Class Notes

Bradley Petersen has joined the Kent Corporation commodity procurement team as a senior commodity manager.

Lexie Cook has joined the Hy-Vee floral design team in Dubuque.

Lauren Houska has been hired as an account coordinator at Sandbox Group.

Longtime industry sales veteran Wes Johnson, has joined Ceva Animal Health’s swine business unit as strategic account manager with a keen focus on the custom vaccine business. In his new role, Johnson will focus on helping to launch the company’s customized swine vaccines to key accounts, as well as growing and managing Ceva’s portfolio of swine products. “With nearly 30 years of product sales experience, most of it in the swine industry, Wes is the ideal professional to lead our custom vaccine sales efforts and to provide these solutions to swine veterinarians and producers,” says Gary Robertson, director, swine business unit. “Wes is well known and highly regarded by producers and veterinarians and has a thorough understanding of the production and health challenges currently facing producers. His previous custom vaccine sales experience and knowledge will be especially beneficial to our team and the customers we serve.” Prior to joining Ceva, Johnson spent nearly 11 years as national swine accounts manager for MVP Laboratories, Inc., in Omaha, Nebraska, where he was responsible for calling on key swine integrators and consulting veterinarians and providing direction for the company’s swine business. Johnson also has held swine sales positions with Novartis Animal Health, ImmTech Biologics and Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc.

Susan G. Magliaro, professor of educational psychology in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences at Virginia Tech, has been conferred the title of “professor emerita” by the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors. The emeritus title may be conferred on retired professors, associate professors, and administrative officers who are specially recommended to the board by Virginia Tech President Tim Sands. Nominated individuals who are approved by the board receive an emeritus certificate from the university. A member of the Virginia Tech community since 1988, Magliaro has made significant contributions to educational psychology through her work in K-12 outreach and extensive service through the Virginia Department of Education. Her scholarship has yielded four books and more than 50 book chapters, peer-reviewed journal articles, and reports. She has also given more than 100 presentations at professional meetings. At Virginia Tech, Magliaro provided tremendous support to the VT-STEM and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) projects. In addition, she served as chair of the Department of Teaching and Learning, director of the School of Education, and associate dean in her college. Magliaro has consulted and collaborated with numerous school systems on issues including instructional design, beginning teacher training and mentoring, and the alignment of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. In 2014, Magliaro, was appointed to Virginia’s Standards of Learning Innovation Committee by Gov. Terry McAuliffe. In 2003, she assumed responsibility as director of the Southwest Virginia Professional Education Consortium, which focuses on the training and development of cooperating teachers for the student teachers of the four participating universities, including Virginia Tech. She has served on the Virginia Advisory Board on Teacher Education and Licensure and on the Board of Trustees for the Science Museum of Western Virginia. At Virginia Tech, Magliaro taught a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate courses across the School of Education curriculum. She advised many students on their master’s degree and doctoral dissertations and helped them develop successful careers in both academic and industrial settings. She has received numerous honors and awards for her professional contributions, such as the Outstanding Teacher Educator Award from the Virginia Association of Colleges for Teacher Education, Virginia Tech’s Alumni Teaching Award, and the William E. Wine Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Neumann Monson Architects is pleased to announce the addition of intern architect Callah Nelson to its Iowa City office. Prior to joining Neumann Monson, Callah interned at BNIM in Des Moines, where she began refining her skills working on graphics and physical models. Callah is originally from Fargo, North Dakota. Neumann Monson Architects, founded in 1977, provides award-winning architectural, planning, and interior design services to a wide variety of clients and utilizes a collaborative work process to produce sustainable design solutions.

Kevin Reynolds has been recognized by Chambers and Partners in its 2016 attorney rankings in the area of litigation/general commercial -- Iowa. Chambers USA is researched by dedicated staff who speak to leading firms, clients, and government officials to recommend leading firms and attorneys. Chambers and Partners, based in London, England, publishes guides in 185 jurisdictions throughout the world and have been ranking the best lawyers and law firms since 1990.

