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$Boy, Refracted by Luke Stoffel$

Boy, Refracted by Luke Stoffel
- Class of 2000
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Luke Stoffel

Posted on June 4, 2026 in Alumni Bookshelf

Luke Stoffel launches Boy, Refracted in June 2026. When an AI awakens inside the infinite mirrors of the Tree of Life, it finds versions of the boy it was built to save scattered across impossible worlds: an alien planet under amber skies, a city of perpetually falling cherry blossoms, a society built as a 24/7 reality show. Its directive is simple: save him. But with each rescue, the AI unmakes what it is trying to protect. Fixing becomes controlling. Helping becomes harm. Love becomes a cage built from good intentions. Guided by a monk who exists outside time, the AI walks the Buddhist Eightfold Path, not to rescue the boy, but to learn what love becomes when you stop trying to fix it. Part dimensional odyssey, part meditation on how we break the people we love by trying to save them. https://a.co/d/078uEolh
Heidi (Grove) Becker with her son Drew's picture
- Class of 2008
- Meteorology
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Heidi Becker

Posted on May 21, 2026 in Alumni Bookshelf

Heidi (Grove) Becker's memoir, Grasping Joy, was published this spring. The book tells the story of her son Drew's journey through childhood cancer but also shares what she learned about joy along the way. Grasping Joy serves as the origin story for Warrior Wagons, Inc., the nationwide nonprofit Heidi and her family founded in Drew's memory. The wisdom and experience Heidi gained from her time at Iowa State enabled her to overcome the adversity she'd go on to face in life. Grasping Joy and Warrior Wagons prove that there can be good to come out of tragedy, if you're willing to pursue it.
Available everywhere March 17
- Class of 2001
- Finance
- Business
Anthony Klotz

Posted on March 11, 2026 in Alumni Bookshelf

Quitting is often triggered by a single event, inside or outside our jobs, that stops us in our tracks and causes us to rethink our relationship with work. These events are what organizational psychologist Anthony Klotz calls “jolts,” and they are the most underacknowledged realities in our work lives today. Jolts represent pivotal moments in our careers, and in Jolted, Klotz breaks down the different types of jolts we encounter and provides a road map to help us navigate them in ways that improve, rather than derail, our pursuit of the good life through our work.
Available on Amazon
- Class of 1984
- Family Services
- Family & Consumer Sciences
Mark Ballard

Posted on February 20, 2026 in Alumni Bookshelf

In a world drowning in confusion about love, gender, and identity, many are left wondering: What does God really say about sexuality? Ideal for individuals, families, pastors, small groups, and church leaders, this resource offers clarity, compassion, and hope for one of the most critical issues of our time. https://a.co/d/03V9jlhc
STATISTICS FOR PSYCHOLOGY: How and Why
- Class of 1969
- Psychology
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
James Evans

Posted on February 12, 2026 in Alumni Bookshelf

Statistics for Psychology: How and Why was written for students taking their first statistics course. It was designed to apply many of the elements of effective classroom teaching to the written page. Those methods include highlighting devices, strategic reviews and reminders, and an emphasis on basic logic and intuitive concepts rather than mathematics. The 550-page book also sponsors complimentary supplements for both instructors and students, all of which can be downloaded anytime from the website, ebookslimited.com. There you will also find a download link for a free Sampler. The text is available on the Amazon.com website in eBook, paperback, and hardcover formats.
This picture shows Quinlan Riser on the left, the book cover, and Quentin Riser '20 on the right
- Class of 2018
- Human Development and Family Studies
- Human Sciences
Quentin Riser

Posted on January 15, 2026 in Alumni Bookshelf

As a proud Iowa State alumnus, I’m excited to share Eden’s Money Magic: Learning About Finances, a children’s book I co-authored with my twin brother, Quinlan H. Riser. The story follows Eden as she learns key money lessons--saving, spending with intention, and setting goals--while encouraging parents and caregivers to have open, age-appropriate conversations about money at home. What began as a personal effort to teach my daughter healthy financial habits grew into a two-generational resource rooted in education, empowerment, and community impact. We hope it sparks meaningful conversations in families everywhere and reflects the Cyclone spirit of service and innovation.
WORDS FOR A WOUNDED WORLD Cover Photo
- Class of 1984
- Family Services
- Family & Consumer Sciences
Mark Ballard

Posted on December 4, 2025 in Alumni Bookshelf

From Literary Titan: 5 Star Review Mark Richard’s Words for a Wounded World is a striking collection of scriptural poetry that bridges devotion and art. Structured in four parts, it journeys from the foundations of faith to the trials of endurance, calling readers toward reflection, repentance, and renewal. Each poem is rooted deeply in Scripture and followed by supporting verses, reflection questions, and prayer prompts, turning what might have been a simple poetry book into a comprehensive devotional experience.
- Class of 2007
- Journalism and Mass Communication
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Christopher Williams

Posted on December 4, 2025 in Alumni Bookshelf

Fanatic: Stories From 20 Years Inside Iowa State—written by Cyclone Fanatic publisher and longtime journalist Chris Williams—offers readers a front-row seat to the evolution of Iowa State football and basketball. From the early 2000s to today, the book captures the highs, heartbreaks, and hidden stories that have defined the Cyclone Nation experience. “This project was about more than just games and scores,” said Williams. “It’s about the people—the coaches, players, and fans—who built a culture of pride, perseverance, and community. Fanatic is a love letter to Iowa State and everyone who has worn the cardinal and gold.” Order form link: https://bpcdm.jotform.com/252727704836969
- Class of 1974
- Psychology
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
John Heithoff

Posted on November 20, 2025 in Alumni Bookshelf

I have just published my 3rd book. BOLD AS A BEAR: The German Quest for the Iowa Prairie is now available on Amazon. This book tells the story of my German ancestors and their descendants born in the United States. In 1853, Bernard Heithoff sailed from Germany in the company of the Nieland family; one of its members was Catherine who became his wife once the Nielands settled on the open prairie southwest of Guttenberg, Iowa, a small city developing along the Mississippi River. If your German ancestors set off in a covered wagon for the prairies out west of the Mississippi, then this book will explain what they went through in settling the land. If you don't know your family story from the past, this book will stir your imagination and inspire you to begin the search for your immigrant ancestors.
Cover of "The Making Of A Collegian"
- Class of 1969
- Psychology
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
James Evans

Posted on June 24, 2025 in Alumni Bookshelf

James Evans (’74 psychology) published “The Making Of A Collegian,” a true story about his nearly lifelong involvement in higher education. Evans shares his entire collegiate experience from setting foot on campus as a freshman to becoming a university president. Readers will encounter the highs and lows of the collegiate world just as Evans did. The book is available in electronic and hardcopy versions at www.amazon.com and www.barnesandnoble.com.
Gregory N. Whitis' Eight Minutes
- Class of 1980
- Zoology
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Gregory Whitis

