Class Notes

Ron Walcott ('93 plant pathology, MS '95) has been named the University of Georgia’s inaugural vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School. In this role, he will work with schools and colleges across campus to enhance the recruitment, support, and success of graduate students. Walcott is a professor in the department of plant pathology and has served as interim dean of the Graduate School since September 2019. His appointment as vice provost for graduate education and dean of the graduate school is effective Oct. 1.

Gary Lee Bennett (A)('73 animal science), beef cattle geneticist at the USDA Meat Animal Research Center near Clay Center, Nebraska, was recognized by the American Society of Animal Science as a fellow for research.

Tom Baas ('72 animal science, MS '89, PhD '90) was inducted into the 2020 Iowa State 4-H Hall of Fame in August 2020.

Alva Aguirre ('13 animal ecology) was recently promoted from a foreign military sales integrated logistics support (ILS) manager in California to the Spain ILS manager at the Washington Navy Yard in D. C. Aguirre works with foreign allies and the Navy to manage a successful logistics program to keep U.S. waters safe from foreign and domestic enemies.

Fredrikson & Byron is pleased to announce the election of Tracy L. Deutmeyer (L)('98 journalism & mass comm) as a new shareholder in the firm's Des Moines office. Deutmeyer is a member of the advertising, marketing, and trademark group. She has over 18 years of experience in trademark and copyright law. She works closely with clients on protecting and enhancing their intellectual assets around the globe. Deutmeyer manages the complex global trademark portfolios for clients across a wide variety of industries and provides practical guidance for developing and implementing intellectual property protection strategies.

Susan (Miriovsky) Hennis (A)('99 journalism & speech comm) was recently hired as chief underwriter by OneAmerica, a financial services company headquartered in Indianapolis. In her new role, Hennis will support the company’s insurance, life, and financial services line of business, bringing more than two decades of experience in life and health underwriting to the role.

Dan Bolin ('06 dairy science), farmer near Clarksville, Iowa, and co-founder of New Day Dairy, LLC, won the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s Renew Rural Iowa Entrepreneur Award for the New Day Dairy Guest Barn. Dan and his wife, Lynn, built their two-story bed and breakfast on the family’s 130-year-old farm. The guest barn features three en suite bedrooms and an overlook into the Bolins’ dairy parlor.

Kevin Kimle (A)(MS '91 economics), director of the ISU Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative, received the Ted Bair CYstarters Mentorship Award. The ISU Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship presented the new award to Kimle on July 31, 2020. The award honors Ted Bair, a former Iowa Small Business Development Center employee, who unexpectedly passed away in February.

Mark Jackson, farmer near Rose Hill, was selected as the 2020 Iowa Conservation Farmer of the Year. Jackson (’74 farm operation) uses a variety of practices to improve soil health and water quality: no-till, contouring, terraces, cover crops, and planting waterways and grass buffers. The award is sponsored by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

Elizabeth Messersmith (MS '18 animal science) received the Wilson G. Pond International Travel Award from the American Society of Animal Science.

Kenneth Stalder (A)('85 farm operation, '87 animal science, PhD '95 ), professor in the ISU Department of Animal Science, was recognized by the American Society of Animal Science with the Rockefeller Prentice Award in Animal Breeding and Genetics.

Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) has appointed Stacy Thacker Anderson (DVM '04) as dean of LMU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Anderson has been a member of the LMU faculty since 2015 and has served as associate dean for academic affairs, the director of the large animal clinical skills, and associate professor of large animal surgery.

Daniel Nesheim ('65 animal science, PhD '68 DVM) was inducted into the 2020 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame August 2020. Nesheim is a veterinarian in Palo Alto County and played a significant role in the county's 4-H program in the 1980s.

"Capture the Moment: An Architect's Guide to Travel Sketching," a book by Jim Lammers (BArch '95 architecture), FAIA, has been published by ORO Editions. With sketches from around the world, Lammers' book takes the reader on a journey starting with the definition of sketching from observation and an introduction to right-brain drawing.

“What Do Millennial Homebuyers Want Post-Pandemic,” an article by Josh Kassing (BArch '14 architecture, MFA '16 interior design), vice president of design development at Mary Cook Associates, has been published by Builder and Developer magazine online.

An 8-by-8.5-foot paper sculpture of a Red-Crowned Crane by Larry Hatfield ('66 advertising design) has been accepted into the Bird, Nest, Nature juried invitational exhibition at Bedford Gallery at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, California. Hatfield hand-cuts all of his pieces in his studio in El Sobrante, California, using an X-Acto knife and 2-, 3- or 4-ply Bristol paper.

Hannah Halvorson (BFA '20 interior design) won second place in the commercial design category of the 10th Sherwin-Williams Student Design Challenge.

Gary Sullivan (L)(’05 animal science and international ag, PhD '11 meat science) has been honored with the American Meat Science Association’s Distinguished Achievement Award. Sullivan is currently an associate professor of meat processing in the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Department of Animal Science.

Benjamin Wallace, (’07 animal ecology) an Iowa Fisheries biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, recently received the American Fisheries Society’s Fisheries Management Section Award of Merit for his efforts in community-based watershed management and lake restoration projects. The AFS Fish Management Section Award of Merit recognizes a singular accomplishment of an individual or group acting as a team or committee for contributions in fisheries management and research.

Christopher Conetzkey (A)('09 journalism & mass comm) has been elected to the board of directors of the Alliance of Area Business Publishers. Conetzkey is currently the publisher and executive director of the Des Moines Business Record.

Dewayne Goldmon (’91 PhD agronomy), executive director of the National Black Growers Council, has been appointed to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Advisory Committee on Minority Farmers. The 15-person committee advises the USDA on programs that offer challenges and opportunities for minority farmers and ranchers.

Abby Scott ('02 interior design) has been named the 2020 International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Member of the Year. The IIDA Member of the Year Award recognizes and honors an IIDA member who has demonstrated outstanding volunteer service through commitment, passion, professionalism, and dedication assisting IIDA as it advances the interior design profession and advocates for interior design excellence.

Tyler Weig (A)('05 community health education) has accepted a position as themembership and business partnership manager of the Iowa State University Alumni Association.He leads the association’s life membership initiatives and business partner relationships.

Christina Moffatt ('02 liberal studies) is the recipient of the 2020 Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa Character Award. Moffatt is the owner and founder of Crme Cupcake & Dessert and the director of Small Business Resources for the Greater Des Moines Partnership.

John Anderson ('00 graphic design) recently curated the exhibition "Yuri Schwebler: The Spiritual Plane" for the American University Museum, Washington, DC. Schwebler is best remembered as the artist who transformed the Washington Monument into a sundial in 1974.