Class Notes

Dawn Mausser (A)(’04 ag studies, ’10 ag and life sci ed, MS '18) has accepted a position as an ag educator and FFA adviser at Beckman Catholic High School.

Ryan Royer (’98 an sci, DVM ’02), co-owner of Elkader Veterinary Clinic, received the Clayton County Dairy Promotion Committee’s Appreciation Award.

Marty Schwager (A)(’92 ag business, MS '01 professional ag), has been named director of field service for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

Chris Novak (L)(’87 public service and administration in ag) has been named president at CEO of CropLife America.

Valerie Plagge (’06 ag and life sci ed) has been named a regional winner of the America’s Farmers Mom of the Year Award. Plagge, a farmer near Latimer, Iowa, operates hog finishing barns and farms corn and soybeans with her husband, Ian (’07 ag business). She participates in the Common Ground online community with her blog, Corn, Beans, Pigs and Kids. Plagge is among 10 national finalists honored for contributions to family, farm, community, and the agriculture industry.

The American Society of Safety Professionals and Holmes Murphy have recognized Josh Jacobsen (A)(’05 industrial technology), senior loss control consultant for Holmes Murphy, as the Region V 2017 Safety Professional of the Year. Jacobsen was among eight recipients recognized at the society’s annual conference in San Antonio, Texas, on June 5.

Celize Christy ('16 an sci & global resource systems) has accepted a position as a swine and poultry coordinator for Practical Farmers of Iowa.

Trey Forsyth (L)('17 ag business & public svc & admin in ag) has been promoted to government relations specialist at Land O Lakes Inc., in Washington, D.C.

Gregory Whitis (A)('80 zoology) has published his debut novel, Blue Green. The book describes in great detail life in the rural south in the 1990s. If you are from the Deep South, these incidents will seem like normal day-to-day happenings with some colorful commentary from the local peanut gallery. If you aren’t, you may be surprised at some of the encounters and how folks respond to each other, but you will get to glimpse inside this lost piece of America. Soft-cover and e-format versions are available now at Amazon, Apple iTunes, Barnes & Noble, Books a Million, and Google Play.

Donald Seymour (L)('83 arch) has been named director of business development and principal for FEH Design in Des Moines, Iowa, where he has been employed since 2012 in various roles as an architect, planner, and associate principal.

Michael Wilson (A)('90 chem engr) has been promoted to director of process engineering for Renewable Energy Group in Ames, Iowa.

Kelsey Erickson (A)('08 ag sys tech, MBA '17) has been promoted to manager of quality assurance for Renewable Energy Group in Ames, Iowa, where she has been employed for more than nine years.

Tracy L. Deutmeyer (L)('98 journalism) has been hired as an officer of Fredrikson & Byron PA in Des Moines, Iowa. She is a trademark and copyright attorney who works closely with clients on protecting and enhancing their intellectual assets and is heavily involved in the American Bar Association’s Section of Intellectual Property Law. She currently serves as Vice-Chair of the USPTO Operations Relating to Trademarks Committee; as a member of the Section’s CLE Board and again chairs the committee charged with organizing this year’s ABA-IPL Trademark Day at the USPTO. Prior to joining Fredrikson, Tracy practiced trademark law for more than 15 years.

Jamie Jorgensen ('90 Political Science/Economics) is the new Chief of Staff and Chief Legal Counsel at Pitzer College, one of the Claremont Colleges in Claremont, California.

Brandon Kennedy (2010 BSME/MBA grad) has accepted a new role as a global Supply Base Manager for John Deere. In this role, Brandon will own the supplier relationship of tooling suppliers with all John Deere factories. Brandon has continued to stay involved with Iowa State as a member of the ISU MBA Executive Advisory Council through the ISU College of Business.

David C. Nielsen ('77 meteorology, MS '79 agronomy), research agronomist with the USDA-Agricultural Research Service, has been named the 2018 recipient of the Soil Science Applied Research Award by the Soil Science Society of America. The award will be presented Jan. 7, 2019 at the society's annual international meeting in San Diego.

Jeremy Roth ('82 psychology), co-president and managing director of Littler, has been recognized by Human Resources Executive magazine and Lawdragon in the 2018 annual rankings guide as one of the "100 Most Powerful Employment Lawyers."

Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City announced the promotion of Omaha Branch executive Nathan Kauffman (PhD '12 economics) to vice president. In this role, he supports the Kansas City Fed’s leadership in agricultural economics and provides strategic direction and management oversight for the Omaha Branch, regional research, and economic outreach in Nebraska. Since joining the Bank in 2012, Kauffman has fostered collaboration across the Kansas City Fed to enhance resources on rural and agricultural economic and banking conditions and elevated the profile of the Bank’s Agricultural Symposium. He has been a leading voice on issues in the agricultural economy in the Tenth District and Federal Reserve System, including providing testimonies at both U.S. Senate and U.S. House Agricultural Committee hearings. Kauffman also serves as the Kansas City Fed’s lead officer and economist in the state of Nebraska. As part of this responsibility, he builds relationships with business and community leaders across the state to gain an understanding of regional economic conditions and provide a local connection to the Federal Reserve. Kauffman holds a Ph.D. in Economics from Iowa State University and a Bachelor’s Degree from Malone University in Canton, Ohio. As the regional headquarters of the nation’s central bank, the Kansas City Fed and its branch offices in Denver, Oklahoma City and Omaha serve the seven states of the Tenth District: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Wyoming, northern New Mexico and western Missouri.

Jan Elfline ('80 craft design) is the co-author of the forthcoming textbook, "Actor for Life: How to have an amazing career without all the drama." The book is co-authored with Connie de Veer and aims to offer "cutting-edge strategies and inspiring interviews with award-winning professionals." It is published by Smith & Kraus.

Former All-Big Eight Cyclone golfer Mark Hankins (A)(’93 psychology, MBA ’97) has been named head men’s golf coach at the University of Nebraska. Hankins previously spent two years as assistant athletics director at the University of Iowa and was a head coach at both Iowa and Michigan State.

Vic Bekkum (L)(PhD ’78 ag and life sci ed) was honored with the 2018 Wisconsin Agriculturalist Award from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences.

Tim Heiller (L)(’90 an sci) retired after 27 years with Elanco Animal Health and accepted a position with Genus PlC in January as a key account manager for PIC.

Kelly Lee (’05 ag and life sci ed & an sci, MS ’15 ag & life sci ed), has accepted a position as a science teacher at Newton-Harris Public School in Newtown, Mo.

Caitlin Remington (’12 ag and life sci ed) has accepted a role as an ag educator and FFA adviser for Bondurant-Farrar (Iowa) High School.

Miranda Furrer (’13 animal ecology) graduated from Purdue University with a master’s degree in youth development and agricultural education. She has accepted a position as an education specialist at the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Wyatt Forsyth (’18 ag and life sci ed) has been hired as the new ag educator and FFA adviser at Vinton-Shellsburg (Iowa) Community Schools.

Austin Pueschel (’18 ag business) has accepted a role as a director of education and outreach with the National Swine Registry.

Brian Buhr (A)(’85 an sci & ag business, PhD ’92 econ), dean of the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, was inducted in to the 2018 Minnesota FFA Alumni Association Hall of Fame.

Wendy K. Wintersteen (L)(PhD '88 entomology), President of Iowa State University, has been named a 2018 Des Moines Business Record "Women of Influence" award recipient. The award will be presented Aug. 9 at the Des Moines Marriott Downtown.

Rollie Link (A)(’81 English), a retired Ames Police officer, has authored two detective novels that are available via Amazon and CreateSpace publishers: G&B Detective Agency: Case of the Missing Tucker, and G&B Detective Agency: Case of the Lonelyfarmer.com.

Bethann Kassman (’67 psychology), CEO of Go Beyond Network – an international early stage investing services company and business angel network with U.S. headquarters in Naples, Fla., was recently named among the top entrepreneurial women investors of 2018 and honored with the Bridging the Global World of Investing Award from Portfolia.

David Stark (L)(’94 mgmt) has been appointed president and chief executive officer of UnityPoint Health – Des Moines. Stark will assume day-to-day leadership July 1, succeeding the retiring Eric Crowell (L)(’80 indus admin). Stark has been employed by UnityPoint Health – Des Moines since 1995, most recently holding the position of executive vice president and chief operating officer.

Jeremy Roth (’82 psychology), a shareholder in the San Diego office of Littler – the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, has been recognized in the 2018 Who’s Who Legal Labour, Employment & Benefits Guide.

