Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
Dec. 17, 2020
Inside news
As of Wednesday, 2,297 undergraduates -- 43% of them seniors -- are enrolled in Iowa State's winter session, "exceeding expectations."

For the first time, class will be in session for some students during the holiday season, when units have the option to reduce operations. Many student-focused services and facilities will remain available during portions of the 11-day partial shutdown period.

Though operations have been different and more difficult during the pandemic, the three campus child care centers stayed open throughout a successful fall semester.

The Smile and Write virtual program uses peer accountability to help faculty and staff keep their writing projects on track while connecting with others in the program. It is set to expand to twice a week for spring semester.

Returning on Jan. 7
Happy winter holidays to our readers. Inside won't publish Dec. 24 and Dec. 31, and will resume Jan. 7, 2021.
Announcements
The following announcements were added this week:
  • Recruiting approval procedure extended through June
  • Students now can initiate schedule change form
  • Season ticket holders can purchase wrestling tickets
  • Perfect for winter: Curated art project boxes
  • Ames High singers featured at Dec. 17 Reiman light show
  • Student requests for spring loaner laptops are due Jan. 4
Around campus
Chemistry assistant professor Robbyn Anand's research has led to medical breakthroughs that helped many, including her own family members. She is developing an inexpensive COVID-19 test that could be purchased off-the-shelf.

The Design Dialogues curriculum began as a project to involve Des Moines youth in discussions of what their communities need. Now it is a curriculum that could be used successfully by any community.

A gift of more than $240,000 from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust is funding new instrumentation that will broaden College of Veterinary Medicine research in antimicrobial resistance, infectious disease diagnostics and other areas.

A gift to the civil, construction and environmental engineering department has established the Peterson Endowment for Geo-Construction Innovation, intended to support research and teaching in geotechnical and construction engineering.
Appointments
  • Cris Broshar, university human resources, to worklife and family services program coordinator, effective Sept. 7
Retirements and farewells
Earlier this month
  • Retirement, Marlene Miller, admissions office, Dec. 4

This week
  • Farewell, Nicole Nicholson, new student programs, Dec. 18
  • Retirement, Dan Schultz, Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, Dec. 18

Upcoming
  • Retirement, Don Behning, ISU Alumni Association, Dec. 31, cards may be sent c/o Tom Elston, Alumni Center, 429 Alumni Lane, Ames 50011
  • Retirement, Denise Denton, kinesiology, Dec. 31, send congratulations to her Kudoboard
  • Retirement, Kathy Dobbs, controller's department, Dec. 31, send congratulations to her Kudoboard
  • Retirement, Julie Graden, child care and family services, Dec. 31, send congratulations to her Kudoboard
  • Retirement, Clay Pierce, natural resource ecology and management, Dec. 31, send congratulations to his Kudoboard 
  • Retirement, Mark Shour, entomology, Dec. 31, send congratulations to his Kudoboard
  • Retirement, Doug Stokke, natural resource ecology and management, Dec. 31, send congratulations to his Kudoboard
  • Retirement, Ellen Olson, mathematics, Jan. 4, 2021, send congratulations to her Kudoboard
  • Retirement, Elizabeth Amdahl, logistics and support services, Jan. 8, 2021
  • Retirement, Susan Tourtellott, utility services, facilities planning and management, Jan. 8, 2021
Seminars and conferences
Arts and events
The Cyclone football squad will try to beat Oklahoma for the second time this season in the Big 12 Conference football championship game Saturday, Dec. 19 (11 a.m., Arlington, Texas). The game will air nationally on ABC-TV.

"A Virtually Celtic Christmas," featuring some of Ireland's most talented singers and musicians and recorded at the National Opera House in Wexford, will livestream at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20. Ticket packages are $25-$50 and a portion of sales support Stephens Auditorium.
Previous Inside coverage
About us
Inside Update is published Thursday mornings by Strategic Relations and Communications. Questions may be directed to 515-294-7065.