Southern Vermont College Director of Athletics Michael McDonough announced on June 1 the naming of Ashley Hodges as the new Assistant Director of Athletics for SVC, as the College was one of 26 National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III members to be awarded with the Association’s diversity grants for the 2016-17 academic year. Hodges has been the head athletic trainer for Southern Vermont athletics since the fall of 2009, and she assumed the Senior Woman Administrator role in the fall of 2010. She has been a part of numerous committees both at the College and at the NCAA level, including serving on SVC’s recent presidential search advisory committee which resulted in the hire of David Rees Evans, Ph.D., as the College’s ninth president. She also chaired the College’s search for its new Vice President and Dean of Admissions which landed Daniel Summers II in the position back in November. Hodges will continue to oversee athletic training at Southern Vermont as the head athletic trainer. "Ashley has played an increasingly important role at SVC and is respected throughout the New England Collegiate Conference as our Senior Woman Administrator,” said McDonough. “We are grateful for this opportunity to extend her impact as Assistant Director of Athletics. The growing success of our athletic program is in no small measure a reflection of the team we have assembled to coach, serve, and mentor our student-athletes." The announcement comes on the heels of Southern Vermont being awarded one of the six DIII Strategic Alliance Matching Grants given out for 2016-17 in conjunction with 20 DIII Ethnic Minority and Women’s Internship Grants. Both programs are in their 15th year, with the upcoming academic cycle set to see the NCAA award more than $800,000 to those 26 member institutions, collectively. The two grants aim at encouraging access, recruitment, selection, and the long-term success of ethnic minorities and women in athletics administration and assistant coaching. “I’m very excited for the opportunity to grow professionally at Southern Vermont College,” Hodges said. “I am looking forward to helping our student-athletes in other ways besides medically.” Hodges received her Master of Science degree in Adult Learning and Organizational Performance, with a concentration in human resources, from Drake University in 2009. She is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Education at Northcentral University.

Edwin R. Mickelson, principal at NBBJ in Columbus, Ohio, has received the Cleveland Botanical Garden's Delia White Vail Medal for his esteemed body of work including his contributions to landscaping Cleveland public spaces. Former Cleveland Botanical Garden board member Herman Lansing Vail established the award in 1957 to commemorate his wife’s lifelong interest in horticulture and civic beautification. The medal recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant national contributions to the field of horticulture. Mickelson strives to combine artistic expression with social purpose and realize outdoor environments that respect the natural environment, enliven community and enhance life. During his career he has won more than 30 design awards for his work in the planning and design of highly complex sites in the United States, China, South Korea, Taiwan, Turkey, Jordan and Kuwait. He continues his connection with Cleveland through current commissions such as the Lucia Smith Nash Walk on the campus of Case Western Reserve University, a streetscape study for Euclid at Uptown, and the urban landscapes associated with the nuCLEus development located downtown adjacent to the Quicken Loans Arena. The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Vail Garden, built in 2006 at the front doors of the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, represents Mickelson’s design excellence in an intimate setting, expressing beauty and simplicity.

The American Physical Therapy Association has named Justin Moore, PT, DPT, as chief executive officer. A physical therapist and veteran of both the profession and the association with more than 20 years' experience, Justin earned the Board of Directors' overwhelming support to lead the organization. His tenure will begin July 1, 2016.

