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C O L L E G E N E W S
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THE REAL WORLD: PLANS OF THE NEW SPRING GRADUATES
Here are a few career, and other, plans reported by College of Agriculture graduating seniors at the May 11 college convocation:
- attend medical school, University of Chicago
- join Peace Corps to teach chemistry and physics
- GIS research specialist in ISU's GIS facility
- forester, U.S. Forest Service, Hot Springs, Ark.
- research assistant, University of Iowa Hospitals
- begin graduate studies in microbiology at ISU
- begin graduate studies in immunobiology at ISU
- advanced intern, Walt Disney Epcot Center
- agriculture education teacher and FFA advisor, Wall Lake View Auburn Schools
- soil conservationist, USDA-NRCS
- assistant of special projects, National Association of Regional Councils, Washington, D.C.
- biological science technician, USDA
- crop production manager, C-S Agrow Service, Calumet
- marketing/sales specialist, State Farm Insurance
- production manager, Monsanto, Perry
- job in insectary, Pioneer Hi-Bred International
- production management trainee, Sunny Fresh Foods, Lake Odessa, Mich.
- sales representative, Morton Buildings
- sales/marketing associate, Alpharma Animal Health, New Jersey
- forester/timber buyer, Pierce Lumber, Belle Plaine
- dietetic internship, OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria
- begin graduate studies in genetics, ISU
- attend law school, University of Utah
- field sales manager, Syngenta Seeds, Inc.
- area crop specialist, Servitech Inc., Ames
- return to family farm
- human resources training specialist, Indiana
- assistant farm manager, G&J Farms Inc., north-central Iowa
- work for John Deere's agriculture management solutions division, Urbandale
- soybean agronomist, Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Hedrick
NEW DEPARTMENT LEADER IN SOCIOLOGY NAMED
Paul Lasley has been named the chair of the Department of Sociology. Lasley will begin his new duties July 1. The professor of rural sociology has been an ISU faculty member since 1981. He succeeds Robert Schafer, who is completing a three-year term and will retire June 30. Lasley, a native of Queen City, Mo., received his bachelor's degree in animal husbandry, master's in sociology and doctorate in rural sociology from the University of Missouri in Columbia. He will continue conducting the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll, which focuses on the social organization of U.S. agriculture and rural communities.
RESEARCH HELPS PRODUCERS PLAY OFFENSE
The continuing public debate about the impact livestock production has on Iowa's environment has put producers on the defensive. ISU is involved in two pilot projects underway in the state that are designed to help producers shift from playing defense to playing offense. The goal of one 11-state project is to develop environmental management systems for livestock operations. The other pilot project is in western Iowa where 19 beef and pork producers are developing comprehensive nutrient management plans. Learn more in this week's "Agriculture in Action...Notes from ISU."
AVAILABILITY OF HEALTHY SOYBEAN OIL TRAITS EXPANDS
A new agreement between Iowa State University and Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc. will expand opportunities to develop novel soybean oils with improved health benefits. Under a 1991 agreement, Pioneer had exclusive commercialization rights to the oil traits developed by Iowa State, and provided the novel traits to the public and private researchers through sublicenses. Under the new agreement, the Iowa State University Research Foundation will be responsible for licensing the healthy soybean oil traits to other research organizations or companies for further development.
ISU STUDY FIRST TO SHOW HOW ENDOCRINE CELLS RELEASE HORMONES
An Iowa State University study is the first to show how endocrine cells release hormones in the body. “It’s a new finding on how the cell operates,” said Lloyd Anderson, a distinguished professor of animal science. “The results provide a new interpretation on how hormones are secreted from an endocrine cell.” Knowing how cells secrete growth hormone may open up new ways to address growth problems in children and improve the health of the elderly. The research results were the cover story of the March issue of Endocrinology, the journal of The Endocrine Society.
2002 WATER AWARDS PRESENTED
The Iowa State Water Resources Research Institute presented awards to four Iowans and one organization for their contributions in understanding and conserving water resources during 2001. The second annual awards were presented in March at the Agriculture and the Environment conference held at Iowa State. James Baker, agricultural and biosystems engineering professor, was named the 2002 Outstanding Water Resources Researcher. Robert Bringolf, a graduate student in animal ecology, was selected as the Outstanding Water Resources Graduate Student.
IOWA STATE CROPS TEAM MEMBER WINS NATIONAL COMPETITION
A member of Iowa State University's student crops team won the National Association of College and Teachers of Agriculture crops contest in Pomona, Calif. Bart Boehm, a senior in agronomy from Greenfield, Iowa, won the overall individual competition. Teammate Mindy DeVries of Monroe, Iowa, placed second. The team of agronomy undergraduates placed third overall.
STUDENT TEAMS WIN SUSTAINABLE FUTURES PLANNING CONTEST
Students from Iowa State University have been selected to present their ideas on sustainability at a world summit. The Iowa United Nations Association sponsored the competition and invited student teams from Iowa to submit plans to create a more sustainable Iowa. Twelve teams submitted proposals at the United Nations Annual Assembly at Iowa State. The five winning teams were all from Iowa State. Each team received $500 and an invitation to present its proposal at the World Summit on Sustainable Development to be held in Johannesburg Aug. 26 to Sept. 4.
