Class Notes

Ben Bruns has been named Vice President of Modular for The Boldt Group, headquartered in Appleton, Wis. The Boldt Group is a national leader in construction, Lean methodology and continuous improvement practices. Bruns was previously Vice President of Northern Operations for The Boldt Company. He has more than 20 years of experience in business, business development, jobsite project management and engineering. Bruns will co-lead the team responsible for growing the modular business geographically and across industry sectors. “I’m energized about the opportunity modular construction presents in producing much more predictable and reliable outcomes for customers across the country,” Bruns said. A native of Denver, Iowa, Bruns earned a bachelor’s degree in construction engineering from Iowa State University. He lives in Appleton, Wis.

Pickard Chilton, an award-winning architecture studio, announces that Deep Chaniara AIA, NCARB, NOMA, an associate at the firm, has been recognized as an AIA Connecticut’s 2024 Emerging Professional Excellence awardee. The AIA CT Emerging Professional award recognizes and supports emerging architects who have made outstanding, innovative contributions to the profession, and have rendered exemplary service in the public realm. Chaniara has made meaningful contributions to many of the studio’s projects including CoStar’s 750,000 GSF corporate campus in Richmond, Virginia; the Le Coeur redevelopment in Dsseldorf, Germany, and 600 5th Street NW in Washington, DC. As a member of Pickard Chilton’s JEDI Committee, the NOMAct Board of Directors, and NCARB, he is diligent in his efforts to support meaningful growth and development across the profession.

Dan Nisser has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of Milk Specialties Global, a leading nutritional ingredients manufacturer. Mr. Nisser brings more than 30 years of experience in finance and operations management within global multi-billion-dollar organizations to MSG. Most recently, he served as Group Vice President, CFO, Ag Services and Processing, at Archer-Daniels-Midland, a global leader in both human and animal nutrition.

Juan R. Guardia (Ph.D. '06) has been appointed Vice President for Student Affairs at Texas A&M University San Antonio. Guardia brings more than 25 years of experience in student affairs and higher education to his new role. Guardia joins A&M-San Antonio from the University of Cincinnati, Ohio, where he has served as the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students since 2016.

Philip Galiga, a teacher at South Burlington High School in Vermont, received the Student Council Staff Person of Year award, and was chosen to be the graduation speaker by the class of 2023. Philip retired after teaching digital design for 20 years.

ISU Everywhere. Pat Dillon , Ag Studies, 97 with his current ISU enrolled kids, Kat Dillon , Finance and International business 2026, Sean Dillon, Marketing, Fall 2024, and Kellian Dillon, Biochem 2027 Tallinn, Estonia

In the early 1900's in a forgotten rural community two friends embark on a lighthearted adventure. Born in Idaho, Warren Case grew up in Oregon where he enjoyed the Pacific Northwest's beautiful forests and lakes. After a year in Texas, he spent the next five at Iowa State University earning degrees in Fish and Wildlife Biology and Agricultural Journalism. A job as a whitewater guide brought him and his wife back to Idaho in the early 1980's. He began teaching in the early 90's and moved with his family to a tree farm in rural Idaho. He is a photographer, writer, educator, farmer, husband, and father of two adult children and two grandchildren. He and his wife Beth (Kane) Case ('82 - BA Graphic Design) continue to live on their tree farm in rural Idaho where he is currently at work on his second book.

The USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) inducted David Suarez, Research Leader for the Exotic and Emerging Avian Viral Disease Research Unit at the U.S. National Poultry Research Center, into its Science Hall of Fame for his outstanding research on avian influenza, Newcastle disease, and emerging zoonotic viruses. Suarez obtained his Ph.D. from Iowa State University in veterinary microbiology in 1995. For more information, please read the press release at: https://www.ars.usda.gov/news-events/news/research-news/2024/usda-ars-inducts-veterinary-medicine-e…

David Ertl received the first ever Distinguished Career Award by the North American Plant Phenotyping Network in February 2024. This award recognizes his contribution to the field of plant phenotyping. David plans to retire from his career in plant science in June of 2024.

Mary Edrington was recently honored with the Undergraduate Teacher of the Year award from Drake’s Zimpleman College of Business.

Beth Ford, Land O'Lakes Inc. president and CEO, was named to the 2024 TIME100, its annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world. The list recognizes the impact, innovation and achievement of the world's most influential individuals. Read more: https://www.startribune.com/land-olakes-ceo-beth-ford-named-to-time-100-influential-people-list/600….

Jayme Uden, Ed.D., has been appointed as the chief human resources officer at Park University (Parkville, Mo.) effective March 18, 2024. Uden, who has been with Park since July 2011, previously served as the University's associate vice president and dean of students since December 2016. In his new role, Uden will oversee and lead human resources strategies covering talent management, employee relations, training and development, performance improvement, compensation and benefits, organizational development, HR information systems, and appropriate regulatory compliance. He will also serve as the University's Title IX officer. In addition, Uden will collaborate with Park's Vision 2025 People and Culture Strategic Impact Group, which is addressing objectives of fostering diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, communicating with clarity and transparency, and cultivating employee satisfaction and engagement. Uden earned a Master of Education degree in higher education from Iowa State University.

Iowa’s 2024 Teacher of the Year Ann Mincks shared her excitement for her upcoming role as Iowa’s Teacher of the Year. Mincks is a 16-year English Language Learner (ELL) teacher for Des Moines Herbert Hoover High School. She will serve as an ambassador to education and as a liaison to schools, higher education and other organizations across Iowa starting in July.