Terry Huffman (L)(PhD ’88 sociology) has written a new book, Tribal Strengths and Native Education: Voices from the Reservation Classroom. Huffman is a professor of education at George Fox University. He lives in Wilsonville, Ore.

The American Horticultural Society has announced that Kelly D. Norris (A)(’08 horticulture, MS ’11) of Des Moines is the recipient of its newest award, the Emerging Horticultural Professional Award. Norris began his horticultural career at 15, when he talked his parents into purchasing a nursery, Rainbow Iris Farm, which he still runs. He is currently the director of horticulture and education at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. He also has authored two garden books and is a regular contributor to several gardening publications.

Alan Greiner (’85 music) has received a National Federation of State High School Associations Citation. He is currently the executive director of the Iowa High School Music Association.

Annette Payne (’16 ag and life sci ed) has accepted a sales position at Agri Drain Corporation in Adair, Iowa.

Lauren Houska (’15 ag and life sci ed) is a new communications specialist at the Iowa Soybean Association.

David Mlostek (’14 dairy science & agronomy), was hired as a dairy nutrition consultant for Nutriad, a global feed-additives producer.

Kellie Lasack (’12 ag and life sci ed) has started a communications consulting business, Roan Marketing and Communications.

Andrew Stammer (’11 agronomy, MS ’15 soil sci) has been hired as the director of the University of Wisconsin Soil and Forage Analysis Lab in Marshfield, Wis.

Rusty Gibbs (’07 ag and life sci ed) is the new director of industry relations for the Iowa Beef Industry Council.

Ashley Wolfe (A)(MS ’06 ag and life sci ed), ag educator at Grinnell Community Schools in Grinnell, Iowa, was honored with the Golden Apple Award from Des Moines' WHO-TV 13.

Jamee Amundson Eggers (’02 an sci) has accepted a position as producer education director for the Iowa Pork Producers Association.

C. Scanlon Daniels (L)(’97 an sci, DVM ’98), veterinarian with Circle H Headquarters in Dalhart, Texas, was elected president of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians.

Bill Hendrix (’90 entomology) has been hired as vice president of technology for Valent U.S.A., LLC.

Florine Swanson (L)('64 home economics), retired executive director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation, and her husband, Ron Swanson (L)(’61 farm operation), a farmer near Galt, Iowa, were honored with the 2018 Individual Supporter Award from the Iowa 4-H Foundation at the Iowa 4-H Legacy Awards Gala in February.

Ron Swanson (L)(’61 farm operation), a farmer near Galt, Iowa, and his wife, Florine (L)('64 home economics), retired executive director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation, were honored with the 2018 Individual Supporter Award from the Iowa 4-H Foundation at the Iowa 4-H Legacy Awards Gala in February.

Stacey Cole (cert '13 human sci) was recently named Iowa’s 2018 Central Office Administrator of the Year by the School Administrators of Iowa. She received her superintendent's endorsement for the Iowa State University School of Education in 2013.

Sarah L. Wilson (L)('04 family & consumer sci ed, M.Ed. '06, PhD '15), director of student services in the Iowa State University College of Human Sciences and co-coordinator of ISU's MINDs learning community, on May 7 received the Learning Community Champion Award. This award honors an individual who has significantly contributed to the advancement of learning communities at Iowa State University. Wilson has consistently been instrumental in promoting the College of Human Sciences Learning Communities to all College of Human Sciences students.

David Hawn (L)('82 con engr) was honored with the RCI Lifetime Achievement Award. He is only the fifth recipient of the award in RCI history. Hawn is president of Dedicated Roof & Hydro Solutions, headquartered in Marietta, Ga. RCI is an association of roofing, waterproofing and exterior wall professionals.

Benjamin A. Maresca (’03 comm & regional planning), has joined Fox Rothschild LLP as an associate in the firm’s Real Estate Department. Benjamin centers his practice on real estate and land use law, advising developers on issues related to residential, commercial and mixed-use properties.

A book by Derek S. Oden (PhD ’06 ag history & rural studies), Harvest of Hazards: Family Farming, Accidents, and Expertise in the Corn Belt, has received an honorable mention in the Benjamin F. Shambaugh Awards for the best Iowa history books published in the past year. The awards are given by the State Historical Society of Iowa.

Sara Egge (’09 MA history, PhD ’12 ag history & rural studies) has published Woman Suffrage and Citizenship in the Midwest, 1870-1920. The book provides evidence of the importance of women in creating and shaping public attitudes in the American heartland.