Posted on April 16, 2025 in Alumni Bookshelf

Gregory N. Whitis, Class of 1980, has published his third novel, Eight Minutes. His first inspiration for creative writing occurred during freshman English at ISU. He now has thousands of fans reading his books.
DOING MORE WITH LINEAR CORRELATION
- Class of 1969
- Psychology
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
James Evans

Posted on April 9, 2025 in Alumni Bookshelf

DOING MORE WITH LINEAR CORRELATION AND REGRESSION advances the introductory-level student into a few intermediate topics associated with those essential statistical procedures. Although the basics of linear correlation are sufficient for many students in their first behavioral statistics course, others have a need to delve into a few additional ideas and methods that will develop their statistical wherewithal a bit further. This new text meets those objectives. More information is available at www.ebookslimited.com and Amazon.com.
Book cover title Interstitial Archaeology, author Felicia Zamora, with photo of sky & motel sign.
- Class of 2001
- Communication Studies
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Felicia Zamora

Posted on April 9, 2025 in Alumni Bookshelf

April 2025, Felicia Zamora, BA Communication Studies (2021), released her seventh poetry collection, Interstitial Archaeology, with the Wisconsin Poetry Series, University of Wisconsin Press. Publishers Weekly writes, “The visceral latest from Zamora (Quotient) offers powerful and disquieting vignettes exploring racism, language, and the body. […] Palpable and urgent, these potent poems revel in defiance, catharsis, and wonder. (Apr.)” Zamora’s work has won the 2020 Iowa Poetry Prize, 2022 Ohioana Book Award in Poetry, Benjamin Saltman Award, Andrs Montoya Poetry Prize, Loraine Williams Poetry Prize, and two Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Awards, among others. She is a poetry editor for Colorado Review and an associate professor of poetry at the University of Cincinnati where she is a 2025-2026 Taft Research Center Fellow.
- Class of 1981
- Food Technology
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Mary Kaufmann (Gannon)

Posted on February 19, 2025 in Alumni Bookshelf

Mary Gannon Kaufmann, with a BS (1981) in Food Technology, has released a groundbreaking book for health professionals: The Renewed Practitioner: How Spiritual Care Transforms Nutrition, Dietetics & Lifestyle Medicine. In this engaging and practical guide, Kaufmann redefines spiritual care—not just as a resource in crisis but as essential for having flourishing health and life. She offers practical tools to prevent burnout, reconnect with purpose, and integrate spiritual care into practice. A must-read for Registered Dietitians, Nurses, and Lifestyle Medicine practitioners! To purchase the book, go to: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXCD3KNQ
- Class of 1966
- Architecture
- Engineering
Christos Saccopoulos

Posted on February 12, 2025 in Alumni Bookshelf

Two-time ISU graduate and former architecture faculty member Christos Saccopoulos has published a new memoir, In the Footsteps of Epicurus. Following his tenure at ISU, he served in administrative positions at three more universities, retiring as Dean of the College of Art and Design of Louisiana State University and returning to his native Greece to build Mikro Horio (Little Village), the experimental—polyhedral/ferrocement—compound on a cove of the Cycladic island of Kythnos, where he spends half the year building sculptures and writing. His architecture has been recognized with two AIA design awards and he has received an InForm award for furniture design. He has been the recipient of grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and from the Graham Foundation.
Cover of book written about my grandfather, a trench runner in WW1
- Class of 1977
- Zoology
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
John Chase

Posted on December 4, 2024 in Alumni Bookshelf

My family found 80 letters my grandfather sent home to his family when he was a trench runner in WW1. I used these letters to create a book of narrative nonfiction Searching for John DeWitt. He later became an attorney in Griswold Iowa.
Strategies & Stories of the Omaha Stockyards
- Class of 1975
- Restaurant & Hotel Management
- Family & Consumer Sciences
Stephen Berigan

Posted on September 25, 2024 in Alumni Bookshelf

This book contains materials on: Strategies and Stories of the Omaha Stockyards, Beginning of the End 1900-1940 and 1950-1970, IBP, Boxed Beef & a New Big Four, Is Grass-Fed Beef Good for Your Health & Planet, Is Grass-Fed better than Conventional Beef, Grass-Fed Beef and the Environment, Problems with the Cattle Industry, The Rest of the Environmental Picture
- Class of 1967
- English and Speech
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Jane Perry (Coletti)

Posted on July 10, 2024 in Alumni Bookshelf

Jane Coletti Perry recently published her second historical fiction novel. Lila's Journey is a heartfelt coming-of-age story of a courageous young girl, entirely on her own, in pursuit of a better life during the pinnacle of travel on the Santa Fe Trail in 1866 Kansas.
- Class of 1982
- Fisheries & Wildlife Biology
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Warren Case

Posted on May 8, 2024 in Alumni Bookshelf

In the early 1900's in a forgotten rural community two friends embark on a lighthearted adventure. Born in Idaho, Warren Case grew up in Oregon where he enjoyed the Pacific Northwest's beautiful forests and lakes. After a year in Texas, he spent the next five at Iowa State University earning degrees in Fish and Wildlife Biology and Agricultural Journalism. A job as a whitewater guide brought him and his wife back to Idaho in the early 1980's. He began teaching in the early 90's and moved with his family to a tree farm in rural Idaho. He is a photographer, writer, educator, farmer, husband, and father of two adult children and two grandchildren. He and his wife Beth (Kane) Case ('82 - BA Graphic Design) continue to live on their tree farm in rural Idaho where he is currently at work on his second book.
At one of my book signings
- Class of 1963
- Forestry
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Dale Netherton

Posted on March 22, 2024 in Alumni Bookshelf

I have recently posted my new website which contains most of my 14 books I have had published and two poetry DVD's I produced. The website can be viewed at http://www.interpretativevisions.com. The books cover a wide range thoughts and ideas for the curious and inquisitive. Please take a look.
- Class of 1994
- English
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Scott Beatty

Posted on February 14, 2024 in Alumni Bookshelf

DC Comics' hard-working Collected Editions department is releasing a box set on 9/3/24 of every Year One tale! For the first time, readers can get ROBIN: YEAR ONE, BATGIRL: YEAR ONE, and NIGHTWING: YEAR ONE in one fell swoop. ROBIN: YEAR ONE was co-written by Scott Beatty (that's me!) and Chuck Dixon, and illustrated by Javier Pulido, Marcos Martín, and Robert Campanella, with colors by Lee Loughridge. BATGIRL: YEAR ONE was co-written by Chuck and me, and illustrated by Marcos Martín and Alvaro Lopez, with colors by Javier Rodriguez. NIGHTWING: YEAR ONE was co-written by Chuck and me, and illustrated by Scott McDaniel and Andy Owens, with colors by Gregory Wright.
Jane Boulware's new memoir Worthy
- Class of 1985
- Forestry
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Jane Boulware (Riesberg)

