News Archive
Saturday, January 29 2011
News
U.S. Census Bureau director to give first Wayne A. Fuller Lecture Feb. 3
Learning communities transform student peer mentors into leaders at Iowa State
When Iowa State initiated learning communities in 1995, all eyes were focused on the intended benefits for first-year students -- to improve retention, graduation rates and overall satisfaction and engagement. And, while statistics bear out significant gains in those areas, a completely unexpected benefit emerged: learning communities also transform peer mentors into leaders. More than 300 students mentor their peers in Iowa State's 84 learning communities.
Creator of Avatar's Na'vi language will speak at Iowa State Feb. 3
Linguist Paul Frommer, who developed the Na'vi language for
James Cameron's movie, "Avatar," will speak at 8
p.m. Thursday, Feb. 3, in the Memorial Union Great Hall.
Frommer developed more than 1,000 words for the fictional
language, a mixture of Polynesian and African dialects, as well
as the rules and structure of the language. His talk,
"Giving Avatar its Voice: Creating the Na'vi
Language," opens Iowa State's National Affairs Series
on Innovation. It is free and open to the public.
News
release.
New exhibit explores 'Weddings in the Heartland: Apparel, traditions, memories'
ISU researcher to get to root of many aspects of sustainable organic vegetable production
Iowa State University researcher Kathleen Delate is examining which organic vegetable growing practices are best for the soil, water, yields and even nutrition. The professor of horticulture and agronomy is undertaking perhaps the most comprehensive study of organic vegetable-growing practices by looking at the use of cover crops, manure, tillage and mulch.
Black military history author Robert V. Morris will speak at ISU Feb. 2
Robert V. Morris, named one of The Des Moines Register's most influential Iowans in the 21st century, will discuss his new book, "Black Faces of War: A Legacy of Honor from the American Revolution to Today," at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 2, in the Memorial Union Sun Room. His illustrated history relays personal accounts of several prominent African-American war heroes. Morris founded the Fort Des Moines Memorial Park and the World War II Iowa Tuskegee Airmen Memorial at the Des Moines International Airport. His talk is free and open to the public.
The Fred Factor
RELATED STORY: "Is This Hoiberg Guy for Real?" in The Wall Street Journal
In the news
Cincy-area rep gets presidential buzz
A group of South Carolina lawmakers stood on the steps of their state Capitol on Wednesday to encourage Mike Pence, R-Ind. -- who represents part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area -- to run for president. Steffen Schmidt, a political blogger and a political science professor at Iowa State University, says Pence's name has been on people's lips in Iowa.
'Self-reported' applications ease burden on admissions staffs
How product placement is about to transform British TV
Product placement will be allowed on British television programs for the first time next month, and some fear our viewing will never be the same. "Done subtly, holding a bottle of branded beer is hardly noticeable," says Professor Jay Newell, an advertising expert at Iowa State University.
Political candidates testing Iowa waters
Do video games fuel mental health problems?