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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Newsletter
Iowa State University
Dec. 10, 2012 No. 729
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COLLEGE NEWS
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COLLEGE CONVOCATION TO HONOR GRADUATES SATURDAY
Faculty and staff are invited to recognize more than 200 graduating seniors at the College convocation Saturday, Dec. 15, in C.Y. Stephens Auditorium. Doors open at 8:30 a.m. for a reception. The convocation begins at 9:30 a.m. Brady McNeil, animal science, is the convocation speaker. The Ag and Life Sciences Student Council will present awards to the following graduates: Matie Hanson, animal science, for academic achievement; Brittany Jurgemeyer, public service and administration in agriculture, for distinguished service; McNeil for outstanding ambassador of agriculture; Kayla Reiter, agricultural business, for leadership excellence; and Andrew Lauver, agricultural studies, for outstanding senior. Jurgemeyer is also the college's student marshal at the University Commencement Ceremony at 1:30 p.m. in Hilton Coliseum.
SENIORS HONORED FOR SERVICE AS CALS AMBASSADORS
Four CALS seniors were honored at the Dec. 7 College Cabinet meeting for their service as CALS Student Ambassadors. Casey Clemens, agricultural business, worked with the Youth Organizations Committee on activities related to 4-H and FFA, including the State FFA Convention. After graduation, Clemens will be employed as seed sales trainee for Ag Reliant. Andrew Lauver, agricultural studies, was chairperson of the CALS Ambassadors and worked with the Campus Visit Committee. Lauver will be interning with Senator Charles Grassley and then begin full-time employment at Pioneer. Kayla Reiter, agricultural business, worked with the Transfer Committee to increase awareness of the opportunities in transferring to CALS. Reiter will be employed as member outreach coordinator for the Iowa Soybean Association. Tyler Romoser, agriculture systems technology, worked with the Junior Visit Day to bring prospective juniors in high school and their families to campus. Romoser will be a technical training instructor for Case IH.
OLIVER NAMED INTERIM VP OF RESEARCH, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
David Oliver, genetics, development and cell biology, and associate dean for research in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has been named interim vice president for research and economic development, effective Jan. 1, 2013. He will succeed Sharron Quisenberry, entomology, who recently announced her retirement.
SPALDING TO BECOME ASSOCIATE DEAN OF RESEARCH AND GRADUATE STUDIES
The "interim" tag will come off Martin Spalding's title in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences effective Jan. 1 when Spalding becomes the associate dean of research and graduate studies for the college. A professor in genetics, development and cell biology, Spalding has held the interim associate dean's position since July 1, 2011.
TAKLE PRESENTS AT UNITED NATIONS CLIMATE SUMMIT
Gene Takle, agronomy and geological and atmospheric sciences, presented before a United Nations climate summit in Doha, Qatar, and said climate change is influencing Iowa farmers to adjust their operations. Although scientists can't attribute the 2012 drought to climate change, data suggest that such extreme weather events are becoming more common in the Midwest. More: http://www.news.iastate.edu/news/2012/12/06/unclimate
HORTICULTURE SENIOR TO BE PART OF SUPER BOWL GROUNDS CREW
Kevin Hansen, senior in horticulture, has received the Toro Company's annual Toro Super Bowl Sports Turf Training Program. In partnership with the National Football League, Hansen will work alongside NFL field director Ed Mangan and the Super Bowl grounds crew on turf maintenance, logo painting, field preparation for media day, and halftime preparation and clean-up at the Superdome in New Orleans for Super Bowl XXLVII. More: http://iaturf.blogspot.com/2012/11/kevin-hansen-super-bowl.html
GRADUATE STUDENTS WORKING ON RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTED BY LEOPOLD CENTER
The Leopold Center is introducing some of the graduate students involved in Leopold Center-funded research in a new series called "Superheroes in Training." Go to the Leopold Center Facebook page to read about Stefan Gailans, agronomy, Anna MacDonald, natural resource ecology and management, and Todd Ontl, natural resource ecology and management. More: https://www.facebook.com/LeopoldCenter/notes
DAIRY SCIENCE STUDENTS ON "˜HOLSTEIN WORLD' MAGAZINE COVER
The December issue of Holstein World magazine features ISU dairy science students on the cover, in a photo taken at the ISU Dairy Farm. More in a CALS Facebook page on Dec. 5: https://www.facebook.com/IowaStateU.AgLifeSciences
MEAT JUDGING TEAM COMPETES IN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
The Meat Judging Team recently competed in The International, a national championship hosted by Tyson Fresh Meats, in Dakota City, Neb. Fifteen teams with 100 contestants competed in the event that evaluated classes of beef, lamb and pork carcasses as well as wholesale cuts. The ISU team placed third in lamb judging, seventh in total placings and 12th overall. Team members were: Kenton Doty, Montezuma; Breanna Estle, Lockridge; Tyler Frick, Milford; Megan Place, Ceresco, Mich.; Jessica Reiners, Muscatine; Sara Sieren, Keota; Ashley Strauch, Metamora, Ill.; Jacob Thomas, Leavenworth, Kansas; and Emily Todd, Cushing.
RETIREMENT RECEPTION FOR DENNIS SHANNON, DEC. 18
A retirement reception will be held for Dennis Shannon, ISU Research and Demonstration Farms, on Dec. 18, 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Campanile Room. Shannon has worked for the university for 26 years. There will be a program at 3:45 p.m.
ISU/UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN UPDATE
ISU has surpassed its United Way campaign goal with pledges and gifts totaling $332,358, which is $7,358 over the total goal. CALS has met its goal as well, raising $62,501. Thank you for a successful campaign.