LAUREN CHRISTIAN PORK CHOP OPEN JULY 9
A golf tournament, reception, barbecue and benefit auction are scheduled for the annual Lauren Christian Pork Chop Open on July 9. The golf tournament begins with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. at Veenker Memorial Golf Course. A reception follows golf at 4 p.m. in the Farm Bureau Livestock Pavilion. The awards presentation and auction begin at 5 p.m. with dinner at 5:30 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the Lauren L. Christian Endowment. Registration for the full day’s events is $60 per person or $240 per four-person team. Registration for the reception, dinner and auction is $30 per person. Make checks payable to the Lauren Christian Pork Chop Open. Reservations are due by July 1. The registration form is online or contact the Iowa Pork Industry Center, 4-4103.
ISU MANRRS GROUP LAUNCHES SATELLITE CHAPTER
ISU's Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Related Sciences (MANRRS) chapter is helping East High School in Des Moines start up a junior MANRRS chapter. The ISU group hosted eight East High students on campus during Veishea. ISU students will serve as peer mentors to the high school students. The relationship with East High was one outcome of a recruitment and retention project in which College of Agriculture MANRRS students visited schools in Davenport, Muscatine, Waterloo, Des Moines and Chicago. The ISU group met with almost 140 high school students to talk about career opportunities in agriculture and educational opportunities at ISU. The project was funded by an ISU Professional and Scientific Council's Retention and Recruitment Grant.
DEADLINES AND REMINDERS
May 16-17: Plant Science Lecture Series on epigenetics, Sun Room, Memorial Union, register online.
May 20-21: National ultrasound training and certification conference, Kildee Hall, registration brochure online.
June 28: Sign-up deadline, second College of Agriculture Research Grant Writers Workshop beginning Aug. 27, more info: Elena Polouchkina, 4-8493 or elenap@iastate.edu
July 1: Nomination deadline for Agricultural Safety and Health Hall of Fame Award
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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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IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS -- TIPS FOR SPEECHWRITERS
Small problems can spoil good speeches, so speechwriters need to focus both on words and details, according to Majorie Kline, director of Strategic Communications in Alexandria, Va. She suggests these preventative measures:
- Be on time.
- Check ahead.
- Request a final agenda.
- Use a binder to make sure pages aren't lost or out of order.
- The opening words are the hardest so make them the easiest.
- Be well prepared.
- Drink tap water, not ice water. Ice water tightens the throat.
- Know where to find your reading glasses.
- Good voice quality comes from being prepared and relaxed.
(Writing that Works April 2002)
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I N F O G R A Z I N G
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BIOTECH FACILITIES AND FEES IN NEW DOCUMENT
Information on biotechnology-related instrumentation facilities on campus is contained in a document available from the Office of Biotechnology and Vice Provost for Research and Advanced Studies. "ISU Instrumentation Facilities for Biotechnology Research" provides general information about the equipment and services offered in each facility, contact information and fees for on- and off-campus researchers. It is available online. For a paper copy, contact Dena Huisman, Office of Biotechnology, at 4-7356 or dhuisman@iastate.edu.
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I N T E R N A L V O I C E S
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GRADUATING SENIOR DETERMINED TO GROW CORN, ALFALFA
"I plan to go back to my home in Latimer to grow corn and alfalfa until I die or the bank makes me stop." Matt Abbas, who graduated Saturday with a bachelor's degree in agricultural studies, on his future plans, which were read at the college's convocation.
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E X T E R N A L V O I C E S
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THE VALUE OF GRASS
“I have always had a great affection for grass. It seems to stand for quietness and strength. … We have not understood what grass means as a source of strength for agriculture. A grass plant is small and humble, lost in the multitude and unnoticed. But for protection of the soil, grass is just as important as trees. And for building a deep soil rich in humus, holding water like a sponge, it is much more important. … Everything we have been learning about grass tends to bear out that grass is a source of strength of agriculture and, therefore, to the nation. The more we fail to realize this, the more difficult it will be to maintain and build up our great agricultural resources, our soil resources, and yes, our human resources, too." Henry Wallace in a 1940 speech during the National Broadcasting Company's National Farm and Home Hour, reprinted in the Spring 2002 Farming magazine.
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M A R G I N A L I A
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PUBLISHED BOOK WOULD BE MUSIC TO GRAD’S EARS
Graduating senior Curtis Cretin plans to finish and publish a book he wrote about the ISU marching band's experiences during his college career. Cretin, a trombonist, has been working with journalism professor Barbara Mack on the 11-chapter project. He says he's already pre-sold 150 copies of the book. The book is called "Chasing a Dream: My Years with the ISUCF 'V' MB." (The acronym stands for ISU Cyclone Football "Varsity" Marching Band.) The Eldora native graduated Saturday with a bachelor's degree in public service and administration in agriculture.
Next issue: May 20 Deadline: May 17
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AG ONLINE
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EDITORS
Ed Adcock, edadcock@iastate.edu, and Brian Meyer, bmeyer@iastate.edu
Phone: (515) 294-5616 Web site: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/
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