News Archive
Monday, May 23 2005
News
Foundation pledges $100,000 to endow scholarships
The AEGON Transamerica Foundation, Cedar Rapids, has made a three-year pledge totaling $100,000 to the College of Business to establish an endowed scholarship for finance and accounting students.
Interim for African American Studies program named
Gary Tartakov, professor of art and design, has been named the interim director of the African American Studies program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, effective July 1.
Award to mentor program for new school leaders
A mentoring program for new school district leaders has been awarded a $111,000 grant from the R.J. Carver Charitable Trust.
Solar car qualifies
Iowa State's solar car ran well in a Topeka, Kan. competition, easily qualifying for this summer's 2,500 national race.
Gift to enhance access to rare books
A Lennox Foundation gift will improve access to rare volumes in the Iowa State library and enhance preservation efforts.
Vice provost for Extension search begins
The search is under way for the next leader of Iowa State University Extension, an organization with a network of educational services in all 99 Iowa counties.
Glacier geology still cleaning Iowa groundwater
The last glacier to advance into Iowa left behind a system that is still cleaning Iowa groundwater.
Plant Sciences funds to seven projects
Iowa State's Plant Sciences Institute has awarded start-up funding to seven innovative research projects.
On-farm research program begins
An on-farm research pilot program is under way in northwest Iowa.
Englin to direct residence department
Pete Englin, Iowa State dean of students since 2000, has been named director of ISU's Department of Residence effective July 1. His appointment is pending approval by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa.
Students build shelters for tsunami victims
Bucket by bucket, two Iowa State students and two University of Northern Iowa students recently spent 10 weeks building shelters in Thailand for tsunami victims.
ISU-developed virtual reality tool works on Apples
VR Juggler, an ISU-developed software tool that makes it easier to build virtual reality systems, now works on Apple computers.
Researchers working on technology to detect WMDs
Robert Lipert has developed a technology that can detect a single spore of simulated anthrax or a single bacterium cell of simulated plague. Now the trick will be to figure out a way to capture and detect a spore or cell in something as big as a city's water supply.
Bloedel will step down from vice provost post
Dr. James Bloedel, who has been Iowa State's vice provost for research since 2000, will leave that position Sept. 1 to return to the professorate and continue his research in the area of motor learning and motor control.
Farmers' markets help economy
Farmers' markets generate an estimated $20.8 million annually in sales and more than 325 jobs for the Iowa economy.
Critters on campus
ISU student and photographer Jasper Raven recently snapped shots of some of the small critters that abound on the ISU campus in the spring.
In the news
Ag prof seeks urban recruits
Medill News Service
ISU professor Levon Esters encourages urban students to pursue careers in agriculture.
Merge services, reduce costs
Cincinnati Enquirer
More local governments are interested in consolidation in the face of federal and state funding cutbacks and taxpayer revolts, says Kurt Thurmaier, professor and director of ISU's public policy and administration program. Thurmaier co-edited a collection of case studies on city-county consolidations.
Hog farmers eye breeds for tastier pork
Forbes (Associated Press)
The niche pork market is small, but experts, including ISU animal science professor M. Peter Hoffman, say it's expanding because consumers are willing to pay more for a premium product. Japanese demand sparked a comeback for the heirloom Berkshire breed, which has a higher fat content but is juicier and more flavorful, chefs say.