News Archive
Saturday, February 21 2009
News
NPR's Michele Norris to present ISCORE, Mary Louise Smith Chair lecture March 6
Michele Norris, an award-winning journalist and co-host of National Public Radio's "All Things Considered," will speak at Iowa State on Friday, March 6, serving as both the keynote speaker at the 10th annual Iowa State Conference on Race and Ethnicity (ISCORE) and the Carrie Chapman Catt Center's Spring 2009 Mary Louise Smith Chair. Norris will deliver a free, public talk titled "Race, Gender and the Future of Leadership in America," at 4 p.m. in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.
Civil rights activist and scholar Berry to speak at ISU March 3
Mary Frances Berry, former chair of the U.S. Civil Rights Commission and a founder of the 1980s' Free South Africa Movement, will speak on "Gender and Race After the 2008 Campaign,"at 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 3, in the Memorial Union Sun Room. It is free and open to the public. Berry, the Geraldine R. Segal Professor of American Social Thought at the University of Pennsylvania, is the author of seven books, a former assistant secretary for education and the recipient of 32 honorary doctoral degrees.
Iowa State career experts say jobs are still there for spring grads, provide helpful tips
In spite of the nation's rising unemployment, five ISU career placement professionals report that they continue to see consistent entry-level employment opportunities for their graduates. They have some tips on how future grads can land jobs amid a more saturated applicant pool.
Swander
Governor Culver appoints ISU's Mary Swander as new Poet Laureate
Governor Chet Culver today appointed Mary Swander, an ISU Distinguished Professor of English, as Iowa's new Poet Laureate. Swander will serve a two-year appointment as the state's symbolic leader of poetry.
Iowa State, Iowa professors awarded $4.8 million grant to improve science literacy
A new four-year, $4.8 million U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences grant to improve science literacy among elementary students in Iowa has been awarded to a research team that includes Mack Shelley, an Iowa State political science and statistics professor; and Brian Hand and William Therrien, two University of Iowa College of Education professors.
Pruetz Presidential Lecture explores human evolution through savanna chimps
Jill Pruetz, an associate professor of anthropology, will present the Spring 2009 Presidential University Lecture "Savanna Chimpanzees and Our Understanding of Human Evolution," on Monday, March 2, at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room.
Iowa Power Fund advances researcher's long quest for efficient solar power
Vikram Dalal and a team of Iowa State University researchers are trying to improve thin film solar cells. A $1.69 million grant from the Iowa Power Fund is allowing the researchers to look for efficiencies in new materials, new structures and organic semiconductors.
ISU researcher: Iowa has lower-quality topsoil than 50 years ago
Topsoil depth has remained the same over 50 years, but the quality of the soil has decreased.
Iowa State researchers talk chemistry education at major science meeting
Two Iowa State University chemistry professors talked about improving science education during this year's annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Thomas Greenbowe studies how labs and animations can improve chemistry education. Tom Holme coordinates development of standardized, norm-referenced chemistry tests.
'Be Comfortable in Your Genes, Rock Your Body' spotlights eating disorders
Although eating disorders can affect anyone at any age, 10 percent of all college-age students have a diagnosed eating disorder. As part of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (Feb. 22-28), ISU Student Counseling Services will present a series of events, "Be Comfortable in Your Genes, Rock Your Body." Events include a documentary film on America's obsession with beauty and physical perfection and Q and A with the filmmaker and eating disorder experts, and a multimedia presentation on the objectification of men and women, which can lead to eating disorders and low self-esteem.
Fish health, boaters, anglers are focus of new Web site
A new Web site is focused on explaining how outdoors enthusiasts can help minimize the chances of spreading the disease Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia (VHS).
Four finalists named in search for ISU design dean
Four finalists have been named in the search for the next dean of the College of Design. They are Luis Rico-Gutierrez, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts and David Lewis Director of the Remaking Cities Institute, Carnegie Mellon University; Kate Schwennsen, associate dean of the College of Design; David Edelman, director of the School of Planning, University of Cincinnati; and Christine Theodoropoulos, head of the architecture department, University of Oregon. Candidate will visit campus during the next three weeks.
Beauty and the Beast
Iowa State will host Minnesota in a simultaneous "Beauty and the Beast" wrestling and gymnastics meet event in Hilton Coliseum, Friday, Feb. 20. Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson will sign autographs from 4 to 6 p.m.
Iowa State astronomer to study stars with data from NASA's Kepler mission
Steve Kawaler, an Iowa State University professor of physics and astronomy, plans to witness the launch of NASA's Kepler mission in early March. The mission's space telescope will advance Kawaler's studies of the interiors of stars. And it could find dozens of earth-like planets in our galaxy.
Chimp reunited with mom
Iowa State anthropologist Jill Pruetz recently helped reunite a 9-month-old chimpanzee who'd been taken by hunters with her mother in Senegal. The captors of baby Aimee planned to sell the chimp, but Pruetz' field assistant Johnny Kante talked them into giving her back. Pruetz, Kante and field assistant Michel Keita reintroduced Aimee to the community of savanna chimpanzees at the Fongoli research site -- producing a reunion with her mother Tia. The event was captured on video (courtesy of National Geographic) by Pruetz, who tells the story here.
In the news
Shaky economy shakes up retailers in Perry, Iowa
USA Today
As in many small Iowa towns, Perry's population of 7,600 is aging, and competition from nearby big cities draws customers, said Liesl Eathington, an assistant economics researcher at Iowa State University.