Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff

April 3, 2025

Inside news

On the eve of Admitted Student Day, enrollment signs are strong

More than 2,000 visitors have registered for the fourth spring Admitted Student Day, April 4. Inside talked with admissions and student financial aid leaders for an update on how this fall's first-year class is shaping up.


Changes to TIAA plan take effect this month; learn more

In mid-April, enhancements to Iowa State's retirement plan with TIAA take effect. In the lead-up week, TIAA participants can attend an in-person or virtual general information session. And during a 10-day window (April 14-25), they can schedule a one-on-one discussion with a TIAA professional.


Greater gains in sustainability

Conservation-focused farm partners Kellie and AJ Blair of Dayton estimate their farm has been part of 15-20 research projects with Iowa State and other partners. In these partnerships, participants share information to make more impactful adjustments in their operations. The Blairs' story is the second in strategic relations and communication's 2025 Innovation at Work series, which illustrates Iowa State's role as a trusted partner to Iowa businesses and industries.


Innovate 1858 offers opportunity to more than just students

Students, faculty, staff and alumni can pitch the store's merchandise team on their products, which can range from the beginning of an idea to a prototype ready to begin production. The store purchases products at wholesale price -- ensuring makers receive profit upfront -- and sells them at retail price.


CYtation Award recipients celebrate at March ceremony

Last week, 39 professional and scientific employees received the CYtation Award for their exemplary work in calendar year 2024.
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Announcements

The following announcements were added this week:

  • Faculty and staff volunteers sought for prep week event
  • "I Spy Cy" county activities celebrate ISU Extension and Outreach Week
  • Seats open for June conflict management training 
  • Confirm summer, fall teaching assignments, then submit course material requests
  • Financial aid office announces campuswide award recipients
  • 2nd annual AI campus event is April 16
  • Northbound Stange Road traffic is detoured east to Grand Avenue during April
  • Vet Med, Ag and Life Sciences colleges ranked sixth among U.S. peers
View all announcements
 

Around campus

Forever True Day concludes at noon

The 4th annual 24 hours of online giving wraps up at noon Thursday, April 3. Support what matters most to you, whether that's a facility, student org, arts programming, faculty research or student scholarships. Faculty and staff may use payroll deduction to complete a pledge.


Combining art and science

Iowa State's recently renamed scientific illustration and visualization major trains students to create visually engaging work for science journals, textbooks, magazine covers, advertising and more. Three graduates of the program share the impact of their work in this Iowa Stater story.


Cover crops' important role in reducing soil carbon erosion

A study conducted by Wenjuan Huang, assistant professor of ecology, evolution and organismal biology, found planting ground cover in fields between cash crop growing seasons is an effective way to prevent farmland from losing soil carbon to erosion, a factor that's underestimated in considering the carbon sequestration potential of cover crops.
 

Appointments
  • Ruth MacDonald, associate dean, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and former food science and human nutrition department chair, to interim department chair
  • Erik Vollbrecht, professor of genetics, development and cell biology, to Pioneer Hi-Bred Chair in Molecular Biology of Maize
 

Receptions

Employees, their colleagues or supervisors are invited to submit retirements and departures to inside@iastate.edu. Inside doesn't receive this information from a central source.


Next week

  • Reception, Focus Grant Exhibit, work by 13 students who received student government funding over the past year for creative projects outside the classroom, April 9 (6-7:30 p.m., comments at 6:15 p.m., MU Art Gallery)


Upcoming

  • Retirement, Dan Rice, enrollment services, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, April 22 (2-4 p.m., MU Campanile Room)
 

Open forums

Ivy College of Business dean candidate (4th of 4 finalists)

  • Monday, April 14 (2 p.m., Kingland Hub, 1450 Gerdin), candidate's name will be shared April 11
 

Arts and events

Chemistry show is Friday afternoon

Join the Society of Chemistry Undergraduate Majors -- also known as SCUM -- for its annual chemical demonstrations and fun activities on Friday, April 4 (4:30 p.m., 1002 Gilman). The group's free show will entertain the whole family.


Students to hold military ceremony on central campus

Air Force ROTC Detachment 250 cadets will host an official flag folding ceremony on Friday, April 4 (5 p.m., central campus flagpole) to conclude LAS Week. Cadets in full-service dress will demonstrate the traditions and discipline of military service while a speaker shares the traditions in the ceremony as it happens. All are welcome to attend.


Cyclone tennis competes at home Saturday

The women's tennis team will host Kansas in a conference dual on Saturday, April 5 (noon, Iowa State Tennis Facility at Ames Fitness Center South, 3600 University Blvd.). The Cyclones have won four of the last five contests with the Jayhawks.
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Learning opportunities

Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) programming

Register online.
 

Previous Inside coverage

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Inside Update, the companion email to Inside Iowa State, is sent Thursday mornings during the academic year by Strategic Relations and Communications. Questions may be directed to 515-294-7065.
 
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