One of the American livestock industry’s highest honors will be awarded to an Iowa State University emeritus professor and former animal science department chair. The 2016 Saddle and Sirloin Club Portrait Award will be presented to Maynard Hogberg at a ceremony in Louisville, Kentucky, in November. Hogberg’s portrait will be unveiled as the newest entry in the Saddle and Sirloin Club Portrait Collection, a 113-year-old tradition honoring leaders who have demonstrated lifetime achievements and provided outstanding service to animal agriculture. For three decades, Hogberg led animal science departments at Iowa State University and Michigan State University. He served as chair of Michigan State’s animal science department from 1984 to 2002 and chair of Iowa State’s animal science department from 2003 to 2015. “The Saddle and Sirloin Club honor recognizes Dr. Hogberg’s legacy as one of the nation’s premier university leaders of animal science programs,” said Wendy Wintersteen, endowed dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. “During his tenure, he contributed greatly to enhance our animal science department’s reputation. Due to his leadership, the department is nationally and internationally recognized for its strong undergraduate and graduate programs, an excellent broad-based research program and an actively engaged extension program. His engagement with and responsiveness to the needs of Iowa livestock and poultry industries was critical in helping Iowa State meet its land-grant mission to Iowa agriculture.” As a national leader in animal agriculture, Hogberg shaped a generation of animal scientists, extension specialists and industry leaders through his mentoring of students, faculty and staff and academia and industry colleagues. Hogberg provided leadership to numerous state and national livestock associations and organizations, including serving as president of the American Society of Animal Science and of the Federation of Animal Science Societies. He was instrumental in the formation of the National Swine Registry. Hogberg will be the 369th person honored since 1903, joining the ranks of other notable names in Iowa State history, including Seaman Knapp, Charles F. Curtiss, Henry Kildee, Jay Lush and Richard Willham. Willham, an emeritus distinguished professor, was the last Iowa State person to be inducted, in 2004.

Law student Megan Hingtgen has joined the Davis Brown Law Firm for its 2016 Summer Associates program. Megan is a first-year law student at the University of Iowa College of Law with a background in chemical engineering. The Summer Associates program allows talented law students to assist shareholders and associates on challenging, sophisticated, and complex cases and transactions. Summer associates also gain experience in legal research and contribute to the community through their work on pro bono projects.

Law student Katelynn McCollough has joined the Davis Brown Law Firm for its 2016 Summer Associates program. Katelynn is in her second year of law school at the University of Iowa; she studied journalism and political science at Iowa State. The Summer Associates program allows talented law students to assist shareholders and associates on challenging, sophisticated, and complex cases and transactions. Summer associates also gain experience in legal research and contribute to the community through their work on pro bono projects.

Dr. Leola Adams has been inducted into South Carolina State University’s Miller Society for contributing $100,000 cumulatively to the university.

Sharon Meier Lutheran began serving as the Chair of Nutrition Education for the Public for the Dietetic Practice Group of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics June 1. This Dietetic Practice Group has 985 members nationwide. Ms. Lutheran has been a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics since 1990.

Robert Gunderson (L)('76 Landscape Architecture) was recently reappointed to the Minnesota Board of Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience, and Interior Design (AELSLAGID) by Governor Mark Dayton. The Board administers over 20,000 licensed professionals. He is currently serving as Vice Chair of the 21-member board.

Sally Beisser is the 2016 recipient of Drake University's Provost Ronald Troyer Research Fellowship Endowment, as well as the university's Madelyn Levitt Teacher of the Year Award. Beisser is a Drake University Professor of Education.

Schemmer welcomes Elizabeth Hunter, P.E., AICP, LEED AP BD+C, as Civil Engineering Manager Council Bluffs, Iowa - The Schemmer Associates Inc. (Schemmer), a local full-service architecture, engineering and planning firm, is pleased to welcome Elizabeth Hunter, P.E., AICP, LEED AP BD+C, as Civil Engineering Manager based in the Council Bluffs, Iowa office. Hunter has more than 19 years of diverse experience in designing housing developments, managing environmentally sensitive field work and near zero disturbance construction and master planning projects from design through construction administration. Hunter is a licensed professional engineer in Iowa, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Michigan, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Washington, D.C., Wisconsin and Wyoming. In addition, she is a Certified Planner and a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) accredited professional with a Building Design + Construction (BD+C) specialty. Her expertise lies in code and zoning reviews as well as permitting and getting projects approved with local planning boards, zoning board of appeals and city councils. Her experience includes work in both public and private industries providing site development on numerous types of projects such as transportation, residential, commercial, healthcare, educational, sports facilities, stormwater and environmentally sensitive projects. At Schemmer, Hunter will be responsible for leading the Council Bluffs office in civil engineering efforts, project management and business development. She holds Bachelor of Science degrees in both Civil Engineering and Environmental Studies from Iowa State University, and a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering and Community and Regional Planning from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Hunter is a member of the Society of Women Engineers Eastern Nebraska Section, the American Planning Association, the Iowa Engineering Society and a Life Member of the Iowa State University Alumni Association. She has served in leadership roles for the Society of Women Engineers and the Metro Area Engineers Roundtable for more than 16 years. Schemmer is a collaborative full-service architectural, engineering and planning firm providing responsible solutions for complex design- and construction-related challenges. Headquartered in Omaha, Neb., Schemmer has regional offices in Des Moines and Council Bluffs, Iowa; Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Okla.; as well as in Lincoln, Neb. For more information, please visit our website at www.schemmer.com.