Elizabeth Strom (Heaton) AFM, was elected president of the Illinois Society of Professional Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers at the organization's annual meeting held in Champaign, IL. Strom is a Vice President with Murray Wise and Associates, located here. She graduated from Black Hawk College East Campus in 2014. She joined the ISPFMRA in 2916 and received her Accredited Farm Manager designation from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers in 2018. The Toulon, IL native received an associates degree from Black Hawk College in Kewanee in 2014 and a bachelors in agricultural business from Iowa State University in 2016. Prior to being elected president, Strom served as vice president and president elect of the Society. The Illinois Chapter is the largest of the 28 around the United States with 262 members and 32 'Friends of the Chapter.'

I have recently posted my new website which contains most of my 14 books I have had published and two poetry DVD's I produced. The website can be viewed at http://www.interpretativevisions.com. The books cover a wide range thoughts and ideas for the curious and inquisitive. Please take a look.

Craig Morris, Ph.D., AnSci '92, was named to the Intrafish Media's 'Seafood Power 100' ranking of the most influential executives in the global seafood industry. Intrafish Media is the global seafood industry's leading trade publication and publishes this listing annually of the executives who move markets with their decisions, take risks that make competitors react, and make bold moves that move the industry forward. Dr. Morris serves as the CEO of the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers, the marketing arm of the largest certified sustainable fishery on earth and the most consumed wild-caught fish on the planet. Dr. Morris' members include the largest seafood companies in the United States and the Association's campaigns are seen by consumers around the world. This is the second year in a row that Dr. Morris was named to this list.

Chad Bouton, ('96 Aerospace Engr & Engr Mechanics), a bioengineer at the Feinstein Institutes, is leading a trial on a ‘double neural bypass’ brain implant technology that has now restored movement and sensation in a 43 year old quadriplegic man named Keith Thomas from New York. Bouton is published by TIME magazine and many other outlets covering the clinical trial. He also earned the Tesla Innovator of the Year Award. https://time.com/6298543/paralysis-reversal-keith-thomas/ https://www.nature.com/articles/nature17435?cookies=accepted https://finance.yahoo.com/news/feinstein-institutes-chad-bouton-receives-150000043.html?guce_referr…

Contact Ed Cohen Director of Communications/Marketing egcohen@judges.org ISU alumni elected to the Board of Trustees of National Judicial College RENO, Nev. (Feb. 6, 2024) - Samuel A. Thumma, an ISU (class of 1984) alumni has been elected a trustee of the National Judicial College, the nation's oldest, largest, and most widely attended school for judges. Judge Thumma has served on the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One, in Phoenix since 2012 and was chief judge from 2017-19. Before his service on the Court of Appeals, he served for five years as a trial judge on the Arizona Superior Court in Maricopa County. He currently serves as a presidential appointee to the Standing Committee on Lawyer Referral and Information Services and the Advisory Council of the Task Force on Law and Artificial Intelligence.

The Iowa Public Broadcasting Board has appointed Andrew Batt as executive director and general manager of Iowa PBS. Batt begins serving as executive director on February 2. An award-winning producer who started at the network as a college intern and worked his way up, he brings passion, experience and production expertise to the role and is poised to lead the statewide network's talented team. Batt's resume includes production and programming development for all aspects of content creation. He has spearheaded efforts to push technological advancements, grow digital engagement, develop new funding opportunities and expand award-winning programming. He is recognized as a leader on editorial integrity issues related to public policy, politics and news coverage.

DC Comics' hard-working Collected Editions department is releasing a box set on 9/3/24 of every Year One tale! For the first time, readers can get ROBIN: YEAR ONE, BATGIRL: YEAR ONE, and NIGHTWING: YEAR ONE in one fell swoop. ROBIN: YEAR ONE was co-written by Scott Beatty (that's me!) and Chuck Dixon, and illustrated by Javier Pulido, Marcos Martín, and Robert Campanella, with colors by Lee Loughridge. BATGIRL: YEAR ONE was co-written by Chuck and me, and illustrated by Marcos Martín and Alvaro Lopez, with colors by Javier Rodriguez. NIGHTWING: YEAR ONE was co-written by Chuck and me, and illustrated by Scott McDaniel and Andy Owens, with colors by Gregory Wright.

Bruce Baier (L)('85 BSME) recently retired from a position of Sr. Vice President of Engineering for Pella Corporation. He has served in engineering and technical leadership roles for over 38 years. He has also served as a member of the ISU Mechanical Engineering Advisory Council and is a proud supporter of both ISU academics and athletics. Pella Corporation doesn’t just create windows and doors, we innovate with purpose, design with passion, build with integrity, and deliver with pride. From testing beyond industry requirements to continuous innovation, Pella goes beyond what meets the eye. Pella’s goal is to perfect every detail and make beautifully designed windows and doors. The company is headquartered in Pella, Iowa and employs more than 7,000 people with 16 manufacturing locations and more than 200 showrooms across the country.

New position as: BioProcess Sales Manager - Midwest USA and LATAM for Purolite Corp.

Artwork featured on award winning documentary movie poster/cover art Lakota Nation vs United States which is currently streaming for rent and is available to watch on Delta flights.

A Bachelor of Fine Arts degree was awarded Charles McGavren at commencement exercises in December, 2023 from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. After a successful career in journalism he retired then returned to school studying art and art history. His practice is primarily figurative painting in oil and watercolor.

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Lisa Stange, Retired CTE Consultant from Clive, Iowa, as the recipient of the 2023 National ACTE Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes CTE professionals for their leadership on behalf of ACTE, their innovations in CTE and their contributions to the field over an extended period of time. Stange was one of four finalists for the 2023 national title. The national winner was announced at the Awards Gala, recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. ACTE also inducted all Lifetime Achievement national finalists into the ACTE Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame honors the leadership of CTE professionals who have made enduring contributions to CTE throughout their career.