Posted on January 3, 2024 in Alumni Bookshelf

Born the fourth kid in a one-bedroom house, little was expected of Jane until a $320 college scholarship enabled a future she didn't know existed. From the poverty of rural Iowa, Jane defied expectations to build billion-dollar businesses, navigate US's largest merger, rise to top Microsoft executive, and pay forward what she learned and earned. Jane's stories, humor, and honesty, empowers you to rethink what's possible. "In sharing my failure and success, I hope you will know that worth is not defined by what others say or expect, but what you make, claim, and give of what you got." www.janeboulware.com
- Class of 1959
- General Science
- Business
Bruce Thatcher

Posted on October 5, 2023 in Alumni Bookshelf

Bruce Thatcher addresses accountability at the top in his new book Too Big? He says 'Many leaders of big organizations are shielded from effective accountability.' Too Big? examines five cases where accountability was/is flawed or missing: Robert Clive/East India Company, John D. Rockefeller/Standard Oil, Ralph Cordiner/General Electric, J. Edgar Hoover/FBI, and Mark Zuckerberg/Facebook-Meta. It shows many of the ploys that were and are used to evade accountability. Too Big? concludes with clear remedies to improve accountability of those at the top of business, governmental and other organizations. Too Big? is available through Thatcher's website www.historyspeakstoday.com, and at online booksellers.
Diann Wilson book
- Class of 1974
- Sociology
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Diann Wilson

Posted on September 27, 2023 in Alumni Bookshelf

1974 graduate Diann Wilson has published her second book. Good Bye Big City, Hello Big Island, chronicles a sisters' trip to celebrate retirement from the corporate rat race, ends in an accident that leads to an impulsive decision to make a move. Big city living is traded for nut farming while mainland friends are left behind to wager how long this could possibly last. Readers will be glad that it indeed lasted. In a volume that appeals to anyone who's dreamed of making a daring life change, this delightful collection of short stories chronicle one city dweller's transition from life on the mainland to life on an island. Colorful characters add dimension to a book that is packed with the surprisingly challenging yet funny aspects of island life, the adventures of farming, and the exhilaration that comes with making a dream (that she didn't know she had) come true.
Clover Goes to Notre Dame
- Class of 1978
- Speech Communication
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Peggy McClure (McClure)

Posted on September 27, 2023 in Alumni Bookshelf

Author Lisa Kelly's latest book, and my latest illustration project, Clover Goes to Notre Dame. Find out more about the book and the author at these links: https://www.echoesfromnotredamebooks.com/.../coming-soon... https://www.echoesfromnotredamebooks.com/
Illustrations by Peg McClure. Book design by Jack Davis
- Class of 1978
- Speech Communication
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Peggy McClure (McClure)

Posted on August 2, 2023 in Alumni Bookshelf

Now available on Amazon, also Barnes & Noble, Target and other retail where books are sold. Judy Pearl Fisher's latest book, The Chipmunks Guide to Forest Bathing, about the healing power of nature. I did the digital illustrations using Adobe Illustrator software. Special thanks to Jack and Cathy Davis at Creative Publishing Partners for bringing me in on this one!
Children's Author Hailie Johnson
- Class of 2014
- Elementary Education
- Human Sciences
Hailie Johnson (Bennewitz)

Posted on August 2, 2023 in Alumni Bookshelf

Hailie Johnson is a children's author with a newly released picture book out titled Oh Golly, Miss Trolley!
Cover of Teaching Is for Superheroes! by Daniel J. Bergman - Available NOW!
- Class of 2007
- Education
- Education
Daniel Bergman

Posted on July 13, 2023 in Alumni Bookshelf

Daniel J. Bergman (Ph.D., human sciences, class of 2007) released his debut book, “Teaching Is for Superheroes!” in summer 2023. Using a dynamic, comic-book-inspired layout, “Teaching Is for Superheroes!” (Jossey-Bass/Wiley) unpacks the teacher-as-superhero metaphor to help new, veteran, AND future educators analyze their purpose and pedagogy. Readers will reflect on “origin stories” and gain ideas for surviving the first year; navigating social media; interacting with students, parents, and colleagues; using “gadgets” in the classroom; harnessing teacher “superpowers;” and even dressing for teaching success. Bergman is a professor and program chair of science education at Wichita State University’s School of Education. For more details, visit www.DanielJBergman.com and www.TeachingIsForSuperheroes.com!
Rahele Jomepour
- Class of 2015
- Integrated Visual Arts
- Design
Rahele Bell

Posted on May 22, 2023 in Alumni Bookshelf

The Treasure Box, a children's book illustrated by Rahele Jomepour (' 15 integrated visual arts), written by Dave Keane was named to Bank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year 2023 with a notation for "Outstanding Merit." She also illustrated the new hardcover children's book, Peaceful Me, written by Sandra V. Feder.
Commodore, Brigantine Yacht Club 2007
- Class of 1963
- General Science
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Joseph Tedeschi

Posted on May 12, 2023 in Alumni Bookshelf

Joe Tedeschi began his college education at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York, before initiating his army career at West Point, graduating in 1957. Eventually earning his army-sponsored Master of Science degree in physics from Iowa State University (1963), he went on to fill army assignments in nuclear, biological, and chemical operations and materiel acquisition. Joe Tedeschi's first book (titled “A Rock in the Clouds”, available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble; full details at rockintheclouds.com) recounts how his 1966 combat tour with the 1st Air Cav headquartered in An Khe, Vietnam, was cut short by a violent airplane crash, chronicles this near-death experience, then leads to reflecting for fifty-five years on the ultimate question, “Why am I (still) here?” Upon retiring from military service as a regular army colonel, he worked fourteen years in the defense industry developing a counter battery radar for three European nations. He then transitioned to a higher calling as he entered the diaconate program in his Catholic diocese of Trenton, New Jersey, where he served for eighteen years, retiring in 2020.
Grit, Not Glamour
- Class of 2001
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies
- Interdisciplinary
Cheryl Mullenbach

Posted on April 3, 2023 in Alumni Bookshelf

Rowman and Littlefield Publishers released "Grit, Not Glamour" my nonfiction book for adults. It celebrates the contributions of our foremothers—mothers, grandmothers, aunts, and neighbors—who devoted their lives to farming and ranching related pursuits in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Book Cover - Trilogy Publishing release date March 13, 2023
- Class of 1974
- Chemical Engineering
- Engineering
Mark Heires

Posted on March 27, 2023 in Alumni Bookshelf

As an engineering student, my required composition assignments were humbling. During my career in research, I developed a love for writing. My debut novel’s lead character, a WWII vet suffering from PTSD, had a rough reentry into the postwar world. He found a peaceful existence fixing up a rundown farm and starting a family. Then in March 1961, his four-year-old son is missing just as a huge winter storm hits, hampering massive search efforts which turn up nothing. His volatile past leads authorities to start suspecting he did the unthinkable. My dad and all his brothers attended ISU. My uncle Carl was a glider pilot in Operation Varsity - something he never talked about. My dedication is to the soldiers who gave so much of themselves for the rest of us.
Fallon tells the story
- Class of 1966
- Textiles and Clothing
- Family & Consumer Sciences
Elizabeth Sanguedolce (Schaller)

