Class Notes

Bradshaw Law attorney Blake Hanson ('12 pol sci) is among the American Bar Association’s (ABA) Class of 2021 On the Rise – Top 40 Young Lawyers honorees. The annual On the Rise - Top 40 Young Lawyers recognizes 40 ABA young lawyer members who exemplify a broad range of high achievement, innovation, vision, leadership, and legal and community service.

Clair Peterson ('75 journalism and mass communications) has been promoted to director of the John Deere Classic golf tournament, just in time for its 50th anniversary. Peterson has worked for John Deere in various roles since his graduation.

Chris Vance ('00 art and design) was honored with a Jurors Award in painting at the Des Moines Art Festival. His paintings incorporate cartoons with skater culture graffiti.

Jamila Johnson ('19 integrated studio arts) has received the Leysens Family Award for Best of Emerging Iowa Artists at the 2021 Des Moines Arts Festival. Johnson focuses primarily on prints and watercolor with her work.

Peter Myers ('17 finance) graduated summa cum laude from Drake University in May 2021 with a master's degree in education.

Paul Schmitz* (PhD '71 sociology) has been honored as the Mentor of the Year by the Maryland Technology Council Venture Mentoring Services. Schmitz has volunteered for the program since 2016. Schmitz has over 30 years of experience advising organizations in the government and private sector, in addition to teaching graduate management courses.

Luke Martz ('15 political science) has joined the U.S. Department of State and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights as part of the international election observation mission. In this role, Martz will be traveling to Moldova to observe the upcoming election.

Susan Hatten ('04 marketing and apparel merchandising, design, and production) has become a shareholder of Holmes Murphy, where she works as the senior manager of corporate community engagement. Outside of Holmes Murphy, Hatten serves as the COO of BrokerTech Ventures.

Peter Myers ('17 finance) has accepted a new teaching position at Discovery High School in the Atlanta metro area, teaching geometry.

Kristen Obbink* ('06 zoology, DVM '11) has been elected vice president of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association. Obbink serves as the lead public health veterinarian in the Center for Food Security and Public Health.

Tamara Flarup** ('75 physical education for women) will be inducted into the University of Wisconsin-Madison Athletics Hall of Fame. Flarup worked for UW Athletics for 40 years promoting female sports journalistic coverage. During her time at Iowa State, Flarup was a golf letter-winner.

Nick Joos ('87 journalism and mass communication) has accepted the position of senior associate athletics advisor within the Iowa State Athletic Department. After 34 years of working in collegiate athletics, Joos is coming home to his alma mater. Joos has previously worked in the athletic departments for the University of Missouri, Baylor University, and the University of Nebraska.

Kevin Maher* ('74 animal science) has been recognized as the 2021 innovationENTREPRENEUR of the Year by the Ag Startup Engine. During his career, Maher has launched two startups, VetMeasure Inc. and GlobalVetLink. Both businesses work to help veterinarians perform better, by creating wearable technology and cloud-based software respectively.

Andrew Lauver** ('12 agricultural studies) has been named one of Seed World's Top 10 Next Gen Leaders. This award recognizes leaders who inspire their peers and are considered changemakers within the seed industry. Currently, Lauver is a sales representative for Golden Harvest.

Roselina Angel ('84 animal science, MS '87, PhD '90) has been awarded the 2021 Distinguished Poultry Industry Career Award. The award was presented by the Poultry Science Association and the U.S. Poultry and Egg Association. Angel is currently a professor at the University of Maryland teaching monogastric nutrition.

Melea Licht** ('00 public service and administration in agriculture, MS '05 agriculture and life sciences education) has joined the Iowa State University Alumni Association as our Senior Director of Communications. In this role, Licht will serve as the editor of our VISIONS magazine and oversee other alumni communications.

Megan Happe ('20 speech communication) has accepted the position of summer clerk for Bradshaw, Fowler, Proctor, and Fairgrave Law in Des Moines. Outside of her professional career, Happe is continuing her education towards a graduate degree in law.

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.

Christopher Baker ('08 management and marketing) has qualified for his first U.S. Open, which will take place at Torrey Pines. Baker is currently a rookie professional golfer and previously golfed as part of Iowa State men's golf team.

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.

Alan Krysan** ('87 agricultural business) started his latest adventure as the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital area executive director. In this role, Krysan will lead the teams within Minnesota, South Dakota, and North Dakota and raise awareness and funds for St. Jude's mission. Krysan has previously served on the ISUAA Board of Directors.

Stephen Mosher (L) ('70 electrical engineering) has been elected to serve as a Trustee of Brite Divinity School. Currently, Mosher works as a patent attorney for the firm Whitaker Chalk Swindle & Schwartz.

Nick Holland ('15 industrial design) has accepted a position with NASA's Johnston Space Center team as an exhibit designer. In this role, Holland will work on space center renovations, designs for museums and spaceship models, and other projects. He has already completed the design for a moon rock display for President Joe Biden's Inauguration which remains in the Oval Office. Previously, Holland designed for NASA TV.

Curtis Madsen* ('81 fisheries and wildlife biology) has been honored with the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal from the Department of the Army. Before his retirement, Madsen spent 34 years in the Iowa Army National Guard as the environmental program supervisor.

Natalie Williams ('15 public relations) has accepted a position with Dentons Davis Brown as an associate within the real estate department. In this position, Williams will handle cases involving leases, purchases, sales, and finances. Previous to this role, Williams gained experience in commercial real estate, renewable energy development, and public power.