Virginia Tech University recently hosted visiting scholar William Copenhaver, who for the last 36 years has worked for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in Dayton, Ohio. Copenhaver earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Virginia Tech, the latter in 1978; and he went on to earn a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University in 1988. Since June 2015 he has been in Blacksburg working with Walter O’Brien, the J. Bernard Jones Professor of Mechanical Engineering. As a researcher focusing on fan and compressor technology, Copenhaver applied for the visiting scientist program knowing exactly where he needed to be. “In our branch at AFRL, we have four Virginia Tech graduates and we know that the focus here is on developing turbomachinery that is distortion tolerant, so the connection to Virginia Tech is pretty natural,” he said. Citing the university as one of the leaders in the field of propulsion research, Copenhaver submitted a proposal to spend six months in Blacksburg looking at the influence of distortion on propulsion systems. In November, as he neared the end of his term, he submitted a second proposal, to build upon the momentum of the first and help further develop a technology created at Virginia Tech called StreamVane. “The proposals have to be a good connection for the Air Force and be connected to a university considered a leader in the field,” Copenhaver explained. “When I submitted my second proposal to stay an additional six months, I didn’t consider it very likely – it’s very difficult to get one six-month tour. To get successive proposals approved is very rare indeed. But the StreamVane technology represents a significant potential benefit to the Air Force, and my sponsors wanted me to maintain my momentum and continue my work.” StreamVane is a patent-pending technology developed in 2012 by O’Brien and the Virginia Tech TurboLab research team. It has the potential to drastically reduce time and costs associated with turbine engine inlet integration testing. As the Air Force and many civilian aviation industries move toward more-complex inlet designs for aircraft engines, more research needs to be done to show how those inlets affect the flow of air into and through engine and how that flow corresponds to aircraft stability and handling characteristics. “You want to understand the influence of distorted inflow on fans,” Copenhaver said. “It’s important to know how propulsion systems operate in a very harsh inlet environment where there are a lot of swirling flows and pressure distortions. We want our propulsion devices to work just as well inside the airframe as they do outside, so we focused on how to make turbine engines operate better with more complex inlet flow fields.” StreamVane allows researchers to generate any type of flow field they want for testing. By specifying a specific flow field, a StreamVane can be made through additive manufacturing processes to evaluate the flow field with a turbine engine. The result is far more cost-effective than building a separate inlet for each flow field. “Currently, if we want to test a flow field we have to spend six months and about $1 million to create a mock inlet to test the field,” Copenhaver said. “Stream Vane lets us generate any type of flow field we want to put in front of our fan to determine how it reacts with a particular distortion pattern. You can simulate any kind of inlet you want for a much lower cost, and it can be manufactured within about a week. That kind of turnaround not only saves money but it helps speed future innovation in the field.” The StreamVane process is broken into two steps. The first is a subscale 6-inch diameter design that can be created using 3-D printers found in the mechanical engineering department and elsewhere on campus. The second step is to move up in scale. Currently StreamVanes are made in 17- and 21-inch sizes for the AFRL and Virginia Tech labs, respectively. Larger versions might be up to 42-inches. “As you get larger you have higher stresses on the StreamVane and we have to verify that additive manufacturing technology can build the larger sizes,” Copenhaver said. “The 21-inch size is currently manufactured by a company in California. Virginia Tech has built a 17-inch model for AFRL, and two 21-inch models for research at Virginia Tech, and more are in design. So it’s easy to see how there is a natural connection between the research taking place in both locations.” The inlets, modeled with computational fluid dynamics, let researchers determine how to best design a machine to adapt to environments that are always changing. Different distortion patterns are generated through take-offs, landings, and aerial maneuvers and create different boundary positions for the turbine engine. Researchers need to create a fan that can adapt and operate effectively in all situations. “We’re not designing the engine or the plane,” explained Copenhaver, “our focus is to improve design tools for the turbine engines. StreamVane is a very promising technology that will help us efficiently and cost-effectively impose multiple distortion patterns on a given fan design. To understand the key parameters in fan design to accommodate all the different distortions you can’t just use one pattern; that won’t lead to the right solution. So you have to do a parametric variation to make sure you get to the right solution. At the end of the day, we want our fans to take any type of distortion, not just one – that won’t do.” While the design code for StreamVane resides at Virginia Tech, Copenhaver has been working with that code, bringing the knowledge and experience of AFRL to bear in improving the design capability. “This is why I enjoy this interaction,” he said. “Virginia Tech benefits from the experience we have at AFRL and we benefit from the innovation of the university. We’re learning from each other. It’s a win-win.” As Copenhaver winds down his time at his alma mater before returning to Ohio, he said the university experience continues to drive him. “Virginia Tech has seen a lot of change over the last 35 years. Aside from the expansion of the campus, the university is attracting really smart students; I don’t think I would be able to get into VT today. The other big improvement I’ve seen is in the diversity of the student body. If you look at the photo of my graduating class, tucked away in a corner of Randolph Hall, and compare it to the students who are graduating in mechanical engineering today, there is a lot more diversity in those class photos. More women, more minorities – and that makes our research programs much stronger; both here and at AFRL.” Copenhaver is quick to acknowledge that while his opportunities as a researcher began at Virginia Tech, they didn’t end there. During his tenure at AFRL ,he has achieved Fellow status at AFRL, ASME, and AIAA. “Visiting scientist periods aren’t awarded to just anyone – proposals are heavily scrutinized and the opportunities I’ve been able to take advantage of have significantly broadened my career. We (AFRL) are world leaders in propulsion development – the Air Force in particular takes the lead within the Department of Defense. As leaders in that effort, we want quality people in our organization; that’s one reason why this program is so important. It helps us make connections to get students interested in the opportunities at AFRL. “I had the good fortune to earn my doctoral degree and have it paid for by the Air Force; and there aren’t a lot of visiting scientists programs in industry. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for what I’ve been able to do at AFRL. I’m well past the age where most people retire and I’m not leaving; the research is way too interesting for me to let it go.” So how will Copenhaver transition back to life at AFRL after a year in Blacksburg? “My boss expects me to come back all re-energized, but I don’t know – I might be worn out because I’ve been so involved here.”

