College News
Video Recaps College Donor Appreciation Event
College of Agriculture alumni and friends joined with administrators, faculty, staff and students to celebrate the "Legacy of Mentors" last November at a donor appreciation event. A short video recapping the event is posted online. The audience heard many stories of inspiration and mentorship from then-Interim Dean Wendy Wintersteen; Henry A. Wallace Chair for Sustainable Agriculture Lorna Michael Butler; John Clarke, a 1988 entomology alumnus and Eric Pitzen, a horticulture student. The work and dedication of several other mentors and their mentees in the College were highlighted, including the students of Pioneer Hi-Bred Distinguished Chair in Maize Breeding Kendall Lamkey, Pioneer Hi-Bred International Chair in Science and Technology GianCarlo Moschini, M. E. Ensminger Endowed Chair of Animal Science David Topel and Pioneer Hi-Bred Chair in Maize Molecular Genetics Thomas Peterson.
ISU Economists Provide Impetus for Water Quality Coalition
Two Iowa State economists were credited with the ideas that helped create a coalition of farm and environmental groups called Water for Iowans. A Dec. 26 article in the Des Moines Register reported that representatives of the 15 farm groups and 80 environmental organizations had formed the nonprofit coalition have been meeting informally for years. According to the article, "Water for Iowans grew out of a presentation [on performance-based water quality improvement] made by two Iowa State University faculty members — Stanley Johnson, the outgoing vice provost for ISU Extension, and economics professor John Miranowski — in April 2002 to a group of farm and commodity organizations known as AgSTATE, an acronym for Agricultural Strategic Thinkers Acting Together Effectively.
Westgate Presents to GMO Study Committee
On Dec. 13, Mark Westgate, agronomy, presented information on his research on corn pollen flow and transgenic crops to the Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Interim Study Committee of the Iowa Legislature's Legislative Services Agency. The committee is reviewing issues on the use of GMOs in agricultural production. Earlier in the fall, the committee heard from other presenters, including Fred Kirschenmann of the Leopold Center. The Legislative Services Agency provides nonpartisan staff services to all members of the General Assembly.
Smith Awarded for Engineering Design Graphics
Shana Smith, agricultural and biosystems engineering, has received the 2005 Editor's Award from the engineering design graphics division of the American Society for Engineering Education. The award was presented for a technical paper published in the Engineering Design Graphics Journal titled, "Integrating Computer-generated Stereoscopic Models into an Introductory Design Course."
Certified Crop Advisor Test Prep Course Offered by Extension
The ISU Extension Agribusiness Education Program is offering a Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) Exam Review Session in preparation for the upcoming CCA exam. The two-day review session will be held Jan. 23-24 at the Memorial Union.
Deadlines and Reminders
Jan. 5-6: "Visions for Animal Agriculture and the Environment," national symposium focusing on animal agriculture and the environment, Kansas City
Jan. 18: College of Agriculture Convocation, 3 p.m., Sun Room, Memorial Union
Communications Kiosk
The Difference Between Peaceful and Peaceable
A peaceable person or nation is inclined to avoid strife, as in "a peaceable kingdom." A peaceful person, place or event is serene, tranquil and calm, "a peaceful day free from demands." (Chicago Manual of Style, 15th ed., 2003)
Infograzing
Grad Students Sought for Plant Sciences Fellowships
The Plant Sciences Fellowship Program will be offered this year for graduate students intend to pursue a doctorate degree in the plant sciences. The Plant Sciences Fellowships provide a stipend of $25,000 for twelve months, tuition for four years, guaranteed stipend support for four years and nine months to spend time in up to three research laboratories before deciding on major professor. The application deadline is Feb. 24.
Mileage Reimbursement Decreased Jan. 1
Iowa State's mileage reimbursement rate decreased from $.485 to $.445 for travel as of Jan. 1. The decrease is the result of an IRS rate announcement. It applies to mileage for personal vehicle usage for trips: less than 100 miles, when the traveler is permanently based off-campus, if the traveler was unable to reserve a vehicle from Transportation Services or when the traveler is not an ISU student or employee. This would include travel expenses reimburseable under Professional Service Agreements. The mileage reimbursement rate for employee trips greater than 100 miles will remain at 28.5 cents per mile. Contacts: Bill Cahill, 4-5181; Keith Schmidt, 4-5124; or Kathy Dobbs, 4-6653.
Alumni Association Seeks Award Nominations
The ISU Alumni Association is seeking nominations of outstanding Iowa State faculty, staff, alumni and friends for several awards including its Award for Superior Service to Alumni, Alumni Medal, Alumni Merit Award, Outstanding Young Alumnus/Alumna Award, Impact Award, and James A. Hopson Alumni Volunteer Award. The deadline is Feb. 1. More: http://www.isualum.org/en/events/awards_ceremonies/
National Science Foundation Starts E-Newsletter
The National Science Foundation has launched NSF Current, an e-newsletter highlighting research and education projects supported by the foundation. It contains current trends in basic science and engineering research and education. It also provides information about important issues affecting NSF and science and engineering. Each edition includes five sections: NSF at Work, Faces of NSF Research, NSF in the News, Surprising facts and figures and messages from the NSF Director's Office and other science and technology policy news. More: http://www.nsf.gov/news/newsletter/
External Voices
Finding Happiness by the Way
"Those only are happy who have their minds fixed on some object other than their own happiness; on the happiness of others, on the improvement of mankind, even on some art or pursuit, followed not as a means, but as itself an ideal end. Aiming thus at something else, they find happiness by the way."
- John Stuart Mill, English philosopher (1806-1873)
Marginalia
Popular Video Game Teaches About World Hunger
The United Nations World Food Program introduced a computer video game to teach children something about global hunger. Food Force debuted in April and has become the second most downloaded free Internet game, after the Army's recruiting tool, according to the New York Times. "No one shoots anyone in Food Force," the article reported. "Rebels are negotiated with, not blown away, and the women are sensibly dressed aid professionals -- although one character does greatly resemble Lara Croft in Tomb Raider." More: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/12/30/opinion/30fri4.html?th&emc=th
Next issue: Jan. 9
Ag Online
Editor: Ed Adcock, edadcock@iastate.edu
Phone: (515) 294-5616
Web site: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/
Subscribe: Ag Online, the newsletter for faculty and staff in Iowa State University's College of Agriculture, is e-mailed every Monday. To subscribe, send your name, e-mail address and the message "Ag Online subscribe" to edadcock@iastate.edu. To unsubscribe, send "Ag Online unsubscribe."
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