Issue: 619

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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter
Iowa State University
Sept. 13, 2010 No. 619

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COLLEGE NEWS
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ENROLLMENT INCREASE CONTINUES IN CALS
Undergraduate student enrollment in CALS has increased to 3,298. That's an increase of 216 undergraduate students since last fall. Last fall's enrollment of 3,082 hit a 30-year high. The steady increases reflect the college's efforts to recruit students. Those increases also are in part due to increased employer demands for graduates in agriculture and life sciences.

CONVOCATION: OVERVIEW OF DEAN'S REMARKS
The CALS fall convocation was held Tuesday, Sept. 7, in the Sun Room. Dean Wintersteen provided the following comments:
* Undergraduate student enrollment in CALS has increased to 3,298. Second straight year above 3,000 undergraduates.
* Placement rate for graduating seniors is 98.5 percent.
* Attendance at the College Alumni Barbecue on Sept. 2 was 384, with 42 CALS students working the event.
* Many participated in the Farm Progress Show held Aug. 31 to Sept. 2.
* College raised more than $21 million and nearly tripled the number of endowed faculty positions in the College (27) in FY10.
* Progress on new horticulture greenhouses and beginning Curtiss Hall renovation.
* Strategic planning for the College will begin this fall.
* College's Career Day is Oct. 19.

CONVOCATION: MALLARINO AND TIMMS RECEIVE KOLMER AWARD
The Dean Lee R. Kolmer Award for Excellence in Applied Research was presented Sept. 7 to Antonio Mallarino, soil fertility professor and extension specialist in the agronomy department, and Leo Timms, animal science professor and dairy extension specialist in the animal science department. The award, made possible by a gift from Lee and Jean Kilmer, recognizes faculty and staff within the college who have made significant contributions to improving the welfare of the people of Iowa through applied research.

CONVOCATION: SEBRANEK NAMED MORRISON CHAIR IN MEAT SCIENCE
Joseph Sebranek, animal science and food science and human nutrition, has been named the first holder of the Morrison Chair in Meat Science. Sebranek investigates the scientific principles important to development of new products and processes for the meat industry that will improve marketability of livestock.

CONVOCATION: THOMPSON NAMED HARMON FAMILY PROFESSOR IN FORESTRY
Jan Thompson, natural resource ecology and management, has been named the Harmon Family Professor in Forestry, a professorship that supports an instructional innovator who is capable of developing and demonstrating innovative teaching techniques. Thompson has taught courses ranging from freshman orientation to basic and applied forest biology, and has played a key role in development of the department's curriculum, which is based on student-centered learning.

CONVOCATION: DEAN'S CITATION FOR FLOOD RESPONSE, PART ONE
Wendy Wintersteen recognized Dai Nguyen and David Soh for the Dean's Citation for Extraordinary Contribution to CALS. These individuals went above and beyond in their response to last month's flooding and water crisis in Ames and at the university. Dai Nguyen, program assistant with the Plant Sciences Institute, made sure plant pathology's growth chambers, freezers and growth rooms were working properly. She monitored equipment all day and ensured there were enough fans to cool the core facility of the Center for Plant Responses to Environmental Stress. David Soh, research associate and greenhouse manager at Plant Pathology, kept the watering and cooling of greenhouses on track. He also checked freezers in other buildings to make sure they were functioning correctly.

CONVOCATION: DEAN'S CITATION FOR FLOOD RESPONSE, PART TWO
Also receiving the Dean's Citation for Extraordinary Contribution to CALS were: Greg Vogel, manager of the Ag450 Farm, Jay Lampe, manager of the Swine Farms, Joe Detrick, manager of the Dairy Farm, Marshall Ruble, manager of the Beef Teaching Farm, Dan Morrical, professor of animal science at the Animal Science Farms, and Mark Huss, project manager at Facilities Planning and Management. One city water main break affected the water supply to many of the livestock teaching and research farms on South State Avenue. This team leapt into action to make sure thousands of animals at those facilities would not be without water. They successfully rerouted water from the Dairy Farm's rural water system so it would temporarily supply water to facilities affected by the water main break. These individuals also helped provide a supply of water from the rural water system for animals at the College of Veterinary Medicine and for ISU Lab Animal Resources.

