Class Notes

Brandon Schaefer (’03 Spanish/international ag/ag business) has published Build A Better Life: Practical Tools and Strategies to Develop and Lead Your Life and Business the Way Jesus Would. The book provides practical assistance with strategies to empower readers to live a more productive, healthier, and happier life. Schaefer is the founder and executive director of Five Capitals, a global initiative working with business and church leaders in the areas of personal development, leadership skills, and organizational growth.

Kelly Norris, director of horticulture for the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden, recently released a new gardening book, Plants with Style: A Plantsman’s Choices for a Vibrant, 21st-Century Garden. His earlier titles include A Guide to Bearded Irises: Cultivating the Rainbow for Beginners and Enthusiasts and Iowa Gardener’s Travel Guide. Norris also won a 2015 Martha Stewart American Made Award for his iris-breeding business, Rainbow Iris Farms.

Rhodeside & Harwell, a landscape architecture and planning practice headquartered in the Washington, D.C., area, has named Kurt Parker as a principal of the firm. Parker joined Rhodeside & Harwell in 1994. He is a landscape architect who has overseen major projects for the firm, including site and landscape development for new U.S. Embassy campuses in North and West Central Africa, the Balkans, and the Southwestern Pacific Region.

On Jan. 11, 2016, the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) Governing Council selected Judson Horras to become president and CEO of the trade association representing inter/national men’s fraternities. Horras most recently served as the administrative secretary of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, while concurrently serving as interim president and CEO of the NIC during its historic restructuring in fall 2015. Founded in 1909, the NIC is the trade association representing inter/national men’s fraternities. The NIC’s member organizations include more than 6,000 chapters located on more than 800 campuses in the United States and Canada, with approximately 375,000 undergraduate members and nearly five million alumni.

The American Institute of Architects, Iowa Chapter, has announced that architect Edd Soenke recently received an award from the National Institute of Building Sciences.
 Soenke accepted the NIBS Honor Award, the association’s highest award, on Jan. 14 for his seven years of work on the Design Guidelines for the Visual Environment as the chairperson of the Low Vision Design Committee. Design Guidelines is the first document of its kind in the United States to offer assistance to design professionals and others in accommodating a growing segment of the population who lives with the spectrum of vision disorders contributing to low vision. Soenke is owner/architect at The Design Partnership in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Jeff Grummer and Rod Bodholdt, co-owners of B&G Productions in Ames, have collaborated on many memorable projects. Now, one of them has been recognized by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. “I Will – The Jack Trice Story” was nominated for a Midwest Emmy in the Sports Documentary category. B&G, along with production partner Cyclones.tv, was informed that the show was one of just two finalists. “It’s been a blessing and honor to bring the Jack Trice story to light in a new way,” Grummer said. “It’s always great to work with the people at Cyclones.tv. They are first rate in every way. It’s humbling for all of us to be recognized by the Academy.”

Jeff Grummer and Rod Bodholdt, co-owners of B&G Productions in Ames, have collaborated on many memorable projects. Now, one of them has been recognized by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. “I Will – The Jack Trice Story” was nominated for a Midwest Emmy in the Sports Documentary category. B&G, along with production partner Cyclones.tv, was informed that the show was one of just two finalists. “It’s been a blessing and honor to bring the Jack Trice story to light in a new way,” Grummer said. “It’s always great to work with the people at Cyclones.tv. They are first rate in every way. It’s humbling for all of us to be recognized by the Academy.”

Mike Retallick, an associate professor in agricultural education and studies at Iowa State, is one of six individuals to receive the National Association of Agricultural Educators Teacher Mentor Award. Retallick is a scholar of experiential learning. He has been recognized nationally for his theoretical work in the field, but is well known for his practical applications for classroom teachers. Retallick has mentored undergraduate and graduate students seeking certification and careers in agricultural education, helped agriculture teachers improve their instruction and taught them to manage the career-life balance, and supports teachers and students by volunteering with FFA, the FFA Foundation, and through local leadership positions.

When the Allegheny Arboretum at Indiana University of Pennsylvania was recently recognized as having one of the most beautiful campus arboretums in the United States by Best College Reviews, an Iowa State alum was honored by association. Jerry Pickering, a retired professor of biology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania had, near the final years of his tenure, taken a sabbatical to investigate and help create an arboretum for the campus. The result: a living museum that provides not only beauty to the campus in southwestern Pennsylvania but also an outdoor classroom where each specimen is carefully labeled, maintained, catalogued, and mapped. Pickering remains a member of the Allegheny Arboretum board.

Lisa Hermsen, the Caroline Werner Gannett Chair of Humanities at Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester, N.Y., worked on a proposal that resulted in RIT becoming the first in the nation to offer a degree in digital humanities. Hermsen was the lead on the proposal in terms of its design and was primary author of the proposal, which was submitted to the New York Department of Education for approval. She will be teaching the first course in the degree requirements next semester and is organizing a regional conference on the topic of undergraduate digital humanities and social sciences.

A research project for the Diabetes Research Connection by Subhadra Gunawardana recently raised more than $50,000 through a crowdfunding campaign. Her research project aims to reverse type 1 diabetes without insulin replacement. The Diabetes Research Connection, a nonprofit organization headquartered in San Diego, Calif., was established in 2012 to help prevent and cure type 1 diabetes, minimize its complications, and improve the quality of life for those living with the disease.

Andrew Ryder, assistant professor of Higher Education at the Watson College, has been named an Emerging Scholar Designee by ACPA - College Student Educators International, a leading international professional association for the study and practice of student affairs and higher education. The award “supports, encourages, and honors early-career individuals who are emerging as contributors to student affairs and higher education scholarship and who are pursuing research initiatives congruent with the mission, interests, and strategic goals of ACPA.” As an Emerging Scholar Designee from 2016-2018, Ryder will receive a $3,000 grant to support his continued research on a set of policy-based indicators of campus climate to augment an existing national assessment of campus climate for personal and social responsibility. He will also create a video presentation on his scholarship on assessing campus climates that the organization will host on its website, and co-plan a conference symposium in partnership with ACPA's Senior Scholars, with a focus on teaching and helping practitioners contribute to and identify venues for scholarship and writing. “There are a number of tremendously gifted early-career scholars engaged in innovative research in higher education and student affairs,” Ryder said. “I’m extremely humbled to receive this recognition.”

The Iowa Chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers has presented its Distinguished Service to Iowa Agriculture Award to the dean of the Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Wendy K. Wintersteen. Wintersteen received the award at the February meeting of the Iowa Chapter of ASFMRA in Ames. The award is designed to recognize persons who have made significant contributions to Iowa agriculture. Wintersteen was recognized for her leadership in the growth of undergraduate education in the College, serving the state as an extension specialist, and being a "champion for the students, faculty, and staff in the college and for the agricultural industry in Iowa."

The Directors of Neumann Monson Architects, Inc. are very pleased to announce that Scott Palmberg has been elevated to shareholder in the firm. Neumann Monson is excited to have him as part of the ownership team. Neumann Monson Architects, founded in 1977, provides award-winning architectural, planning and interior design services to a wide variety of clients and utilizes a collaborative work process to produce sustainable design solutions.

The Directors of Neumann Monson Architects, Inc. are very pleased to announce that Dan Broffitt has been elevated to shareholder in the firm. Neumann Monson is excited to have him as part of the ownership team. Neumann Monson Architects, founded in 1977, provides award-winning architectural, planning and interior design services to a wide variety of clients and utilizes a collaborative work process to produce sustainable design solutions.

The Directors of Neumann Monson Architects, Inc. are very pleased to announce that Cheung Chan has been elevated to shareholder in the firm. Neumann Monson is excited to have him as part of the ownership team. Neumann Monson Architects, founded in 1977, provides award-winning architectural, planning and interior design services to a wide variety of clients and utilizes a collaborative work process to produce sustainable design solutions.

The Directors of Neumann Monson Architects, Inc. are very pleased to announce that Brian Warthen has been elevated to shareholder in the firm. Neumann Monson is excited to have him as part of the ownership team. Neumann Monson Architects, founded in 1977, provides award-winning architectural, planning and interior design services to a wide variety of clients and utilizes a collaborative work process to produce sustainable design solutions.

Author Dr. Patricia Tice (L)(’75 CD, ’83 Prof. St.) has combined her formal training in psychology and human behavior with her experience and training in manners and etiquette to create a book that is a must-have resource on dealing with people, different attitudes, behaviors in the world of agriculture. Agri Manners – Essential Etiquette for Professional Success is published by Agri Marketing magazine. The book’s introduction is written by Chris Soules, star of the ABC-TV shows “The Bachelor,” “The Bachelorette,” “Dancing with The Stars”, is an Iowa farmer and an Iowa State alum. Agri Manners is your first resource for planting and growing a meaningful life and career in agriculture and is your go-to resource for knowing how to earn trust and respect, and presenting yourself in a way that is honorable and professional. Since its release in December 2015, Agri Manners is now being used by several colleges and universities. Dr. Tice says, “Agricultural stakeholders always need to be professional, well-mannered and respectfully civilized, from the farm field to table to global leader. This new book elevates respect for the agricultural complex.” Agri Manners – Essential Etiquette for Professional Success can be ordered through www.agrimarketing.com Click on the Bookstore tab. Dr. Tice and her husband Lynn Henderson (’74 Ag JLMC) live in Adel, Iowa.

Ryan Augustine was recently awarded the Farm Bureau Entrepreneur of the Year award for his startup business, AccuGrain. AccuGrain competed against three national finalists for the title Jan. 11-13 in Orlando, Florida, at the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention. This is the second year in a row the honor has been given to an Iowa State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences alumnus and participant in the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative (AgEI) program. Augustine (’12 agricultural studies) participated in AgEI’s Student Incubator Program and Econ 334, the Entrepreneurship in Agriculture course, during his time at Iowa State. “Being selected as the American Farm Bureau’s Entrepreneur of the year has been a great honor for AccuGrain. Competitions like these, as well as the many opportunities for mentoring and growth that we had through the Ag Entrepreneurship Initiative at Iowa State University, have helped give us the resources and confidence we need to take our idea from a simple start up to a successful business,” Augustine said. The Econ 334 course gives students the skills and resources needed to develop business startups. Through this course, Augustine created the AccuGrain concept – an agricultural business using X-ray technology to measure the weight of flowing grain through pictures. Since then AccuGrain has continued to impress members of the industry with its ability to produce accurate data in a timely manner. “It has been great to see Ryan move this idea from classroom to reality, as it has taken persistent, resourceful work. He has commercialized an ISU-patented technology, a very exciting example of startup development and technology commercialization in a university environment,” said AgEI director Kevin Kimle. ScoutPro, a crop scouting and pest identification mobile app created by Iowa State agricultural and life sciences education graduates was named the Entrepreneur of the Year in 2015. Michael Koenig, Stuart McCulloh and Holden Nyhus also created ScoutPro in the Econ 334 course. AccuGrain received $30,000 in prize money from the competition to help implement their business. Augustine was joined by Iowa State student, and AccuGrain intern, Steven Brockshus during the competition. The Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative at Iowa State was established in 2005. The initiative works to broaden understanding of entrepreneurship among faculty and students of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences by providing educational experiences to develop students' entrepreneurial skills and increase interaction among students, faculty and agricultural entrepreneurs.

Mark Putbrese, an Edward Jones financial advisor in Naperville, Ill., has been named a principal with the firm’s holding company, The Jones Financial Companies, LLLP. He was one of only 51 individuals chosen from more than 43,000 associates across the United States and Canada to join the firm’s 353 principals. He holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Accredited Asset Management Specialist professional designations. In addition to serving clients, Putbrese is a regional leader for his firm, guiding and supporting nearly 60 branch teams throughout DuPage County, Ill. He will remain in Naperville and continue serving area investors. Edward Jones, a Fortune 500 company, provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliate, in Canada. Every aspect of the firm’s business, from the investments offered to the location of branch offices, is designed to cater to individual investors in the communities in which they live and work. The firm’s 14,000-plus financial advisors work directly with nearly 7 million clients. Edward Jones, which ranked No. 6 on FORTUNE magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For in 2015, is headquartered in St. Louis.

Longtime member Darren Carlson was appointed Chairman of the Omaha Home for Boys’ board of directors Jan. 12 during the first meeting of 2016. A partner in Omaha’s Carlson & Burnett Law Firm, Carlson received his B.S.in Agricultural Business from Iowa State University in 1985, and earned his Juris Doctorate magna cum laude from Creighton University in 1988. While attending Creighton, he served as a member of the editorial staff of the Creighton Law Review from 1986-88. He has been an attorney for over 25 years and is a member of both the Iowa and Nebraska Bar Associations. His practice focuses on estate planning, agricultural law, corporate and business transactions. His business practice includes establishing and advising nonprofit corporations and foundations. “I’m very excited about the opportunity to serve the Omaha Home for Boys as chairman,” Carlson said. “We have some challenges before us, but we also have some great opportunities to reach out into the community more, create connections and become more visible in Omaha. I see great things for the Home in the future.” Carlson has served as a trustee and director on the Omaha Home for Boys’ Board since 2002. He previously held secretary and vice chair positions, among others, with the Home. He is a member of the Tangier Shrine, Miracle Hills Optimist Club, Nebraska Marketing Council and Omaha Agricultural Business Club. He’s been a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church for more than 23 years, where he has served on the board of trustees. He served on the Millard Schools Education Foundation, Inc., from 2004 to 2010, including two terms as president. “Darren has been a valuable, active member of our board for more than a decade, and I look forward to working with him in 2016 and beyond,” Omaha Home for Boys President & CEO Jeff Moran said. “Just as he has with every role he’s held during his 14 years on the board, he brings a lot of experience, enthusiasm, connections and drive to the Chairman position.” The Omaha Home for Boys has served youth in our community for more than 95 years, first as an orphanage and currently as a residential youth home. The young adults – both male and female -- served are generally at-risk due to neglect, socio-economic situations, truancy or poor school performance, drug and alcohol abuse and/or the inability of their families to support them. OHB is a resource in the community, offering support and stability while working in collaboration with schools, service providers and other nonprofit organizations to help youth and families be successful. OHB is a community-based organization that serves young men and women ages 12-24 through: Inspiration Hill Residential Care, Jacobs’ Place Transitional Living and Branching Out Independent Living. The Home is nationally accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Services for Families and Children (COA).

