Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
May 20, 2021
Inside news
Board president Michael Richards repeals his March 2020 state of emergency declaration for the three universities.

Face coverings remain an option, and Iowa Staters are asked to be respectful of the right to wear one.

Nick Howell has been running a horticulture facility of one kind or another at Iowa State for 36 years, but as superintendent of the Horticulture Research Station, home to up to 100 research projects annually, he learns something new every day. 

A growing collection of training and tools is available to help faculty and staff keep digital communication barrier-free. They'll be useful resources as Iowa State prepares to adopt a new policy on digital accessibility, ISU's digital access lead told the P&S Council.

Finding consistent, high-quality child care always is a challenge for employees with young children. Here are some tips faculty and staff should keep in mind if they're searching for care to start this summer or fall.
Announcements
The following announcements were added this week:
  • Summer schedule for Inside Iowa State
  • Math students will provide video series for kids
  • Temporary campus road closures begin May 24
  • Online training modules assist home-based food operators
  • Class attendance expectation for fall returns to standard policy
  • College Creek cleanup is scheduled for June 12
  • Cardinal Women* applications due May 31 for fall cohort
  • Employee focus groups invited to provide input on current student data systems
  • Changes to large events guidelines took effect May 10
  • Lab school has openings for preschool children
  • Faculty-staff Inspiration winners to be honored June 4
  • Workday survey results will guide action plans
  • Spring Honor poster sessions are viewable online
Around campus
A groundbreaking for a plaza promoting nine historically Black fraternities and sororities, the members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, will be held Saturday, May 22 (1 p.m., northwest of the Memorial Union). All are welcome. Individuals may financially support the plaza project through the ISU Foundation.

Part of May's Mental Health Awareness Month observance, it will address mental health concerns, identify symptoms of mental illness and connect residents with resources in central Iowa.

Professor of biomedical sciences Michael Cho is researching a new COVID-19 vaccine that would target only a small portion of the virus' spike protein. The vaccine has shown promise in laboratory experiments, and more vaccines could be necessary in the years ahead as additional variants emerge.

Udall Scholar Nolan Monaghan, junior in horticulture and global resource systems, is well on his way to a career in sustainable agriculture.
Appointments
  • Monic Behnken, associate professor of sociology and director of the leadership studies program, as the first associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, a five-year term effective July 1
  • Stephen Dinsmore, interim chair of natural resource ecology and management, to chair, effective June 1
  • Marybeth Foster, Iowa 4-H, to ISU Extension and Outreach regional director for Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque and Jackson counties, effective June 1
  • Laura Jarboe, professor of chemical and biological engineering, to the Cargill Professor in Chemical Engineering
Retirements
Last week
  • Deb Gibson, Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, May 14, send congratulations to her Kudoboard
  • Kerry Whisnant, physics and astronomy, May 15

Next week
  • Cosette Scallon, Thielen Student Health Center, May 26 (2:30-4 p.m., remarks at 3 p.m., 0185 State Gym)
  • Melinda Howard, LAS student academic services, May 27
  • Rick Liebich, custodial services, facilities planning and management, May 28
  • Donna Little-Bear, custodial services, facilities planning and management, May 28
  • Dennis Paul, custodial services, facilities planning and management, May 28

Upcoming
  • Curt Struck, physics and astronomy, May 31
  • Debbie Akin, custodial services, facilities planning and management, June 1
  • Gary Akin, custodial services, facilities planning and management, June 1
  • Pat Anderson, university information services, IT services, June 1
  • Debbie Kester, research and instruction services, university library, June 1
  • Valerie Larson, custodial services, facilities planning and management, June 1
  • Carrol Lind, utility services, facilities planning and management, June 1
  • Terrie McKinney, custodial services, facilities planning and management, June 1
  • Ellen Ohm, custodial services, facilities planning and management, June 1
  • Marlys Sampson, custodial services, facilities planning and management, June 1
  • Jim Wilson, custodial services, facilities planning and management, June 1
  • Jane Walter, benefits, university human resources, drive-thru reception June 2 (2-4 p.m., Lot B4, east of Alumni Center), send congratulations to her Kudoboard 
  • Cathy Brown, planning services, facilities planning and management, June 3
  • Leroy Brown, construction services, facilities planning and management, June 3 
  • Nancy Johnson, finance service delivery (Redwood team), June 3
  • Steve Knutson, facilities design and construction, facilities planning and management, June 3 
  • Sally Medford, ISU research and demonstration farms, June 3
  • Beata Pruski, identity services, IT services, June 3
  • Betty Wells, sociology and Extension sociology, June 3, send congratulations to her Kudoboard 
  • Karen Carlson, custodial services, facilities planning and management, June 4
  • Bob Greene, custodial services, facilities planning and management, June 4 
  • Pandora Lamar, office of the registrar, June 4
  • Christine Lee, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, June 4
  • Wendy Ortmann, agricultural education and studies, June 4, send congratulations to her Kudoboard
  • Jennifer Rivera, finance service delivery (Birch team), June 4, send congratulations to her Kudoboard  
  • Rick Terrones, power plant, facilities planning and management, June 4
  • Deb Gabrielson, admissions, June 7
  • Lori Miller, Office of Biotechnology, June 11
  • Dallas Maxwell, Armstrong Memorial Research Farm, June 15

Employees, their colleagues or supervisors are invited to submit retirements and departures to inside@iastate.edu. University human resources doesn't provide them for publication.
Arts and events
The Stephens Auditorium small stage venue, featuring Iowa and Midwest musicians, will offer a nine-show Tuesday concert series on the front lawn. The first concert is June 1, the last is Sept. 21, and an optional pass gets you into all of them.
Learning opportunities
Provost office programming
ISU has an institutional membership with the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity. To register, sign in if you already are a member or click "Become a Member," select "Iowa State University" and create your profile.
  • Webinar, Moving From Resistance to Writing, with Naomi Levy, Santa Clara University, June 10 (1-2 p.m.)
  • Webinar, How to be a Strong Sponsor and Advocate for Faculty, with Margaret Yacobucci, Bowling Green State University, June 22 (1-2 p.m.)
Previous Inside coverage
About us
Inside Update is published Thursday mornings by Strategic Relations and Communications. Questions may be directed to 515-294-7065.