Iowa State welcomes the state's largest freshman class (5,597) as part of its fall enrollment total (33,391). The class of 2023 set records for average high school rank, average GPA and top 10 percent ranking in their class.

In her first state of the university address, President Wendy Wintersteen celebrated Iowa State's accomplishments and looked ahead to its coming challenges and opportunities. In a speech highlighting a wide range of topics, she emphasized innovation as an essential institutional initiative.

Work is progressing on a new classification and compensation structure for P&S employees, but an implementation timeline hasn't been set yet. Leaders want to give employees more time to adjust to this summer's Workday rollout.

Items on the Sept. 18-19 agenda include state funding requests for the year that begins next July, a $55 million replacement/renovation proposal for LeBaron and MacKay halls, and discontinuation of a 4-year-old shared student application portal.

The administrative appointment is half time for two academic years. Faculty applicants must be tenured, full-time employees with experience or a demonstrated interest in online learning. The application deadline is Oct. 1.

During the 2019 fiscal year, which ended June 30, the Iowa State University Foundation raised $182 million to support the students, faculty, facilities and programs of the university. It was the third-largest fundraising year in the foundation's history.

• Michael Dahlstrom, professor in the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, to interim school director, effective Aug. 16
• Kristine Heflin, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, to associate director of student activities, Memorial Union, effective Sept. 23
• Reuben Peters, professor of biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, as a Roy J. Carver Professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology
• Reza Zoughi, Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, to the Kirby Gray (Battelle) Chair in Engineering, electrical and computer engineering

• Retirement, Deb Coates, ISU Extension and Outreach, Sept. 12 (2-4 p.m., WOW Center, Extension 4-H Building)

• Brunnier Art Museum reopening, "Beyond the Glass," Sept. 19 (7-9:30 p.m., Scheman Building), RSVP requested but not required

• Retirement, Nancy Guthrie, study abroad program, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Sept. 26 (3:30-5 p.m., program at 4 p.m., 302 Catt)
• Retirement, Craig Wirth, building maintenance, facilities planning and management, Oct. 1 (no public event)

The national football pregame show's festivities begin Thursday around 1 p.m. when the College GameDay bus rolls up to the south side of Jack Trice Stadium and continue all day Friday into the Saturday morning show on ESPN.

Fall dates and the opening performance have been announced for the Iowa Songwriter Showcase in the Stephens Auditorium Goldfinch Room. Society of Broken Souls, the folk duo of Dennis James and Lauryn Shapter, will perform Sept. 20. Performers will be announced later for Oct. 11 and Nov. 8 shows. Tables can be reserved with seating for two ($25) or four ($40) people. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Cyclone basketball legend Jake Sullivan returns to campus to deliver a lecture on how he has navigated his mental health. "My Battle with Mental Illness: Finding Hope in the Midst of Suffering" begins at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, in the Memorial Union Great Hall. It's free and open to the public.