Danielle Kimler (2014 BS Elec. Eng.) and Brian Lois (2015 PhD Math) were married September 19, 2015 in Bettendorf IA. The couple now live and work in Dallas, Texas.

Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization Executive Director R. Todd Ashby has been recognized with a national leadership award for his work to establish the forthcoming Des Moines Transload Facility. The Association of Metropolitan Planning Organizations (AMPO) named Ashby as the 2015 recipient of the Ronald F. Kirby Memorial Award for Outstanding Individual Leadership. Ashby was nominated for the award by the Urban Land Institute Iowa (ULI). "I'm humbled and honored by the award and would like to say the entire MPO organization deserves credit," Ashby said. "I am fortunate to work with so many bright and passionate people on our volunteer committees and on the MPO staff." Once complete, the Transload Facility will serve businesses within an estimated 150-mile radius of Greater Des Moines by connecting the trucking network to the rail network. The Transload Facility is expected to open in 2016. Ashby was singled out for this recognition because of his behind-the-scenes leadership in fostering an idea into action. "Todd Ashby went beyond identifying an innovative solution to a problem that was not being addressed elsewhere -- he stepped up to the plate and delivered," said Larry James, Jr., chair of ULI. "But for his efforts, the project might never have happened."

Lewis M. Sutton, longtime board member of the Pet Care Trust, is retiring after 16 years of service. He was honored during the Pet Care Trust Board meeting in Chicago that was held in conjunction with the World Pet Association’s Aquatic Experience trade and consumer show November 6-8, 2015. The Pet Care Trust is a non-profit, charitable, public foundation that is instrumental in the sponsorship of programs supporting companion animal welfare and the benefits of owning companion pets as well as the development of educational programs demonstrating the importance of responsible companion animal ownership. Sutton is the Executive Vice President of the International Markets Division at PetAg, Inc., has an extensive background in animal science and nutrition, and is a well-published animal nutrition specialist. His expertise, experience, and commitment to the pet industry has made him an asset to the Pet Care Trust. Under his leadership, the Pet Care Trust began the Pets in the Classroom grant program in 2010, a program that provides teachers with funding to purchase and maintain classroom pets with the knowledge that, while they are a valuable teaching tool, many teachers have very limited resources for the support of classroom animals. Through this educational grants program, teachers can obtain a grant for the purchase of new pets, pet environments, or pet food, and supplies for existing classroom pets. Steven T. King, Executive Director of the Pet Care Trust commented: “Lew Sutton had done more in his sixteen years on the Pet Care Trust Board to advance the work of the Trust than any other individual. He was instrumental in the development and roll-out of the Pets in the Classroom program, which has provided more than 70,000 grants to teachers and brought a pet into the lives of more than 3 million children.”

Mr. Mark Sherfy, P.E., has joined the Overland Park, Kan.-based civil engineering and surveying firm BHC RHODES as its new Public Works Group Leader. Sherfy previously worked for the city of Shawnee, Kansas as Deputy Public Works Director. In his new role, Sherfy will oversee engineering initiatives for BHC RHODES, including street design, road and highway design, traffic engineering, stormwater and drainage, and construction services.

Otten Johnson Robinson Neff + Ragonetti PC (Otten Johnson) is pleased to announce that Emily A. Hippen has been elected shareholder and director of the Denver, Colo.-based firm, effective Jan. 1, 2016. Emily is part of the firm’s Real Estate and Real Estate Finance Practice Groups. Her practice will continue to focus on commercial real estate finance, with an emphasis on the representation of lenders and borrowers in both loan origination and loan modification transactions. She also represents commercial real estate owners in matters relating to their commercial real estate acquisition and disposition needs.

Tyler Stafford, a content strategy manager for the Los Angeles-based ad agency Omelet, has been named one of Forbes' "30 under 30" for marketing and advertising. Stafford creates non-traditional digital content and audience-first marketing initiatives for such companies as Nike, Red Bull, and Walmart.

S. Luke Craven is the newest Member at Whitfield & Eddy, P.L.C. in Des Moines. He joined the firm in 2010 as an associate attorney with the firm and practices in the firm’s Litigation Practice Group. He was named to the 2015 Great Plains Super Lawyers in the area of Personal Injury: General as a Rising Star.

Mannava Sivakumar has been appointed by the Secretary General of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) as Acting Secretary of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. IPCC was established by WMO and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1988. The role of the IPCC is to assess, on a comprehensive, objective, open, and transparent basis, the scientific, technical, and socio-economic information relevant to understanding the scientific basis of risk of human-induced climate change, its potential impacts and options for adaptation and mitigation. As the Acting Secretary of IPCC, Dr. Sivakumar will be working with the Chairperson of IPCC on the implementation of the IPCC work programme and the budget of IPCC and will report to the Secretary General of WMO, to the Executive Director of UNEP and the Chairperson of IPCC.

Lacie LaRue has been named to the Chronicle of Philanthropy’s first-ever 40 Under 40. The Chronicle is a 25-year-old independent news organization covering the nonprofit world. The 40 Under 40 is a list of extraordinary young nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, foundation officials, donors, and social entrepreneurs from across the country. LaRue is the senior director of annual giving at the Oregon State University Foundation in Corvallis, Ore., where she is gaining wide recognition for her data-driven approach to donor engagement. She has developed a system that allows Oregon State to divide its supporters into more than 2,000 segments. "It allows us to create a giving experience that is unique to that individual’s philanthropic interest at the university and helps strengthen the relationship," Lacie told the Chronicle. "I love the analytics and digging through data and developing strategies out of what you find." At Oregon State, she has helped increase the number of annual-fund donors who give $1,000 or more for academics yearly by 5 to 11 percent each year since 2011.

The American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) has named Steve Jackson as its 2016 Chairman of the Board of Directors. Jackson is President of Cedar Valley Corp., LLC, a second-generation, family-owned and operated heavy & highway construction contractor firm. Founded in 1971, the company is headquartered in Waterloo, Iowa. In accepting the Chairmanship, Jackson acknowledged and thanked his wife Terri and their daughters. He also spoke about his career and cited a legacy of giving back to the concrete pavement industry, which he said is a value instilled in him and his company by his late father, Robins Jackson. This is only the second time in the almost 53-year history of ACPA that a father and son have served as Chairmen of the ACPA Board of Directors. Robins Jackson served as Chairman in 1977. Founded in 1963, the American Concrete Pavement Association is the national trade association for the concrete pavement industry. The primary mission of the ACPA is to create and maintain a strong national presence through dynamic, strategic leadership; effective technical expertise and resources; and persuasive advocacy on behalf of the concrete pavement industry.

Alvin L. Barden of Eagle River, Wisconsin was inducted into the Wisconsin Forestry Hall of Fame on September 19, 2015 at the Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association Annual Convention in Marshfield, Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Forestry Hall of Fame was founded in 1984 by 10 public and private forestry organizations for the purpose of honoring those who have made exceptional contributions to the field of forestry in Wisconsin. Barden was and remains a leader in promoting Sustainable Forestry, teaching thousands of Wisconsin students, both young and old, the value of caring for our renewable natural resources. He provided the tools and encouraged woodland owners to use all available public and private financial, educational and technical resources to assist them in managing their woodlands. Barden received his B.S. Degree in Forest Management from Iowa State University (1955) and a M.S. Degree in Natural Resources Administration from Colorado State University (1970). He served our country in the Air Force Reserves reaching the rank of Lt. Colonel. He was active throughout his career, developing, leading and improving organizations for Family Forest Landowners, Professional Loggers, Foresters and Academia. Barden has also been recognized by the Society of American Foresters with the “John Macon Award”, “SAF Fellow” and the “Golden Membership Award”. The Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association recognized him with the “Distinguished Service Award”. Barden was nominated for the Hall of Fame by the Wisconsin Tree Farm Committee where he was awarded the “Leadership Award” for being the former Administrator, Committee Chair Person and is presently an active Committee member. The Wisconsin Forestry Hall of Fame is located in the College of Natural Resources at The University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point in the Dan Trainor Building. It is open during regular school hours. Members of the Forestry Hall of Fame organizations select new inductees from those nominated each year. The 10 member organizations of the Forestry Hall of Fame are: Wisconsin Forest History Association, Wisconsin Tree Farm Committee, Great Lakes Timber Professionals Association,Wisconsin Society of American Foresters, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources – Division of Forestry, Wisconsin County Forests Association, U.S. Forest Service, Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association, University of Wisconsin – Madison, and University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point.

James Schmeling, BA '97 Political Science, was appointed as Executive Vice President, Strategic Engagement for Student Veterans of America. Student Veterans of America Appoints Executive Vice President of Strategic Engagement New position supports organization’s 2016 initiatives and future direction WASHINGTON, D.C. - Student Veterans of America (SVA), the nation’s premier organization providing military veterans with the resources, support, and advocacy needed to succeed in higher education and beyond, has named James Schmeling as Executive Vice President of Strategic Engagement. With this appointment, SVA is increasing the focus on research and driving public policy to support the continued success of the veteran community. "Adding James Schmeling to the team further strengthens our ability to meet the needs of student veterans across the country," noted Jared Lyon, SVA Acting President/CEO. “James’ understanding of our nation’s veterans and military families, especially student veterans, and his leadership experience on the national stage will greatly benefit veterans, service members, and military families in pursuit of higher education.” SVA is a chapter-based coalition of student veterans and their supporters focused on helping veterans integrate into college life, achieve their academic goals, and gain meaningful employment. Supporting chapters and empowering chapter leaders and members will remain a key element of SVA’s mission while new programs and services are developed to expand SVA’s influence and impact. “Now is the time to redouble our efforts with higher education and veterans, to enable the education sector to meet the needs of veterans as well as its own needs,” said James Schmeling. “While I was at the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF), it became clear that higher education is the key differentiator in veterans’ career success after military service. Having spent the past 16 years working as an administrator and researcher in higher education, I’m looking forward to applying that experience at SVA in support of students, faculty, and administrators to ensure the best post-college outcomes for our veterans.” James Schmeling, J.D., co-founded the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University, and was appointed as its first managing director. At IVMF Schmeling supervised the Programs mission area, which includes transition, employment, education and training programs. Schmeling’s work on veteran employment includes collaboration with leading corporations including GE, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Walmart. As an academic administrator and intrapreneur, Schmeling co-founded two, and built three, highly successful publicly-engaged institutes in public and private universities. He leads and has served on several non-profit boards. Mr. Schmeling has published on veteran policy, employment practices, entrepreneurship and disability, study of corporate culture, disability as a component of diversity, and more. Schmeling is a U.S. Air Force veteran, served 6+ years, and was honorably discharged as a sergeant. Post-service he earned his law degree, with distinction, from the University of Iowa College of Law, and his B.A. in political science with a minor in international studies (Latin America) from Iowa State University. http://us11.campaign-archive2.com/?u=00012c707b4eea916ba13da83&id=4c4a03beb0

After spearheading an effort to get a dangerous portion of Highway 63 expanded to four lanes, a local Missouri state representative sponsored a bill to name the highway after ISU alumnua Harriett Beard. She is now busy working to get highway 63 four-laned to Ottumwa, Iowa.

Matteo del Ninno is the founder of Inteo, a startup focused on the need for education to provide better materials for better outcomes in college algebra. Inteo’s interactive math app is learning by doing. The free-response, auto-graded interactive mechanism ensures that student users have enough material to learn autonomously while also providing transparent and timely communication with teachers.

Jen (Hacke) Sass (’01 Journalism, ’04 M Ed.) and Wes Sass (’00 Journalism, ’02 Meteorology) were married May 23, 2015 in Dubuque, Iowa.

Tara (BS Psych '01) and Michael Whitmire are the proud parents of a daughter, Brodie Kay Whitmire. She was born on August 4, 2015. She weighed 7 lb 10.5 oz and was 21 inches long.

Jonathon Schroeder joins Davis Brown Law Firm Jonathon Schroeder recently joined the Davis Brown Law Firm as an associate attorney in the Ames office with a general practice that includes, but is not limited to, real estate transactions, business and non-profit formation, and zoning and development law. Jonathon’s experience includes real estate title examinations and closings, landlord and tenant law, and business formation. He also has experience in contract drafting, review and negotiation, and municipal law, including representing clients on development and zoning issues. Prior to joining Davis Brown, Jonathon practiced at a general practice law firm in Winterset, Iowa, where he also served as the Assistant City Attorney and represented other municipal clients. He completed internships with the Iowa Supreme Court, Brick Gentry P.C., Drake University Legal Clinic-Criminal Defense and Transactional Clinic, Ahlers & Cooney, P.C., Iowa Legal Aid, and the City Attorney in Ames, Iowa. He earned his J.D. at Drake University Law School, with high honors, where he served on the staff of the Drake Law Review. His Bachelor of Arts degree was earned at Iowa State University where he graduated cum laude.