Mark Sherfy (’93 civ engr) was recently promoted to vice president and development services group leader at BHC RHODES, a civil engineering and surveying firm in Overland Park, Kan.

Shelby VanNordstrand (A)(’04 music) received an Alumni Outstanding Teaching Award from the University of Nebraska at Omaha Alumni Association in honor of distinguished classroom teaching. She is an assistant professor of music in UNO’s College of Arts & Sciences.

Mark Hanna (’73 ag engr, MS ’75, PhD ’91), a former extension agricultural engineer at Iowa State University, is the recipient of the 2018 Iowa Master Farmer Exceptional Service Award. The award, which is sponsored by Wallaces Farmer magazine, is presented to individuals who aren’t farmers but have spent a lifetime helping farmers. Hanna retired last October after 42 years at Iowa State. His research and extension efforts were related to tillage, planting, and nutrient management.

The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers has awarded Bruce Johnson (L)(’55 mech engr) with the prestigious William H. Webb Medal. Johnson was a leading educator at the U.S. Naval Academy for 35 years, where he was project manager for the Hydromechanics Laboratory and program director of Ocean Engineering. He retired in 1999 and makes his home in Annapolis, Md.

John Tuttle ('88 finance) has been named Director of Sales for Brock Grain Systems in Milford, Ind. In his new position, Tuttle will be responsible for growing sales with key accounts, directing sales strategies and further development of the Brock dealer network. He will be leading the United States and Canadian district sales managers in marketing the company’s line of storage, handling, conditioning and structural products for grain. He will continue to reside in Des Moines, Iowa.

Jeremy Roth ('82 psychology), co-managing director of Littler, the world’s largest employment and labor law practice representing management, was named a 2018 Best Attorney by San Diego Metropolitan Magazine. Selection was based on recommendations from a distinguished panel of attorneys, judges and other legal professionals.

Adriane Van Auken ('01 computer engr) was named one of Rockwell Collins' Corporate Engineers of the Year. Van Auken works as a principal systems engineer in Government Systems for the aviation firm located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The award was presented Feb. 19 during the company's annual Engineering Breakfast.

Darren Jarboe (L)(’85 ag bus, ’86 agronomy, MBA '91, PhD '12 indus and ag tech) has been named assistant director and program leader for the agriculture program at University of Maryland Extension and Outreach.

Julianne Johnston (’91 ag journalism) has been hired as a counselor at MorganMyers in Waterloo, Iowa.

Amber Harrison (A)(’02 public service and administration in ag) has accepted a position as vice president of business development and marketing for FieldReveal in Humboldt, Iowa.

Nathan Katzer (A)('07 public service and administration in ag & agronomy), has accepted a position as an investment manager for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

Jenna Lansing ('16 ag bus) is a new project manager for KG MarketSense in Des Moines.

Elizabeth Wardle (PhD '03 rhetoric & prof comm) is one of four nationally recognized leaders of composition scholarship who have collaborated to edit the new book, Composition, Rhetoric, and Disciplinarity, which asks a fundamental question: Can Composition and Rhetoric, as a discipline, continue its historical commitment to pedagogy without sacrificing equal attention to other areas, such as research and theory? The book is published by University Press of Colorado and Utah State University Press.

During the American Association of Swine Veterinarians' 49th annual meeting in San Diego, Calif., Dr. Elizabeth Wagstrom (DVM ’99, MS '00 vet mirco & prev med) was named the 2018 recipient of the AASV’s Meritorious Service Award. She is the chief veterinarian with the National Pork Producers Council.

During the American Association of Swine Veterinarians' 49th annual meeting in San Diego, Calif., Dr. Mary Battrell (DVM ’95, MS '95 vet clinical sci) was named the 2018 Swine Practitioner of the Year. She is currently the staff veterinarian for the East Central Region of Smithfield Hog Production and is responsible for the health and well-being of 140,000 sows.

Jared Seliger (PhD '15 education) became president of Allen College of Nursing in Waterloo, Iowa, in January 2018. He recently told the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier the job is filled with challenges. “The nursing shortage is not coming. It’s here,” he said. “We’ve got to strategize about how to get students interested in health care.” Seliger was previously the director of Allen College’s nuclear medicine technology program for nine years and associate chancellor for two years.

