News from Campus – Fall 2016

CALLING FOR INCREASED FEDERAL INVESTMENT IN AG RESEARCH

Iowa State is one of 13 United States research institutions that joined the Supporters of Agricultural Research (SoAR) Foundation, calling for an increase in federal support of food and agricultural science. The coalition published a report, Retaking the Field, that highlights recent innovations and illustrates the need for improved U.S. agricultural research in the global industry. Visit www.stories.cals. iastate.edu for a link.

HEARTY HELLOS

CALS faculty and staff who have accepted new roles within the college include:

  • Mike Fiscus (’93 ag studies), superintendent, Agricultural Engineering/Agronomy Research and Demonstration Farm
  • Mark Licht (’00 agronomy, ag extension education, ’03 MS soil science, ’15 PhD crop production and physiology), assistant professor, agronomy
  • Mike Retallick (’05 PhD ag and life sciences education), professor and chair, agricultural education and studies

ARGUETA AWARDED INAUGURAL GEORGE WASHINGTON CARVER AWARD

Estefany Argueta, senior in animal ecology and member of the Iowa State Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), is one of five students in the U.S. to receive the inaugural George Washington Carver Spirit of Innovation and Service Award. The award is given to first-generation college students, with a high level of involvement in campus activities, pursuing a scientific degree. The award was sponsored by the George Washington Carver Birthplace Association.

DUPONT EXECUTIVE PRESENTS DEAL LECTURE

The executive vice president of DuPont, Jim Collins, presented the 2016 William K. Deal Endowed Leadership Lecture Oct. 5 at Iowa State. The lecture was established to help prepare future leaders and innovators. Collins’ presentation, “Growth Comes When You Least Expect It,” is available online at https://www.cals.iastate.edu/features/2016/jim-collins-dupont-growth-when-you-least-expect-it.

AGRICULTURAL AND BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING RANKED TOP IN NATION

U.S. News and World Report named Iowa State’s agricultural and biosystems engineering (ABE) undergraduate program number one among all national universities and first among public universities. ABE’s graduate program is ranked second in the nation. The department is jointly administered by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering. (Read more on page 20.)

SUCCESS FOR CALS STUDENT TEAMS

  • The Dairy Science Club placed first at the Intercollegiate Dairy Cattle Judging Contest and received third place in the scrapbook and yearbook competitions from the American Dairy Science Association Student Affiliate Division.
  • The Weed Science Team received first place in the North Central Weed Science Society Collegiate Weed Science Contest.
  • The ISU Graduate Meat Judging Team placed third at the Hormel National Barrow Show Intercollegiate Meat Judging Contest.
  • The Soil Judging Team placed second in the American Society of Agronomy National Soil Judging Competition.
  • The Agricultural Business Club and its members received high honors at the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association annual meeting:
  • The club received the Creative Club Award for its annual trivia night.
  • Three agricultural business seniors placed in the Earl O. Heady Decision Sciences Spreadsheet Competition: Nate Christenson, first place; Geordan Hanson, second place; Trevin Kennedy, third place.
  • Nate Christenson (senior), Kyle Bates (senior) and Drew Mogler (’16 ag busi- ness) placed third in the academic bowl competition.
  • Iowa STAT-ers Club has been recognized as an official student chapter of the American Statistical Association.