SPI’s Rigid Plastic Packaging Group Welcomes New Chairman from Airlite Plastics Co. and Vice Chair from Printpack Inc. WASHINGTON—SPI: The Plastics Industry Trade Association’s Rigid Plastic Packaging Group (RPPG) announced the election of a new Chairman and Vice Chairman Tuesday. Following a brief ballot period, the RPPG Executive Committee welcomed Brad Crosby, President and CEO of Airlite Plastics Co., as Chairman and Terrence (Terry) Harper, Executive Vice President for Printpack Inc., as Vice Chairman. Each of the new leaders will serve a two-year term on the Executive Committee, which directs the activities of the RPPG, an SPI member division consisting of company representatives from the supplier, processor, converter and brand owner segments of the rigid plastic packaging supply chain. “The issues facing these vital segments of the plastics industry are constantly changing, and so it’s important to bring in fresh perspectives and new leadership to ensure that SPI and the RPPG are doing everything in their power to ensure the growth of our industry,” said SPI Director, Industry Affairs George M. Southworth. “Brad and Terry’s leadership within RPPG will greatly strengthen the division with the diversity of their backgrounds and their commitment to the plastics packaging industry. The entire SPI family congratulates them on their election and looks forward to growing from the benefit of their insights.” Crosby, a long-time member and an active participant in RPPG, returns after a brief sabbatical as Chairman. He currently serves as President and CEO of Airlite Plastics. He graduated from Iowa State with a degree in industrial engineering. He lives in Omaha with his wife, Laura, and their two sons. Over his 27-year career at Printpack, Harper has been responsible for all of Printpack’s corporate services such as IT, purchasing, engineering and business development. He also had a role with the sales and operations planning with some of Printpack’s largest accounts. In his current role as Executive Vice President, he is responsible for Printpack’s rigid plastics and medical divisions. He holds an undergraduate degree from Arizona State University and a master’s in business administration from Queens College in Charlotte, North Carolina.

HILLERICH & BRADSBY CO. APPOINTS BEAIRD CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER/CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER LOUISVILLE, KY (July 16, 2015) Hillerich & Bradsby Co. has appointed Kyle Beaird Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer. Beaird joined H&B in 2012 as Director of Financial Planning and Analysis. He was promoted to VP Finance in September 2014 and now becomes COO/CFO in the newly reorganized H&B structure after the company’s sale of the Louisville Slugger brand to Wilson Sporting Goods in April. “Kyle has been a tremendous asset to our company,” said Hillerich & Bradsby CEO John Hillerich IV. “He has been tireless in his efforts to ensure our success. His knowledge and experience are exactly what a reorganized H&B needs as we move into the future.” Prior to joining H&B, Beaird served as an investment banker with Legg Mason and Friedman, Billings, Ramsey (FBR) in Washington DC as well as KeyBanc Capital Markets in Denver, CO. Beaird earned his undergraduate degree from Iowa State University in 1997 and his MBA at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania in 2003. Beaird is a die-hard baseball fan. He’s also an avid mountaineer having summited Mount Everest in Tibetan China, Denali in Alaska, and a number of other significant peaks in the U.S., South America, and Europe. Beard is also a distance runner and triathlete. He and his wife Jill live in Louisville and have two children, Boden and Bronwyn. About Hillerich & Bradsby Co. Hillerich & Bradsby Co. is a fifth-generation manufacturer of sporting goods with roots dating to 1859. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, the company makes Louisville Slugger wood bats, the Official Bat of Major League Baseball, for Wilson Sporting Goods. H&B also owns and operates the world class Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory™ in downtown Louisville. The company designs and sells Bionic Gloves for a variety of sports and activities. H&B also owns Powerbilt golf equipment - golf’s oldest family-owned brand – founded in 1916.

New York Arborist and Author Honored with International Award CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (August 10, 2015) – Dr. Chris Luley of Naples, New York, is this year’s recipient of the International Society of Arboriculture’s (ISA) R.W Harris Author’s Citation Award. This Award of Distinction is given to authors who consistently publish works providing information on research in the field of arboriculture. Click here for a video of Dr. Chris Luley. Luley, vice president and pathologist for Urban Forestry LLC in Naples, has published more than 50 technical articles and given presentations on a wide range of urban forestry and pathology topics. “Dr. Luley recognized a need within the industry,” says Mark Roberts, ISA board president. “His Visual Identification Series of books provide arborists with easy-to-use arboricultural guides.” Luley is author of three popular industry guide books sold by the ISA. ABCs of Pruning, Wood Decay Fungi, and Landscape Pest Management make up the Visual Identification Series. In addition to writing these books, Dr. Luley is also a contributing author and technical editor/reviewer for many other ISA publications. “Most of what I have written so far barely scratches the surface,” says Luley. “The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know. The arboricultural industry has inherent value to society but we still have a huge need for research, critical thinking, and evaluation, as well as, a way to present the information to arborists in a comprehensive way.” ISA honored Luley at a ceremony on Sunday, August 9th in Orlando, Florida as part of the 91st Annual ISA International Conference and Trade Show. Dr. Luley is one of nine distinguished professionals who make up the circle of winners for ISA’s 2015 Awards of Distinction, sponsored by Bartlett Tree Experts. Robert Bartlett Jr., chairman and CEO of Bartlett Tree Experts added, “Regardless of size or location, every tree care company benefits when individuals endeavor to further our industry through education, science and technology. That’s why I continue to believe it is vitally important to support the Awards of Distinction and recognize outstanding work like that of this year’s recipients.” ISA, with more than 20,000 members making up the organization worldwide, has been honoring members and industry professionals with the Awards of Distinction since 1963. Nine categories recognize candidates in such areas as research, publishing, education, and advancing the cause of the organization. The winners are selected by a diverse group of experts in arboriculture. ABOUT ISA The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), headquartered in Champaign, Ill., is a nonprofit organization supporting tree care research and education around the world. To promote the importance of arboriculture, ISA manages the consumer education web site, www.treesaregood.org, which fulfills the association’s mission to help educate the public about the importance and value of proper tree care. Also, as part of ISA’s dedication to the care and preservation of shade and ornamental trees, it offers the only internationally-recognized certification program in the industry. For more information on ISA and Certified Arborists, visit www.isa-arbor.com. ABOUT BARTLETT TREE EXPERTS The F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company was founded in 1907 by Francis A. Bartlett and is the world’s leading scientific tree and shrub care company. The organization’s current chairman, Robert A. Bartlett Jr., represents the third generation of Bartlett family management. Bartlett has locations in 27 U.S. states, Canada, Ireland, and Great Britain. Services include pruning, insect and disease management, fertilization and soil care, cabling and bracing, tree lightning protection systems, and tree and stump removal. Its corporate offices are located in Stamford, Connecticut. Editor’s Note: Photos are available upon request. To arrange an interview with Dr. Chris Luley, contact Julie Gaier at 262-786-5970 or julie@trg-marketing.com. Dr. Christoper Luley – R.W. Harris Author’s Citation Dr. Chris Luley, vice president and pathologist for Urban Forestry LLC in Naples, New York, recognized a need within the industry for straightforward information presented in a format that working arborists could easily access and use. As a result, Dr. Luley developed the “Visual Identification Series” of books, beginning with the popular Wood Decay Fungi and followed by Pest Management in the Landscape and The ABCs Field Guide to Young and Small Tree Pruning. All serve as excellent references for arborists in the field. One of Dr. Luley’s greatest contributions to documented research was his involvement in an eight-year pruning study in Rochester, New York, which provided important data on branch failure rates relative to maintenance practices. He believes the industry needs more research-based evidence that supports maintenance practices believed to be beneficial at the population level. Dr. Luley has authored and co-authored more than 50 scientific publications, popular articles, position papers, poster presentations based on his research and practice, and encourages sustained evaluation and investigation within the industry.

American University Names Courtney Surls New Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations Washington, D.C. August 19, 2015 – American University has selected Courtney Surls, currently senior vice president for development at the Newseum, to become AU’s new vice president for development and alumni relations, effective September 15. Surls was selected following a national search and meetings with members of the AU community. “She is an experienced leader whose collaborative style and contagious enthusiasm combined with high performance at remarkable institutions will help us advance AU in unprecedented ways,” said President of American University Neil Kerwin. Surls will lead a fundraising and alumni relations program that has grown in size, scope, ambition and performance over the last few years. She will help AU leverage significant momentum to support strategic priorities, attract new sources of funding, and deepen lifelong relationships between AU and its more than 120,000 alumni. Since 2012, Surls has served as senior vice president for development at the Newseum, where she provided strategic leadership for fundraising, membership, and stewardship and prepared the institution for its next fundraising campaign. Prior to her position at the Newseum, Surls was Vice President of Development at University of Southern California. Surls’s experience also includes positions in development and advancement at Loyola Marymount and as a teacher and development director at an independent school in Los Angeles. She earned her master of education degree in school administration from Loyola Marymount and her bachelor’s degree in music and music curriculum from Iowa State University. In accepting the appointment, Surls said, “I am honored to serve American University at this remarkable time in its history. With strong leadership and exceptionally committed faculty and staff, AU is poised to achieve new levels of distinction in engaging alumni and attracting philanthropic support to realize its bold ambitions.” -AU- Located in Washington D.C., American University is a leader in global education, enrolling a diverse student body from throughout the United States and more than 140 countries and providing opportunities for academic excellence, public service, and internships in the nation’s capital and around the world.

Nimrod family chosen to receive 2015 Farmland Owner Award from Practical Farmers of Iowa AMES, Iowa — Practical Farmers of Iowa’s board of directors is pleased to announce that Dale Nimrod, along with his siblings Faith Sherman and Vance Nimrod, are the 2015 winners of the Practical Farmers Farmland Owner Award. Dale of Decorah, Faith of Des Moines and Vance of Mississippi received the award for selling their farmland to a local farm family at a below-market-value price. The Farmland Owner Award is given to non-operator landlords who use their land to advance stewardship and help get the next generation started on the land. With this award, the organization is calling attention to the huge role non-operator farmland owners are playing in the future success of sustainable agriculture. Thirty-one percent of U.S. agricultural land is owned by non-operator landlords. At the same time, there has been a surge in those wanting to farm. Practical Farmers has 1,600 of these beginning farmers in its network alone. The Nimrods’ parents purchased a farm in southwestern Iowa in 1944, but their father died before he had an opportunity to work the place. Their mother was determined to raise her family on the farm, a feat Dale thinks would have been very difficult without the support of the small town of Stanton and the local church. None of the three Nimrod children grew up to be farmers. In 2005, they decided the best way to pay back that community was to sell their 240 acres to a local family. The family selected for the sale was that of Mark and Melanie Peterson, who were unknown to them before they began searching for the right family. The Nimrods’ sale price and terms were generous and based on the production value, rather than market rate for the land. “We were no different from many aging landowners facing this very common situation: We aspired to find a nice, young family who would appreciate the land, the community and the church, and would invest themselves in caring for all three,” Dale says. “But far too often I have seen owners who fervently hope for such an outcome put their place up for auction with little more than their fingers crossed regarding their community.” “We’re honored to receive this award. We have immense satisfaction in seeing the Petersons on that place.” “What the Nimrods did needs to happen thousands of times over in Iowa,” says Teresa Opheim, who leads Practical Farmers’ farm transfer work. “As Dale Nimrod says, there are more important goals than getting top dollar at auction for your farmland. Helping beginning farmers is one of those goals.” New Hampton farmers Tom and Irene Frantzen, who are members of the Practical Farmers Farm Transfer Committee, will present the award to the Nimrod Family at the PFI annual conference on Jan. 22, 2016, in Ames. Previous winners of the Practical Farmers Farmland Owner Award include Helen Gunderson (2013) and Charlotte Shivvers, Martha Skillman and Marietta Carr (2014). For more on the Nimrods’ story, see practicalfarmers.org/farmtransfer. ### Practical Farmers of Iowa strengthens farms and communities through farmer-led investigation and information-sharing. Our values include: welcoming everyone; creativity, collaboration and community; viable farms now and for future generations; and stewardship and ecology. Founded in 1985, farmers in our network raise corn, soybeans, livestock, hay, fruits and vegetables, and more. To learn more, visit http://practicalfarmers.org.