CONVOCATION: INTRODUCTION OF NEW FACULTY AND STAFF
Department chairs and center directors introduced new faculty and staff since Sept. 15, 2009. See a list in the complete program at http://www.ag.iastate.edu/features/downloads10/Fall2010ConvocationBroch…

VIDEO OFFERS GUIDANCE TO GROWERS COPING WITH SOYBEAN SDS
To help answer questions and offer guidance in managing soybean sudden death syndrome, ISU has produced a video that explains why SDS is so severe this season; tells how to assess and manage SDS; offers practical advice growers can follow now to prepare for next year; and highlights new and ongoing ISU research on the problem.

SEARCH BEGINS FOR NEXT VICE PRESIDENT FOR EXTENSION AND OUTREACH
Dean Wendy Wintersteen and associate provost David Holger are co-chairing the 22-member search committee for the next vice president for Extension and Outreach. Final candidates likely will visit campus in late 2010 or early in 2011, and the position is expected to be filled by June 30, 2011.

LIEBMAN AND JARCHOW PUBLISH EXTENSION MANUAL ON PRAIRIES
Matt Liebman and Meghann Jarchow, agronomy, have authored an extension publication titled "Incorporating Prairies into Multifunctional Landscapes." See how prairies can benefit farms and find the steps necessary to establish and manage prairies. PDF copies are available at the ISU University Extension store. More: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/store/ListItems.aspx?Keyword=1007

AG BUSINESS SENIOR FEATURED ON COLLEGE'S WEB BANNER
Rita Cook, a junior in agricultural business, economics and public service and administration, is currently featured on the college's web page. Cook is a native of Hubbard and recently published an article in the Farm Bureau Spokesman. In the letter to the editor she shared her memories about showing livestock at the local county fair. To read the article and her profile, go to http://www.ag.iastate.edu and refresh the page to see different stories. If you know students you think should be featured, contact Barb McBreen at barbmc@istate.edu, 4-0707.

REQUESTS FOR BRENTON CENTER CLASSROOMS DUE OCT. 1
Requests for scheduling spring 2011 credit classes and events in the Brenton Center are being accepted through Oct. 1. Courses planned for delivery at a distance will be given first priority. Requests should be made through your department chair and the designated department representative who handles scheduling.

HARL TO PRESENT DEAL LEADERSHIP LECTURE, OCT. 27
Neil Harl will present the William K. Deal Endowed Leadership Lecture on Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. in the Sun Room, Memorial Union. Harl, Charles F. Curtiss distinguished professor emeritus in economics at ISU, will be speaking on "Building an Enduring Leadership Platform." Harl is a recognized expert in farm finance, agricultural law, estate planning and business planning. The lecture is cosponsored by CALS and the Committee on Lectures.

CALS AWARD NOMINATIONS DUE NOV. 16; CHECK OUT NEW AWARDS
Nominations for CALS awards are due Nov. 16. Nine new CALS awards have been added in the last two years, including Early Adviser, Distance Education Teaching, Excellence in Teaching by Lecturers and Adjunct Faculty, Mid-Career Achievement in Research, Professional and Scientific Research Award, Professional and Scientific Outstanding New Professional Award, Dean Lee R. Kolmer Award for Excellence in Applied Research, Lifetime Achievement and Superior Achievement "“ Early or Mid-Career Alumni. Award nominations are to be submitted electronically.

NEW OSPA STAFF MEMBER TO WORK WITH CALS PROPOSALS
Asrun Kristmundsdottir has joined the Office of Sponsored Programs Administration team and will be responsible for proposals from CALS. She is currently training for her new role and responsibilities. Kristmundsdottir can be reached at aky@iastate.edu, 4-6806.

COLLEGE TEAM PARTICIPATES IN DAY OF CARING
The United Way Day of Caring event was held Friday, Sept. 10. It also was the official kickoff for Story County's United Way 2010 campaign. The daylong event started out with a breakfast at the First Evangelical Free Church. Participants were encouraged to bring nonperishable food for local food pantries. Volunteers were then sent to various sites to clean and organize local nonprofit homes and offices. The colleges' crew of 11 worked at Friendship Ark homes and the University Community childcare.

