Class Notes

The American Horticultural Society has announced that Kelly D. Norris (A)(’08 horticulture, MS ’11) of Des Moines is the recipient of its newest award, the Emerging Horticultural Professional Award. Norris began his horticultural career at 15, when he talked his parents into purchasing a nursery, Rainbow Iris Farm, which he still runs. He is currently the director of horticulture and education at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden. He also has authored two garden books and is a regular contributor to several gardening publications.

Alan Greiner (’85 music) has received a National Federation of State High School Associations Citation. He is currently the executive director of the Iowa High School Music Association.

Annette Payne (’16 ag and life sci ed) has accepted a sales position at Agri Drain Corporation in Adair, Iowa.

Lauren Houska (’15 ag and life sci ed) is a new communications specialist at the Iowa Soybean Association.

David Mlostek (’14 dairy science & agronomy), was hired as a dairy nutrition consultant for Nutriad, a global feed-additives producer.

Kellie Lasack (’12 ag and life sci ed) has started a communications consulting business, Roan Marketing and Communications.

Andrew Stammer (’11 agronomy, MS ’15 soil sci) has been hired as the director of the University of Wisconsin Soil and Forage Analysis Lab in Marshfield, Wis.

Rusty Gibbs (’07 ag and life sci ed) is the new director of industry relations for the Iowa Beef Industry Council.

Ashley Wolfe (A)(MS ’06 ag and life sci ed), ag educator at Grinnell Community Schools in Grinnell, Iowa, was honored with the Golden Apple Award from Des Moines' WHO-TV 13.

Jamee Amundson Eggers (’02 an sci) has accepted a position as producer education director for the Iowa Pork Producers Association.

C. Scanlon Daniels (L)(’97 an sci, DVM ’98), veterinarian with Circle H Headquarters in Dalhart, Texas, was elected president of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians.

Bill Hendrix (’90 entomology) has been hired as vice president of technology for Valent U.S.A., LLC.

Florine Swanson (L)('64 home economics), retired executive director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation, and her husband, Ron Swanson (L)(’61 farm operation), a farmer near Galt, Iowa, were honored with the 2018 Individual Supporter Award from the Iowa 4-H Foundation at the Iowa 4-H Legacy Awards Gala in February.

Ron Swanson (L)(’61 farm operation), a farmer near Galt, Iowa, and his wife, Florine (L)('64 home economics), retired executive director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation, were honored with the 2018 Individual Supporter Award from the Iowa 4-H Foundation at the Iowa 4-H Legacy Awards Gala in February.

Stacey Cole (cert '13 human sci) was recently named Iowa’s 2018 Central Office Administrator of the Year by the School Administrators of Iowa. She received her superintendent's endorsement for the Iowa State University School of Education in 2013.

Sarah L. Wilson (L)('04 family & consumer sci ed, M.Ed. '06, PhD '15), director of student services in the Iowa State University College of Human Sciences and co-coordinator of ISU's MINDs learning community, on May 7 received the Learning Community Champion Award. This award honors an individual who has significantly contributed to the advancement of learning communities at Iowa State University. Wilson has consistently been instrumental in promoting the College of Human Sciences Learning Communities to all College of Human Sciences students.

David Hawn (L)('82 con engr) was honored with the RCI Lifetime Achievement Award. He is only the fifth recipient of the award in RCI history. Hawn is president of Dedicated Roof & Hydro Solutions, headquartered in Marietta, Ga. RCI is an association of roofing, waterproofing and exterior wall professionals.

Benjamin A. Maresca (’03 comm & regional planning), has joined Fox Rothschild LLP as an associate in the firm’s Real Estate Department. Benjamin centers his practice on real estate and land use law, advising developers on issues related to residential, commercial and mixed-use properties.

A book by Derek S. Oden (PhD ’06 ag history & rural studies), Harvest of Hazards: Family Farming, Accidents, and Expertise in the Corn Belt, has received an honorable mention in the Benjamin F. Shambaugh Awards for the best Iowa history books published in the past year. The awards are given by the State Historical Society of Iowa.

Sara Egge (’09 MA history, PhD ’12 ag history & rural studies) has published Woman Suffrage and Citizenship in the Midwest, 1870-1920. The book provides evidence of the importance of women in creating and shaping public attitudes in the American heartland.

Mark Sherfy (’93 civ engr) was recently promoted to vice president and development services group leader at BHC RHODES, a civil engineering and surveying firm in Overland Park, Kan.

Shelby VanNordstrand (A)(’04 music) received an Alumni Outstanding Teaching Award from the University of Nebraska at Omaha Alumni Association in honor of distinguished classroom teaching. She is an assistant professor of music in UNO’s College of Arts & Sciences.

Mark Hanna (’73 ag engr, MS ’75, PhD ’91), a former extension agricultural engineer at Iowa State University, is the recipient of the 2018 Iowa Master Farmer Exceptional Service Award. The award, which is sponsored by Wallaces Farmer magazine, is presented to individuals who aren’t farmers but have spent a lifetime helping farmers. Hanna retired last October after 42 years at Iowa State. His research and extension efforts were related to tillage, planting, and nutrient management.

The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers has awarded Bruce Johnson (L)(’55 mech engr) with the prestigious William H. Webb Medal. Johnson was a leading educator at the U.S. Naval Academy for 35 years, where he was project manager for the Hydromechanics Laboratory and program director of Ocean Engineering. He retired in 1999 and makes his home in Annapolis, Md.

John Tuttle ('88 finance) has been named Director of Sales for Brock Grain Systems in Milford, Ind. In his new position, Tuttle will be responsible for growing sales with key accounts, directing sales strategies and further development of the Brock dealer network. He will be leading the United States and Canadian district sales managers in marketing the company’s line of storage, handling, conditioning and structural products for grain. He will continue to reside in Des Moines, Iowa.