New York Arborist and Author Honored with International Award CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (August 10, 2015) – Dr. Chris Luley of Naples, New York, is this year’s recipient of the International Society of Arboriculture’s (ISA) R.W Harris Author’s Citation Award. This Award of Distinction is given to authors who consistently publish works providing information on research in the field of arboriculture. Click here for a video of Dr. Chris Luley. Luley, vice president and pathologist for Urban Forestry LLC in Naples, has published more than 50 technical articles and given presentations on a wide range of urban forestry and pathology topics. “Dr. Luley recognized a need within the industry,” says Mark Roberts, ISA board president. “His Visual Identification Series of books provide arborists with easy-to-use arboricultural guides.” Luley is author of three popular industry guide books sold by the ISA. ABCs of Pruning, Wood Decay Fungi, and Landscape Pest Management make up the Visual Identification Series. In addition to writing these books, Dr. Luley is also a contributing author and technical editor/reviewer for many other ISA publications. “Most of what I have written so far barely scratches the surface,” says Luley. “The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know. The arboricultural industry has inherent value to society but we still have a huge need for research, critical thinking, and evaluation, as well as, a way to present the information to arborists in a comprehensive way.” ISA honored Luley at a ceremony on Sunday, August 9th in Orlando, Florida as part of the 91st Annual ISA International Conference and Trade Show. Dr. Luley is one of nine distinguished professionals who make up the circle of winners for ISA’s 2015 Awards of Distinction, sponsored by Bartlett Tree Experts. Robert Bartlett Jr., chairman and CEO of Bartlett Tree Experts added, “Regardless of size or location, every tree care company benefits when individuals endeavor to further our industry through education, science and technology. That’s why I continue to believe it is vitally important to support the Awards of Distinction and recognize outstanding work like that of this year’s recipients.” ISA, with more than 20,000 members making up the organization worldwide, has been honoring members and industry professionals with the Awards of Distinction since 1963. Nine categories recognize candidates in such areas as research, publishing, education, and advancing the cause of the organization. The winners are selected by a diverse group of experts in arboriculture. ABOUT ISA The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), headquartered in Champaign, Ill., is a nonprofit organization supporting tree care research and education around the world. To promote the importance of arboriculture, ISA manages the consumer education web site, www.treesaregood.org, which fulfills the association’s mission to help educate the public about the importance and value of proper tree care. Also, as part of ISA’s dedication to the care and preservation of shade and ornamental trees, it offers the only internationally-recognized certification program in the industry. For more information on ISA and Certified Arborists, visit www.isa-arbor.com. ABOUT BARTLETT TREE EXPERTS The F.A. Bartlett Tree Expert Company was founded in 1907 by Francis A. Bartlett and is the world’s leading scientific tree and shrub care company. The organization’s current chairman, Robert A. Bartlett Jr., represents the third generation of Bartlett family management. Bartlett has locations in 27 U.S. states, Canada, Ireland, and Great Britain. Services include pruning, insect and disease management, fertilization and soil care, cabling and bracing, tree lightning protection systems, and tree and stump removal. Its corporate offices are located in Stamford, Connecticut. To find out more, visit the company’s web site at www.bartlett.com or call 1-877-BARTLETT (227-8538). Editor’s Note: Photos are available upon request. To arrange an interview with Dr. Chris Luley, contact Julie Gaier at 262-786-5970 or julie@trg-marketing.com. Dr. Christoper Luley – R.W. Harris Author’s Citation Dr. Chris Luley, vice president and pathologist for Urban Forestry LLC in Naples, New York, recognized a need within the industry for straightforward information presented in a format that working arborists could easily access and use. As a result, Dr. Luley developed the “Visual Identification Series” of books, beginning with the popular Wood Decay Fungi and followed by Pest Management in the Landscape and The ABCs Field Guide to Young and Small Tree Pruning. All serve as excellent references for arborists in the field. One of Dr. Luley’s greatest contributions to documented research was his involvement in an eight-year pruning study in Rochester, New York, which provided important data on branch failure rates relative to maintenance practices. He believes the industry needs more research-based evidence that supports maintenance practices believed to be beneficial at the population level. Dr. Luley has authored and co-authored more than 50 scientific publications, popular articles, position papers, poster presentations based on his research and practice, and encourages sustained evaluation and investigation within the industry.

Bloch School announces Entrepreneur of the Year Awards honorees The University of Missouri-Kansas City's business school is honoring a veteran entrepreneur who built his Kansas City coffee business by bootstrapping. The Henry W. Bloch School of Management announced the 2015 honorees for its Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, which includes Danny O'Neill, founder of The Roasterie, and Gary White, CEO and cofounder of water.org. The business school named O'Neill as Regional Entrepreneur of the Year, and White will receive the Marion & John Kreamer Award for Social Entrepreneurship. O'Neill founded The Roasterie in the early 1990s and has grown the company to three cafes and a roasting factory with an event space. O'Neill is a "successful innovator" who is "well-regarded" in the industry and serves on multiple advisory boards for Kansas City companies and associations, according to the university.

Mad Men Unzipped: Fans on Sex, Love, and the Sixties on TV Iowa City, IA—This is the story of the Mad Men fan phenomenon: how the show and its fans distinguished themselves in a market where it’s hard to make an impression. In this book, four media psychologists who also happen to be dedicated Mad Men fans explore how the show’s viewers make meaning from fictional drama. The authors also interviewed several contemporary advertising industry professionals, getting their inside view of the business in its modern guise and what they make of the show’s vision of their past. The result is cutting-edge psychological research that crunches and codes online fan commentary to understand how fans use the show to debate complex social issues. In answering questions like: What do the 1960s mean to us today, and how well does the twenty-first century measure up against that famously turbulent decade? Which characters do fans identify with—and which ones do they love to hate? How would fans unfurl the Mad Men storylines if they were in charge? What makes a good man, and has it changed over time? How should husbands and wives treat each other, and how should parents treat their children? The authors explore not just the online commentary but also fan fiction, cosplay, cocktail making, and vintage furniture collecting. Whether tweeting as one of the main characters (or just a lowly mail clerk), setting Peggy up with the man who’ll treat her right, or figuring out which “Mad Man” they are at heart, fans integrate the show into their lives and use it to make sense of their own choices in work, leisure, and love. Praise “The most fun you can have when you’re not watching Mad Men . . . learning about the new world of storytelling where fans aren’t just spectators anymore.”—Helen Klein Ross, @bettydraper “A timely and thoughtful exploration of fans’ active engagement with the series and how we, as audience members, make sense out of the media we consume, often by reshaping that media to reflect our own values and desires.”—Katherine Larsen, coauthor, Fangasm: Supernatural Fangirls Karen E. Dill-Shackleford is a professor of psychology at Fielding Graduate University and the author of How Fantasy Becomes Reality: Seeing through Media Influence. She makes her home in Hickory, North Carolina. Cynthia Vinney is a psychology graduate student at Fielding Graduate University and has worked as a user experience designer for major advertising agencies and clients including Mandalay Bay, Acura, and VIZIO. She resides in Los Angeles, California. Jerri Lynn Hogg teaches psychology at Fielding Graduate University and is a senior research fellow at the Media ] Psychology Research Center. Kristin Hopper-Losenicky is a psychology graduate student at Fielding Graduate University and a lecturer in journalism and women’s studies at Iowa State University. She lives in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Mad Men Unzipped is available for sale at bookstores or directly from the University of Iowa Press at 800-621-2736 or uiowapress.org. Customers in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, or Africa may order from the Eurospan Group at eurospanbookstore.com.

RIT to offer bachelor’s degree in digital humanities and social sciences Degree will combine technology and liberal arts subjects A new major being offered at Rochester Institute of Technology is designed to change the way people think of a liberal arts degree. A bachelor’s degree in digital humanities and social sciences – the first of its kind in the nation – will combine core liberal arts studies with technical courses such as computer programming to better prepare graduates for employment. Students will be registered in Fall 2016. “After decades of increased demand for specialized, highly technical skillsets, employers – and society – are facing a problem. They’ve found many of today’s challenges cannot be solved by technology alone, and many professionals lack the broad skills to play a role in driving change,” said James Winebrake, dean of RIT’s College of Liberal Arts. “There is a great need for more intentional integration of liberal arts disciplines into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curricula.” Students in the degree program will use new and emerging technology in their humanistic and social science studies. For example, their research could involve developing computer programs to mine data or digitally preserve artifacts and literature found in museums and libraries. “We think this is going to change the way people think about liberal arts degrees,” said Lisa Hermsen, RIT’s Caroline Werner Gannett Chair of Humanities. “We know employers want students with strong communication and critical thinking skills. Now we’re adding computational skills and the ability to use and work with digital tools.” The bachelor’s degree program will be in addition to a program offering a minor in digital humanities, which was offered at RIT two years ago. More liberal arts backgrounds have been infused in traditional technical majors, part of RIT’s strategic plan to offer more educational opportunities with collaboration across departments and other colleges at RIT. All RIT students, regardless of their majors, are required to take liberal arts courses. “RIT is poised to offer the new major because we have exceptional programs already in humanities, social sciences, information technology, game design and media studies,” Hermsen said. “Now we are bringing this all together to educate students on the important role that technology plays in today’s world and what it means to be human and live socially.” The students majoring in digital humanities and social sciences will start learning basic programming and design principles in web development courses as well as learning the history of media technologies and digital culture. Later, they will construct the core of their curriculum to shape a degree that will meet their career desires. Courses being offered include Culture and Computers, Media Archeology, Digital Storytelling and Ethics in the Emerging Digital Era. Students will follow RIT’s co-op model of at least one semester of experiential, on-the-job learning. Tamar Carroll, a faculty member in RIT’s Department of History, will be the program’s first director. An advisory board will include members from RIT’s College of Liberal Arts, B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing & Information Sciences and the College of Imaging Arts & Sciences. “This benefits not just students in liberal arts, students and faculty in all three colleges are going to benefit,” she said. Lisa Hermsen, who received her PhD from Iowa State University in 2002, is featured in the article. Lisa was the lead on the proposal in terms of its design and primary author of the proposal submitted to the NY Dept. of Education for approval. She will be teaching the first course in the degree requirements next semester. As her role as Caroline Werner Gannett Chair she provides support to the Program Director: develops opportunities for student projects, provides faculty research support, makes internal and external connections, raises funds, and writes grants. She is also organizing a regional conference on the topic of undergraduate digital humanities and social sciences.

Local, Iowa Author Jarod Meyer who once faced death himself, delves into the world of the Afterlife / William of Archonia “Redemption” The Imaginative and self-animated author, Jarod Meyer, has touched many hearts and souls through his book based on the afterlife. His new book, William of Archonia “Redemption”, delivers 362 gritty pages to take the reader on a historic journey of trials and triumphs in the afterlife! Anyone who seeks redemption and peace MUST purchase and read this action-packed journey of a novel. Des Moines, Iowa – October 17th, 2015 – Jarod Meyer is not just an amazing author, but places the reader in the shoes of his character’s during his book release signing held at Jasper Winery in Des Moines, Iowa on Saturday, October 17th . With over 70 people in attendance, Mr. Meyer gave two readings from his book with the help from one the female attendees to play the part of William’s fellow warrior. One must read this book and see for themselves as words cannot describe the beauty and horror that follows William of Archonia on his epic journey. “This book is perfect for someone who is fascinated by fantasy and sword play. The book is best for readers of the age of 13 and older. The following is a brief description of this first in a four part series “Redemption”. “William has had a tough life, but when that life comes to an end he could not possibly be prepared for the next. He is plunged into a world on another plane of existence known as Archonia, Where physical boundaries no longer bind him. Fighting alongside ancient heroes long dead he discovers that he can fly, lift massive objects, and even move at super speeds. He trains to become a Guardian and makes many Allies along the way. During his trials he uncovers a plot that threatens the peace in this beautiful afterlife. After the plot is sprung a great battle ensues where he must use his new found abilities to defeat the most horrifying demons and beasts imaginable. Along the way finding love friendship and a new way of life”. About the Author Jarod graduated from Iowa State University in 2010 with a bachelor of arts. He is currently employed with Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. Jarod's goal has always been to use his imagination to create something. For many years he didn't know what that was. In the past few years he has discovered a talent for conveying his dreams into the written word. His goal in life is to make a positive impact in the world and to stifle negativity wherever possible. “You must be the change that you wish to see in this world” ~Ghandi

Land O’Lakes, Inc. Promotes Beth Ford (Arden Hills, Minn.) Nov. 10, 2015 – Land O’Lakes, Inc. announced today that Beth Ford has been promoted to group executive vice president and chief operating officer for the Purina Animal Nutrition and U.S. Dairy Foods businesses. In addition, she will retain her previous responsibilities for Supply Chain and Operations, Information Technology and Research and Development across the entire Land O’Lakes, Inc. enterprise. “Beth has done a remarkable job of establishing and leading a fully integrated supply chain and operations function. Adding IT and R&D to her responsibilities has resulted in even stronger functional teamwork and improved operating effectiveness. These accomplishments and her stronger partnerships with the business units opened new opportunities with our customers and built capabilities for continued rapid growth,” said Chris Policinski, president and CEO of Land O’Lakes, Inc. “Beth’s promotion continues my commitment to executive development and succession management.” Ford joined Land O’Lakes in 2011 from International Flavors and Fragrances (IFF). At IFF, she was responsible for optimizing the company’s global manufacturing infrastructure, including consolidation of multiple international facilities as well as the construction of new manufacturing facilities in India, China and Singapore. Prior to IFF, she held leadership positions at companies in multiple industries including PepsiCo/Pepsi Bottling Group, Mobil Oil and Scholastic Corporation. About Land O'Lakes, Inc. Land O'Lakes, Inc., one of America's premier agribusiness and food companies, is a member-owned cooperative with industry-leading operations that span the spectrum from agricultural production to consumer foods. With 2014 annual sales of $15 billion, Land O'Lakes is one of the nation's largest cooperatives, ranking 203 on the Fortune 500. Building on a legacy of more than 94 years of operation, Land O'Lakes today operates some of the most respected brands in agribusiness and food production including LAND O LAKES Dairy Foods, Purina Animal Nutrition and WinField Solutions. The company does business in all 50 states and more than 60 countries. Land O'Lakes, Inc. corporate headquarters are located in Arden Hills, Minn.