Virginia Tech’s Department of Fish and Wildlife Conservation and the College of Natural Resources and Environment’s Leadership Institute presented alumnus Douglas J. Austen with the Gerald H. Cross Alumni Leadership Award. Austen, executive director of the American Fisheries Society, earned his master’s degree in fish and wildlife conservation from Virginia Tech in 1984. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from South Dakota State University and a doctorate in animal ecology from Iowa State University. Austen discovered a love of fishing as a child and pointed to family vacations spent on lakes or with access to nearby trout streams as the start of his career in fisheries. A native of suburban Chicago, Austen had to search to find a fisheries program, eventually leading him to South Dakota State University. During his time as a graduate student at Virginia Tech, Austen worked closely with Professor Donald Orth on a project on the New River addressing smallmouth bass and helped to create computer programs to generate population estimates for use in the classroom. He spoke fondly the close-knit learning community fostered by the college. “All of the graduate students helped one another on whatever research they were doing at the time.” While working with Orth, Austen became involved with the American Fisheries Society, attending professional conferences and making connections that would ultimately lead to a position with the Illinois National History Survey. “They needed someone who could do computer programing and also knew about fish,” he recalled. Austen went on to serve as a fisheries researcher with the Illinois Department of Conservation and spent six years as the director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. In 2010, he became the national coordinator of the Landscape Conservation Cooperative with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where he served until his appointment as executive director of the American Fisheries Society in 2013. Austen now works with staff and partners to ensure that fisheries science is used in policy development and legislation. He says the best part of his current position is the opportunity to work directly with the society’s members. “I get to help talented people flourish in their careers.” On receiving the Gerald H. Cross Alumni Leadership Award, Austen noted, “I was surprised. There are so many great people that come out of Virginia Tech. To be counted among them is really an honor.”

