Inside Iowa State for faculty and staff

July 24, 2025

Inside news

Internships are a key piece of summer session

Iowa State enrolled 7,128 students in summer session opportunities this year, nearly two-thirds (63%) of them at the undergraduate level. More than 3,000 students are taking part in an arranged experience, including internships.


Regents meet next week to approve budgets

Operating budgets for the fiscal year that began July 1 and a request to assess university homes for their presidents are on the agenda when the Iowa Board of Regents meets July 30 in Cedar Falls.


Art to rent becomes art to own

Beginning the first week in August, Surplus' weekly sales on Airport Road will include more than 200 framed prints from the Memorial Union's decades-long art rental program.


Student accessibility services strengthens assistance for instructors

To help instructors successfully implement student academic accommodations, student accessibility services staff developed trainings and clarified accommodation descriptions. Accommodation requests continue to rise at all three regent universities. 


New north lanes in use; demo of South 16th south lane begins

Two-direction traffic opened this week in the new north lanes of South 16th Street in front of the Veterinary Medicine campus. Demolition of the south lane is underway.


External research funding surpasses $325M

Iowa State researchers attracted $329.9 million in external funding during the fiscal year that ended June 30. Total external funding for FY 2025 rose to $549.3 million, an increase of $4.7 million over last year.

Announcements

The following announcements were added during the past two weeks:

  • Search committee fine-tunes presidential profile
  • Single-show tickets to Stephens series go on sale Aug. 5
  • Learn about student health/wellness services during Aug. 19 open house
  • Register for lab safety orientation in August
  • Cystarters demo day is July 31
  • Save the date: 2026 P&S professional development conference

Around campus

Blowing up batteries in the name of safety

Assistant professor of mechanical engineering Todd Kingston has equipped his lab with a unique instrument that allows him to test battery safety and performance -- even to the point of blowing them up.


Scientists usher in cyber-ag future

ISU researchers are leading the way in cyber-agricultural systems, drawing from mathematics, engineering and computer science. With data collected from sensors, drones and robots, farmers can better answer questions and make predictions to improve yields.


Improving Iowa's wine industry

Iowa State researchers are testing ways to improve grape production to enhance the state's $374 million wine industry. They also are trying to produce wines that appeal to more consumer preferences.


An international health care experience

Iowa State nursing students spent 10 days in Norway to better understand the universal health care system. They saw new ways to treat and empower patients.

Appointments

  • Austin Strawhacker, associate state director, America's SBDC Iowa, to state director
  • Aimee Wertz-Lutz, Devenish Nutrition (North America), to director, Iowa Beef Center

Retirements

Next week

  • Alan DiSpirito, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, July 31 (no public event)

Arts and events

Rummage Rampage opens this weekend

This annual university-city garage sale in the Intermodal Facility, campustown, is intended to keep reusable items out of the waste stream during the apartment lease turnover time in Ames. The 9-day event opens Friday, July 25 (donation day only). Shopping begins Saturday, July 26, and continues through Saturday morning, Aug. 2. All are welcome.


Guest carillon concert is Tuesday evening 

The music department's summer guest carillon series continues Tuesday, July 29 (7 p.m.), with a performance by Amy Heebner, carillonneur for the Albany, New York, city hall carillon. Admission is free; bring lawn chairs or blankets to central campus. Heebner's music program (PDF) is online.


Fruit and Vegetable Field Day is Aug. 5

Iowa Master Gardeners, staff at nonprofit organizations, commercial growers and extension personnel are invited to the 2025 Fruit and Vegetable Field Day on Tuesday, Aug. 5 (2-5:30 p.m, ISU Horticulture Research Station). Registration is free but required by July 31 because dinner is included.

Learning opportunities

Center for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) programming

Register online.

Previous Inside coverage

About us

Inside Update, the companion email to Inside Iowa State, is sent every other Thursday morning during summer session by University Marketing and Communications. Questions may be directed to 515-294-7065.

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