I am an Ames native who studied pre-med at Iowa State 1956-59. I'm a life member of the ISU Alumni Association. I am announcing my retirement from 52 years of practicing general medicine and psychiatry since graduation from the U of I med school in 1963! After internship at LA County General Hospital I then served two years in the US Navy as a general medical officer in Vietnam and in San Francisco followed by psychiatric residency at Stanford University, completed in 1972. Subsequently I moved back to San Francisco where I have combined solo private practice with volunteer teaching as a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Univ of California San Francisco (UCSF) medical school these many years. I have also served as Presidents of the San Francisco Medical Society, of the Northern California Psychiatric Society, and of the Association of the Clinical Faculty at UCSF where I've received several teaching, community service and clinical awards. Along the way I have also published three book chapters and over fifty articles, essays and editorials in various journals. I've enjoyed visiting Ames and Iowa State frequently over these many years and plan to continue that practice. I like to think this Iowa farm boy has done ok in the Big City of San Francisco over this long career in medicine. Greetings to old friends and classmates from Ames and ISU! Dr Steve Walsh

AAVSB Announces 2015-2016 Board of Directors Kansas City, MO (November 6, 2015) - The American Association of Veterinary State Boards (AAVSB) is pleased to announce the members of its 2015-2016 Board of Directors. Elections were held at the 2015 AAVSB Annual Meeting and Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on September 19, 2015. John Lawrence, DVM, was reelected as President. He will serve in this role for a one-year term. Frank Walker, DVM, moved from his position as Treasurer to President-Elect. Mark Olson, DVM, moved from his position as Director to Treasurer. Per a change to the AAVSB Bylaws in 2014, two new Director positions were added to the board's roster. Kim Gemeinhardt, DVM, and Walter Robinson, DVM, were elected to the open positions as Directors. Dr. Gemeinhardt joins the Board of Directors after most recently serving as Chair of the AAVSB Conference Committee. She is a member of the North Carolina Veterinary Medical Board. Dr. Robinson most recently served on the AAVSB Bylaws & Resolution Committee. He is a member of the South Carolina Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners. Leslie Knachel was also elected to the position of Director. She had previously been appointed to that role to fill a mid-term vacancy. Ms. Knachel is the Executive Director of the Virginia Board of Veterinary Medicine. "The current AAVSB Board of Directors is a uniquely qualified group of men and women dedicated to veterinary regulation," said Dr. Lawrence. "I am proud to work with these extraordinary leaders as we lead the association in its mission to ease the public protection burden of its member licensing boards." The current AAVSB Board of Directors consists of the following individuals: John Lawrence, DVM (Minnesota), President Beckey Malphus, DVM (Georgia), Immediate Past President Frank Walker, DVM (North Dakota), President-Elect Mark Olson, DVM (Kansas), Treasurer Kim Gemeinhardt, DVM (North Carolina), Director Michael Gotchey, DVM (Colorado), Director Leslie Knachel (Virginia), Director Roger Redman, DVM (Ohio), Director Walter Robinson, DVM (South Carolina), Director Chris Runde, DVM (Maryland), Director James T. Penrod, CAE, FASLA, Ex-Officio Member (non-voting), Secretary & Executive Director About the AAVSB: The AAVSB is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to reliably provide quality resources and accurate information for veterinary regulatory agencies and professionals in the interest of public protection. The membership of the AAVSB consists of 59 jurisdictions representing all of the United States and the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and six Canadian provinces: Alberta, Ontario, British Columbia, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Saskatchewan.

Bell Nunnally Adds Three Attorneys DALLAS (Oct. 13, 2015) – Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP has added three attorneys – Peter J. Kosydar, III; Scott R. Larson and Murphy C. Sayre. The firm, one of the largest in Northern Texas, continues to expand and has now added seven attorneys in 2015. “We are excited to welcome Peter, Scott and Murphy to the firm. We look forward to watching their careers progress and are confident that they will thrive in our collegial, client-first environment,” said James Skochdopole, managing partner of Bell Nunnally. Kosydar joins Bell Nunnally’s Corporate and Securities, Mergers and Acquisitions and Tax practice areas. Dual-licensed in Texas and Michigan, he joins the firm from the Kalamazoo, Mich. office of Kreis, Enderle, Hudgins & Borsos, P.C. Kosydar employs his business and accounting background to assist clients with a range of issues including entity formation, contract drafting and negotiation and mergers and acquisitions. He is a graduate of Notre Dame Law School (J.D., 2012) and the University of Oklahoma (M.A. and B.B.A., 2008). Larson joins the firm’s Litigation practice and will focus on complex commercial litigation. He is an alumnus of SMU Dedman School of Law (J.D., magna cum laude 2015), where he graduated in the top ten percent of his class and attained Order of the Coif. Active at SMU, Larson won the national Duberstein Bankruptcy Moot Court Competition and served as president of SMU Law Review Association. In 2014, Larson served as a teaching assistant at SMU for Senior District Judge A. Joe Fish of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Larson received his undergraduate degree at Iowa State University (B.A., 2012). Sayre joins the firm’s Commercial Finance, Corporate and Securities, Mergers and Acquisitions and Real Estate practices. He graduated with honors from the University of Texas School of Law (J.D., 2015), where he was a member of the Texas Environmental Law Journal. Sayre comes to the firm after interning for a law firm, an energy company and a technology incubator. In addition, he clerked for Judge Ruben G. Reyes of the 72nd District Court in Lubbock, Tex. Sayre also attended the University of the South (B.S., 2012). About Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP With more than 50 attorneys and three decades of doing business, Bell Nunnally & Martin LLP is among the most respected business law firms in Texas, one of the 25 largest in North Texas and one of the state’s fastest-growing firms. The depth of the firm’s knowledge and breadth of its expertise sets Bell Nunnally apart. The firm provides a full range of services, including litigation, appellate law, commercial finance, corporate and securities, creditors’ rights, bankruptcy, health law, intellectual property, labor and employment, immigration, real estate, entertainment, mergers and acquisitions, estate planning, tax and white collar criminal defense. Bell Nunnally is regularly singled out as a “Go-To” firm by America’s largest companies each year in Corporate Counsel magazine.

Merck Animal Health Honors Dr. Dean Christianson for His Commitment to Next Generation of Bovine Veterinarians MADISON, N.J. - In recognition of his commitment to mentoring bovine veterinary students and young veterinarians, Merck Animal Health (known as MSD Animal Health outside of the United States and Canada) and the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) presented Dean Christianson, D.V.M., with the Mentor of the Year Award at this year’s AABP Annual Conference. The annual award honors an individual who is dedicated to educating, guiding and advancing the careers of future bovine veterinarians. “Dr. Christianson’s contributions to veterinary medicine and his ongoing commitment to cultivating the next generation of bovine veterinarians is truly impressive and deserving of recognition,” said Norman Stewart, D.V.M., livestock and technical services manager for Merck Animal Health. “We commend his dedication to the veterinary medical profession, as well as his contribution of time, knowledge and real-world experiences for students and young veterinarians.” For nearly 30 years, Dr. Christianson has opened his doors to countless veterinary students and new veterinarians to share practical insights of working with clients and the animal patients within a rural veterinary clinic. “The value and recognition of being a mentor is akin to financial investing – the return often comes years or even decades after the fact,” said M. Gatz Riddell, Jr., D.V.M., executive vice president of AABP. “Oftentimes, mentees are unaware of the process at the time, and only years later realize the impact an individual had on their life and career. This is why Dean and other lifetime mentors like him are so worthy of this recognition." Veterinary students in their third or fourth year of college are eligible to receive the award. Recipients of the scholarship are selected based on academic achievement, career goals, work experience and interest in veterinary medicine. Taking a hands-on approach, Dr. Christianson teaches by example. “His philosophy is ‘see one, do one’,” said Kristi Pennington, D.V.M. with the Dakota Prairie Veterinary Clinic, who worked for Dr. Christianson after veterinary school. “What I learned from him in two years has been invaluable in my veterinary career. On a weekly basis, I use many of the techniques that he taught me 20 years ago.” She also credits him with encouraging herself and other female veterinary students to pursue large animal veterinary medicine. As president of the Academy of Rural Veterinarians (ARV), Dr. Christianson further cultivates the mission of mentoring young veterinarians among his colleagues. Under his direction, ARV sponsors numerous student externships each year, and members regularly visit undergraduate and high school classes to expose youth to careers in veterinary medicine. Within his own clinic in Ashley, North Dakota, it’s not uncommon for Dr. Christianson to host five to 10 veterinary students annually. Love of the veterinary profession, as well as concern about the long-term accessibility of rural veterinarians for producers, drives his efforts. “I think what he likes most about being a veterinarian is the relationship and bond he has with his clients,” Dr. Pennington said. “He wants to share that with students and let them see how enriching a veterinary career in a rural community can be.” A native of South Dakota, Dr. Christianson received a Bachelor of Science in microbiology at South Dakota State University. He went on to the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine, graduating in 1984. From there, he practiced at the Eureka Veterinary Clinic in Eureka, South Dakota. In 1986, Dr. Christianson moved to Ashley, North Dakota, to open the Ashley Veterinary Clinic, which he owns and operates today. Dr. Christianson is an active member of numerous veterinary organizations, including AABP, and is the ninth recipient of the Mentor of the Year Award, which was instituted in 2007.

Ann Bauer Selected for The Best Lawyers in America (St. Louis, Missouri) The Center for Family Law is pleased to announce that Ann Bauer has been selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America 2016. Bauer has been practicing family law for 21 years. She previously spent more than 15 years working with families in early childhood education and has a deep appreciation for the challenges facing parents and children of separation. She is one of only 37 Missouri attorneys to be a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), an organization promoting the highest degree of professionalism and excellence in the practice of family law. She was recognized in 2005-2008 and 2011-2015 as a "Super Lawyer" in Family Law by Super Lawyers of Missouri and Kansas. This is her second year being honored by Best Lawyers. Some of her numerous organizations include the Missouri Bar Association (Family Law Section Chair 2003-05), Bar Association of Metropolitan St. Louis Family Law Section, Missouri Chapter of the Association of Family Conciliation Courts (founding member), St. Louis Collaborative Family Law Association (founding member and current president), and Woman’s Place (former board president). Bauer is known for her service to many organizations that work to improve the practice of family law and services to families involved in the court system. Legal Services of Eastern Missouri named her Volunteer Lawyer of the Year in 2001; The Missouri Bar honored her in 2012 with an award for her pro bono work; and in 2013, the Missouri Bar Family Law Section named her the Family Law Practitioner of the Year. Bauer, a resident of Clayton, MO, holds a B.S. from Iowa State University, M.Ed from Loyola University (The Erikson Institute of Child Development), and J.D. from Washington University School of Law. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation. Over 79,000 leading attorneys globally are eligible to vote, and we have received more than 12 million votes to date on the legal abilities of other lawyers based on their specific practice areas around the world. For the 2016 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America, 6.7 million votes were analyzed, which resulted in more than 55,000 leading lawyers being included in the new edition. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers "the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice." The Center for Family Law is a group of experienced attorneys who focus on your future by providing creative options and solutions to complex family matters. The firm offers recommendations about mediation, collaborative practice or litigation for handling divorce and legal separation. Other matters handled include child custody and visitation, child support, modification of judgments, enforcement of judgments, paternity, unmarried rights, domestic partnerships and adoption. Helping clients to move forward in a positive way, the attorneys also assist with family business matters, estate planning, probate, guardianship and conservatorship. www.thecenterforfamilylaw.com

Samuel “Luke” Craven (‘01) was recognized by Great Plains Super Lawyers 2015 in the area of Personal Injury General: Plaintiff (Rising Stars 2015)

Jonathan E. Kramer (‘97) was recognized by Great Plains Super Lawyers 2015 in the area of Creditor Debtor Rights (Rising Stars 2015)

Jeffrey D. Stone (’76) was recognized by Great Plains Super Lawyers 2015 in the area of Construction Litigation

Kevin M. Reynolds (‘78) was recognized by Great Plains Super Lawyers 2015 in the area of Personal Injury Defense – Product

The most powerful lessons of leadership do not come at once, but are learned and re-learned through time, trial and error. In Pearls of Leadership Wisdom, Volume II, Sandra Davis neatly shares what she's learned during a lifetime of leadership consulting with many of the nation's top employers. You'll gain immediately applicable insights to maximize your leadership potential. "We all begin as budding leaders, charged with specific roles and responsibilities, and over time and with influence from others, we hopefully grow into better and more accomplished versions of ourselves. We also become more adept at 'getting' and understanding how key learnings and life lessons translate into actionable behaviors and results." (Sandra Davis, Pearls of Leadership Wisdom, Volume II) Review ''Given that Cargill does business in 140 countries, often in very challenging political and economic environments, our leaders must be ready to address a variety of often unforeseen challenges. Sandra Davis has made a career of identifying and developing leaders equipped to excel, whatever the circumstances. Pearls of Leadership Wisdom, Volume II skillfully summarizes Sandra's lifelong advocacy for well-prepared leadership.'' -- Gregory R. Page, Executive Chairman, Cargill ''As 21st century organizations expand globally, they need leaders who can deliver organizational results and lead others effectively in a global context. As Sandra Davis writes in Pearls of Leadership Wisdom, Volume II: 'All leaders need to regularly lift up their eyes and be mindful of the world around them.' Sandra's experience, insights and deep understanding of the realities and opportunities of leadership shine through in this book.'' -- Tak Chan, CEO, Mobley Group Pacific, Ltd. ''In a way, quality industrial products are a bit like excellent leadership: often not fully noticed when things are going well. What makes Sandra Davis such a standout is her ability to offer great leadership guidance, insight and value, whether you're seeking incremental improvements or needing to take a different course of action.'' --Mark Blinn, President and CEO, Flowserve ''Just as Sandra has significantly benefitted our organization with her expertise on succession, development and coaching, I'm betting she'll have a similarly positive impact on yours. Don't miss out on Sandra's wisdom in this book.'' --Jennie P. Carlson, Executive Vice President, Human Resources, U.S. Bancorp ''I have worked with Sandra Davis and have experienced firsthand how strong 'followership' can be strengthened in leaders with the right mix of awareness, humility and applied technique. In Pearls of Leadership Wisdom, Sandra demonstrates a magical ability to translate complex leadership and talent development subjects into clear and actionable solutions.'' -- Jeff Gennette, President, Macy's Inc. ''Witnessing firsthand the wisdom and spot-on insight that Sandra Davis brings to her board consulting, I'm not surprised that Sandra's Pearls of Leadership Wisdom has been so well-received by so many, offering just the right advice in the right way and at the right time.'' --Joe Harlan, Chief Commercial Officer and Vice Chairman Market Businesses, The Dow Chemical Company ''As I have shared with my NACD colleagues, no one has all the answers or can predict the future. Yet each of us has at least some of the answers and by revealing our ideas and experiences we are able to enrich others. That's really what Sandra Davis is all about: sharing her ideas, experiences and knowledge to help enlighten, improve and benefit others.'' -- Reatha Clark King, Ph.D. Board Chair, National Association of Corporate Directors (NACD) --Reviews Sandra Davis is chair and co-founder of MDA Leadership Consulting in Minneapolis, a premier national leadership-development firm. As leader of MDA's CEO and Board Services, Sandra specializes in working with CEOs and boards on CEO selection and succession planning, senior-executive talent strategies, and executive coaching for C-suite leaders. She is widely known as an industry thought leader, counting many Fortune 500 firms among her clients. Sandra earned her Ph.D. in counseling psychology with an emphasis in industrial/organizational psychology from the University of Minnesota, and she is a fellow of the Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology and of the American Psychological Association. She has authored numerous professional articles on topics related to assessment, leadership development, coaching, and succession, as well as the books Pearls of Leadership Wisdom and Reinventing Yourself: Life Planning After 50.