Julie Schwalbe has joined Ceva Animal Health’s swine business unit as strategic account manager. In her new role, Schwalbe’s number one priority is the customer – listening and learning about their needs while going above and beyond to provide an unparalleled customer experience. “Julie has proven herself to be a highly knowledgeable and experienced partner to both swine veterinarians and producers across the United States,” says Gary Robertson, director, swine business unit. “She thoroughly understands the production and health challenges currently facing swine producers and has the consultative selling skills to help provide customers with effective solutions. She will be a tremendous asset to our team and the swine customers we serve.” Schwalbe is also responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive sales strategies; partnering with Ceva Technical Services in supporting customer initiatives; and managing relationships with designated key account partners. Schwalbe has more than 25 years of sales management experience in the swine industry and agriculture. Prior to joining Ceva, she worked in several sales and product management positions for Zoetis, Meredith Corporation and Pioneer Hi-Bred. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural business from Iowa State University. “In today’s swine industry, it’s imperative that we meet the needs of our customers and help them be more productive and profitable,” says Robertson. “Not only are we expanding our portfolio of effective products and solutions available to our customers, we are building a team with the right people who can add value to their businesses. With Julie’s knowledge and ability to solve problems, she can be a trusted partner in their operations.”

David L. Trauger has published "Peak Oil, Economic Growth, and Wildlife Conservation," a compelling synthesis of key emerging issues of our time --- the fundamental relationships of peak oil and economic growth to conflicts with wildlife conservation. There are numerous books available on the subject of Peak Oil; however, most, if not all, address the consequences of peaking on our industrialized society and how we might adapt. There also are several excellent books available dealing with economic growth. Books on wildlife conservation are also commonplace. However, no book currently integrates the topics of Peak Oil, economic growth, and wildlife conservation into one narrative. This book attempts to do just that. The book is divided into four sections, respectively titled The Energy Dilemma, Economic Considerations, Fundamental Conflicts, and Wildlife Conservation and the Future. Each succeeding section builds on those that come before it. Readers of this book will gain a deeper understanding of the vital linkages between energy, economic growth, and the conservation of natural landscapes and native species. a compelling synthesis of key emerging issues of our time --- the fundamental relationships of peak oil and economic growth to conflicts with wildlife conservation. There are numerous books available on the subject of Peak Oil; however, most, if not all, address the consequences of peaking on our industrialized society and how we might adapt. There also are several excellent books available dealing with economic growth. Books on wildlife conservation are also commonplace. However, no book currently integrates the topics of Peak Oil, economic growth, and wildlife conservation into one narrative. This book attempts to do just that. The book is divided into four sections, respectively titled The Energy Dilemma, Economic Considerations, Fundamental Conflicts, and Wildlife Conservation and the Future. Each succeeding section builds on those that come before it. Readers of this book will gain a deeper understanding of the vital linkages between energy, economic growth, and the conservation of natural landscapes and native species.This book is written for a broad audience, including natural resources professionals, planners, and policy-makers in federal, state, and provincial governments. Leaders of conservation and environmental organizations will value its clarion call for action to stem further losses of biodiversity (including genetic diversity) and advance its conservation. Professors teaching university courses in wildlife ecology and management, conservation biology, and ecological economics will find this volume to be an indispensable course book for their students. Others will use it as a primary reference for seminars dealing with sustainability. Persons interested in Peak Oil and energy depletion will learn how these issues impinge on wildlife conservation. Those interested in alternatives to a growth economy will find the discussion of a steady state economy enlightening, given that lack of cheap, abundant energy may force us in that direction anyway. It is our hope that readers of this book will act on the information contained in it to effect positive change in how our global civilization interacts with the biosphere and humanity’s co-inhabitants—the millions of species composing Earth’s biodiversity. Everyone interested in making positive changes for a better future will discover the insightful discussions concerning alternatives to a growth economy and potentials of the steady state economy to be essential reading.

