Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff
May 12, 2022
Inside news
Graduation events begin with the Graduate College commencement Thursday evening and conclude with the third of three undergraduate ceremonies Saturday evening. A record 80% of graduating seniors opted to participate in the university commencement.

Want reserved parking on campus? You probably can get it, if you're willing to pay the premium. Depending on the lot, coveted parking closer to the core of campus doesn't necessarily require decades of university service and a lengthy stint on a waiting list. 

An initiative that kicks off this fall will unify and strengthen the university's approach to learning activities that engage students beyond traditional classroom instruction, already a hallmark of an ISU education. 

Professional and scientific staff overwhelmingly support and are largely satisfied with the flexible work program that launched earlier this year, according to a survey conducted by the P&S Council.
Announcements
The following announcements were added this week:
  • COVID-19: By the numbers
  • Student affairs units prepare to move to new MU offices
  • Guidance for summer work hours
  • Memorial Day ceremony submissions due May 25
  • Next 'Inside': May 26
  • Mental health 'first aid' training offered July 27
  • CSAFE demonstrations, reception set for May 23
  • Cyclone coaches' 'Tailgate Tour' covers the state this month
  • Final days: Complete regents' free speech training this week
  • May 16-22 is bike to work week
Around campus
Celebrating our graduating students
Read about several seniors who conquered a pandemic and other challenges during their Iowa State years:

Qijing Zhang, a Clarence Harley Covault Distinguished Professor in Veterinary Medicine and associate dean of research and graduate studies, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, in recognition of his distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. Zhang is a renowned microbiologist who has built a world-class research program on antimicrobial resistance and food safety.

A paper published in 2021 by ISU political scientists about Russia's intent to aggressively test the world order to gain power seems prescient in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine.

A technology being tested at the new poultry facility and based on research by agricultural and biosystems engineering professor Jacek Koziel uses ultraviolet light and filters to remove pathogens from air and reduce odor, improving air quality in livestock facilities. The treated air smells a bit like toothpaste.
Appointments
  • Matt Helmers, professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering and director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, as the inaugural holder of the Brent and Cindy Hart Professorship in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences
  • Kayt Conrad, University of Iowa, to director for divisional business administration, division of operations and finance, effective May 16
  • Julie Palmer, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences administration, to senior executive assistant to the provost, effective May 16
  • Ana Luz, associate teaching professor of industrial design and director of innovation and entrepreneurship in the College of Design, to interim director of innovation programming, Student Innovation Center, effective June 1
  • Paul Bruski, interim chair, associate professor and Dorothy Maitland Miller Professor in Graphic Design, to department chair, effective July 1
Retirements
Next week
  • Fritz Keinert, mathematics, May 15
  • Mike Dotzler, facilities and engineering, Ames Laboratory, May 16

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.
Seminars and conferences
  • Virtual conference, Women in French, "Margins: Voices and Pathways," May 12-14, registration is free but required, four keynote events (daily evening event and 1:30 p.m. discussion on May 14) are open to the public; find Zoom links in program
Arts and events
The team at Stephens Auditorium this week shared its 17-event performance series for the 2022-23 academic year that includes musicals, comedy, acrobats, bands and more. "Subscription" packages (three to four events), which offer up to a 20% discount and other perks, are on sale now; single-show tickets become available this fall.

Later this month, Iowa State will host large events absent for a few springs: Iowa Special Olympics Summer Games, May 19-21; and Odyssey of the Mind World Finals, May 25-29. Your parking preferences may be impacted temporarily.
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About us
Inside Update is published Thursday mornings by Strategic Relations and Communications. Questions may be directed to 515-294-7065.