College News
World Food Prize Laureate to Visit Campus Oct. 16
The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition will host 2007 World Food Prize laureate Philip Nelson on campus Oct. 16. He will speak and answer questions from 2:40 to 3:15 p.m. in the Center for Crops Utilization Research Theater. There will be a reception for Nelson after the forum until 4 p.m. in the CCUR lobby and courtyard. Earlier in the day he will meet with students in food science and human nutrition and tour the food product development classroom in MacKay Hall and the CCUR processing facilities. Nelson of Purdue University will receive the World Food Prize Oct. 18 at a ceremony in Des Moines.
ISU Confirms Presence of Soybean Rust in Iowa Field
Iowa State confirmed the presence of soybean rust infection from plant samples taken last week from a field in Dallas County. This is the first confirmed case of the disease found during the growing season in Iowa. But Iowa State plant pathologists stressed that the discovery coming so late in the growing season is fortunate timing for soybean growers.
Xin Honored for Contributions to Poultry Industry
Hongwei Xin, agricultural and biosystems engineering, has been named the 2007 Industry Person of the Year by the Iowa Poultry Association. Xin has conducted numerous research studies on poultry health, housing and air quality. The award was presented at the association's annual Fall Festival Sept. 12 in West Des Moines.
Soybean Aphid Researchers Comb Through Insect Viruses
Iowa State researchers in plant pathology and entomology are working toward creating a biopesticide to control Iowa's soybean aphid population. They are working at the molecular level with natural aphid viruses, tailoring them to kill only targeted aphid species. The researchers most recent results appear in the September issue of the Journal of Virology.
ISU Advance Workshop on Unintentional Bias
The ISU Advance Program and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are sponsoring a workshop from 9 a.m. to noon on Oct. 31 in the Sun Room, Memorial Union. The workshop is titled "Practical Tools for Recognizing and Reducing Unintentional Bias." It will include a keynote presentation from Erin Kelly from the University of Minnesota's Department of Sociology; a Reader's Theatre Production featuring ISU faculty; and a conversation with colleagues about best practices to minimize unintentional bias in everyday activities. RSVP by Oct. 22 to susanma@iastate.edu or 4-6151.
Abe's Burns Receives Superior Engineering Extension Honor
Robert Burns was named the 2007 recipient of Iowa State University College of Engineering Superior Engineering Extension Award during the college's fall convocation. Burns also was named an honorary professor within the College of Agriculture of Bulgaria's Trakia National Agrarian University. Burns has lead two USDA-FAS Extension Education projects focusing on improving the expertise of Trakia National University faculty in the area of manure management.
AGEDS Faculty Research Posters Win Awards
Agricultural education and studies faculty won awards for research posters at last week's North Central Regional Conference of the American Association for Agricultural Education. Greg Miller received a first place award for his research poster and Levon Esters, Michael Retallick and Chuck Steiner received a second place award.
150 POINTS: Nomenclature, Statistics and a World's First in Agronomy
As part of Iowa State's sesquicentennial celebration, 150 points of pride related to the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are being posted online to coincide with 150 days of the 2007-2008 academic year. This week learn about the master's of agronomy program, Robert Buchanan, the Statistics Laboratory and its founder George Snedecor, plus the National Resources Inventory operated through the Stat Lab.
Dairy Science Ice Cream on Sale Wednesdays
The Dairy Science Club sells ice cream Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the south foyer of Kildee Hall next to Lush Auditorium. There are several flavors to choose from, including vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, Snickers, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, M&M, Butterfinger and Oreo. The cost is $1 per cup.
GLOBAL Citizenship Symposium This Week
The Iowa State Student Activities Center will present the third annual Global Citizenship Symposium Thursday and Saturday, Oct. 4 and 6. On Thursday, a panel of speakers, including Fred Kirschenmann, distinguished fellow of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, will talk about culture, sustainability and related topics from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Campanile Room, Memorial Union. On Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. Bill Gutowski, geological and atmospheric sciences, will host a climate challenge game, a simulation of the climate issues and what countries can do to lessen the problem. It will be in the Pioneer Room, Memorial Union. Registration is required online.
World Bank Livestock Advisor to Speak Thursday
Jimmy W. Smith, senior livestock advisor with the World Bank, will present the third seminar in the fall series "Feeding the World: Are We Making Progress?" His presentation, "Reducing Poverty and Hunger in the Developing World: Enhancing the Contribution of Livestock," is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 4, in the Ensminger Room, 1204 Kildee Hall. Smith leads the World Bank's effort to ensure that livestock contributes to reducing hunger and poverty and to sustainable development in the developing world.
Forestry Club to Host Competition Saturday
The Forestry Club will host the 56th Annual Midwestern Forester's Conclave Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Iowa 4-H Center near Madrid. More than 100 forestry students from seven Midwestern schools will test their skills in forestry related events such as: dendrology, wood identification, chain throw and log roll. Competition starts at 7:45 a.m. and continues throughout the day. Spectators are welcome.
Journalist to Speak on Climate Change
Journalist James Howard Kunstler will speak Oct. 10 on "The Long Emergency: The Coming Global Oil Crisis and Climate Change." The event is set for 7 p.m. in the Sun Room Memorial Union. Kunstler's latest book is "The Long Emergency: Surviving the End of the Oil Age, Climate Change, and Other Converging Catastrophes of the Twenty-first Century." The Leopold Center and the Center for Energy and Environmental Education at UNI are bringing Kunstler to both campuses.