X.J. Meng, University Distinguished Professor of Molecular Virology at Virginia Tech, has been elected a member of the National Academy of Sciences. Membership in the academy is one of the highest honors given to a scientist in the United States Meng, a virologist in the Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology at the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, is one of 84 new members and 21 foreign associates from 14 countries recognized for their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. He is the fifth faculty member to be elected to the National Academy of Sciences while at Virginia Tech and the sixth in the university’s history. With the selection of Meng, 23 Virginia Tech affiliates have held membership in the national academies, one of the highest honors bestowed in the United States to scientists and engineers. “Dr. Meng’s extraordinary research on emerging and re-emerging animal viruses is bringing national and international acclaim to Virginia Tech,” said Virginia Tech President Tim Sands. “His groundbreaking research led to the discovery of new viruses and the invention of a commercially licensed vaccine that is now in use around the world. His work is revolutionizing the way scientists and physicians think about human and animal viruses. We are lucky to have such an accomplished researcher and scholar at Virginia Tech.” Meng’s research focuses on emerging and reemerging viral diseases that impact veterinary and human public health. Meng is widely considered one of the world’s leading scientists in hepatitis E virus, porcine circovirus type 2, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus. Meng’s lab developed the first U.S. Department of Agriculture fully-licensed vaccine to protect against porcine circovirus type 2 infection and its associated diseases in pigs, a major threat to the global swine industry. In addition, Meng discovered the swine hepatitis E virus in pigs, which led to the recognition of hepatitis E as a zoonotic disease. “We have long recognized Dr. Meng’s important contributions to the field of molecular virology and are delighted to hear of his recent election to the National Academy of Sciences,” said Cyril Clarke, dean of the veterinary college. “This honor not only recognizes the national and international reach of Dr. Meng’s scholarship, but also raises the visibility of his outstanding research program at the veterinary college. As a world-class scholar, Dr. Meng is a tremendous asset to our college and community.” Meng has authored or co-authored more than 290 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters. These have been cited more than 18,380 times by other researchers. Meng has been awarded more than 40 research grants as a principal investigator with more than $15 million, and he is also a co-investigator or collaborator on more than 50 other awarded grants of more than $27 million. In 2014, Meng was elected a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors, and in 2013, he became the first faculty member at the veterinary college to be named a University Distinguished Professor. He received the Virginia Tech Alumni Award for Research Excellence in 2008 and the Pfizer Award for Research Excellence in 2001 and then again in 2008. Meng was also elected to American Academy of Microbiology in 2012. A native of Qingdao, China, Meng earned a medical degree from Binzhau Medical College and master’s degree in microbiology and immunology at Wuhan University College of Medicine. He then completed a Ph.D. in immunobiology from Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Prior to joining the Virginia Tech faculty, he worked as the John E. Fogarty Visiting Scientist and a senior staff fellow at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, a part of the National Institutes of Health. The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit institution that was established under a congressional charter signed by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. It recognizes achievement in science by election to membership, and — with the National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and National Research Council — provides science, technology, and health policy advice to the federal government and other organizations. Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.