Tonisity, a cutting-edge company bringing innovative swine nutrition, health, and wellness products to market, is growing its senior leadership with the addition of Daniel Faidley (L)('97 ag bus) as general manager of its U.S. business.

Erik Ervin ('89 hort), chair of the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Delaware and former professor of crop and soil environmental sciences at Virginia Tech University, has been conferred the title of professor emeritus by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors.

Scott Larson ('12 English & religious studies), an attorney with Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP has been named to the 2018 "Pathfinders Program" class for the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (LCLD).

The Rosmann family –including ISU alumni Ron ('73 biology), David ('04 public svc & admin in ag), Daniel ('05 agron), Mark )'08 agron & history; MS '15 ag), and Ellen ('09 public svc & admin in ag) – was recognized by Moses Organic as the 2018 Organic Farmers of the Year. Rosmann Family Farms is located in Harlan, Iowa.

The Rosmann family –including ISU alumni Ron ('73 biology), David ('04 public svc & admin in ag), Daniel ('05 agron), Mark )'08 agron & history; MS '15 ag), and Ellen ('09 public svc & admin in ag) – was recognized by Moses Organic as the 2018 Organic Farmers of the Year. Rosmann Family Farms is located in Harlan, Iowa.

The Rosmann family –including ISU alumni Ron ('73 biology), David ('04 public svc & admin in ag), Daniel ('05 agron), Mark )'08 agron & history; MS '15 ag), and Ellen ('09 public svc & admin in ag) – was recognized by Moses Organic as the 2018 Organic Farmers of the Year. Rosmann Family Farms is located in Harlan, Iowa.

The Rosmann family –including ISU alumni Ron ('73 biology), David ('04 public svc & admin in ag), Daniel ('05 agron), Mark )'08 agron & history; MS '15 ag), and Ellen ('09 public svc & admin in ag) – was recognized by Moses Organic as the 2018 Organic Farmers of the Year. Rosmann Family Farms is located in Harlan, Iowa.

Justin Platts (A)(’01 landscape arch), a principal with RDG Planning & Design, was honored by the Des Moines Business Record as part of its 2018 class of ’40 Under 40’ business leaders

Katie Fencl (’07 marketing & mgmt.), director of conventions, sports, and services for Catch Des Moines, was honored by the Des Moines Business Record as part of its 2018 class of ’40 Under 40’ business leaders

Libby Crimmings (’04 art and design), director of national education programs for the World Food Prize Foundation, was honored by the Des Moines Business Record as part of its 2018 class of ’40 Under 40’ business leaders.

Amanda Young (MS ’08 indus relations), senior vice president for human resources with Bankers Trust Co., was honored by the Des Moines Business Record as part of its 2018 class of ’40 Under 40’ business leaders.

Natasha Sayles (’11 marketing), executive director of Winefest Des Moines, was honored by the Des Moines Business Record as part of its 2018 class of ’40 Under 40’ business leaders.

Kristopher Kunze (’02 elec engr), managing principal with KCL Engineering, was honored by the Des Moines Business Record as part of its 2018 class of ’40 Under 40’ business leaders.

Matthew Coen (’02 arch), a principal with Walker Coen Lorentzen Architects, was honored by the Des Moines Business Record as part of its 2018 class of ’40 Under 40’ business leaders.

Alison Cate (A)(’05 journalism), director of marketing and development for Goodwill of Central Iowa, was honored by the Des Moines Business Record as part of its 2018 class of ’40 Under 40’ business leaders.

Brenna Finnerty (’04 comm studies) was one of four recipients of the 2017 YP of the Year Awards presented by the Des Moines Register and the Greater Des Moines Partnership's Young Professional Connection Feb. 15 in Des Moines, Iowa. Finnerty is the director of development for UnityPoint Health – Blank Children’s Hospital in Des Moines. She was recognized for her work with the YMCA boards in Des Moines and Waukee, her volunteerism with Freedom for Youth, and her work to create a youth philanthropy program for Blank Children’s Hospital called Shining Stars.

Al Doster (L)(DVM '75) received the Distinguished Service Award from the Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association. He is a professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and director of the university's Veterinary Diagnostic Center.

Sarah Carlson (MS '08 sustainable ag, crop production & physiology), the director of strategic initiatives for Practical Farmers of Iowa, is one of four recipients of the 2018 Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Leader Awards. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig presented Carlson with the Leadership in Conservation Award during an awards ceremony and dinner March 6.