Paxton to Perform Carver Play Oct. 24
"Listening to the Still Small Voice: The Life of George Washington Carver" will be performed by Paxton Williams at 8 p.m., Oct. 24, in the Great Hall, Memorial Union. Carver was the first African-American student and faculty member at Iowa State. Williams is a graduate of Iowa State, receiving his bachelor's in political science and communication studies in 2000. The performance is to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology and is part of Iowa State's and the College's sesquicentennial lecture series.
Deadlines and Reminders
Oct. 1: Deadline for submitting concept papers describing the next generation of undergraduate academic programs for the College, contact: David Acker, dacker@iastate.edu
Oct. 15: Borlaug Lecture, Monty Jones, executive secretary of the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa and the 2004 World Food Prize winner, 8 p.m., Sun Room, Memorial Union
Oct. 23: Ag Career Day, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Great Hall and Campanile Room, Memorial Union
Oct. 23: College United Way drawing, enter by donating nonperishable items (food and toiletries) or a cash donation with a suggested value of $3 or more, contact: Carla Persaud, 4-1823 or cpersaud@iastate.edu.
Nov. 5-6: Bio-based Industry Outlook Conference More
Nov. 20: Deadline for award nominations for the College and most University awards
Communications Kiosk
The Writer Implies, the Reader Infers
Some use "infer" as if it were synonymous with "imply," but careful writers always distinguish between the two words. The writer or speaker "implies," meaning hints or suggests. The reader or listener "infers," or deduces. (The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th ed., 2003)
Infograzing
Carver Subject of African American Museum of Iowa Project
The African American Museum of Iowa has begun honoring ISU agriculture alumnus George Washington Carver with a project called "Iowa Roots, Global Impact." The project includes an exhibit that opened Sept. 29 at the African American Museum of Iowa in Cedar Rapids, a statewide lecture series, traveling exhibits and educational programs for schools. More: http://www.blackiowa.org
Animal Welfare Regulation Sessions Oct. 4
The ISU Office of Research Assurances and the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) will host two sessions Thursday, Oct. 4, on U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal Welfare Regulations. An overview of the USDA Animal Welfare Regulations will be presented, including a discussion on IACUC review of projects involving animals and the required justifications for use of animals and animal numbers. The sessions begin at 10 a.m. in the Ensminger Room, 1204 Kildee and 2 p.m. in 1226 Veterinary Medicine. There is no charge to attend. Space is limited so register with Connie Regenold at cregenol@iastate.edu.
Reiman Gardens Announces Winter Hours
Reiman Gardens will begin winter hours Nov. 1. The Gardens will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and closed weekends. The Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing will be closed for the winter.
World Food Day Teleconference Can Be Viewed on Campus
The links between climate change, hunger and poverty will be the focus of the 2007 World Food Day teleconference Oct. 16. The teleconference will be available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Room 1020 Extension and 4-H Building. Three international leaders will discuss the crosscutting issues of global climate change and the potentially disastrous consequences, especially for millions of poor and chronically undernourished people. There also will be an uplink from the World Food Prize ceremonies. Register by contacting Joyce Greving, 4-3079 or jagrevin@iastate.edu.
Rural Youth Summit Set for Oct. 26-27
The Institute of Agriculture and Trade Policy is hosting a Rural Youth Summit Oct. 26-27 at the Scheman Building. The purpose of the summit is to address the diversity of needs of those under the age of 35 living and seeking to work in rural areas. About 150-200 youth from throughout the Midwest are expected to attend. The summit is being co-sponsored by the League of Rural Voters, which is hosting a presidential candidate forum.
Extension Launches Entrepreneurship Site
Extension has launched its fifth Community of Practice web site, called Entrepreneurs and Their Communities. It is available online.
Borlaug to Receive Another Honor From Texas A&M
Norman Borlaug will receive an honorary doctor of letters degree from Texas A&M University in December. The Iowan-born scientist and humanitarian received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his work on wheat improvement and was honored in July with the Congressional Gold Medal for his efforts at "bringing radical change to world agriculture and uplifting humanity." Borlaug joined the Texas A&M faculty as distinguished professor of international agriculture in 1984.
Internal Voices
Economists Weigh in on Ethanol
Economics emeritus professors Phillip Baumel and Neil Harl were quoted Sept. 30 in the New York Times article titled, Ethanol's Boom Stalling as Glut Depresses Price. Baumel touched on ethanol's transportation problems. Harl said, "The end of the ethanol boom is possibly in sight and may already be here. This is a dangerous time for people who are making investments." (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/30/business/30ethanol.html?th&emc=th)\
External Voices
Bradbury on the Connected Arts and Sciences
"The arts and sciences are connected. Scientists have to have a metaphor. All scientists start with imagination."
-- Ray Bradbury, science fiction writer (New York Times, Aug. 22)
Marginalia
LA Times Story Mentions College Name Change
The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences name change was mentioned in a Sept. 29 Los Angeles Times article, "Agriculture schools sprucing up their image." The article focused on efforts to attract students to a field they might not originally consider. More: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-farm29sep29,0,89632.story?coll=l...
Ag and Life Sciences Online
Edirot: Ed Adcock, edadcock@iastate.edu
Phone: (515) 294-5616 Web site: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/
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