Josh Alland (BS Meteorology '13) and Kristy Carter (BS Meteorology '13) were named Co-Chairs of the American Meteorological Society's Student Conference for both the 2016 and 2017 student conferences which take part each year in conjunction with the American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting. The 2016 conference will take place 9-10 January 2016 in New Orleans, LA.

NCEES honors Iowa professional engineer William Bathie for service William Bathie, P.E., of Ames, Iowa, has been awarded the NCEES Distinguished Examination Service Award for his dedicated service to NCEES and the engineering profession. Bathie received the award at the organization’s 94th annual meeting, held August 19–22, 2015, in Williamsburg, Virginia. Bathie began volunteering with the Principles and Practice of Engineering Mechanical Exam Development Committee in 1979 and has attended almost all of its meetings over the last 35 years. His service and leadership were key during two major transitions for the PE Mechanical exam. He served as vice chair of the exam’s development committee from 1993 to 1998, during the exam’s transition from essay only to a combination of essay and multiple-choice questions. He then served as chair from 1998 to 2003, during which time the exam changed to a complete multiple-choice exam with depth and breadth sections. Today, he remains an active member of the PE Mechanical Exam Development Committee. This includes serving as “exam champion” for the Thermal and Fluid Systems module for two exams, which involves working with an exam from assembly through administration to the review of final performance statistics to ensure consistency. He also continues to be a resource and mentor for new leaders on the Thermal and Fluid Systems subcommittee. A licensed professional engineer since 1968, Bathie is an emeritus professor of mechanical engineering at Iowa State University. He is also a graduate of Iowa State, receiving his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering. He is a member and Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

NCEES installs Conzett as president Michael Conzett, P.E., accepted the position of NCEES president at the conclusion of the organization’s 94th annual meeting, held August 19–22 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Having completed a one-year term as president-elect, he will now serve as president for 2015–16. A resident of Omaha, Nebraska, Conzett has been a member of the Nebraska Board of Engineers and Architects since 2003. He is a former board chair as well as a former NCEES Central Zone vice president. Conzett has been a licensed professional engineer since 1982. In 2014, he retired as vice president and senior project manager with HDR Inc. in Omaha, Nebraska, after 30 years of service. Conzett is a graduate of Iowa State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in sanitary engineering. He is also a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. In his speech accepting the office of NCEES president, Conzett discussed the need to better communicate the importance of engineering and surveying licensure. He said, “Licensure is important because it compels us to think differently about the work we do every day. It reminds us of our duty to place the interest of the public over and above our duty to any other party.”

Employment Attorney Emily Pontius Joins Fredrikson & Byron’s Des Moines Office Des Moines (August 12, 2015) – Attorney Emily S. Pontius joins Fredrikson & Byron’s Employment & Labor and Litigation Groups. Pontius defends employers against allegations of sex discrimination, age discrimination, race discrimination, FMLA and ADA violations, wrongful termination in violation of public policy, and tortious interference. To help employers maintain a productive workplace and avoid litigation, Pontius partners with clients to provide supervisor and manager training, investigate internal discrimination complaints, provide reasonable accommodations to disabled employees, and navigate issues surrounding family and medical leave. Pontius also provides specialized advice and litigates on behalf of colleges and universities in disputes concerning faculty discipline, tenure and promotion, student conduct, and accommodation of students with disabilities. Fredrikson & Byron is a 275-attorney law firm based in Minneapolis, with offices in Bismarck, Des Moines, Fargo, St. Paul, Monterrey, Mexico, and Shanghai, China. Fredrikson & Byron has a reputation as the firm “where law and business meet”. Our attorneys bring business acumen and entrepreneurial thinking to work with clients, and operate as business advisors and strategic partners, as well as legal counselors. More information about the firm is available at www.fredlaw.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and on Twitter @FredriksonLaw.

American University Names Courtney Surls New Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations Contact: Kelly L. Alexander, University Communications, 202-885-5952 or kellya@american.edu Washington, D.C. August 19, 2015 – American University has selected Courtney Surls, currently senior vice president for development at the Newseum, to become AU’s new vice president for development and alumni relations, effective September 15. Surls was selected following a national search and meetings with members of the AU community. “She is an experienced leader whose collaborative style and contagious enthusiasm combined with high performance at remarkable institutions will help us advance AU in unprecedented ways,” said President of American University Neil Kerwin. Surls will lead a fundraising and alumni relations program that has grown in size, scope, ambition and performance over the last few years. She will help AU leverage significant momentum to support strategic priorities, attract new sources of funding, and deepen lifelong relationships between AU and its more than 120,000 alumni. Since 2012, Surls has served as senior vice president for development at the Newseum, where she provided strategic leadership for fundraising, membership, and stewardship and prepared the institution for its next fundraising campaign. Prior to her position at the Newseum, Surls was Vice President of Development at University of Southern California. Surls’s experience also includes positions in development and advancement at Loyola Marymount and as a teacher and development director at an independent school in Los Angeles. She earned her master of education degree in school administration from Loyola Marymount and her bachelor’s degree in music and music curriculum from Iowa State University. In accepting the appointment, Surls said, “I am honored to serve American University at this remarkable time in its history. With strong leadership and exceptionally committed faculty and staff, AU is poised to achieve new levels of distinction in engaging alumni and attracting philanthropic support to realize its bold ambitions.”

Shanda Takes Office as USITT’s New President Mark Shanda, professor of theatre design and technology and former Dean of Arts and Humanities at The Ohio State University, has begun a three-year term as president of USITT, the United States Institute for Theatre Technology. Shanda actually will serve a five-year commitment to USITT. Elected in January 2014, he spent the past year as President-Elect learning from Immediate-Past President Lea Asbell-Swanger. After completing his three-year term as President in 2018, he’ll also spend a year as Immediate-Past President assisting his successor. Shanda is known for his expertise in theatre technology and is co-author of two books with his mentor and friend, Dennis Dorn of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Drafting for the Theatre is a textbook in use by theatre programs throughout the country for over twenty years. Shanda and Dorn’s new book, Technical Management for the Performing Arts: Utilizing Time, Talent and Money, will be released by Routledge (formerly Focal Press) in December. Shanda also is a leader in evaluating college tenure and promotion cases, and helped devise the USITT Tenure & Promotion Guidelines for technical theatre faculty. A native of Perry, Iowa, Shanda received his BA in political science and speech/theatre from Iowa State University and his MFA in theatre technology from UW-Madison. He joined the OSU faculty 30 years ago as an assistant professor and has since become a tenured full professor. He also served as chair of the OSU Department of Theatre, and as Dean of Arts and Humanities, a post he recently left to return to the classroom and lead USITT. USITT is the national non-profit association serving performing arts and live entertainment design and technology professionals. The 54-year-old, 4,000-member organization aims to advance the skills and knowledge of theatre technology practitioners and provide opportunities for them to connect, create, share, and promote their craft. Shanda has been active in USITT since 1986, as a member, board member, Vice President for Publications, and was named a Fellow of the Institute in 2012. “USITT is an industry leader in education, safety training, preserving theatrical heritage, and advancing diversity and inclusion in the industry,” Shanda said. “What an honor to serve this great organization at this time!" Besides teaching production management and theatre technology at Ohio State, Shanda continues to oversee the university’s ongoing $200 million Arts District Project, which will expand its music school and the Wexner Center for the Arts, and provide a new home for the theatre department and a growing program in Moving Image Production. Shanda and his wife, Ginny, live in Columbus. They have two daughters, Ann and Kay.

Dare to Dream, Dare to Act is an unconventional biography filled with real stories of creativity, innovation, risk and success. Terry Rich is a proven CEO, leader, marketer and businessman who shares the method behind developing innovative ideas into successful actions throughout his professional career. "When I was growing up, people were always saying I was creative. For years I thought it was a polite way of telling me I was a little bit crazy. And I probably am a little bit crazy. I live to constantly come up with ideas that people don't quite know what to do with... ideas that seem not tried or break all the rules. But you're reading this book because I've found ways to put good ideas into action. So if you're looking for ways to create an innovative environment in your life, here's my advice to consider or throw away: Dare to Dream and Dare to Act."

Elizabeth Fox works in healthcare Library and Information Science at Trinity College of Nursing and Health Sciences in Rock Island, Illinois. Elizabeth previously taught full-time Business Communication in the Haworth College of Business at Western Michigan University.

Elizabeth Fox qualified for and swam in the United States Masters National swim meet in Omaha, Nebraska. Elizabeth swam the 400 Individual Medley and the 100 Butterfly.

Elizabeth Fox earned a second Masters Degree, Library and Information Science, from the University of Illinois Champaign.

Iowa State University graduate Lillian Howard has landed a place in the Master of Science Program in Genetic Counseling at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. The program is one of only 32 nationwide that offer a master's degrees in Genetic Counseling -- a requirement for anyone wanting to pursue a career in the increasingly in-demand area of genetic counseling. These degree programs are highly competitive; each receives around 200 applications and accepts only three to 25 students annually. Howard credits her success in securing a place in part to her experience in the Iowa Institute of Human Genetics (IIHG) Summer Internship Program. "[The IIHG internship] is such a unique opportunity and truly sets you up to succeed in a master's program in genetic counseling," says Howard who received a bachelor's degree in genetics (with a minor in psychology) from Iowa State University. "The experiences that you are exposed to are things that many master's students don't see until their second year." As the availability of and demand for genetic testing continues to rise, more genetic counselors are needed to assist patients in interpreting their test results. The IIHG internship program at the University of Iowa is helping to grow the ranks of genetic counselors. Now in its third year, this selective eight-week internship accepts three undergraduate students annually. Interns gain hands-on experience under the direction of genetic counselors at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City in a variety of specialty clinics, including neurogenetics, cancer, women’s health, pediatrics, cardiology, and personalized genomic medicine. "The internship strives to provide students with a similar experience as they will have during their first graduate school clinical rotation. This experience is something we can provide them to assist in the application process [to graduate school] as well as successful completion of their master’s degree in genetic counseling," says Colleen Campbell, Ph.D., IIHG assistant director.

Dana (Schmidt) McCullough (Class of 2004, journalism) recently published “Unofficial Guide to FamilySearch.org,” (F+W Media) an in-depth how-to guide to help people research their family histories using the world’s largest free genealogy website. Readers will learn how to maximize all of FamilySearch.org's research tools—including hard-to-find features—to extend their family tree in America and the old country. The book is currently available on Amazon.com and ShopFamilyTree.com. The book was the #1 new release in its category (Genealogy) on Amazon.com when it went on sale in August. Dana McCullough is a freelance writer and editor who frequently writes and edits content on genealogy and higher education topics. A former editor at Family Tree Magazine, Dana has written or edited content for twenty magazines and has contributed to the editing of eight books. Her writing has been published in Family Tree Magazine, The Artist's Magazine, Family Circle, Brain Child, Better Homes and Gardens' Simply Creative Weddings, My College Guide, The Iowan, Wisconsin Woman, and Scrapbooks, etc., among other national and regional consumer magazines.

Kyle Beaird (’97 mgmt information systems) has been named chief operating officer/chief financial officer for Hillerich & Bradsby Co., a sporting goods manufacturer in Louisville, Ky. Beaird joined H&B in 2012 as director of financial planning and analysis. He was promoted to VP for finance in September 2014 and now becomes COO/CFO in the newly reorganized H&B structure after the company’s sale of the Louisville Slugger brand to Wilson Sporting Goods in April. Beaird is a die-hard baseball fan. He’s also an avid mountaineer, having summited Mount Everest in Tibetan China, Denali in Alaska, and a number of other significant peaks in the U.S., South America, and Europe. Beaird is also a distance runner and triathlete.

