AG ONLINE
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The College of Agriculture Faculty/Staff Newsletter
Iowa State University
April 27, 2001 No. 169
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C O N T E N T S
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COLLEGE NEWS
- Searches for new department leaders turn inward
- College meets with its stakeholders to discuss budget
- College convocation for graduating seniors May 5
- Ag education & studies department turns 90
- ISU, Hungarian college to work on long-distance education
- Notes available on immigration from college lunch
- Sign up for Project LEA/RN teaching workshops in May, June
- ISU delegation one of the largest at MANRRS meeting
- May workshop in DC part of research planning efforts
- 2001 Fund for Rural America grant program announced
- Learn more about animal science research next week
- Forestry student program part of P&S Council forum May 3
- PSI symposium on plant gene expression May 10-13
- Annual Plant Science Lecture Series set for May 17-18
- Building on the Vision of James Olson: A June symposium
- Deadlines & Reminders
COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
- Get acquainted with new agriculture faculty members
- Spread the news about your awards and honors
INFOGRAZING
- World Ag Forum plans congress on feeding the world
- National Ag Biotech Conference on consumer concerns
EXTERNAL VOICES
- Illinois farmer’s favorite websites include Iowa State
MARGINALIA
- Ag alumnus completes global air race
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C O L L E G E N E W S
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SEARCHES FOR NEW DEPARTMENT LEADERS TURN INWARD
Budget uncertainties have meant that three search committees have redirected their efforts toward internal candidates. More details:
The search committee for agricultural and biosystems engineering is seeking nominees. The committee is led by Warren DeVries, chair of mechanical engineering. DeVries can be contacted at 4-5560 or wdevries@iastate.edu. Stewart Melvin, who has served as department head since 1995, will step down June 30.
The animal science search committee, chaired by Alan Myers, biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, will meet soon to discuss the search. Doug Kenealy was named acting department head when Dennis Marple stepped down after nine years.
The horticulture department search committee, chaired by Tom Loynachan, agronomy, is seeking internal candidates to lead the department for a period of up to three years. Beginning May 1, Mike Kelly, chair of the forestry department, will become the interim chair of the horticulture department until an internal candidate is named. Mike Chaplin, who has been chair of the horticulture department since 1991, will join the ranks of the department’s faculty.
COLLEGE MEETS WITH ITS STAKEHOLDERS TO DISCUSS BUDGET
Last Friday, College of Agriculture administrators and faculty met with 40 stakeholders to discuss the current status of the budget. The meeting, held at the Starlite Village Best Western Motel, was called by Dean Richard Ross, who asked for suggestions about addressing budget reductions in the college. The meeting included small-group discussions to develop recommendations from producers and leaders in businesses, communities and natural resource groups. Their ideas will be shared in upcoming meetings with other college stakeholders.
COLLEGE CONVOCATION FOR GRADUATING SENIORS MAY 5
Agriculture faculty and staff are invited to congratulate students at the May 5 college convocation for graduating seniors. About 400 spring and summer graduates are expected. Stacy Wickman, a forestry major from Mason City, is scheduled to deliver the address to fellow graduates and guests. The ceremony begins at 9 a.m., Saturday, May 5, in C.Y. Stephens Auditorium. Doors open and refreshments are served at 8 a.m.
AG EDUCATION & STUDIES DEPARTMENT TURNS 90
The Department of Agricultural Education and Studies celebrated its 90th anniversary last Friday during Veishea. Founded in 1911 to prepare agricultural teachers for secondary schools, the department was joined with the agricultural studies curriculum in 1989. The department offered Iowa State's first off-campus course in the 1950s with a class for agriculture teachers. Department head Robert Martin said the department has begun a 10-year development project to raise funds for scholarships; an endowed chair; faculty and staff development; and enhancing undergraduate and graduate education. The goal is to raise $5 million by the time the department celebrates its 100th anniversary.
ISU, HUNGARIAN COLLEGE TO WORK ON LONG-DISTANCE EDUCATION
The College of Agriculture has signed an agreement with Gyongyos College, Saint Stephen University, in Hungary. The two institutions will explore ways to cooperate in distance education programs. Dean Richard Ross, former Dean David Topel, agronomy head designate Steven Fales and agronomy professor Richard Cruse were on hand for the ceremony. Last fall, from an apartment in Hungary, Cruse taught a soil science course for students in ISU’s master of science in agronomy program.
