Class Notes

Laura Liechty ('12 dietetics and global resource systems) has been recognized by the National Association of Extension 4-H Development Professions with the Achievement in Service Award. Liechty is the 4-H Healthy Living Program Specialist and provides well-being programming and experiences for youth.

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

Cayla Taylor (A) (PhD '15 ag and life sciences education, MS '12) was honored with three awards from the National Association of Extension 4-H Development Professionals. The first is the Distinguished Service Award for her work as a program development manager for Iowa 4-H Youth Development. The second and third awards, the Excellence in Communication and Expressive Arts and the Communicator Awards respectively, honor her collaboration within the Iowa 4-H Camera Corps.

Carly Schieffer ('06 music education) and her husband welcomed a baby girl, Phoebe Anne, on Nov. 28, 2020. Phoebe Anne has two older siblings, Silas and Mary Grace.

Jessie Juarez (DVM '14) has accepted a position with South Dakota State University as the Professional Program in Veterinary Medicine faculty coordinator. In this role, she will coordinate faculty, work with admissions, and continue to teach students. Previously, Juarez was a clinical assistant professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Iowa State.

Dustin Oedekoven (DVM '02) has been honored by the South Dakota Pork Producers Council with the Friends of Industry Award. This award recognizes individuals and businesses who have continually supported the pork industry. Currently, Oedekoven is the executive secretary and state veterinarian of the South Dakota Animal Industry Board.

Lindsey Poling ('05 liberal studies) has been promoted to principal of the Overland Park district of Jackson Lewis, a workplace law firm. Poling has experience in employment litigation on the state and federal levels, including cases involving civil rights, wage disputes, and policy issues.

Alyanna Subayno ('20 architecture) was named Iowa Women in Architecture's January Professional Member of the Month. Subayno is currently an architectural intern at Neumann Monson Architects.

Scott Murphy ('88 architecture) was the production designer for "Your Honor," a Showtime series about the conflict between a New Orleans judge and his son. "Your Honor" features a talented cast, including Bryan Cranston, an Oscar-nominated actor.

Colin Behr ('15 industrial design) has accepted a new position within Nike as a footwear and apparel color concept designer. Behr has been employed with Nike since his graduation from Iowa State.

Dan Gable (L)('71 phys ed) received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian medal. He is the first wrestler to be recognized for this honor. Gable had a consecutive win streak of 117 matches while he wrestled for Iowa State University, won the NCAA wrestling championship twice, and earned a gold medal at the 1972 Olympic Games.

Troy Abel (MFA '08 graphic design) has recently accepted a position with Texas A&M University. Previously, he worked at the University of North Texas as an assistant professor of communication design.

Michael Braley ('93 graphic design) designed the piece "COVID Exit," which was selected as one of the top creations of the Madrid Grafica 20 competition. Braley's work will be on display on the streets of Madrid, Spain.

Heather Wagner ('90 art and design) was featured as one of the 2020 Women of Achievement by HER Magazine. She is currently the director of the Eastern Iowa Arts Academy Studios of Music and Art.

Tegan Wolfe ('08 graphic design) is moving her freelance graphic design studio to Saint Petersburg, Florida. Her studio, Tegan Wolfe Design, had previously been located in Denver, Colorado, for the past nine years.

Lee McCleary (L)(’87 occ & traffic safety ed) is the Liability Loss Prevention Specialist for the Arizona Department of Transportation. Now working remotely from his home near Show Low, Arizona.

Mike Schmidt (L)('90 industrial engr) is a major general in the United States Air Force. He is the Department of the Air Force Program executive officer for command, communications, intelligence, and networks, stationed at Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts. General Schmidt entered the Air Force in 1991 after graduating from Iowa State University as an industrial engineer and ROTC distinguished graduate. He has post-graduate degrees from Bentley College, Waltham, Massachusetts, Georgetown University in Washington, DC, and the National War College, also in Washington, DC.

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

Sherry Johnson (DVM '12) has been honored with the 2020 American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP) President's Award. Johnson organized the AAEP's first online continuing education event in order to promote learning during a time of social distance. Outside of her work with the AAEP, Johnson is the senior partner of Equine Sports Medicine and a co-founder of Equine CORE.

Doug Quam (DVM '89) has been honored by the Veterinary Medical Alumni Association as the inaugural recipient of the Outstanding Mentor Award. The Outstanding Mentor Award acknowledges an ISU College of Veterinary Medicine Graduate who is supportive of current students in the field.

Shane Jacobson (L) ('03 communication studies, MEd '08) has accepted the position of chief executive officer for the V Foundation for Cancer Research, a cancer-research charity. He will be leaving his previous position as CEO of the University of Vermont Foundation, where he was successful in fundraising several hundred million dollars for research in academic medicine and patient care.

Robert Bullard (A) (PhD '76 sociology) has been recognized by the United Nations (UN) with the Champions of Earth Lifetime Achievement Award. This is the highest environmental honor from the UN. Bullard is an expert in sustainable development, environmental racism, urban land use, and community reinvestment, and is considered the father of environmental justice.

Marvin DeJear (L) ('00 management, MBA'03, PhD'16 ed) is the new senior vice president of the talent development division of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. DeJear previously served at the Des Moines Area Community College as the director of the Evelyn K. Davis Center for Working Families.

Sara Phillips ('99 architecture) has been promoted to principal of the firm LHB. Phillips started with LHB in 2006 and has been a leader of the firm's Higher Education Studio. Her most recent work has involved the music hall of Carleton College and other projects for Minnesota State University, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Wisconsin.

James Scott (L) ('97 PhD professional studies in education) has been honored by the American Book Fest. His novel, "The President's Dossier," was named as an Award Winner in the Fiction and Adventure category of the 2020 Best Book Awards. This novel follows an ex-CIA spy who travels the world searching for information regarding the president's possible ties to Russia.