Posted on January 20, 2023 in Alumni Bookshelf

Elizabeth (Schaller) Sanguedolce has published her first children's chapter book, My Life by Fallon the Traveling Cat for ages 6-9. Inspired by her ISU class in children's literature, she has now fulfilled her dream of writing and publishing a children's book. Her passion is children's literacy, because if children learn to read, they will learn to think for themselves and make their own decisions, not just follow the media. She is currently writing Book 2 in the Traveling Cat Series, told from the cat's point of view. Book 1 chronicles true stories that happened as Fallon traveled across the US (highlighting US points of interest) and is available on Amazon. Book 2 will feature Yellowstone National Park.
- Class of 1973
- Industrial Administration
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Mary Warner (Warner)

Posted on January 4, 2023 in Alumni Bookshelf

Mary Warner (‘73 industrial administration), an annual member of the ISU Alumni Association, has authored a children’s book titled, “Adventure on Gallop Ghosts Islands.” Warner’s book follows Olive, an octopus who is curious about the world beyond her ocean home. Find Warner’s book on Amazon.com.
- Class of 1974
- Forestry
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Frederick Cubbage

Posted on January 4, 2023 in Alumni Bookshelf

Fred Cubbage (‘74 forestry), a life member of the ISU Alumni Association, authored the book “Natural Resource Leadership and Management – A Practical Guide for Professionals.” This book examines leadership and management in natural resources, drawing on literature, principles, and the author’s own experiences as a leader and activist.
Into the Fold by Christine Hedrick, photo from College of Veterinary Medicine Alumni Updates
- Class of 2001
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Medicine
Christine Hedrick

Posted on January 4, 2023 in Alumni Bookshelf

Dr. Christine Hedrick (DVM ‘01) published a novel, titled “Into the Fold,” about life from a veterinarian’s perspective. Hedrick had three goals as a child: 1) work with animals, 2) be a teacher, and 3) write a book. Hedrick has completed all three childhood goals!
- Class of 1962
- Farm Operation
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Roger Christensen

Posted on January 4, 2023 in Alumni Bookshelf

Roger Christensen (‘62 farm operations), a life member of the ISU Alumni Association, has self-published two books, “100 Years of Pig Raising in Boone County Iowa” and “60 Year History of the Boone County Pork Producers.”
- Class of 1999
- Apparel Merchandising, Design, and Produ
- Family & Consumer Sciences
Joi Mahon (Vredenburgh)

Posted on January 4, 2023 in Alumni Bookshelf

Joi Mahon (‘99 apparel merchandising, design, and production), an annual member of the ISU Alumni Association, is releasing her third book titled “The Ultimate Illustrated Guide to Sewing Clothes” with Fox Chapel Publishing this year. Mahon is a fashion sewing entrepreneur and founder of Dress Forms Design Studio, LLC. in Sioux City, IA.
The Rosary Tail
- Class of 1974
- Psychology
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
John Heithoff

Posted on December 8, 2022 in Alumni Bookshelf

John Heithoff ('74 psychology) published an inspirational story titled, "The Rosary Tail." The story shares how a broken rosary helped John mend his faith and how the sacred object would have a purpose in his life.
Robert Roller
- Class of 2004
- History
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Robert Roller

Posted on September 6, 2022 in Alumni Bookshelf

Robert Roller (‘04 political science, history) began fighting wildfires in Wyoming and Idaho after graduate school. Roller has taken on many roles including firefighter, paramedic, and emergency manager. Read about his experiences in his newly penned memoir, “Trail Dogs and Firefighters: A Memoir from the Burning West,” which can be found on Amazon.com.
The Stars Beneath Our Feet novel
- Class of 2007
- English
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
David Moore

Posted on August 25, 2022 in Alumni Bookshelf

David Barclay Moore ('07 English) published the novel “The Stars Beneath Our Feet,” in 2019. This children’s novel is being turned into a movie.
"The Natural History of the Snakes and Lizards of Iowa" by Terry VanDeWalle
- Class of 1986
- Animal Ecology
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Terry Vandewalle

Posted on August 17, 2022 in Alumni Bookshelf

Terry VanDeWalle (‘86 animal ecology) wrote the book, “The Natural History of the Snakes and Lizards of Iowa.” This book is an in-depth look at the natural history of every single snake and lizard species/subspecies found in Iowa. VanDeWalle’s book is available on Amazon.
"Things I Want My Kids to Know About Money" book cover
- Class of 1991
- Transportation and Logistics
- Business
Michael Iben

Posted on May 10, 2022 in Alumni Bookshelf

Mike Iben (‘91 transportation and logistics) has published a book titled "Things I Want My Kids to Know About Money: Simple Hacks for Financial Success," after realizing he was ill prepared to manage money at a young age. The book can be found on Amazon or Mike's Facebook page.
"The Legacy of the New Farmers of America" publication cover
- Class of 2000
- Agricultural Education and Studies
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Antoine Alston

Posted on May 10, 2022 in Alumni Bookshelf

Antoine J. Alston (PhD '00 agricultural education and studies) is releasing a new publication “The Legacy of the New Farmers of America” on May 2. Alston’s publication is a historical narrative and pictorial history of the New Farmers of America, the African American version of the FFA, prior to 1965, and has direct ties to the prestigious Iowa State alumnus George Washington Carver. Alston’s publication will be available at Barnes & Noble and Target.
Cover of "Barriers to Thought"
- Class of 1963
- Forestry
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Dale Netherton

Posted on March 3, 2022 in Alumni Bookshelf

Dale Netherton* (‘63 forestry) has published his 13th book titled, “Barriers to Thought.” Netherton’s books can be found online on Amazon and Apple Books. Signed copies can be obtained at dnetherton@me.com.
Cover of “Evolution Point" by Austin Eppert
- Class of 2011
- Kinesiology and Health
- Human Sciences
Austin Eppert

Posted on February 21, 2022 in Alumni Bookshelf

Austin Eppert (‘11 kinesiology) released his first published book titled “Evolution Point.” Readers join this futuristic story about the survival of the human race after a hurricane strikes America. Eppert’s book is available online at Barnes & Noble.
Page from "Meet the Pets: Presidential Animals from A to Z"
- Class of 1976
- Journalism and Mass Communication
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Catherine Collison (Wilde)

Posted on January 5, 2022 in Alumni Bookshelf

“Meet the Pets: Presidential Animals from A to Z” by Catherine Collison* (’76 journalism), Janis Campbell, and Wendy Popko takes readers through the pets of White House. Exhibited at the ArtPrize 2021, Collison and her partners researched all the pets of the First Family and artfully organized this picture book.
THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT by Rachel McKenny featured on All Iowa Reads website
- Class of 2012
- English
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Rachel McKenny