CALS TO DISTRIBUTE UNITED WAY DONOR ENVELOPES THIS FRIDAY
United Way donor envelopes will be sent out from CALS this Friday, Sept. 17. Carla Persaud is organizing an online auction beginning Sept. 30. The auction will include men's basketball tickets to a game of the bidder's choice and an official basketball autographed by Fred Hoiberg, Iowa State's new basketball coach. If you have questions, contact Persaud, cpersaud@iastate.edu, 4-1823.

AURELIO CURBELO RECEIVES LEADERSHIP AWARD.
Last spring, the 2010 Veishea Leadership Award for Excellence was awarded to Aurelio Curbelo, director of the CALS Multicultural Programs Office. He received the award for encouraging students to become leaders in the community. This award recognizes faculty and staff who have been instrumental in improving leadership on campus. Curbelo also serves as the Minority Liaison Officer and is an advocate and a resource for minority students in the college.

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EXTERNAL FUNDING
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NSF IGERT PREPROPOSALS DUE SEPT. 27
Preproposals for the NSF Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship program are due at the college of the lead principal investigator by close of business on Sept. 27. Faculty split between colleges may submit to only one college. Investigators should follow the guidelines for internal review distributed by the Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development. Colleges will forward selected preproposals to the Office of the VPR/ED for final selection by a review committee. NSF has not yet announced these competitions. The goal of the early internal selection process is to give researchers the maximum time possible to prepare a proposal. Preproposals for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences should be submitted to colletti@iastate.edu. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=12759

IOWA ENERGY CENTER RFP FOR NEW TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION AND EDUCATION GRANTS
The Iowa Energy Center has announced three rounds of competition for grants of up to $25,000 in two categories. Technology Demonstration grants will fund projects where public demonstrations of technology may remove barriers and lead to greater awareness and adoption of energy efficiency or renewable energy technologies or practices. Energy Education Programming grants will fund short-term educational efforts that are not singular events, but that will be conducted within a one-year or shorter timeline. First-round proposals are due Oct. 31.

FUNDING INFORMATION, OPPORTUNITIES AND DEADLINE REMINDERS
Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu

Oct. 1 and Feb. 15: Nano and Bio Mechanics. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13523

Correction "“ Oct. 4 (letter of intent): Emerging Frontiers in Research and Innovation; 14 awards, $2 million per award, $31 million total anticipated funding. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13708&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39…

Oct. 4 (letter of intent): Planning Grant for Chronic, Non-Communicable Diseases and Disorders Across the Lifespan: Fogarty International Research Training Planning Award (D71). $27,000 (direct costs) per year for two years. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-10-277.html

Oct. 5: Interface between Computer Science and Economics and Social Sciences; three to four awards up to $1 million, 20 awards up to $400,000. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=503549&WT.mc_id=USNSF_3…

Oct. 6: NSF Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring; 16 awards, $400,000. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=5473&WT.mc_id=USNSF_39&…

Nov. 5: Fall 2011 EPA Science to Achieve Results Fellowships for Graduate Environmental Study

Nov. 5 (letter of intent): Discovery Research K-12; 53 to 75 awards, $100,000 to $5 million depending on type of award, $55 million total anticipated funding for new awards in FY 2011. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10610/nsf10610.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT…

Dec. 9: Dynamics of Coupled Natural and Human Systems; 15 to 18 awards, $150,000 to $1.5 million depending on type of project, $17 million total anticipated funding. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2010/nsf10612/nsf10612.htm?WT.mc_id=USNSF_25&WT…

Dec. 14 (letter of intent): Dynamics of Host-Associated Microbial Communities (R01); six awards, $250,000 (direct costs) per year, four or five years, $2.5 million anticipated funding. More: http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-GM-11-001.html