Larry Ebbers (L)('62 ag and life sci ed, MS '68, PhD '71 education) is a 2018 recipient of the John L. Blackburn Distinguished Pillar Award from NASPA, the national organization of Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education. It is the NASPA Foundation's highest honor.

Carla McCullough ('97 ag engr) has been accepted into the Nebraska Water Leaders Academy. She is a native of Bernard, Iowa. The Nebraska Water Leaders Academy is one-year program that provides leadership training and educates participants about the vital role of rivers, streams and aquifers play in the economic sustainability of the state.

Aaron D. Gross (MS '10 toxicology, PhD '14) has been named assistant professor of entomology in the Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. He is one of a number of new faculty members hired in the college this academic year. New positions were identified to bring talent to the college's focus areas, including food, health, the environment, and community viability. The new faculty members are distributed across teaching, research, and Extension. Gross' research program focuses on controlling arthropod pests that have a significant impact on human health, animal health, and agriculture. His research interests focus on the discovery and mode of action of natural and synthetic pesticides at underutilized targets (GPCRs and ion channels). Additional research interests include investigating the mechanisms involved in host-vector interaction. Gross received a U.S. EPA-STAR fellowship to investigate the mode of action of natural terpenoids against ticks. Additionally, he received the American Chemical Society's (Agrochemical Division) New Investigator Award for research on the mode of action of a pyrazole oxime at mosquito muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.

C. John Basner ('95 speech comm) will line up with other elite athletes from around the world for a great cause this July 22, 2018 for the iconic IRONMAN Lake Placid as part of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation Team for Cures. IRONMAN Lake Placid is the oldest and one of the most prestigious of the IRONMAN events in North America, with this year marking the race’s 20th running. The MMRF Team for Cures raises funds for cancer research. The MMRF was created to accelerate cancer research, particularly for multiple myeloma, and speed the development and approval of new treatments. Multiple myeloma, currently an incurable blood cancer, is the second most common blood cancer after non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Thomas B. Griffin (A)(MS ’82 phys ed) was recently inducted into the University of Northern Iowa Hall of Excellence. He received his B.A. from U.N.I. in 1971. The Hall of Excellence honors graduates who have demonstrated mastery of the knowledge base within their profession; contributed significantly as a teacher, leader, executive or administrator and widely recognized for the quality of that contribution; demonstrated scholarly activity through publications and presentations related to their profession; contributed significantly to their profession while holding offices in professional organizations of state, regional, national and international scope; and demonstrated a cumulative record (including awards and honors) of effective and enthusiastic service to their profession. In addition to receiving his B.A. from U.N.I., he received his M.S. from Iowa State University; and taught Physical Education in the Ames Community School District until his retirement in 2004.

Michael Pochop ('91 civil engr), P.E., a vice president and project manager at Hanson Professional Services Inc.’s Kansas City metropolitan office, recently celebrated 20 years of service with the company.

Chris Wiewiora (MFA '14 creative writing & the environment) is the new discovery assistant at the Museum of Northern Arizona. He will continue guiding kids in environmental education on the Colorado Plateau.

Brianna Schwind (A)('13 advertising) has been named marketing manager of the Iowa State Center, managed by VenuWorks. In this role, Schwind will expand the Center’s already extensive marketing efforts. She will be responsible for planning media buys and placement, the digital image of the facilities, promotions and graphic design.

Danny O'Neill (L)('83 pol sci & intl. studies) is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his Kansas City-based coffee business, The Roasterie.

Rachelle Justice ('04 chemistry) has published the children's picture book, Steampunk A to Z, under the pen name of R.E. Lane.

Reks Mouk ('16 MIS) is debuting a business model development platform called Modest Wealth. "Our goal is to develop business acumen for high school and college students so they have the intuition to recognize opportunities for their ideas and have the knowledge and preparation to open new doors for themselves," Mouk said. "As we build our platform, we'll be working with local high schools in the Twin Cities starting this fall and begin branching out to colleges and universities." Learn more online at https://vimeo.com/252435686 and http://www.modestwealthco.com.

Joseph Lally (A)('72 farm op, MS '99 professional ag), a certified crop adviser, received the Secretary's Iowa Ag Leader Award from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Lally received the award at the Agribusiness Association of Iowa's Showcase and Conference at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines on Feb. 16, 2018.