon Family Professorship in Forestry

• Reception: "On the Beaten Path" exhibit, with artist Alexi Dwyers, Sept. 14 (6-7:30 p.m., MU Pioneer Room)
• Retirement: Char Hulsebus, office of the registrar, Sept. 15 (2-4 p.m., program at 2:30 p.m., 136 Union Drive Community Center)
• Open house: Horticulture Research Station 50th anniversary, Sept. 16 (12:30-5 p.m., 55519 170 St., 6 miles north of Ames)

• Celebration: women's and gender studies program 40th anniversary, Sept. 19 (5:30-7 p.m., program at 6 p.m., Christian Petersen Art Museum, Morrill Hall)
• Farewell: Peter Lundeen, agronomy, Sept. 21 (3-5 p.m., 3140 Agronomy)

• Critical Sensory Evaluation of Wines, Oct. 23-24 (6-9 p.m. both evenings, CCUR Theater, Food Sciences Building), participants must be at least 21 years old, $50, register by Oct. 17

The university community is invited to interim President Ben Allen's fall address on Thursday, Sept. 14, in the Memorial Union Great Hall. Allen's remarks will begin at 6:30 p.m. and light refreshments will be served.

Bake sales, matchbox car races, raffles and auctions are among the fundraising activities planned by campus units for the United Way campaign.

Public performances and lectures are planned for a Sept. 15-16 festival that features dance music for the carillon, harpsichord, organ and piano (C-HOP).

Comedian and actor Tim Allen will perform on campus  Sept. 15 (8 p.m., Stephens Auditorium). The performance is designed for mature audiences, so no one under age 18 will be admitted. Tickets range from $46 to $116 and are available at the Iowa State Center ticket office or through Ticketmaster.