Class Notes

Matt Kuhns (A)('00 graphic design) is the author of a new book chronicling the multi-year feud between former ISU President James H. Hilton and University of Iowa President Virgil Hancher, Hancher vs. Hilton: Iowa's Rival University Presidents.

Dave Williams ('85 fisheries and wildlife biology) is the author of the new book The Prairie in Seed: Identifying Seed-Bearing Prairie Plants in the Upper Midwest, published by University of Iowa Press.

Peter J. van der Linden ('75 botany, MS '80) is the author of the new book Shrubs and Vines of Iowa, published by University of Iowa Press.

Fred W. Cubbage (L)('74 forestry) is the author of the new book, Natural Resource Policy, published by Waveland Press.

Melissa L. Sevigny (MFA '13 creative writing and the environment) is the author of the new book Mythical River: Chasing the Mirage of New Water in the American Southwest, published by University of Iowa Press.

David Meyerholz DVM, PhD was awarded the Mid-Career Excellence Award at the 2015 American College of Veterinary Pathologist (ACVP) meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The ACVP organization is composed of board certified veterinary pathologists from North America and around the world. The Mid-Career Excellence Award was established to recognize an outstanding ACVP members in the middle phase of their careers. Specifically, recipients of this award are pathologists who have made exceptional contributions to the veterinary pathology profession in research, education, mentoring, and leadership. Dr. Meyerholz is an Associate Professor (Department of Pathology) and serves as Director of the Division of Comparative Pathology at the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine (University of Iowa).

Amy and I would like to announce the newest future Cyclone, Elizabeth Jayne Yayang Gregory. Libby is 22 months old and was born in Guiyang, China. We are so thankful that God has blessed us with her.

Morgan Bobb ('14 Genetics & Global Resource Systems) and Jake Swanson ('14 Global Resource Systems) are happy to announce their engagement. Both graduates from the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, the proposal took place in front of Curtiss Hall- also a special spot as Jake is the fourth generation in his family to graduate from this College. Morgan is the daughter of Joel and Kjrsten Bobb of Denmark, IA. She is currently attending the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine. Jake is the son of Don and Pat Swanson of Ottumwa, IA. He is employed at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. A September wedding is planned in Denmark, IA.

Nate Clayberg ('97 JLMC) recently launched nee10 Solutions & Media in the Waterloo/ Cedar Falls area assisting small businesses with business strategy, plus voice over talent for commercials and sports broadcasting.

Adriana (Chavez) Moe (12' Political Science) and Christopher Moe (11' Management Information Systems) were married on April 23, 2016 in Ames, IA.

I'm demonstrating colored pencil drawing on September 24th, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Artist Registry Demo Days, at the AKC Museum of the Dog, at Queeny Park, here in St Louis. Some pieces of my art will also be featured in the upcoming Dogs of St. Louis Artists: An Artist Registry Exhibition, which will run from September 8th, 2016 February 19th, 2017. My "Domesticated Dogs” drawings are available as prints, cards, etc. See the link: www.redbubble.com/people/pegmcclurellc For more info on Demo Days & exhibits: http://www.museumofthedog.org/

Matt and Leah Santee Met at ISU, Matt proposed in April 2014 under the campanile at midnight and we were married at the Iowa State Alumni Center on August 15, 2015 with Cy making a special appearance at our reception! We love Iowa State and the Cyclones!

Paula L (Nickles) Beckman (L) (BS '92 JLMC) is an August 2016 DMACC graduate, receiving an AS in criminal justice. Her program emphasis was computer forensics.

Betsy Matos, Ph.D., University Biosafety Officer, Iowa State University, Environmental Health and Safety, Ames, is now a Registrant of the National Registry of Certified Microbiologists (NRCM). On June 27, 2016, she became certified as a Specialist Microbiologist in Biological Safety Microbiology. Dr. Matos received her Ph.D. from Iowa State University, Ames. To earn the NRCM credential, Dr. Matos first met rigorous educational and experiential eligibility requirements and then passed a comprehensive written examination. She has demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive biological safety program.

Kristen Walker has been promoted to director of accounts at Happy Medium, a marketing agency headquartered in Des Moines. In this new role, she will lead the account management team in building and sustaining client relationships as well as continue to develop new business leads. Happy Medium was named the fastest growing company in the state of Iowa by the Inc. 5000 list in 2015 as well as the Best Workplace for Young Professionals by the Greater Des Moines Partnership.

Carly Schieffer and her husband, Michael, welcomed a son, Silas Vernon Schieffer, July 8, 2016. He weighed 6 pounds, 8 ounces and was 19 3/4 inches long.

Mary Dickens Johnson has been invited to receive an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the International Biographical Center, Cambridge England (IBC). Mary lives in Honolulu and teaches contracts management education online for Villanova University. She is certified with the National Contract Management Association, the Institute of Supply Management and is a Fellow w/ NCMA.

Phil Mulder was recently awarded the title of Honorary Fellow of the Royal Entomological Society. The title is awarded to those who have “given eminent and distinguished service to the Entomological Science and/or the Society.” The RES was founded in 1833 as the Entomological Society of London.

