................................................... COLLEGE NEWS ................................................... CLASS OF 1958 ALUMNI DAYS RECEPTION WILL BE HELD FRIDAY The reception for College alumni from the Class of 1958 will be held Friday, May 16, in the Curtiss Hall auditorium, with the program beginning at 9:30 a.m. The speakers will include Wendy Wintersteen, endowed dean; and Eric Hoiberg and Gerald Klonglan, former associate deans. The program will include a video featuring the College's Legacy of Excellence. Alums will have a chance to share their memories and refreshments will be served. GRAD PRESENTED ROTC AWARD Justin Wedel, who graduated Saturday with a bachelor's degree in agricultural systems technology, was presented the Reserve Officer Training Corps Governor's Cup Award. Gov. Chet Culver presents the awards annually for outstanding achievement to top students in eight ROTC programs at five universities: Iowa State, University of Iowa, Drake University, University of Dubuque and University of Northern Iowa. They honor the students for leadership, academics and military achievement. Wedel is a midshipman first class and was one of eight to receive the award. STUDENTS SELECTED FOR BOB JOLLY ENTREPRENEURSHIP SCHOLARSHIPS Two College students have been selected for the 2008 Bob Jolly Entrepreneurship Scholarship, which is in its inaugural year. The 2008 winners are Michael Haden, a junior in agricultural business, and Jessica Shifflett, a junior in agricultural communications. More: http://www.entrepreneurship.ag.iastate.edu/undergrads.html NEARLY A QUARTER OF GRADUATES TAKE PART IN STUDY ABROAD About 23 percent of those graduating Saturday studied abroad, the same portion of last year's graduating class, and 20 percent participated in College programs. They visited 26 countries on six continents. Of those participating in study abroad, nearly half participated in more than one program. One student traveled to Tanzania, New Zealand, India, Brazil and Thailand. PONDS FOUND TO TAKE UP CARBON LIKE WORLD'S OCEANS Research led by Iowa State limnologist John Downing finds that ponds around the globe could absorb as much carbon as the world's oceans. Downing found that constructed ponds and lakes on farmland in the United States bury carbon at a much higher rate than expected. Learn more: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~nscentral/news/2008/may/ponds.shtml VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR AGRONOMY CAREER DEVELOPMENT EVENT The agronomy department will host teams from across Iowa June 5 for an Agronomy Career Development Event. The students will take individual exams in crop judging and identification of plants, weeds, seeds and insects followed by a team event. Contact Gretchen Zdorkowski, 4-9775 or gretzdor@iastate.edu, to volunteer. RESEARCH SHOWS LOW-INPUT FARMING SYSTEMS BENEFIT FARMERS, ENVIRONMENT Iowa State researchers are investigating the potential of diversified, low-input farming systems to benefit both farmers and the environment while reducing on-farm energy use. Results from an ongoing research project funded by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture show that certain systems can be productive and profitable. Details: http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/newsreleases/2008/051208_LEI.htm IOWA STATE TO HOST 2008 BIOBASED INDUSTRY OUTLOOK CONFERENCE Iowa State will host the 2008 Biobased Industry Outlook Conference, “Growing the Bioeconomy: From Foundational Science to Sustainable Practice,” Sept. 7-9. Learn more: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2008/may/120601.htm LAUREN CHRISTIAN PORK CHOP OPEN PLANNED FOR JULY 15 The Lauren Christian Pork Chop Open will be held July 15 at Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames. This annual event benefits the Lauren L. Christian Endowment, which provides financial support for undergraduate and graduate students and continued swine and pork educational opportunities through Iowa State. Details: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/2008/may/150801.htm CARD DIRECTOR TESTIFIES BEFORE U.S. SENATE COMMITTEE In a May 7 U.S. Senate committee hearing on fuel subsidies and their impact on food prices, Bruce Babcock, professor of economics and director of the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, told senators changes in federal biofuels policies now will not have a dramatic effect on food prices in the short term. Babcock's full oral statement is available at http://www.card.iastate.edu/presentations/. CARD ASSISTANT SCIENTIST FATHER OF YOUNG GRADUATE Philip Gassman, assistant scientist and a research agricultural engineer in the resource and environmental policy division of the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, earned a doctorate in environmental science last weekend, but his son's academic achievement made more news. His 18-year-old son, Mattias, graduated summa cum laude from Iowa State with two bachelor's degrees with majors in biophysics, German and classical studies, plus a minor in history. He plans to continue his education at the University of Minnesota. More: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~nscentral/news/2008/may/gassman.shtml DEADLINES AND REMINDERS May 15: Deadline for 2008 Spencer Award for Sustainable Agriculture nominations, http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/news/newsreleases/2008/042308_spencer.html ................................................... COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK ................................................... THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONGRUOUS AND CONGRUENT IS THE MATH Both terms mean "in harmony, in agreement." The first is seen most often in its negative form, “incongruous.” The second is used in geometry to describe figures that are identical in size and shape and in arithmetic to describe two numbers whose difference is evenly divisible. (The Chicago Manual of Style, 15th ed., 2003) ................................................... INFOGRAZING ................................................... ABSTRACTS SOUGHT FOR AGRICULTURAL SAFETY AND HEALTH FORUM Iowa's Center for Agricultural Safety and Health seeks abstracts for research, education and outreach presentations at the Midwest Rural and Agricultural Safety and Health Forum to be held Nov. 20-21 in Davenport. The conference will provide an opportunity for researchers, practitioners and agricultural producers to communicate on rural and agricultural needs, services, research and methods for research to practice implementation. Information regarding sponsorship, exhibit opportunities and abstract application forms are available at http://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/icash/ or by calling (319) 335-4224. The deadline for abstracts is July 1. SEARCH BEGINS FOR VICE PRESIDENT POST AT IOWA STATE Alex King, director of the Ames Laboratory, will chair an 18-member search committee assembled to find the next vice president for research and economic development at Iowa State. More: http://www.public.iastate.edu/~nscentral/news/2008/may/vpsearch.shtml ................................................... INTERNAL VOICES ................................................... CHWEE COMPLIMENTS COLLEGE'S FACULTY AND STAFF “I personally believe we have the best faculty and staff this University has to offer. I am constantly impressed with how approachable, accessible, knowledgeable and willing to help they are.” --Allyson Chwee, agricultural business and economics graduate, in her address to graduates and guests at the College convocation May 10 ................................................... MARGINALIA ................................................... GRADUATES TELL OF THEIR CAREER PLANS Saturday's graduates filled out cards with messages of their career plans that were read at the College convocation. Here are some of the job-oriented messages: -will be working for ADM as an elevator manager - has accepted a job with Ag Leader Technology as a product specialist -returning to the family farm in Adair - will be employed as a manufacturing engineer with Oshkosh Truck in Oshkosh, Wis. - will be graduating with a degree in Industrial Technology and has accepted a job as a manufacturing engineer -will be working as a manufacturing engineer with GITS Manufacturing in Creston -will be working for Cargill in Beardstown, Ill. - thank parents for all the support -will be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Air Force as a bioenvironmental engineer -will be working for Rasmussen Group in Ankeny and I want to thank my family for all their support -plans to become a test engineer -plans to work in loss prevention consulting -will be an engineer at John Deere in Ottumwa -is employed as a customer support tech at Ag Leader in Ames -thanks family and friends for support through school - plans to work for Minnesota OSHA -will be an industrial engineer at Electrolux in Webster City -will be pursuing a career in food industry after going to Europe after graduation -has accepted a job with Five Star Coop as a precision ag specialist -is anticipating employment as a manufacturing engineer -will be a management trainee for Monsanto Co. -will be commissioning at the end of May and pursuing a career in the Navy -will return to his home country, Egypt and join the family business -will work for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation as an administrative assistant in West Des Moines -will be working with ISU Extension this summer, then looking for a position working with kids in ag this fall -will be working for the National Pork Producers Council in Urbandale with education and legislation programs -plans to go back to family farm -will be returning home to the family farm operation in northwest Iowa -will be working for ADM in their Elevator Management Division throughout the Midwest -will be working in the PR area with Lynch Livestock around the Midwest -will be working as a farm service center operations manager for Cargill in East St. Louis -will be working for AgReliant Genetics as a district sales manager -plans on going home to the family farm -will be beginning my career with Three Rivers FS as an equine and lifestyle specialist -has recently accepted a job with Van Wall Equipment ........................................................ AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE ........................................................ EDITOR Ed Adcock, edadcock@iastate.edu Phone: (515) 294-5616 Web site: http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/ SUBSCRIBE Ag and Life Sciences Online, the newsletter for faculty and staff in Iowa State University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is e-mailed every Monday. To subscribe, send your name, e-mail address and the message "Ag and Life Sciences Online subscribe" to edadcock@iastate.edu. To unsubscribe, send "Ag and Life Sciences Online unsubscribe." Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, 3210 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.