Faculty News, Spring 2011

Kling Appointed To International Food Policy Research Institute Board

Catherine Kling, professor of economics, began serving a three-year term in January on the Board of Trustees of the International Food Policy Research Institute.  IFPR I is an international agricultural research organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with a mission of providing policy solutions that reduce poverty and end hunger and malnutrition worldwide.

Honeyman Adds New Duties With Biocentury Farm, Leopold Center

Mark Honeyman, professor of animal science and coordinator of ISU Research and Demonstration Farms, has been named associate director of the BioCentury Research Farm where he will integrate biomass field research within the farm’s operations and help ensure compatibility of the farm’s activities with other ISU research farms.  Honeyman also has assumed responsibilities of interim director of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.  Former interim director Lois Wright Morton, sociology, stepped down to lead a regional research project on climate and agriculture.  Honeyman has coordinated ISU’s Research and Demonstration Farms network for 26 years.  He served on the original task force that helped define the Leopold Center in the 1980s.

Hearty Hellos

Nick Dolce joined the college development office as a director of development.  Dolce comes from the University of Illinois at Springfield where he was associate director of development and assistant athletic director for development.  Joe Hannan was named the ISU Extension commercial horticulture specialist for central and western Iowa.  Hannan, who is housed in the Dallas County Extension office, is responsible for providing commercial growers with educational resources and will conduct research at the Iowa State Horticulture Farm near Gilbert and the Armstrong Research Farm near Lewis.

Fond Farewells

Rich Bundy, vice president of development at the ISU Foundation and former college development team leader, accepted a leadership position at the University of Vermont as vice president of development and alumni relations and CEO of the University of Vermont Foundation.

Rich Pirog, associate director of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, became senior associate director of the Center for Sustainable Food Systems at Michigan State University in May. He will lead the new center’s efforts in the socioeconomic aspects of food systems, including production, marketing and economic development.

Les Lewis, chair of the entomology department, retired in December. He had served as chair since 2008. Prior to that he was a research leader and scientist with the USD A Agricultural Research Service.

Faculty Named Fellows Of National Societies

  • Maynard Hogberg, animal science, chair and professor, American Society of Animal Science
  • Bryony Bonning, entomology professor, American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • Steven Fales, agronomy professor, American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • Patrick Schnable, agronomy professor, American Association for the Advancement of Science
  • Jonathan Wendel, ecology, evolution and organismal biology chair and professor, American Association for the Advancement of Science

Fehr Honored By American Soybean Association

Charles F. Distinguished Professor of Agronomy Walt Fehr is the recipient of the 2011 American Soybean Association Special Meritorious Service Award.  Fehr was recognized for his “innovative plant breeding program utilizing traditional plant breeding methods along with biotechnology to enhance the genetic traits of soybeans.”  Fehr’s research has produced more than 200 food grade soybean varieties grown throughout the United States, and he was the first to develop heart-healthy soybeans free of trans fat.

Kenealy Receives International Animal Agriculture Award

Douglas Kenealy, the Harman Professor for Excellence in Teaching and Learning in the Department of Animal Science, received the Bouffault International Animal Agriculture Award from the American Society of Animal Science.  Kenealy has led five international travel courses and mentored students from 11 countries on ISU exchange programs.  Kenealy is a University Professor, professor-in-charge of the dairy science curriculum and section leader for animal science instruction. He is shown at right (in red) planting trees with ISU students while visiting Trakia University in Stara Zagora, Bulgaria.