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COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
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10 TIPS ON HOW TO WRITE LESS BADLY
Most academics, including administrators, spend much of their time writing. Below are 10 tips on scholarly nonfiction writing that might help people write less badly, compiled by Michael Munger, chairman of political science at Duke University.
* Writing is an exercise.
* Set goals based on output, not input.
* Find a voice; don't just "get published."
* Give yourself time.
* Everyone's unwritten work is brilliant.
* Pick a puzzle.
* Write, then squeeze the other things in.
* Not all of your thoughts are profound.
* Your most profound thoughts are often wrong.
* Edit your work, over and over.
More: http://chronicle.com/article/10-Tips-on-How-to-Write-Less/124268/?sid=p…

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INFOGRAZING
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SOCIAL SERVICES VOLUNTEER AND CAREER DAY, SEPT. 15
The annual Social Services Volunteer and Career Day will be held Wednesday, Sept. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Great Hall, Memorial Union. It is an opportunity to learn what it's like to work for a nonprofit organization and to network with professionals. Organizations will be looking to fill full-time jobs, internship positions and volunteer roles. More: http://www.psychology.iastate.edu/index.php?id=243\

PROPOSALS DUE OCT. 8 FOR PUBLICATION SUBVENTION GRANTS PROGRAM
Proposals are due Oct. 8 for the ISU Publication Subvention Grants Program, offered twice a year. The grants are available to support the publication of scholarly writings and other worthy productions of ISU faculty and staff. More: Sonja Klocker, Office of the Vice President for Research and Economic Development, 4-7540, skklock@iastate.edu

MICHIGAN PROFESSOR TO SPEAK ON DIVERSITY, OCT. 21
Scott Page, a professor at the University of Michigan and external faculty at the Santa Fe Institute, will speak on a "Business Case for Diversity" on Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. in Howe Hall. Page researches how diversity improves performance and decision making, about how we think in groups and why collective wisdom works.

ALUMNUS ACKER PUBLISHES BOOK ON UNIVERSITY EXPERIENCES
College alumnus Duane Acker, who served as president of Kansas State University for 11 years, has written "Two at a Time," which offers behind-the-scenes stories of happenings at the state university frequently related in pairs. The book also contains several references to Acker's Iowa State experiences and mentors. Acker earned bachelor's and master's degrees in animal science in 1952 and 1953.

PUBLIC RADIO FEATURES COLLEGE'S BEGINNING FARMERS PROGRAM
Dave Baker, an economics extension program specialist, is featured in an Iowa Public Radio story about the FarmOn program. Baker is a farm transitions specialist with Iowa State's Beginning Farmers program. Nearly 60 percent of Iowa's farmland is owned by people aged 65 and older, which could mean changes in Iowa land ownership in the near future. As landowners age there will likely be lots turnover and there are some who worry that much of the land may be bought up by big businesses. The FarmOn is working to keep family farms in family hands, though not necessarily the same family. Listen to the Iowa Public Radio story online.

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INTERNAL VOICES
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WHITE ON BIOFORTIFIED CORN COMBATTING VITAMIN A DEFICIENCIES
"Biofortification is a revolutionary approach to combating micronutrient malnutrition in developing countries and it has the potential to be self-sustaining." Wendy White, food science and human nutrition, led a study conducted at ISU's Nutrition and Wellness Research Center that found corn bred to contain increased levels of beta-carotene is a good source of vitamin A. The discovery gives added support to the promise of biofortified corn being developed through conventional plant breeding as an effective tool to combat vitamin A deficiency in developing countries. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2010/sep/vitaminA

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EXTERNAL VOICES
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GOULD ON SCIENCE AS A CREATIVE HUMAN ACTIVITY
"Science is not a heartless pursuit of objective information; it is a creative human activity." Stephen Jay Gould, evolutionary biologist and science historian.

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MARGINALIA
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RARE BOOK DONATION ON DISPLAY, OCT. 12
Robert Harvey, professor emeritus of ISU's landscape architecture department and Fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects, recently donated 100 rare and unique volumes to the Parks Library Special Collections Department. Dating back to 1724, most of the volumes date from the nineteenth century and cover various aspects of agriculture, gardening and landscape design. There will be an open house Oct. 12, 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Special Collections Reading Room, 403 Parks Library. Selected books from the collection will be on display and Harvey will be available to answer questions.

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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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EDITOR
Julie Stewart, jstewart@iastate.edu
Phone: (515) 294-5616 Web site: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/

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