Class Notes

Claire Masker (L)(’05 an sci & ag and life sci ed, MS ’08 ag and life sci ed), has been promoted to director of sustainability communications at National Pork Board.

Brian Canaday (’93 fisheries and wildlife biology), chief of fisheries for the Missouri Department of Conservation, recently celebrated 25 years of working with the organization.

Jeff Kaisand (L)(’89 an sci, DVM ’93 ) has been named the new Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship state veterinarian.

The University of Wisconsin-River Falls has renamed its softball field in honor of Faye Perkins (A)('79 phys ed, MS '85), who was also recently selected as a recipient of a Special Recognition Award from the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). Perkins was the head softball coach at UW-River Falls from 1989-2007 and 2012-2015. In her 22 years as head coach, she amassed 479 career wins -- the most in program history. She led the Falcons to three conference championships and three NCAA tournament appearances. She was inducted into the Iowa State University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2004.

Dan Culhane (L)('93 community and regional planning), President & CEO of the Ames (Iowa) Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Commission, has been awarded re-certification by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). The designation of Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) is a highly recognized national recognition that denotes a mastery of principal skills in economic development, professional attainment, and a commitment to professional growth. Culhane first earned certification by passing a rigorous three-part, two-day examination, testing his knowledge, proficiency and judgment in the key areas of economic development.

Dr. Patricia Tice (L)('75 child devel, MS '83 education) has been inducted into the American Association of Etiquette Professionals as an official member in good standing. Membership is by invitation only. Tice is the owner of Etiquette Iowa in Adel, Iowa, where she works with businesses, organizations, and educational institutions on civility and manners. Through her ‘Build a Longer Table’ seminars, Tice trains people in the soft and social skills of civility, the anatomy of manners and how to live a successful life and career through behaving well on a daily basis. She is also the author of the book "Agri Manners: Essential Etiquette for Professional Success," which is now in its second printing.

Dan Winters (L)('03 journalism) is a 2019 recipient of a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award for his work with WHO-TV 13 photojournalist Randy Schumacher on the news story "Pipe Dream." The piece was honored in the "Excellence in Video" category. Winters is evening anchor for WHO-TV 13 News in Des Moines, Iowa.

Larry Buss (L)('68 ag engr) and his wife, Bunny, have built their farm operation from the ground up and now give back to their local community, agricultural organizations and Iowa State University. They have been named 2019 Iowa Master Farmers by Wallaces Farmer.

Joseph Cassady (L)(’93 an sci), professor and head of the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Department of Animal Science received the SDSU College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences Dr. Harold and Barbara Bailey Award for Excellence in Academic Department Leadership.

Paul Thomas (’09 an sci, DVM '13, MS '15 veterinary preventative medicine), associate veterinarian for AMVC Management Services in Audubon, Iowa, was honored with the American Association of Swine Veterinarian’s Young Swine Veterinarian of the Year Award.

Stephanie Carlson (’13 animal science) has accepted a position as a legislative assistant for U.S. Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa.

Jessica Manthe (A)(’18 ag business) has accepted a position as a marketing coordinator at Kent Precision Foods Group.

Tim Berkland (’09 agronomy, ’11 MS crop production and physiology), general manager of Growmark FS Midwest, is a 2019 recipient of the Secretary’s Iowa Ag Leader Award for Conservation from the Agribusiness Association of Iowa.

Diane Young (’91 ag microbiology, dairy science), director of technical services and owner of Foundation Analytical Laboratory in Cherokee, received the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Leader in Innovation Award.

Dean (’61 an sci) and Adele (’62 child devel) Bowden (L) of Webster City, Iowa, are the 2019 recipients of the Iowa 4-H Foundation's Outstanding Individual Supporter Award.

Dean (’61 an sci) and Adele (’62 child devel) Bowden (L) of Webster City, Iowa, are the 2019 recipients of the Iowa 4-H Foundation's Outstanding Individual Supporter Award.

Mackenzie Dierks (A)('12 ag studies and intl ag), a sustainable ag consultant with KCoe Isom, is a member of the first-ever class of "AgGrad 30 Under 30" honorees -- a program celebrating young professionals shaping the future of agriculture.

Steven Brockshus ('17 ag and life sci ed), founder and COO of FarmlandFinder, is a member of the first-ever class of "AgGrad 30 Under 30" honorees -- a program celebrating young professionals shaping the future of agriculture.

Tom Miller (’61 an sci) has been inducted into the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) Hall of Fame. Miller, an Arizona pork producer, executive director of the Arizona Pork Council, and past president of the NPPC, was inducted into the Hall of Fame for his lifetime commitment to advocacy, leadership, and advancement on behalf of pork producers.

Dawn Mellion-Patin (PhD '95 ag and life sci ed), vice chancellor for extension and outreach at Southern University Agricultural Center, received the T.M. Campbell Leadership Award at the Tuskegee University Farmers Conference. Mellion-Patin was recognized for her efforts to improve extension and outreach and advancing the quality of life for rural citizens.

Rob Stout (A)(’78 farm op) of Washington, Iowa, was named the American Soybean Association’s (ASA) 2019 National Conservation Legacy Award winner. The award was presented March 1, 2019 during the ASA's Commodity Classic in Orlando, Fla.

Don Latham (L)(’69 agronomy) of Alexander, Iowa, has been named the United Soybean Board's 2019 Outstanding Achievement Award recipient. The award was presented March 1, 2019 during the American Soybean Association's Commodity Classic in Orlando, Fla.

Dawn Reding (PhD '11 ecology & evolutionary bio) has been granted tenure by Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where she has taught courses in biology, genomics, and vertebrate biology in the college's biology department since 2013. Her research interests include using genetic tools to study the evolution, ecology, and conservation of wildlife.

Ben Bruns (L)('01 construction engr) has been promoted to vice president of The Weitz Company, a leading U.S. commercial general contractor headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa. Bruns has spent his entire professional career with Weitz, including past roles as project engineer, project manager, and business development director.

Walter Armstrong (A)('84 ag & life sci ed) of Bayer Crop Science in Ames, Iowa, recently received the 2019 International Certified Crop Adviser of the Year award from the American Society of Agronomy. The award is presented annually to just one from a pool of more than 13,000 certified crop advisers worldwide in recognition of customer service, innovation, leadership, knowledge, idea exchange, and education in the agriculture community.