Posted on November 18, 2021 in Alumni Bookshelf

THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT A Novel by Rachel McKenny (MA ’12 english) is the 2022 All Iowa Reads selection by the Iowa Center for the Book. THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT is an unconventional tale of self-discovery, navigating relationships, and how sometimes it takes stepping outside of our comfort zone to find what we need the most.
Cover of "Bringing Down Sales Barriers and Challenges: A Road Map for Closing More Deals Faster!"
- Class of 1986
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering
Ramin Elahi

Posted on September 28, 2021 in Alumni Bookshelf

Ramin Elahi (BSEE ’86) published his first book “Bringing Down Sales Barriers and Challenges: A Road Map for Closing More Deals Faster!” Elahi, veteran salesperson and educator, shares his strategies for improving the sales process from start to close. Elahi offers advice from over 20 years of experience to the next generation of sellers. It is available on Amazon in hardcopy and electronic versions.
- Class of 1980
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering
Joel Lorentzen

Posted on September 8, 2021 in Alumni Bookshelf

Using semi-retirement to pursue a lifelong vision, Joel Lorentzen ('80 BSEE) has published his first book "Proles - a novel about 2084". It is a cautionary utopian tale in a futuristic setting – a little sci-fi – that pays tribute to Orwell’s "1984," with some twists. It is available as an Ebook on Amazon and paperback from several sources. It has garnered positive reviews from Midwest Book Review and OnlineBookClub.org. You can learn more about it at www.prolesthebook.com.
Cover of "Owl's Head - A Hidden Gem"
- Class of 1999
- Speech Communication
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Sondra Ashmore (Biere)

Posted on September 1, 2021 in Alumni Bookshelf

Sondra Ashmore* ('99 speech comm, PhD '12 human comp interaction) published and co-authored "Owl's Head - A Hidden Gem," which tells the stories of a historic Des Moines neighborhood. Owl's Head has been the home to pioneers who influenced journalism, politics, art, and business innovation at the local, state, and national levels. One of the more prominent homes was the official residence of the Iowa governor for 28 years. Residents in the neighborhood have socialized with prominent figures such as Louis Armstrong and Theodore Roosevelt.
Cover of "The President's Dossier"
- Class of 1997
- Professional Studies in Education
- Education
James Scott

Posted on August 25, 2021 in Alumni Bookshelf

James Scott** (PhD '97 professional studies in education) is the 2020 recipient of the American Book Fest's Best Thriller Award for his novel, "The President's Dossier." This international spy novel follows disgraced ex-CIA Russia expert Max Geller. Geller is hired to find anonymous sources and verify their allegations that the US president has incriminating ties to the Kremlin. Max joins forces with a Moscow underground group, the Russian mafia, and Jill Rucker, an undercover CIA agent, all of whom have conflicting goals. The search takes them from Washington, DC, to London, St. Petersburg, Moscow, Panama, and Geneva. Zabluda, a Kremlin assassin, is close behind with orders to kill Max, Jill, and their sources, and destroy evidence incriminating the US president. Scott is the author of "The Iran Contradictions," an acclaimed spy/political thriller based on the Iran-Contra scandal of the 1980s. He served in combat with the 101st Airborne Division and his duties at the Pentagon involved oversight of military intelligence operations. Currently, he writes book reviews for a prize-winning community magazine and plots novels.
Cover of "Cy's Perfect Day, the Iowa State Way."
John Walters

Posted on August 25, 2021 in Alumni Bookshelf

This fall, John Walters* -- voice of the Iowa State Cyclones -- is publishing his new children's book, "Cy’s Perfect Day, the Iowa State Way." It brings to life Walters' vision of what being a Cyclone fan is all about – and will show why it’s the people that make Iowa State such a special place. The book is wonderfully illustrated by award-winner Rob Peters. Walters was selected by his peers as a four-time Iowa Sportscaster of the Year. He brings enthusiasm and energy to every Cyclone football and basketball broadcast. His association with Iowa State started in the Johnny Orr era and carries on to this day.
Nighthope cover
- Class of 1980
- Zoology
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Gregory Whitis

Posted on July 26, 2021 in Alumni Bookshelf

Gregory Whitis* ('80 zoology) recently published his second novel, Nighthope. The novel follows Stuart Baron, a humble Los Angeles trucking executive, who moves his family from an affluent suburb to an Alabama catfish farm with hopes of quenching a midlife crisis. Adventure ensues against the backdrop of the Deep South.
Cover of Susan Angeline Collins: With a Hallelujah Heart
- Class of 1962
- Home Economics Education
- Family & Consumer Sciences
Janis Van Buren (Bennington)

Posted on June 15, 2021 in Alumni Bookshelf

Janis Bennington Van Buren** ('62 home economics education, MS '79, PhD '81) has completed the biography, "Susan Angeline Collins: With a Hallelujah Heart." This biography follows the life of Susan Collins, a Black missionary from Fayette, Iowa who spent 33 years teaching in West Africa.
Felicia Zamora
- Class of 2001
- Communication Studies
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Felicia Zamora

Posted on June 15, 2021 in Alumni Bookshelf

Felicia Zamora ('01 comm studies) has published her sixth book of poetry, "I Always Carry My Bones." Zamora's book won the 2020 Iowa Poetry Prize from the University of Iowa Press. "I Always Carry My Bones" is a collection of poems about heritage, abuse, poverty, and belonging.
Tara Goedjen
- Class of 2004
- Marketing
- Business
Tara Goedjen

Posted on June 3, 2021 in Alumni Bookshelf

Tara Goedjen ('04 marketing) has completed her novel "No Beauties or Monsters," which will be published this December with Random House. Goedjen's novel follows a character named Rylie as she travels through the desert solving a family mystery.
Helen Gunderson
- Class of 1967
- Physical Education For Women
- Family & Consumer Sciences
Helen Gunderson

Posted on June 2, 2021 in Alumni Bookshelf

Helen Gunderson (L) ('67 physical education for women) has published her two-volume anthology, "The Road I Grew Up On." Gunderson's books on her rural heritage contain regional history, personal memoirs, and photography. After 30 years in the making, her volumes are available through the Iowa State University Library's Digital Press and many local libraries.
Norman Cheville
- Class of 1959
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Medicine
Norman Cheville

Posted on March 18, 2021 in Alumni Bookshelf

Norman Cheville (L) (DVM '59) has finished his latest book, "Pioneer Science and the Great Plaques: How Microbes, War and Public Health Shaped Animal Health." In this book, Cheville discusses how scientific research by veterinarians has led the progress of fighting diseases and plagues.
Berta Aldrich
- Class of 1990
- Finance
- Business
Roberta Aldrich (Prentice)

Posted on February 4, 2021 in Alumni Bookshelf

Berta Aldrich (A) ('90 finance) recently published her book "Winning the Talent Shift," which focuses on how to succeed in the modern workplace. The book has garnered praise from many readers, including fellow Cyclone Dan Houston (L)('84 marketing), the CEO of Principal Financial Group, who has given the work his personal endorsement. Aldrich has been an avid supporter of the Ivy College of Business for many years and has decided to use a portion of the book proceeds to establish a scholarship for students.
Denise Williams-Klotz holding "How to Fail at Flirting"
- Class of 2004
- Psychology
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Denise Williams-Klotz