NOTES AVAILABLE FROM BROWN-BAG LUNCH ON IMMIGRATION
Notes are available from the April 19 College of Agriculture brown-bag lunch on immigration. Participants discussed the college’s role in helping define and develop social and economic programs that serve immigrants in Iowa communities. Speakers included Carmen Neri, administrative specialist in materials science and engineering, and David Hansen, executive director of MidAmerica International Agricultural Consortium (MIAC). For a copy of the notes, contact Barb McManus, Agriculture Communications, 4-0707.
SIGN UP FOR PROJECT LEA/RN TEACHING WORKSHOPS IN MAY, JUNE
Project LEA/RN will offer an introductory workshop and an advanced workshop on "Learning-Centered Classrooms." The workshops are supported by a USDA Higher Education Challenge Grant in the College of Agriculture. The introductory workshop will be held May 21-24 and the advanced workshop June 18-21. They are open to faculty, staff or graduate students with teaching responsibilities. Participants will explore methods of using learning-centered strategies in the classroom; identify and use learning theory in class planning; and develop and practice learning and teaching skills. Materials, lunches and breaks are free. Enrollment is limited to 30 for each workshop. To enroll, call 4-1279. For more information: Steve Jungst, 4-1587.
ISU DELEGATION ONE OF THE LARGEST AT MANRRS MEETING
Iowa State had one of the largest student delegations attending the national MANRRS meeting, March 29-April 1, in Washington, D.C. Eighteen ISU students attended the 16th annual MANRRS National Career Fair and Training Conference, accompanied by Nina Grant, minority programs; Mary de Baca, ag administration; and Lita Rule, forestry. MANRRS is Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences.
MAY WORKSHOP IN DC PART OF RESEARCH PLANNING EFFORTS
The National Research Council is hosting a public workshop in Washington, D.C., May 22-23. The workshop is part of an NRC study on the quality, relevance and effectiveness of research conducted under the USDA’s Research, Education and Economics mission area. (Wallace Huffman, economics, is a member of the committee working on the study.) Following the study, the NRC will make recommendations to strengthen research capabilities to meet national needs. You can participate in person or through a live audio Webcast. For more information, visit: http://nationalacademies.org/banr/active_projects/agopps.
2001 FUND FOR RURAL AMERICA GRANT PROGRAM ANNOUNCED
The proposal deadline is June 19 for the USDA’s Fund for Rural America competitive grant program. About $9.5 million is available in FY 2001. Preservation of the economic viability of rural communities is the focus for this year’s program. The fund seeks to stimulate innovations in value-added processing, e-commerce, distance learning, niche markets and new industries. For more information, check the web: http://www.reeusda.gov/fra/.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ANIMAL SCIENCE RESEARCH NEXT WEEK
The Department of Animal Science will hold its annual poster session the week of April 30. Research posters developed by faculty and graduate students over the past year will be on display in the Farm Bureau Livestock Pavilion. On Friday, May 4, poster authors will be present from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to discuss research results. Refreshments will be available at that time. The university community is welcome to attend.
FORESTRY STUDENT PROGRAM PART OF P&S COUNCIL FORUM MAY 3
The Department of Forestry’s "Students Recruiting Students Program" will be discussed at a P&S Council’s Retention and Recruitment Open Forum on Thursday, May 3, noon to 1 p.m., Memorial Union Pioneer Room. Forestry’s John Smith and Jan Thompson, along with two students, will talk about the program, which includes undergraduate students acting as ambassadors to high schools and as peer mentors for students interested in forestry. The program is one of four to be highlighted at the forum, which is an informal brown-bag-lunch event. For more information: http://www.iastate.edu/~ps_info/RandR.html.
PSI SYMPOSIUM ON PLANT GENE EXPRESSION MAY 10-13
The Plant Science Institute Symposium, "Post-transcriptional Control of Gene Expression in Plants," will be held May 10-13 in the Scheman Building. Sponsors include the departments of biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, botany and plant pathology. For more information: http://molebio.iastate.edu/~gfst/phomepg.html.
ANNUAL PLANT SCIENCE LECTURE SERIES SET FOR MAY 17-18
"Molecular Genetic Diversity in Crops" is the theme of the 2001 Plant Science Lecture Series, May 17-18, in the Memorial Union. Speaking will be scientists from Pioneer Hi-Bred International; University of California, Irvine; USDA-ARS; Cornell University; and North Carolina State University. The public is invited; no registration is required. Lunch will be served both days. For a schedule, check the web: http://www.agron.iastate.edu/plsclec/default.htm. The annual lecture series is sponsored by the agronomy, plant pathology, botany, forestry and horticulture departments. For more information: Kendall Lamkey, 4-7826 or krlamkey@iastate.edu.
