Iowa State never has had a president with more experience on campus than Wendy Wintersteen, but her first task still will be to listen. The sole in-house finalist was named the university's 16th president earlier this week. She takes office Nov. 20.

ISU employees have an opportunity to enroll in or change ISU Plan benefits during the annual open change period, Nov. 1-17.  This marks the first time merit employees will participate in the ISU Plan.

All spring courses that use the university's Learning Management System will be taught in Canvas, and faculty are encouraged to review their spring courses in Canvas before they leave for Thanksgiving break. Faculty and student access to Blackboard will end Jan. 5, 2018.

It's not just a saying. Skeletons actually belong in the closet. But at Iowa State, precisely how some of them got there is a mystery.

During a decade of enrollment growth, ISU faculty, on average, also grew their teaching and research productivity, according to last spring's faculty activity survey. Results were shared with the state Board of Regents this month.

Catherine Leafstedt, a senior in agronomy and global resource systems and Rhodes Scholar candidate, is working to fight food insecurity. It's not just about having enough food, she said, but having the right foods.

A recent on-campus demonstration by Iowa State cybersecurity experts helped a group of electric utility regulators from four Black Sea countries better understand a 2015 attack on Ukraine's power grid.

New research co-authored by associate professor of psychology Zlatan Krizan shows teenagers sleep less when they spend more time on their smartphones.

The ISU Cyclone Football "Varsity" Marching Band will receive the Sudler Trophy from representatives of the John Philip Sousa Foundation at halftime of the Oct. 28 Cyclone football game. The prestigious award recognizes both current and historical excellence by the nation's top collegiate marching bands.

• Open house: "Make Waves," National Campus Sustainability Day, Oct. 26 (11 a.m.-2 p.m., library south lawn)
• Retirement: Teddi Barron, university relations, Oct. 26 (3-5 p.m., program at 4 p.m., 201 Kingland Building, 2420 Lincoln Way)
• Retirement: Kevin Maher, McNay Research Farm, Chariton, Oct. 27 (noon-3 p.m., at the farm, 45249 170 Ave., Chariton)

• Retirement: Mark Hanna, agricultural and biosystems engineering, Oct. 30 (3:30-5 p.m., "Best Hanna Story" contest begins at 4 p.m., Sukup Hall atrium)
• Retirement: Al Brooks, procurement services, Oct. 31 (2-4 p.m., program at 3 p.m., MU Campanile Room)
• Retirement: Sue Mallas, facilities services, facilities planning and management, Nov. 3  (1:30-3 p.m., program at 2 p.m., 0162 General Services Building)

• Networking event, Connecting Faculty to Translate Research, hosted by the vice president for research office and ISU Extension and Outreach, Nov. 7 (4:30-6 p.m., 0198 Parks Library, program at 5 p.m.), free registration due Nov. 3
• Fifth annual Rock On in Retirement Symposium, ISU Retirees Association, Nov. 8 (8 a.m.-1:30 p.m.), registration is free but requested online or phone 294-5790
• Conference, Women in Ag Leadership, Nov. 27-28 (Scheman Building), $30-$85, register online

"Sound the CYren" Homecoming events still to come include a synchronized step show (Thursday evening), honors and awards ceremony (Friday afternoon), pep rally and pancake feed (Friday night) and tailgates prior to football and volleyball contests on Saturday. You're invited.

If you prefer to make Halloween a multi-day event, you're in luck. The Greek community, music department and University Museums are hosting events Sunday through Tuesday evenings, respectively, to celebrate this holiday; all are free and open to the public. Read on.

USA Today columnist and financial broadcaster Peter Dunn -- known as Pete the Planner -- will share his unique brand of financial planning Wednesday, Nov. 1 (8 p.m., MU Sun Room). In addition to being the author of 10 books, Dunn is an award-winning comedian and an award-winning financial expert.