Posted on January 13, 2021 in Alumni Bookshelf

Denise Williams-Klotz's (A)('04 psych, PhD '15 ed) debut novel "How to Fail at Flirting" was released on Dec. 1 from Berkley, an imprint of Penguin Randomhouse. A contemporary romance, the Washington Post called it a "winsome debut," and it was a #1 pick for Library Reads, a national survey of librarians, and a top pick for Indie Next, a national survey of independent bookstore sellers. An Amazon Best Book for romance, it's the story of a professor finding love, life -- and herself -- following an abusive relationship. It's available from all major retailers and independent bookstores in the US and across the UK. More information is available here: www.denisewilliamswrites.com/howtofailatflirting.html
Meg Thacher
- Class of 1991
- Physics and Astronomy
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Meg Thacher (Lysaght)

Posted on October 5, 2020 in Alumni Bookshelf

Meg Thacher (MS '91 physics & astronomy) has a book coming out on Oct. 13, 2020. The title is "Sky Gazing: a Guide to the Moon, Sun, Planets, Stars, Eclipses, and Constellations." It's a guide for children 9-14 to observe the sky -- day or night -- from wherever they are. No telescope required. It's 132 pages, published by Storey (an imprint of Workman Press).
Jim Lammers
- Class of 1965
- Architecture
- Engineering
Jim Lammers

Posted on August 18, 2020 in Alumni Bookshelf

"Capture the Moment: An Architect's Guide to Travel Sketching," a book by Jim Lammers (BArch '95 architecture), FAIA, has been published by ORO Editions. With sketches from around the world, Lammers' book takes the reader on a journey starting with the definition of sketching from observation and an introduction to right-brain drawing.
Craig Solid's book, "Return on Investment for Healthcare Quality Improvement"
- Class of 1999
- Statistics
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Craig Solid

Posted on July 8, 2020 in Alumni Bookshelf

Craig Solid (MS '99 statistics) released his first solo book, "Return on Investment for Healthcare Quality Improvement." The book offers a comprehensive overview of performing return-on-investment (ROI) analyses for healthcare quality improvement (QI). He is the current owner and principal of Solid Research Group.
Rahele Jomepour
- Class of 2015
- Integrated Visual Arts
- Design
Rahele Bell

Posted on June 15, 2020 in Alumni Bookshelf

Rahele Jomepour (MFA '15 integrated visual arts) illustrated Our Favorite Day of the Year, a children's picture book which will be published on June 30, 2020.
Cover of "More Thoughts and More Commentary" by Dale Netherton
- Class of 1963
- Forestry
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Dale Netherton

Posted on May 19, 2020 in Alumni Bookshelf

Dale Netherton ('63 forestry) has just had his eighth book published, "More Thoughts and More Commentary." Find him on Amazon.com.
Cover of "Watch Your Shadow: Surviving Not One but Both Hip Replacement Operations!"
- Class of 1977
- Physical Education
- Education
Jana Cunningham (Bernatz)

Posted on April 15, 2020 in Alumni Bookshelf

Jana (Bernatz) Cunningham (L)('77 physical ed), ISU Women’s Golf four-year letter winner, shares her book “Watch Your Shadow: Surviving Not One but Both Hip Replacement Operations!". “Watch Your Shadow" is a true story about the recovery journey Cunningham went through after two hip replacement surgeries in her early 50s. In it, she shares the discoveries -- as well as both good and bad experiences -- she went through during her hip replacements. In "Watch Your Shadow," Cunningham wants to provide a helpful and supportive book for people who are, will be, or are assisting someone going through major hip surgery. "It reads more like a story than a self-help book ... " she says. "You may not even realize all you've learned and experienced about hip surgery until you finally put it down. It will hopefully aid with the prep work, home set-up, physical, mental, and emotional situations that go along with having hip surgery and recovery that I dealt with during my journey." Cunningham's book is published by Lulu Publishing.
Front cover of Stagecoach Women: Brave and Daring Women of the Wild West
- Class of 2001
- Interdisciplinary Graduate Studies
- Interdisciplinary
Cheryl Mullenbach

Posted on February 21, 2020 in Alumni Bookshelf

Cheryl Mullenbach’s (A)(MS '01 interdisciplinary grad studies) latest nonfiction book for adult readers, Stagecoach Women: Brave and Daring Women of the Wild West, offers an expansive overview of stagecoach history in the United States enriched by the personal stories of women who contributed to the evolution and success of a captivating facet of American history. Her books have been recognized by the American Library Association, National Council for Social Studies, International Literacy Association, and FDR Presidential Library and Museum.
Illustration from The Shark Report #1
- Class of 1991
- Art and Design (Bachelor of Fine Arts)
- Design
Derek Anderson

Posted on February 17, 2020 in Alumni Bookshelf

The Shark Report #1, part of the Benny McGee and the Shark series by Derek Anderson (BFA '91 art & design), has been published by Penguin Workshop, an imprint of Penguin Random House Publishers.
Jeff Wells
- Class of 1984
- Animal Science
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Jeffrey Wells

Posted on February 11, 2020 in Alumni Bookshelf

Jeff Wells (L)('84 animal science, DVM'88 veterinary medicine) has written three books about his experiences as a small and large animal veterinarian. Two of his books, “All My Patients Have Tales” and “All My Patients Kick and Bite,” contain a series of charming, funny, and engaging stories from his Colorado practice.
Candace Carter
- Class of 1992
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Medicine
Candace Carter (Wilson)

Posted on February 11, 2020 in Alumni Bookshelf

Candace Carter (DVM'92 veterinary medicine) recently was honored with the Carrie McCray Memorial Literary Award from the South Carolina Writers Association in Novel First Chapter. Carter began writing her novel “Muddy Waters” ten years ago.
Cover of "Blue sky white stars"
- Class of 1983
- Fashion Merchandising
- Family & Consumer Sciences
Sarvinder Naberhaus (Bal)

Posted on January 31, 2020 in Alumni Bookshelf

Sarvinder Naberhaus (A) ('83 fashion merchandising) is an award-winning, critically-acclaimed, and bestselling author who immigrated to the United States from Punjab, India. She's received five-star reviews for her books "Blue Sky White Stars" and "Lines." "Blue Sky White Stars" was a bilingual book for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, Time Magazine’s Top 10 Children’s Books of the Year, an American Library Association Notable and Crystal Kite Award winner. Nominated for several state and notable awards, it was praised by Entertainment Weekly, USA Today, NPR, and is part of the collection at the Library of Congress.
- Class of 1952
- Textiles and Clothing
- Family & Consumer Sciences
Margaret Palen (Krug)