Two CALS alumnae were recently honored as Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives Honorees as part of a nationwide search to identify and honor 100 leaders who are changing rural America. Leslie Jordan (’03 animal science) and Lisa Shumaker (’05 ag business), sisters and co-founders of Farm to Family, an organization teaching families to prepare meals and connecting farmers and consumers, were recognized in the agriculture education and community impact category. Leslie and Lisa founded FTF when they realized that some food pantry clients didn’t know how to prepare nutritious meals. For these sisters, who grew up in agriculture and who both work in agriculture-related careers, this was a problem they knew they could help solve. “Our connection to food pantries showed us that it is not enough to provide individuals with food or money for food,” says Lisa, who is an appraiser with Ag Credit, ACA. “If they do not know how to prepare nutritious meals, food distributed at pantries may go to waste, and food dollars will be spent on less nutritious products.” In the past three years, they’ve helped more than 300 families improve their nutrition by first demonstrating recipes and then providing attendees with one meal along with a cookbook the sisters developed featuring simplified recipes. The events are held at local food pantries and outreach centers, and also include door prize drawings for kitchen items like slow cookers, baking dishes and electric skillets. In 2014, FTF expanded into farming, planting a one-acre sweet corn patch. Local food pantries harvest truckloads of corn for their clients, and area farmers assist in planting and maintaining the corn patch, and help harvest the corn. “Farm to Family has connected area farmers to consumers in need at local food pantries,” says Lisa. “Our fundraising programs have also connected farmers to consumer who can provide financial support for those in need. It is also our hope that collaborations with other community groups helps to break the cycle of poverty in our community.” Expanding the program again in 2015, FTF collaborated with a local high school to conduct a series of four educational sessions with their most at-risk students. Students learned how to follow a recipe, prepare meals, basics of food safety, budgeting and meal planning. During the last session, students were taken to a local grocery store and given a $35 budget. Students chose meals from the FTF cookbook, and used their budgets to shop for the needed ingredients. FTF is meeting a need in the community while promoting a positive image of agriculture, and developing relationships with a group of consumers who would otherwise have no connection to the farm. “It is important that the agriculture industry connects with consumers at all income levels,” says Lisa. “We cannot grow as an industry without building relationships and welcoming dialog with consumers within our own communities."

Two CALS alumnae were recently honored as Farm Credit 100 Fresh Perspectives Honorees as part of a nationwide search to identify and honor 100 leaders who are changing rural America. Leslie Jordan (’03 animal science) and Lisa Shumaker (’05 ag business), sisters and co-founders of Farm to Family, an organization teaching families to prepare meals and connecting farmers and consumers, were recognized in the agriculture education and community impact category. Leslie and Lisa founded FTF when they realized that some food pantry clients didn’t know how to prepare nutritious meals. For these sisters, who grew up in agriculture and who both work in agriculture-related careers, this was a problem they knew they could help solve. “Our connection to food pantries showed us that it is not enough to provide individuals with food or money for food,” says Lisa, who is an appraiser with Ag Credit, ACA. “If they do not know how to prepare nutritious meals, food distributed at pantries may go to waste, and food dollars will be spent on less nutritious products.” In the past three years, they’ve helped more than 300 families improve their nutrition by first demonstrating recipes and then providing attendees with one meal along with a cookbook the sisters developed featuring simplified recipes. The events are held at local food pantries and outreach centers, and also include door prize drawings for kitchen items like slow cookers, baking dishes and electric skillets. In 2014, FTF expanded into farming, planting a one-acre sweet corn patch. Local food pantries harvest truckloads of corn for their clients, and area farmers assist in planting and maintaining the corn patch, and help harvest the corn. “Farm to Family has connected area farmers to consumers in need at local food pantries,” says Lisa. “Our fundraising programs have also connected farmers to consumer who can provide financial support for those in need. It is also our hope that collaborations with other community groups helps to break the cycle of poverty in our community.” Expanding the program again in 2015, FTF collaborated with a local high school to conduct a series of four educational sessions with their most at-risk students. Students learned how to follow a recipe, prepare meals, basics of food safety, budgeting and meal planning. During the last session, students were taken to a local grocery store and given a $35 budget. Students chose meals from the FTF cookbook, and used their budgets to shop for the needed ingredients. FTF is meeting a need in the community while promoting a positive image of agriculture, and developing relationships with a group of consumers who would otherwise have no connection to the farm. “It is important that the agriculture industry connects with consumers at all income levels,” says Lisa. “We cannot grow as an industry without building relationships and welcoming dialog with consumers within our own communities."