John Bosley (’03 art & design), has started his own business, Bozz Prints. Bosley sells posters, prints, and T-shirts designed with his own artwork, which he describes as “graphic, colorful, and playful illustrations that focus on geographic icons and landmarks.” Bosley is a former designer for Raygun, the popular Des Moines-based T-shirt maker, and also worked for Sticks, a Des Moines company that makes folk art furniture and home accessories.

Dennis Muilenburg (L)(’86 aerospace engineering) has been named president and chief executive officer of The Boeing Company. In his new role, Muilenburg, oversees the strategic direction of the Chicago-based, $90.8 billion aerospace company – the world’s largest aerospace company and top U.S. exporter. Boeing is the leading manufacturer of commercial airplanes; military aircraft; and defense, space, and security systems. The company supports airlines and U.S. and allied government customers in more than 150 nations. Until July 2015, Muilenburg served as vice chairman and chief operating officer of Boeing. Before that, he served as president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. Muilenburg joined Boeing in 1985. He is a 2012 recipient of Iowa State’s Distinguished Alumni Award.

A memoir by Clayton Anderson (L)( MS ’83 aerospace engr), a former NASA astronaut and current senior lecturer in Iowa State’s aerospace engineering program, was released in June. The Ordinary Spaceman: From Boyhood Dreams to Astronaut chronicles Anderson’s adventures, from watching the Apollo 8 astronauts as a boy in Nebraska to twice traveling to the International Space Station and performing 40 hours of space walks. Anderson retired from NASA in 2013. He received Iowa State’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2008.

Sarasota, Fla., resident and international designer Deeia Topp (L)(’90 interior design) has taken a break after 25 years of designing for “real housewives” to pen her first novel. Complicated …by Design is a witty, fast-paced novel that is a “delightfully dishy peek behind the draperies of Greenwich’s Botoxed elite.” Topp is the recipient of the ISU Foundation’s Order of the Knoll Young Alumni Award. She is the owner and president of Deeia M. Topp Interiors.

Most Iowa State fans have taken in a game at Jack Trice Stadium or Hilton Coliseum. But only real fans know how the team name came to be, know the location and story behind the “Honor Before Victory” plaque, and were in the stands when the basketball team made an Elite Eight run in 2000. 100 Things Iowa State Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die is the ultimate resource guide for true fans of Iowa State athletics. Whether they are die-hard boosters from the days of Earle Bruce on the gridiron or new supporters of Iowa State hoops, fans will value these essential pieces of Cyclones football and basketball knowledge and trivia – and all of the must-do activities in their lifetime. The 320-page book was authored by ISU alumni Alex Halsted (’14 JlMC) and Dylan Montz (’14 JlMC), both former Iowa State Daily sports writers and Larch Hall roommates. Previously, as a 19-year-old freshman at ISU, Halsted published 100 Things Twins Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die.

Carl Kirpes (A)(’12 indust engr, MS ’14 systems engr) recently received the Outstanding Early Career IE in Business/Industry Award at the Institute of Industrial Engineering Conference. The award recognizes individuals who have shown outstanding characteristics in leadership, professionalism, and potential in the industrial engineering field. Kirpes is vice president of operations for Genesys Systems Integrator. He is a 2011 Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior recipient.

Chris Rosburg (’99 advertising) has been named Big Brother of the Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Rosburg, a resident of Kansas City, Mo., has been matched with his Little Brother, Darrion, for four years. Darrion and his mother credit Rosburg for helping Darrion avoid negative influences. Together, they participate in activities such as bowling and go-karts. More importantly, Darrion now has someone to confide in about life, college, careers, politics, and family.

Barbara Kegerreis Lunde (PhD ’70 physics) received the Minnesota Federation of Engineering, Science and Technology Societies’ Highest Honor, the Richard S. Alberg Distinguished Science and Technology Professional Award this year, for outstanding lifetime achievements in and service to the practice of science and technology.

Cheryl (McClure) Beaver (A)(’81 home ec ed) was honored with the Iowa Family and Consumer Sciences Educator of the Year Award in June. Cheryl has taught high school family consumer science classes in the Clarinda (Iowa) Community School District for the past 34 years. Four years ago she added middle school classes. A native of Algona, Iowa, Cheryl shares her passion for sewing and pie baking – skills taught to her by her mother – with her students.

Chang-Jin “CJ” Kim (MS ’85), professor at the University of California in Los Angeles, has received the 2015 Ho-Am Prize for Engineering. Established in 1990 in memory of the founder of Samsung, this award is Korea’s highest honor for science, engineering, medicine, the arts, and community service. The prize covers the entire field of basic engineering and applied technology and is presented to people of Korean heritage whose accomplishments have contributed to the development of industry for greater prosperity for humanity. Kim is best known for pioneering work in micro- and nanotechnologies to control the transport of fluids at minute amount of liquids. His research breakthroughs are now used in e.g. inkjet printing and biological sample preparation.

Jacob Wilson (’11 women’s studies / political science) was recently featured on MTV.com after he created a scholarship for LGBT students and their allies through a crowdfunding effort. Wilson, a former regional director with the Civic Election Engagement Project based in Seattle, created the Missouri Courage Scholarship; scholarships will be available to students in Wilson’s home state. “LGBT teens in rural America have many hurdles to overcome in order to live happy, healthy lives,” Wilson told MTV. “This is about sending a message of love and acceptance to drown out hate. And, most importantly, it’s about making life better for LGBT youth today, not just telling them that, someday, things will get better.” He reports that the scholarship goal of $12,000 was reached in just 12 days. Wilson is currently a PhD student in higher education at the University of Arizona.

The tale of an invention born in an Iowa State economics class has landed Brandon Adams (A)(’12 management) on the cover of the July issue of Inventors Digest – even though his product, ArcticStick, has not yet made it to market. Adams has become an expert in entrepreneurship and crowdfunding strategies, and now his mission is not just to get his bottled-beverage-cooling device into production, but to share his stories of success and failure with others. Adams, who recently wrote a book called Keys to the Crowd: Unlocking the Power of Crowdfunding, is also the creator of the “University of Young Entrepreneurs,” a series of online courses, consultation sessions, and marketing packages – along with a podcast and blog – aimed at helping entrepreneurially-minded students learn how to get a product to market and maximize crowdfunding opportunities along the way. He also appears in a weekly television series on crowdfunding campaigns. “I loved everything I did about developing ArcticStick,” Adams told the magazine. “It was exhilarating to see it come alive. I liked people seeing me standing up for what I believed in. It was like a movement, and I thought, you know what, I want to help people like me.”

Davis Brown Law Firm Senior Shareholder Margaret Van Houten elected to American College of Trust and Estate Counsel Board of Regents Margaret Van Houten has been elected to the Board of Regents and will serve as member-at-large of the executive council of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC). ACTEC is the leading trust and estate organization contributing to the field of trusts and estates law through writing, teaching, and bar leadership activities. The organization is composed of peer-elected trust and estate lawyers. The election is an honor for Margaret as recognition of her dedication to the profession. She will work with ACTEC to further the mission of organization and promote integrity, competence and experience in the profession. Margaret Van Houten is a leading trust and estate attorney in the state, working with individual clients and business owners on the sophisticated wealth transfer matters to intended beneficiaries with the least amount of tax and administrative expense. She was instrumental in the passage of the Iowa Uniform Premarital Agreement Act in the 1990’s, and continues to work on legislation important to her clients. Margaret maintains a leadership role with the Iowa Academy of Trust and Estate Counsel as well. About the Davis Brown Law Firm Founded in 1929, Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C., provides comprehensive legal representation to a diverse client base. Firm clients include private individuals as well as Fortune 500 corporations. With 79 attorneys, the firm offers depth and experience in a wide variety of areas, such as corporate transactions, corporate governance, entity choice, litigation, banking and finance, taxation workers’ compensation, insurance defense, real estate, immigration, employment, finance, biotechnology, securities, patent and intellectual property and government relations.

that Kevin Reynolds (J.D., University of Iowa College of Law, ‘81; B.A., Iowa State University, ‘78) was recognized by Chambers and Partners in its 2015 attorney rankings. He was recognized in the area of Litigation/General Commercial – Iowa. Chambers Iowa is researched by one dedicated researcher who speaks to leading firms, clients, and government officials to recommend leading firms and attorneys. Chambers and Partners, based in London, England, publishes guides in 185 jurisdictions throughout the world and have been ranking the best lawyers and law firms since 1990.

Iowa State Alumnus Joins Husch Blackwell’s Kansas City Office May 28, 2015, KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Husch Blackwell welcomes Partner Joe R. Thompson to the firm’s Kansas City, Mo., office. As the newest member of Husch Blackwell’s Food & Agribusiness team, he brings more than 15 years’ experience counseling clients in the industry. Prior to joining Husch Blackwell, Thompson was a partner in the Minneapolis office of Barnes & Thornberg LLP (2013-2015), where he served as co-chair of the firm’s Agriculture and Food Practice Group. While there, he counseled agribusiness, food processing, beverage, manufacturing and renewable energy clients, among others, on joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions, divestitures and related commercial transactions. He has also handled matters involving strategic business entity structuring and restructuring, project development, private and public equity capitalization and co-packing, supply and tolling agreements. Previously, Thompson was a Partner with Stoel Rives LLP (2007-2013) and with Lindquist & Vennum LLP (1999-2007), where he started his legal career. Thompson received his J.D., with Distinction, from the University of Iowa College of Law (1998), and his B.S. in Agricultural Business, with honors and Distinction, from Iowa State University (1993). Husch Blackwell’s Food & Agribusiness team advises and advocates for its industry clients and provides counsel in several areas of business including agribusiness finance and capital raising; animal health and plant biotechnology/crop science; branding and advertising; food and beverage production and processing; food imports and exports; government regulation; human resources; mergers and acquisitions; organic production and certification; packaging and labeling requirements; sales and distribution; and supply chain and commodity tracking. About Husch Blackwell Husch Blackwell is an industry-focused, full-service litigation and business law firm with locations in 15 U.S. cities and in London. The firm represents national and global leaders in major industries including energy and natural resources; financial services; food and agribusiness; healthcare, life sciences and pharmaceuticals; real estate, development and construction; and technology, manufacturing and transportation. For more information, visit www.huschblackwell.com.

Deborah Tharnish awarded the Iowa State Bar Association 2015 Rolland Grefe Pro Bono Publico Award At the Iowa State Bar Association’s Awards Gala, Davis Brown senior shareholder Deborah Tharnish received the 2015 Rolland Grefe Pro Bono Publico award for her commitment to pro bono work and public service. Deb inspires the attorneys and community around her through her leadership, legal expertise, mentoring and community service work. In a letter of support of her nomination, Dennis Groenenboom, Executive Director of Iowa Legal Aid, had this to say, “Deb’s commitment and dedication through her contributions as a volunteer attorney, her encouragement of fellow attorneys to join the effort, and her donation of time to serve on the boards of Iowa Legal Aid and the Iowa Legal Aid Foundation in order to expand the resources available to help low-income Iowans make her a worthy recipient of this award.” Because of Deb’s leadership, many other younger attorneys, associates, summer associates, and law students have become interested in and involved with Iowa Legal Aid, the Volunteer Lawyers Project, and other legal clinics for low-income Iowans. Not only does Deb directly assist her clients, but through her encouragement and actions as a role model, many more are impacted as well. Davis Brown attorneys are consistently recognized for volunteering more than the Iowa State Bar Association suggested 50 hours of pro bono work and pride themselves on giving back to the community in this way. Deb and her colleagues also lead the way in serving on local community boards and committees dedicated to improving the lives of local Iowans. About the Rolland Grefe Pro Bono Publico Award The award recognizes a legal professional who has committed his or her talent and training to improve the quality of justice in the community and around the state. The recipient is someone who has enhanced the human dignity of others by improving or delivering pro bono legal services to those who are unable to afford a lawyer. In doing so, this individual honors the legacy of Rollie Grefe, one of the true pillars of the Iowa State Bar Association. About the Davis Brown Law Firm Founded in 1929, Davis, Brown, Koehn, Shors & Roberts, P.C., provides comprehensive legal representation to a diverse client base. Firm clients include private individuals as well as Fortune 500 corporations. With 79 attorneys, the firm offers depth and experience in a wide variety of areas, such as corporate transactions, corporate governance, entity choice, litigation, banking and finance, taxation workers’ compensation, insurance defense, real estate, immigration, employment, finance, biotechnology, securities, patent and intellectual property and government relations.