Ultrarunner Pete Kostelnick defended his title at the Badwater 135 July 20, 2016, finishing one of the world's hardest races in record time (21.56.32) -- a mark one hour faster than the race's previous record. Badwater is set over 135 miles (217km) from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, California, USA. It is a one stage race, with the start at night. The start line is at Badwater, Death Valley, which marks the lowest elevation in North America at 280’ (85m) below sea level. The race finishes at Whitney Portal at 8,300’ (2530m). The Badwater 135 course covers three mountain ranges for a total of 14,600’ (4450m) of cumulative vertical ascent and 6,100’ (1859m) of cumulative descent.

Melanie Carlson, a principal with French-Reneker-Associates, an engineering firm in Fairfield was named the Young Engineer of the Year in Iowa. The honor is presented to an engineer under the age of 35 who has attained outstanding technical and professional achievement before the age of 35. Carlson was presented the award in recognition of her engineering contributions and involvement in numerous water and environmental issues. She is also very active in Project Lead the Way, a high school activity designed to attract students to careers in math and science. She has been involved in MathCounts, a statewide math competition for 7th and 8th grade students, as well as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). She was instrumental in obtaining a grant for the City of Lockridge city park playground and she is a member of the Lockridge Lions Club. She serves on the Fairfield Economic Development Board of Directors and is a member of the Advisory Committee for Leadership Fairfield. Carlson joined the engineering firm in 2007. Her interest in engineering was heightened after she job-shadowed at French-Reneker-Associates in high school. She became a licensed professional engineer in 2011. She recently was named a principal in the firm.

Camie Gunderson has been promoted to regional director of operations for Wyndham Hotels. She is one of the top-ranking women in the company.

Dan Voss was chosen by the Knowles Science Teaching Foundation as a member of its 2016 cohort of Teaching Fellows. He is the recipient of one of 34 Teaching Fellowships awarded to early-career, high school mathematics and science teachers this year. Dan is committed to teaching chemistry and physics to high school students in the U.S. Dan will begin his first year of teaching at Boone High School in Boone, Iowa in August 2016. The Foundation provides support and professional development designed specifically for early-career, high school mathematics and science teachers through its signature program—the KSTF Teaching Fellows Program. With a focus on supporting teacher-led educational improvement in the classroom and beyond, KSTF Teaching Fellows gain access to a comprehensive suite of benefits for five years, including summer stipends, funds for professional development, grants for teaching materials, mentoring and support from experienced teachers and teacher educators, support for teacher leadership activities, and membership in a community of more than 300 like-minded peers in 40 states.

Mike Zhang, professor of biological systems engineering in the College of Engineering and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, has been awarded the Elizabeth and James E. Turner Jr. '56 Faculty Fellowship in Engineering by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors. Elizabeth and James Turner created the Turner Fellowships in 2011 with a $1 million gift to recognize faculty excellence. James Turner is a 1956 agricultural engineering alumnus who is the retired president and chief operating officer of General Dynamics. He is also a former rector of the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors, and in 2004 received Virginia Techs highest honor, the William H. Ruffner Medal. Recipients hold the title of Turner Fellows for a period of five years. A member of the Virginia Tech faculty since 2001, Zhang's research program focuses on development of safe and effective vaccines or therapeutics to combat existing and emerging human and livestock diseases with particular expertise is the development of delivery mechanisms for vaccines and therapeutics that improve their effectiveness. His research has attracted significant funding from federal agencies, including the National Institutes of Health and U.S. Department of Agriculture, and from industry. Zhang is active in the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, having completed the officer progression for the Biological Engineering Division of ASABE. He reviews proposals, serving on panels for several federal agencies. He reviews manuscripts for a variety of high quality journals has served on the editorial boards of two journals. In the classroom, Zhang is regarded as an excellent teacher, contributing significantly at both the undergraduate and graduate levels through teaching courses, leading continuous improvement efforts, and mentoring both undergraduate and graduate students. Through his leadership as graduate program director, he has contributed significantly to increasing the quality and number of graduate students in the biological systems engineering program.

Madan Adora recently published two books: "Turning Sewage Into Reusable Water" (Archway Publishing) and "Happiness Comes From Small Things." (Xlibris Publishing)

Iowa Friends of Civil Rights presented its annual Outstanding Individual Contribution Award to George Belitsos (Honorary PhD, ‘12, Human Sciences) on July 21st, 2016. Much of his civil rights advocacy has focused on the needs of LGBTQ youth in the child welfare system along with juvenile justice reform. George retired as founder and CEO of Youth and Shelter Services (YSS) on January 1, 2016. That same month, he was elected to serve as the statewide chair of the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking and was appointed by Governor Branstad to serve on the Iowa Commission for Tobacco Control and Prevention. At an event at Terrace Hill, the Governor and the First Lady of Iowa presented George with a “Lifetime Achievement Award” for his 40 years of work and contributions to the field of behavioral health. In recognition of this retirement, George received the Citizen of the Year award from the Story County Board of Supervisors and the Business Person of the Year from the Ames Chamber of Commerce. YSS had its birth on the campus of Iowa State University when George was a graduate student. When he retired, YSS had 315 employees and 26 locations in central Iowa.