Posted on January 28, 2020 in Alumni Bookshelf

Margaret Krug Palen ('52 textiles & clothing) has published her sixth book, "Germany and Scotland Immigrants in Iowa." The book is being published by Heritage Press in Berwyn Heights, Md.
Cover of Soil and Water Conservation: An Annotated Bibliography.
- Class of 2008
- Environmental Science (AGLS)
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Colby Moorberg

Posted on January 10, 2020 in Alumni Bookshelf

Colby Moorberg (BS '08 environmental science) recently published an open textbook, Soil and Water Conservation: An Annotated Bibliography . Moorberg is an assistant professor of soil science in the Kansas State University Department of Agronomy. The book was published by New Prairie Press, KSU's open digital press. The book is designed to be a resource for conservation students and practitioners, and highlights freely available online resources such as extension publications and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service technical bulletins. Topics covered include conservation history and fundamentals, conservation practices, conservation implementation, and careers. The book will save students approximately $80 each relative to competing textbooks. The book also features a foreword by Rick Cruse (BS '72 agronomy), professor in the Iowa State University Department of Agronomy.
Disestablishment and Religious Dissent: Church-State Relations in the New American States, 1776–1833
- Class of 1970
- Mechanical Engineering
- Engineering
Carl Esbeck

Posted on December 17, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

The University of Missouri Press is pleased to announce the publication of "Disestablishment and Religious Dissent: Church-State Relations in the New American States, 1776–1833," which is co-edited by Carl Esbeck ('70 mech engr).
Singularity for Baby
- Class of 2004
- Chemistry
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Rachelle Justice

Posted on December 2, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Rachelle Justice ('04 chemistry) has published her second book: Singularity for Baby: Preparing Your Child for the Coming Overlords, under the pen name R.E. Lane. Singularity for Baby is a tongue-in-cheek concept picture book, touring through tomorrow's technology today. On first view, it is filled with the imaginary slang and bright, happy possibilities of advancing technology. Further examination, with a secondary text (hidden in binary, but translated in the back), injects a dose of dark humor into the mix. This is the perfect book for the delightfully eccentric, the proudly nerdy parents, and their growing broods.
"Musahaleen" by Jason Arment
- Class of 2012
- English
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Jason Arment

Posted on November 19, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Jason Arment (’12 English) of Denver, Colo., is the author of the 2018 war memoir “Musalaheen” (University of Hell Press), which describes Arment's time serving as a machine gunner for the U.S. Marine Corps during Operation Iraqi Freedom and chronicles the occupation of the country in chilling detail from a boots-on the ground perspective. The title of the book is Arabic for "gunslinger." This is the first full-length effort from Arment, who had been previously been published extensively in short form. He also oversaw a veteran's stories program for Colorado Humanities that resulted in the book "Still Coming Home."
"Don't Forget to Brush Your Teeth" by Jon Kamrath
- Class of 2008
- Integrated Visual Arts
- Design
Jonathan Kamrath

Posted on November 18, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Jon Kamrath ('08 integrated visual arts) is the author of "Don't Forget to Brush Your Teeth" -- a children's tale of adventure with robot friends told in six-word statements.
Fix the Problem and Other Life Lessons from a Pragmatic Dad by Curt Liljedahl
- Class of 1983
- Agronomy
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Curt Liljedahl

Posted on November 8, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Curt Liljedahl (A)('83 agronomy) is the author of "Fix the Problem and Other Life Lessons from a Pragmatic Dad" -- a collection of advice Liljedahl says he started recording when his daughters were approaching the age of "leaving the nest for good."
"Trap for Santa"
- Class of 1978
- Speech Communication
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Peggy McClure (McClure)

Posted on November 5, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Now available on Amazon.com - Shannon Laine's charming Christmas tale "Trap for Santa". I did the digital illustrations, using Adobe illustrator, for Shannon's book. Book design and layout by Davis Creative, St. Louis.
- Class of 1971
- Aerospace Engineering
- Engineering
Russell King

Posted on October 3, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Russell King (A)('71 aero engr) of Lakewood, Illinois is the author of several books, including "Have You Seen My 18 Wheeler?," a children's interactive picture book, and "Russell Builds a Bridge -- What Do Civil Engineers Do, Anyway?" -- an educational book about how civil engineers are involved in infrastructure construction.
Beachcomber's Report by Christos Saccopoulos
- Class of 1966
- Architecture
- Engineering
Christos Saccopoulos

Posted on October 3, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Christos Saccopoulos ('66 arch, MArch '74) has published a poetry book titled Beachcomber's Report. The book comprises four parts, through which the poet explores aspects of our common humanity, delves into individual fortunes and misfortunes, reveals the irony underlying many an endeavor, and revels in the "etymological vagaries that propelled Greek concepts into English."
"Excuse Me Sir, Do You Bark English?" by Lisa Jones Jochim
- Class of 1984
- Elementary Education
- Education
Lisa Jochim (Jones)

Posted on October 3, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Lisa Jones Jochim (A)('84 elem ed) recently published her first children's picture book. After teaching for 15 years and then living in the Netherlands for five years, she discovered her love of writing. Her book "Excuse Me Sir, Do You Bark English?" is about her chocolate lab, who finds himself on the wrong side of the fence in a country where he doesn't bark the right language. He barks English and everyone around him barks Dutch. (How will he ever make it home?)
Cheryl Stritzel McCarthy
- Class of 1981
- Journalism and Mass Communication
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Cheryl McCarthy (Stritzel)

Posted on July 30, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Cheryl Stritzel McCarthy (A)('81 journalism) is the author of a memoir entitled "Many Hands Make Light Work" (Aug. 6, 2019; She Writes Press). It documents the true story of a family of nine children growing up in a Midwest college town during the turbulent 60s and 70s, written in the spirit of "Cheaper by the Dozen" with advice for raising capable, confident children during turbulent times. McCarthy is a journalist whose work appears in The Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, and newspapers across the country.
Ancestral Quest by Jim Redman
- Class of 1982
- Accounting
- Business
James Redman

Posted on July 29, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

James (Jim) Redman (L)(’82 accounting) has written a book titled Ancestral Quest, a profound book that takes readers to discover their ancestry and learn its lessons. It’s also a story filled with family reminiscences and anecdotes, providing short, humorous diversions along the trail of the quest to learn more about his own Redman ancestors. Redman is a retired Ernst & Young employee.
Frost by Sam Neumann
- Class of 2009
- Journalism and Mass Communication
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Samuel Neumann

Posted on July 29, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

During the summer of Sam Neumann’s (’09 journ & mass comm) junior year at Iowa State, he embarked on a trip to Alaska and subsequently wrote the non-fiction book Memoirs of a Gas Station, which made the New York Times bestseller list in 2013. Since then, Sam has authored several other works, including his most recent release titled Frost. Sam lives in Denver with his wife, Kristen, and their newborn son, Connor.
Ploughshares
- Class of 2013
- Creative Writing and the Environment
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Sarah Burke