BUILDING ON THE VISION OF JAMES OLSON: A JUNE SYMPOSIUM
"Functions and Actions of Retinoids and Carotenoids: Building on the Vision of James A. Olson" will be held June 21-24 at the Scheman Building. The symposium will honor the memory of Olson, a distinguished professor in biochemistry, biophysics and molecular biology, who died last September. The symposium will feature topics of current research and public health interest in the areas of vitamin A and carotenoids. Registration deadline is May 23. For more information: http://molebio.iastate.edu/~gfst/olsonsymp.html.
DEADLINES & REMINDERS
May 3: Gerald Klonglan retirement reception, Campanile Room, Memorial Union, 3 - 5 p.m.
May 5: College of Agriculture convocation for graduating seniors, C.Y. Stephens Auditorium, 9 a.m.
May 10-13: Post-transcriptional Control of Gene Expression in Plants, Plant Sciences Institute Symposium, http://molebio.iastate.edu/~gfst/phomepg.html.
May 17-18: "Molecular Genetic Diversity in Crops," 2001 Plant Science Lecture Series, Memorial Union, 4-7826.
May 21-24: Project LEA/RN introductory workshop, 225 Bessey, 8:30-4:30, 4-1587.
June 18-21: Project LEA/RN advanced workshop, 225 Bessey 8:30-4:30, 4-1587.
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C O M M U N I C A T I O N S K I O S K
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GET ACQUAINTED WITH NEW AGRICULTURE FACULTY MEMBERS
You've seen them around. You might even have been one once. Get acquainted with new college faculty by reading about how they got to Iowa State and what they're working on now. The backgrounds of 14 faculty members, hired between January 2000 and January 2001, are on the Web: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/news/newfac.html.
SPREAD THE NEWS ABOUT YOUR AWARDS AND HONORS
Have news about an award or recognition that you'd like to send to your local media, hometown paper or alumni newsletter? If so, there is a Web-based form to fill out with the information needed to produce a news release. The release will be prepared by Agriculture Communications. Find the form at: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/releaseform.html.
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I N F O G R A Z I N G
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WORLD AG FORUM PLANS CONGRESS ON FEEDING THE WORLD
"A New Age in Agriculture: Feeding the World" is the theme for the 2001 World Congress of the World Agricultural Forum, May 20-22 in St. Louis. The congress invites government officials and agricultural leaders from around the globe to discuss current issues. The World Agricultural Forum was created in 1997 to foster communications among the world’s agricultural leaders. The primary sponsor is the Danforth Foundation. For more information: http://www.worldagforum.org/.
NATIONAL AG BIOTECH CONFERENCE ON CONSUMER CONCERNS
Consumers’ concerns about biotechnology will be addressed at "High Anxiety and Biotechnology: Who’s Buying, Who’s Not and Why," the 2001 National Agricultural Biotechnology Council Conference, May 22-24, in Chicago. The conference is hosted by the University of Illinois and Iowa State. For more information: http://www.aces.uiuc.edu/research/nabc2001/index.html.
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E X T E R N A L V O I C E S
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ILLINOIS FARMER’S FAVORITE WEBSITES INCLUDE IOWA STATE
"I like the land-grant college sites, those at U of I, Purdue, Iowa State. There’s good information plus links to check out." Brad Harding, a Trivoli, Ill., farmer and former agriculture reporter for WEEK-TV. Harding was quoted in a Jan. 16 story in the Peoria Journal Star newspaper on the proliferation of agricultural websites. Harding’s other favorites included the Chicago Board of Trade and USDA websites.
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M A R G I N A L I A
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AG ALUMNUS COMPLETES GLOBAL AIR RACE
College of Agriculture alum Lyle Campbell (1966, ag business) and his team completed the London to Sydney Air Race on April 7. On Monday, April 23, Campbell returned home to Arizona after circumnavigating the globe. The Illinois banker and former farm manager led the team to 20th place out of the 30 aircraft that completed the race. The race started March 11. The team flew a WWII vintage Grumman Albatross, putting 230 flying hours on the seaplane. More about the crew's adventures is on its web site: http://www.campbellairrace.com.
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AG ONLINE
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NEXT ISSUE: May 11 DEADLINE: May 9
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Brian Meyer, bmeyer@iastate.edu, and Ed Adcock, edadcock@iastate.edu
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