DEADLINES AND REMINDERS
Dec. 11: News conference to announce results of the 2012 Iowa Land Value Survey, 10 a.m., Extension 4-H Youth Building
Dec. 13: Biorenewables Poster Symposium, 2:15 to 4 p.m., Howe Hall Atrium.
Feb. 14: Computation Advisory Committee proposal deadline, http://www.cio.iastate.edu/committees/cac/
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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
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LETTERS OF INTENT FOR USDA AFRI FELLOWSHIPS GRANT PROGRAM DUE JAN. 3
USDA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative is requesting proposals for the Fellowships Grant Program. The goal of the program is to develop the next generation of research, education and extension professionals in the food and agricultural sciences. The program focuses on developing functional competence for predoctoral students and the research independence and teaching credentials of postdoctoral scholars. An applicant must be a citizen, national or permanent resident of the United States. Indirect costs are not allowed. Letters of intent are due Jan. 3.
FUNDING INFORMATION, OPPORTUNITIES AND DEADLINE REMINDERS
Dates listed are application deadlines. Contact: Roxanne Clemens, rclemens@iastate.edu
Additional information is posted at CALS Funding Resources, http://www.ag.iastate.edu/research/fundingResources/
Jan. 21: DARPA Microsystems Technology Office - Young Faculty Award; $250,000 to $500,000.
Jan. 21: NIH New Methods for Understanding the Functional Role of Human DNA Sequence Variants in Complex Phenotypes (R01).
Feb. 1: State Department - Global Biosecurity Engagement Activities; up to $500,000. More: http://goo.gl/NElsx
Feb. 1: NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Graduate Research Opportunities Worldwide; open to MS- and PhD-seeking Fellows. More: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13022/nsf13022.jsp
Feb. 1: Lincoln Institute of Land Policy C. Lowell Harriss Dissertation Fellowship Program. More
Feb. 27: NSF Building Community and Capacity for Data-Intensive Research in the Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences and in Education and Human Resources. More: http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp
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COMMUNICATIONS KIOSK
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UNIVERSITY DIGITAL IMAGE ARCHIVES ADDED TO PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION
The Special Collections Department at Parks Library recently received the University Digital Image Archives. The photographs will be available in mid-January. The Special Collections Department maintains more than 1 million photographs. The majority of images are about ISU and focus on activities of faculty, staff, students and alumni.
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INFOGRAZING
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ISU STUDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR NEW CARGILL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Cargill, working with the Institute of International Education, has launched a new scholarship program to help build future potential leaders. ISU is one of 13 U.S.-based universities identified for this program. First and second year undergraduate students who demonstrate exemplary academic achievement, leadership potential and study in a field relevant to Cargill's world of food, agriculture and risk management are eligible to apply. More: http://www.cargillglobalscholars.com/
COLUMBUS FOUNDATION ACCEPTING AWARD NOMINATIONS
The Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation, a Federal government agency, is now accepting nominations for four agriscience awards and four life sciences awards to be presented in July 2013 in Washington, D.C. Nominations are accepted online only. Deadline for the agriscience awards is Jan. 29. Deadline for the life sciences awards is Feb. 12.
CARET PRESENTS CHAMPIONS AWARD TO REP. SAM FARR
Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA) has been presented the 2012 Council for Agricultural Research, Extension and Teaching Champions' Award for his leadership and continued support of agricultural research, extension and teaching programs at the nation's land-grant universities. Rep. Farr is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies of the House Committee on Appropriations.
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INTERNAL VOICES
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TAYLOR ON STUDYING (NOT WORRYING ABOUT) CHANGES IN CLIMATE
Asked if he worries about changes in climate, Elwynn Taylor, agronomy, said: "I don't worry about them, I study them. If you worry, it disrupts your objectivity." In a question and answer session at Thomson Reuters Global Ags Forum on Dec. 5.
ANIMAL SCIENCE SENIOR: FARM BILL "˜COOLEST' PART OF SENATE INTERNSHIP
Stephanie Carlson, senior in animal science, was a legislative intern with the Iowa Pork Producers Association last summer. She worked in Sen. Charles Grassley's office in Washington, D.C. on agriculture policy and research, and interacted with constituents on a daily basis. "The Farm Bill was by far the coolest thing that I was able to actively help with and watch move through the legislative process. My role was to organize an amendment table as each of the nearly 300 amendments to the bill were filed by senators. This helped the staff make recommendations to the senator. The interaction between the staff and other offices truly gave me a better understanding of how Congress works" said Carlson.
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EXTERNAL VOICES
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CALS AST ALUM: PRECISION FARMING VERY REWARDING
Brandon Bonk's farm in Delaware is like many today: driven by technology that raises yields, limits runoff and adjusts to changing weather, pests and commodity prices. It all adds up to a complex business that Bonk is very passionate about. "You have a result every year. That's about 50 shots to get it perfect. If the weather works out, the markets work out, you hit a home run," says Bonk, a 28-year-old fifth-generation farmer and 2006 CALS graduate with a degree focused on agriculture systems and biotechnology. "You're always striving to do better than you did before. It's very rewarding." More: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2012/12/02/high-tech-farmi…
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MARGINALIA
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ALDO LEOPOLD DOCUMENTARY WINS REGIONAL EMMY
A film about Aldo Leopold won an Emmy for Best Historical Documentary at the 54th annual program of the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. "Green Fire: Aldo Leopold and a Land Ethic for Our Time" was produced by the Aldo Leopold Foundation, the Center for Humans and Nature and the U.S. Forest Service. It will be available to public television stations for Earth Day in April 2013.
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AG AND LIFE SCIENCES ONLINE
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EDITOR
Julie Stewart
jstewart@iastate.edu, (515) 294-5616
http://www.ag.iastate.edu/aginfo/
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