Class Notes

Haleigh Anderson (‘21 integrated studio arts) has been selected to exhibit her work as an Emerging Iowa Artist at the Des Moines Arts Festival June 24-26 in Western Gateway Park.

Jeremy Alm (MS '04 mathematics, PhD '06) accepted a position as the associate dean for programs in the College of Arts and Sciences at Lamar University on June 1, 2022. Alm was hired as a department chair at Lamar in 2017 and remained chair until he accepted this new position.

Daniel Dotzler (‘89 finance) has been promoted to president and CEO of United Bank of Iowa. Dotzler joined United Bank of Iowa in 1997 and has since served in many positions throughout the bank including office manager, senior vice president of operations and control, executive vice president and control/cashier, and has served on the board of directors for the past 11 years.

Alexis Taylor (‘05 political science) has been nominated by President Joe Biden to serve as undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, a top U.S. Department of Agriculture trade post. In this role, Taylor will help lead the agency’s trade policy, oversee and facilitate foreign market access, and promote opportunities for U.S. agriculture.

Daniel Garret (‘88 marketing) recently joined the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) as an executive director. As the AARC executive director, Garrett will work directly with the board of directors and the AARC staff, refining this relationship to bring the best benefits, resources, and tools to fill member needs.

Brent Wirth (‘92 graphic design) has been promoted to chief creative officer at Trilix, a full-service agency in Des Moines, Iowa. Wirth has been with Trilix for nearly two decades, where he began as a creative director.

Xiang-Jin Meng* (PhD '95 microbiology, immunology & preventative medicine), professor of molecular virology at Virginia- Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, has been elected as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Dr. Heather Loenser ('99 animal science, DVM '03) has been appointed vice president of professional development, culture, and well-being for Harbor.vet by Suveto, a veterinary ownership company. Loenser was an emergency veterinarian for 10 years before serving as the Chief Medical Officer at the American Animal Hospital Association.

Sandy** (’62 child development) and Dick** Horton ('62 electrical engr, MS ‘63, PhD ‘67) are the muse of the newly established Sandy Horton Delta Zeta Scholarship. Known as “Mr. and Mrs. ISU,” Sandy and Dick have supported the university for over 50 years. Sandy served on the Delta Zeta National Council and remains active as a chapter adviser. Dick is a professional emeritus of electrical and computer engineering at Iowa State and was highly influential in the fundraising efforts for the national historic renovation of the Theta Delta Chi Fraternity house.

Sandy** (’62 child development) and Dick** Horton ('62 electrical engr, MS ‘63, PhD ‘67) are the muse of the newly established Sandy Horton Delta Zeta Scholarship. Known as “Mr. and Mrs. ISU,” Sandy and Dick have supported the university for over 50 years. Sandy served on the Delta Zeta National Council and remains active as a chapter adviser. Dick is a professional emeritus of electrical and computer engineering at Iowa State and was highly influential in the fundraising efforts for the national historic renovation of the Theta Delta Chi Fraternity house.

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.

Aysha Majeed (’16 microbiology and genetics) has become a Weintraub Tobin Firm associate in their Healthcare and Corporate practice groups. Her practice focuses on serving healthcare-related clients as they navigate rules and requirements as well as agreements and other ventures.

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.

Chase Kramer (MArch '11) has been named Director of Design at TSP, Inc., a multidisciplinary architectural and engineering firm in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Kramer will focus on strategic, firm-wide design and creative initiatives. Kramer has been at TSP, Inc. since November 2013.

Mark Strosahl (MBA '13 business administration, '08 management information systems) has accepted the Chief Information Security Officer position at Penn Mutual Life Insurance Company, a Fortune 1000 company. Strosahl has over 14 years of financial services industry experience leading information technology and information security functions.

Cade Chace (‘10 elementary education) has recently accepted a new position as principal at Blue Valley School District in Overland Park, Kansas. Chace has been with the Blue Valley School District since 2011.

Kent Rice (‘78 agricultural engineering) is among the first Peace Corps volunteers to return to overseas service since the unprecedented global evacuation in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rice will work with the Community Economic Development sector in the Dominican Republic.

Jami Simon (‘81 theatre & dance) plays Sideways Jane in the film “Riding the D with Dr. Seeds." To watch the film, download the PlexTV app. Simon was also featured in the film “The Man Behind the Camera” which received two prizes at the 2021 Sunscreen West Film Festival.

Michael Magrin (‘00 biological pre-med illustration) will be a participating artist in the upcoming exhibit “The Heavens Declare! Celebrating the Glory of the Skies” at the Museum of Western Art in Kerrville, Texas. The exhibit will open April 1 and run through July 9.

Rick Tollakson** (’76 construction engineering) will be honored at the ceremony for the new Rick Tollakson Wellness Center at Camp Sunnyside of Easterseals Iowa at 5:00 pm on April 12, 2022. Easterseals Iowa provides exceptional services to ensure that all people with disabilities or special needs and their families have equal opportunities to live, learn, work and play in their communities. For more information, visit www.easterseals.com/ia/.

Laura Molgaard (DVM ’91, ’88 distributed studies), dean of the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine, has been elected to the National Academies of Practice as a Distinguished Veterinary Science Fellow.

Alan Loynachan* (PhD ‘01 veterinary microbiology, DVM ‘03, ‘05 microbiology) has been named the interim director of the University fo Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

Anna Forseth (MS ’20 veterinary preventive medicine) has been named the director of animal health for the National Pork Producers Council.

Sue Chadima** (DVM ’76, ’79 zoology) was featured in an article for her work on the humanitarian crisis that Afghanistan is facing since the Taliban’s return to power. The article can be found on the American Veterinary Medical Association’s website.

Chris Martin (‘90 craft design), professor of art and visual culture at Iowa State, is profiled in the March-April 2022 issue of Woodworker West, the premier magazine for woodworking in the western United States.