Cheryl (McClure) Beaver is FCS Teacher of the Year Cheryl (McClure) Beaver was honored with the IFCSE Educator of the Year Award (Iowa Family and Consumer Sciences Educator) on Tuesday, June 23, 2015, during their annual IFCSE Conference and Banquet in Ankeny. Cheryl is a 1977 graduate of Algona High School and the daughter of Gloria and the late Vern McClure. Cheryl graduated from Iowa State University in 1981 and went to work for the Clarinda Community School District where she has taught high school Family Consumer Science (FCS) for the past 34 years. Four years ago she added middle school classes to her teaching repertoire. While growing up in Algona, Cheryl’s mother Gloria taught her the art of sewing and pie baking, and for over three decades Cheryl has shared these passions with her students. Cheryl takes great joy in teaching life skills and promoting family life in her schools and community. Cheryl teaches valuable life skills in consumer resource management, family living, food and nutrition, culinary arts, interior design, human development, child development, and textiles and clothing. In addition to teaching, Cheryl has also been a Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) advisor at her school for the past 34 years. She has also held the District FCCLA Advisor position many times. At the state IFCSE level she has served as a Key Leader representing Green Hills AEA for last 10 years. Cheryl helps make policy for the organization along with planning the IFCSE state conference. Cheryl has built a strong FCCLA at Clarinda High School by giving her students opportunities for personal growth, and to expand their leadership potential and develop indispensable skills to serve their families, communities and workplaces. Many of Cheryl’s students have attended and competed at district, state, and national conferences throughout the country. Over the years several of Cheryl’s students have been elected FCCLA President for their district. In July Cheryl is taking four of her students to the FCCLA National Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. where they will present their STAR (Students Taking Action for Recognition) Project which entailed collecting 500 pairs of jeans for homelessness people. Teachers, students, administrators or parents can nominate a teacher for the IFCSE Educator of the Year Award . Cheryl’s nomination for this award included these sentiments, “In her 34 years of teaching Mrs. Beaver has taught a variety of courses and teaches them with energy, integrity, and positivity. She treats all of her students equally and cares for them as if they are her own children. She is always changing with the times and shows that she is a lifelong learner by always willing to try new things, including teaching middle school after 30 years of just teaching high school. She isn’t just a teacher or an advisor she is a positive role model for all those whom come into her classroom or join her FCCLA. She is truly a great role model for the FCS profession and has dedicated her life to bettering her students’ lives in more ways than just teaching them.” Cheryl’s daughter Laura Beaver followed in her footsteps and is also a FCS teacher in Boone, Iowa. Her husband Ron is a retired Vocational Agriculture teacher and their oldest daughter Sarah DeBour also teaches Vocational Agriculture and Life Sciences in the CAL (Coulter, Alexander, Latimer) and Hampton – Dumont school districts. Cheryl and her family are Iowa State graduates and avid Cyclone fans.

Cathann Kress Receives 2015 Spirit of Crazy Horse Award AMES, Iowa – Cathann Kress, Iowa State University vice president for extension and outreach, has received The 2015 Spirit of Crazy Horse Award from Reclaiming Youth International and the Starr Global Learning Network. Reclaiming Youth International presents The Spirit of Crazy Cathann Kress receives Spirit of Crazy Horse AwardHorse Award to honor people who have a tenacity of purpose in creating courage for discouraged children and youth through their practice, policy development or research. Since 1994, the organization has given the award to individuals whose distinguished contributions have helped reclaim the most vulnerable children. Kress joins a long list of leaders in research, policy and practice whose contributions have advanced work with children and youth, according to Larry Brendtro, founder of Reclaiming Youth International. The Spirit of Crazy Horse Award, a Lakota star quilt, was presented to Kress June 29 during a traditional Lakota ceremony at the Crazy Horse Memorial in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Representatives from Reclaiming Youth International, the Lakota Nation, and ISU Extension and Outreach wrapped the quilt around Kress as a symbolic way to honor her and protect her on her journey through life. The ceremony was part of Reclaiming Youth International’s Circle of Courage Youth Development Conference in Rapid City, S.D. Kress has been a leader in youth development since the 1990s when she first joined the faculty at Iowa State University. Kress and her 4-H youth development colleagues in ISU Extension and Outreach were the first to apply the Circle of Courage model to address conflict in a racially diverse school and in violence prevention through a character education curriculum. “Children and youth learn best when they learn through experience. This positive youth development is the essence of 4-H,” Kress said. “When children and youth can learn by doing, they will lead by example. They will become the early adopters who will change their communities as a result of their access to education.” After serving two years at Cornell University, she was named national director of youth development programs for USDA. She also carried her knowledge to the Department of Defense as senior analyst on Military Community and Family Policy implementing 4-H programs on military installations worldwide. In 2011, Kress returned to Iowa State University as vice president for extension and outreach. She also serves on the National 4-H Council Board of Trustees. In addition to Kress, Kenneth V. Hardy, a professor of family therapy at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa., received The Spirit of Crazy Horse Award in 2015. Hardy also is the director of the Eikenberg Institute for Relationships in New York where he maintains a private practice specializing in working with at-risk children and their families. He is the former chair of the Department of Child and Family Studies at Syracuse University in Syracuse, NY. Previous winners of the Spirit of Crazy Horse Award include Muhammad Ali, humanitarian and World Heavyweight Champion; The Honorable George McGovern, former United Nations ambassador; The Honorable Janet Reno, former United States attorney general; and Peter Yarrow, of the American folk group Peter, Paul and Mary.

I am now a member of the Board of Directors for the Iowa State University Alumni Association, and I consider that a great honor.

Suzanne Zobrist Kelly, class of 1966, recently published "Reaching Beyond the Waves," a story of how she and her sixth graders searched for the survivors and rescuers of a WWII incident. From declassified military reports and correspondence with the Army Air Corps, Marine, and Navy men involved, she shares how she and her students located people and information, and the multitude of discoveries they made through their investigations. It is an inspirational tale of facts and friendships, of reaching out and building relationships around the world.

Paul Hawkins, executive vice president and chief financial officer for United Properties, is retiring after 16 years with the company. Hawkins is a graduate of Iowa State University and spent the first 10 years of his career in public accounting in both audit and tax. After some consulting work as a part-time CFO for four small business clients, Hawkins worked at General Growth Company for 10 years heading up their third-party property accounting group. The company moved to Chicago, and shortly after Hawkins began at United Properties. Hawkins joined United Properties in 1999 as corporate controller and was promoted to chief financial officer and treasurer the following year. He served in this capacity for the parent organization and all operating companies within United Properties and Marquette Real Estate Group from 2000 to 2013. Then, he began focusing solely on supporting United Properties Investment. During his career, Hawkins’ primary responsibilities included a wide range of activities: oversight of all accounting, budgeting and financial reporting; capital planning; tax planning and compliance; compensation strategies; insurance and risk management; corporate governance and compliance; oversight of information technology strategies and resources; and oversight of human resources and benefits. He coordinated and participated in the annual strategic planning process and played a significant role in business acquisitions. Hawkins was a member of the Board of Governors of Marquette Real Estate Group and its various subsidiaries, including United Properties Investment, from 2008 to 2013, and continued to serve on the United Properties Board of Governors and the United Properties Investment Committee. Hawkins is a past president of the National Association of Real Estate Companies, a national association of real estate financial executives, and served on its board for six years. Hawkins and his wife Glenda have lived in Eden Prairie for 25 years, raising their four children (Megan, Alison, Justin and Caitlin) in the house they originally bought in 1990.

ARTHUR CHAPMAN WELCOMES PARALEGAL STEVEN J. GANSEN Minneapolis, MN – May 20, 2015. Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A. is pleased to announce the addition of paralegal Steven J. Gansen. Mr. Gansen joins the firm as a paralegal, assisting clients in the area of automobile No-Fault matters. He is a graduate of the Hamline University Paralegal Certificate Program and Iowa State University. Steve and his wife, Cresco-area native Sondra Reis, are kept busy with their two young children and reside in South Minneapolis. The law firm of Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A. was established in 1974 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota with a branch office in Hudson, Wisconsin. Arthur Chapman is one of the premier defense litigation law firms in Minnesota with approximately 45 attorneys practicing from coast to coast. The attorneys at Arthur Chapman serve the legal needs of businesses, the railroad industry, the insurance industry, and self-insured entities by providing a full range of services, including general and commercial litigation, products liability, automobile liability, workers’ compensation, subrogation, professional liability, insurance coverage, intellectual property, construction, liquor liability, employment law, trucking, railroad, and personal injury law. Please visit the firm’s website at www.ArthurChapman.com for additional information.

Assists clinicians in managing their time to the greatest advantage and providing professional treatment to all patients simultaneously As inpatient psychiatric facilities face bed shortages and increasingly limited insurance coverage for their programs, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs are growing within the mental health treatment community. This book provides clinicians (including social workers, counselors, therapists, and psychiatric nurses) new to partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient practice settings with a conceptual framework and practical skills for effective and efficient practice. It helps clinicians to develop realistic expectations for treatment in a managed care environment with limited time and funding. Partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient treatment programs (PHP/IOP) can present particularly stressful environments in which clinicians are engaged in multiple treatment processes with groups of diverse patients, all at different points in the treatment process. This book borrows from the "ecology of games" concept from political theory to assist clinicians in managing their time to the greatest advantage and providing professional treatment to all patients simultaneously. It describes the key elements of a PHP/IOP program including treatment planning, discharge planning, group therapy, psycho-education, and safety and confidentiality issues. It then addresses challenges unique to specific patient populations in the program—children, adults, older adults, the chronically mentally ill, the chemical dependent, individuals with co-occurring disorders—and offers strategies for coping with the multitude of issues they present. Key Features: Provides practical strategies for handling a variety of clinical issues in the PHP/IOP setting Covers specific problems and treatment planning goals for varied populations Guides clinicians in developing realistic expectations for treatment in a managed care environment with limited time and funding Includes chapters dedicated to coping with a death in the program, the personality-disordered patient, and conflicts among staff

Thompson & Knight Partner Elected to State Bar of Texas Board of Directors DALLAS, Texas (May 12, 2015) – The law firm of Thompson & Knight LLP is pleased to announce that Partner Scott P. Stolley has been elected to the State Bar of Texas Board of Directors. He will serve a three-year term beginning in June 2015. Stolley is in the Firm’s Dallas office and has been Board Certified in Civil Appellate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization since 1994. His practice focuses on the representation of appellants and appellees in state and federal appellate courts, including evaluation of appeals, drafting briefs, and arguing to appellate courts. In addition, he consults on and assists with dispositive, significant, and post-trial motions in trial courts, and provides trial support on appellate-related issues such as preservation of error and preparing and objecting to the jury charge. Stolley has been honored by numerous publications, including The Best Lawyers in America by Woodward/White Inc. (2007-15), Texas Super Lawyers by Thomson Reuters (2003-14), and Best Lawyers in Dallas by D Magazine (2001, 2012-15). In addition to his service with the State Bar of Texas, Stolley is active in many other professional organizations. For example, he has been a member of the Texas Supreme Court Advisory Committee and is one of only about 20 Texans honored to be a Fellow in the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers. The mission of the State Bar of Texas is to support the administration of the legal system, assure all citizens equal access to justice, foster high standards of ethical conduct for lawyers, enable its members to better serve their clients and the public, educate the public about the rule of law, and promote diversity in the administration of justice and the practice of law. It is governed by a board of directors who are elected by State Bar members and who volunteer their valuable time and professional experience to the organization. The board's expertise allows the State Bar of Texas to continue to provide high-quality services and programs to members and the public. To learn more, visit: www.texasbar.com.

Heidi and I were married at Faith Lutheran in Clive, Iowa April 4 and we had a great, sunny day and the use of MANY Easter flowers around the altar. Now we are a family of 6 with her 3 kids and my daughter.

Raen Schechinger has joined Peters Construction Corporation of Waterloo, Iowa, as a Project Manager, Schechinger is a 2002 graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in Civil Engineering. Schechinger also holds the Professional Engineer designation. He spent the past twelve years as a construction manager at Burns& McDonnell on various projects throughout the Midwest. At Peters, Schechinger will be involved in pre-construction and construction management.

Frontier Communications Promotes John Lass to EVP, Field Operations Lass Reports to CEO Dan McCarthy STAMFORD, Conn., April 7, 2015 – Frontier Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: FTR) announced today that John Lass has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Field Operations. In his new position, which became effective April 3rd, Mr. Lass is responsible for Frontier‘s operations throughout 28 states, Network Operations, and Carrier and Wholesale Operations. Most recently, Mr. Lass was based in Fort Wayne, Indiana as President of Frontier’s Central Region, comprising Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota and Nebraska. Mr. Lass’ tenure with Frontier includes a variety of operating roles as well as leadership of integration activities related to significant mergers and acquisitions. He served as Vice President of Revenue Assurance and as Regional Operations Vice President, Vice President and General Manager of Citizens Utilities Vermont Electric Division, and held operations positions in New York and the Midwest with Frontier, GTE and Contel. Mr. Lass earned a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa and an Associate of Arts Degree from Iowa Central Community College. About FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS Frontier Communications Corporation (NASDAQ: FTR) offers broadband, voice, video, wireless Internet data access, data security solutions, bundled offerings, specialized bundles for residential customers, small businesses and home offices and advanced communications for medium and large businesses in 28 states. Frontier's approximately 17,400 employees are based entirely in the United States. More information is available at www.frontier.com.

Norman Muzzy awarded Outstanding Club Advisor Award by the Iowa State Engineering Student Council. Mr. Norm Muzzy is the advisor for the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineers (ASABE). After working over 35 years at John Deere, Muzzy moved into academia, and in the last year has provided the members of ASABE valuable insight on how to be a professional in industry. Mr. Muzzy has also started the “MakerSpace” which gives students the opportunity to work with technology and gain skills they may not encounter in classes. Mr. Muzzy also spends time advising the Cyclone Power Pullers, which includes many ASABE members. Another project Mr. Muzzy oversees is the Davidson Brick Fundraiser. This allows students, faculty, and Alumni to purchase bricks from the recently torn down Davidson Building to save as a keepsake, while also being a fundraiser for ASABE. Mr. Muzzy dedicates much of his time to the success of ASABE and its members, and has proven himself to be a truly outstanding club advisor in just his first year of service. Norm Muzzy is a 1978 Mechanical Engineering graduate of Iowa State University. He is also a lifetime member of the ISU Alumni Association.