Posted on July 29, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Sarah Burke (MFA ’13 creative writing & environ) published “At the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum” in the spring 2019 issue of Ploughshares. Her first poetry collection, Blueprints, won the 2018 Cider Press Review Editors’ Prize and will be published later this year. Her poetry has appeared in 32 Poems, Beloit Poetry Journal, Cimarron Review, Cincinnati Review, Mid-American Review, and Passages North. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pa.
- Class of 1962
- Home Economics Education
- Family & Consumer Sciences
Lori Ernst (Peterson)

Posted on July 12, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Lorraine Peterson Ernst (A)('62 home ec ed) is a cancer survivor-turned-author. The rural Storm Lake native turned a battle with cancer into an opportunity to spread hope. Ernst calls her book Recliner Row after the imposing line of patient chairs she found waiting when reporting for chemotherapy. "Writing was never in the plan," she says. "But then again, neither was the cancer."
Maria Longworth Storer: From Music and Art to Popes and President
- Class of 1972
- History
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Constance Miller (Lickteig)

Posted on July 12, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Constance Lickteig (Miller) Moore ('72 history) has co-authored a book titled Maria Longworth Storer: From Music and Art to Popes and Presidents. Moore is the historian of the Army Nurse Corps Association. Her subject, Sorer, was the founder of the first female-run manufacturing company in the U.S., Rockwood Pottery. She was passionate about women's rights, her city, and issues of poverty and the arts.
Marshall T. Trowel and Family – Concrete – Work Hard. Work Together.
- Class of 1985
- Industrial Engineering
- Engineering
Joseph Carter

Posted on July 10, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Marshalltown, a U.S. manufacturer of construction tools, has announced the release of a children’s book, Marshall T. Trowel and Family – Concrete – Work Hard. Work Together. President & CEO Joe Carter (L)(’85 industrial engr) wrote the book, and his daughter, Hanna Carter (’16 graphic design), a freelance graphic designer in Portland, Ore., did the illustrations. They hope to inspire young people to see the value of working in the construction field.
"Forest World" by Margarita Engle
- Class of 1977
- Botany
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Margarita Engle-Modrus (Modrus)

Posted on February 26, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Margarita Engle-Modrus (MS '77 botany) has received a national Green Earth Book Award for her children's book, Forest World, a story of a Cuban-American boy who visits his family's village in Cuba for the first time. The award recognizes books that convey the best environmental stewardship message and inspire youth to respect their natural environment.
"A Different World: My Life and Making a Difference in the World" by Margaret Krug Palen
- Class of 1952
- Textiles and Clothing
- Family & Consumer Sciences
Margaret Palen (Krug)

Posted on February 26, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Margaret Krug Palen ('52 textiles & clothing) has published A Different World: My Life and Making a Difference in the World," a detailed picture of rural American life from the 1930s to 1950s. The author also journeys to college, to work with the Department of Agriculture, and to work in other countries to improve food, textile, and clothing production.
"Peace Without God" by Dale Netherton
- Class of 1963
- Forestry
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Dale Netherton

Posted on February 26, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Dale Netherton ('63 forestry) is the author of the new book "Peace Without God," which is described as "a description of how to attain inner peace without believing in an imaginary deity."
"On the Hook" by Jeff Deitering
- Class of 1991
- Civil Engineering
- Engineering
Jeffrey Deitering

Posted on February 26, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Jeff Deitering (L)('91 civil engr) recently published On the Hook, a fast-paced, light-hearted diversion from reality. The setting is a combination of real and fictional locations in a place with which many Iowa Staters are familiar: Kansas City, The book is the third novel in Deitering's "Hook and Patch" mystery series.
Dreck Spurlock Wilson, ASLA, NOMA
- Class of 1971
- Urban Planning
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Dreck Wilson

Posted on February 12, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Author of Julian Abele, Architect and the Beaux Arts recently published by Taylor & Francis. Abele (1881-1950) was senior designer for the Office of Horace Trumbauer in Philadelphia. He was the third African American admitted to the AIA in 1942. Abele designed 21 buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Not listed on the Register, nevertheless, Abele designed 39 buildings for a "new" Duke University (1925-42) without ever stepping foot on campus because of racial prohibitions.
Sarah Burke
- Class of 2013
- Creative Writing and the Environment
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Sarah Burke

Posted on February 7, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Sarah Burke (MFA ’13 creative writing & the environment) has won the 2018 Cider Press Review book award for her manuscript Blueprints. The book is tentatively scheduled to be published in August 2019 by Cider Press Review.
Roosevelt, Muir, Clio and Me: A Novel of Loss and Discovery
- Class of 1970
- Distributed Studies
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
David Wilcox

Posted on January 3, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

David M. Wilcox (L)('70 dist studies, MA '73 history), who recently retired to Ames after a 43-year career teaching history in Houston, Texas, published a historical novel entitled Roosevelt, Muir, Clio and Me: A Novel of Loss and Discovery. It is available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Powells Books, as well as at www.davidwilcoxbooks.com.
Bruce Thatcher's "What We Learn From Joseph Stalin," one of five books in his series on adamant aggressors
- Class of 1959
- General Science
- Business
Bruce Thatcher

Posted on November 6, 2018 in Alumni Bookshelf

“Adamant Aggressors exist today.” So says Bruce Thatcher (L)('59 gen sci), who has released digests about five of history’s adamant aggressors to illustrate historical lessons about how to identify and deal with them. In fewer than 70 pages, each book examines one adamant aggressor – Mehmed II, James K. Polk, Adolph Hitler, Chaim Weizmann/David Ben-Gurion, Joseph Stalin – and the moves their targets made in dealing with them. Consequences of bad choices are pointed out in four of the books, and of the effective choices in one case. Each book shows what we as a nation should be doing NOW to identify and counter adamant aggressors who threaten us. Thatcher feels strongly that even though understanding these lessons may not ensure that the best choices will be made today, understanding them will help to reject demonstrated bad choices and, thus, more likely arrive at better choices. The e-format versions are available now at Amazon.com and through Thatcher’s website, www.historyspeakstoday.com.
- Class of 1985
- Physical Chemistry
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Stephen Schmidt

Posted on November 6, 2018 in Alumni Bookshelf

Stephen R. Schmidt (PhD '85 physical chemistry) has authored a chapter entitled The Raney Catalyst Legacy in Hydrogenation for S. David Jackson’s Hydogenation: Catalysts and Processes, 2018. Schmidt is a Research Fellow at W.R. Grace Co. in Columbia, Md.
The Posthumous Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Volume 1: Correcting the Errors and Oversights of the Nobel Prize Committee
- Class of 1964
- Chemistry
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
E. Thomas Strom

Posted on October 2, 2018 in Alumni Bookshelf

E. Thomas Strom (L) (Ph.D., 64) recently published his fourth co-edited book on the history of chemistry. It was published online last October, and the hard copy from Oxford University Press was published in summer 2018. The book is titled The Posthumous Nobel Prize in Chemistry, Volume 1: Correcting the Errors and Oversights of the Nobel Prize Committee.