Class Notes

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- Class of 1992
- Finance
- Business
Eric Kohlsdorf

Posted on October 3, 2019 in Careers

Eric Kohlsdorf ('92 finance) was recently named treasurer of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU). He was appointed during the NAHU's 89th annual convention and exhibition in San Diego, California. Kohlsdorf is president and client strategist at Prisma Strategies, an insurance brokerage firm in Des Moines, Iowa.
- Class of 2017
- Elementary Education
- Human Sciences
Laura Lee

Posted on October 3, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Laura Lee ('17 el ed), a special education teacher at Mitchell Elementary School in Ames, received the 2019 Dan Woodin Excellence in Education Award from the Ames Community School District. The award was presented Aug. 20.
Joe Webb
- Class of 2016
- Nutritional Science (H SCI)
- Human Sciences
Joseph Webb

Posted on October 3, 2019 in Education

Joe Webb ('16 nutritional sci), an ISU graduate student in food science and human nutrition, received a Young Investigator Award from the American Egg Board’s Egg Nutrition Center to study the role of long-term egg consumption on inflammation in the brain. He will be examining if whole egg consumption modifies neuroinflammation in the prefrontal cortex, using next-generation sequencing techniques.
Cody McKinley
- Class of 2007
- Agricultural Business
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Cody McKinley

Posted on October 3, 2019 in Careers

Cody McKinley (L)(’07 ag business) has been promoted to assistant vice president, state and national relations with the National Pork Producers Council.
Brady Stewart
- Class of 2002
- Agricultural Systems Technology
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Brady Stewart

Posted on October 3, 2019 in Careers

Brady Stewart (’02 ag systems technology) has been promoted to executive vice-president, U.S. hog production for Smithfield Foods.
Mike Bahnsen
- Class of 2000
- Agricultural Business
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Mike Bahnsen

Posted on October 3, 2019 in Careers

Mike Bahnsen ('00 ag business) has been promoted to vice president of business development at Clear Lake Bank and Trust.
- Class of 1971
- Aerospace Engineering
- Engineering
Russell King

Posted on October 3, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Russell King (A)('71 aero engr) of Lakewood, Illinois is the author of several books, including "Have You Seen My 18 Wheeler?," a children's interactive picture book, and "Russell Builds a Bridge -- What Do Civil Engineers Do, Anyway?" -- an educational book about how civil engineers are involved in infrastructure construction.
Beachcomber's Report by Christos Saccopoulos
- Class of 1966
- Architecture
- Engineering
Christos Saccopoulos

Posted on October 3, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Christos Saccopoulos ('66 arch, MArch '74) has published a poetry book titled Beachcomber's Report. The book comprises four parts, through which the poet explores aspects of our common humanity, delves into individual fortunes and misfortunes, reveals the irony underlying many an endeavor, and revels in the "etymological vagaries that propelled Greek concepts into English."
"Excuse Me Sir, Do You Bark English?" by Lisa Jones Jochim
- Class of 1984
- Elementary Education
- Education
Lisa Jochim (Jones)

Posted on October 3, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Lisa Jones Jochim (A)('84 elem ed) recently published her first children's picture book. After teaching for 15 years and then living in the Netherlands for five years, she discovered her love of writing. Her book "Excuse Me Sir, Do You Bark English?" is about her chocolate lab, who finds himself on the wrong side of the fence in a country where he doesn't bark the right language. He barks English and everyone around him barks Dutch. (How will he ever make it home?)
- Class of 1959
- General Science
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Linda Emmerson (Murray)

Posted on October 3, 2019 in Miscellaneous

For more than 40 years, Linda (Murray) Emmerson (A)('59 gen sci) has been creating art by cutting paper. An exhibition of her scherenschmitte was on display at the Unitarian Church in Ames in Summer 2018. Much of her work features scenes from the Iowa State campus.
Peter Ferket
- Class of 1987
- Animal Science
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Peter Ferket

Posted on September 24, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Peter Ferket (A)(PhD ’87 an sci), extension poultry nutritionist, director of the Animal Food and Nutrition Consortium, and associate head of the Prestage Family Department of Poultry Science at North Carolina State University, received the American Feed Industry Poultry Science Association Poultry Nutrition Award.
Ron Rosati
- Class of 1984
- Agricultural & Life Sciences Education
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Ronald Rosati

Posted on September 24, 2019 in Careers

Ron Rosati (PhD '84 ag & life sci ed) retired Aug. 5 from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, which he served as dean.
Mike Kettwick
- Class of 1983
- Agricultural & Life Sciences Education
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Michael Kettwick

Posted on September 24, 2019 in Careers

Mike Kettwick (A)('83 ag and life sci ed) has announced his retirement after 36 years of service to Farmers Bank and Trust in Buffalo Center, Iowa.
Sam Ayres
- Class of 2008
- Business Administration
- Business
Sammy Ayres

Posted on September 24, 2019 in Careers

Sam Ayres (MBA '08) has been named vice president of operations for MercyOne Medical Group in Central Iowa. Ayres brings to the role more than 30 years of experience at MercyOne Heart Center. In his new leadership role, Ayres will oversee short- and long-range planning in collaboration with physicians and clinical colleagues. He will have direct responsibility for guiding improvements in operations, quality, patient satisfaction, and colleague engagement.
Dan Royer
- Class of 2004
- Advertising
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Daniel Royer

Posted on September 24, 2019 in Careers

Daniel C. Royer ('04 music & advertising) became executive director of One Iowa Sept. 1, 2019. Royer joins the statewide LGBTQ advocacy organization after more than 14 years of nonprofit leadership experience, including a professional role as executive director of the Iowa Alliance in Home Care and volunteer work with the Capital City Pride Board and the One Iowa Action Board.
Barb Dawson
- Class of 1985
- Psychology
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Barbara Dawson

Posted on September 24, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Barbara J. Dawson (L)('85 psych & speech comm), a partner in the Phoenix, Arizona office of Snell & Wilmer, is the 2019-2020 chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Litigation. In this role, Dawson leads nearly 40,000 litigators, judges, and arbitrators who comprise the largest section of the ABA.
Kevin Brooks
- Class of 1980
- Farm Operation
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Kevin Brooks

Posted on September 24, 2019 in Careers

Kevin Brooks (L)('80 farm op) of Slater, Iowa, has been hired as the regional vice president of Availa Bank for Ankeny, Ames, and Nevada, Iowa.
Brenna Finnerty
- Class of 2004
- Communication Studies
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Brenna Finnerty

Posted on September 24, 2019 in Careers

Brenna Finnerty ('04 comm studies) has been promoted to senior director of development with UnityPoint Health-Des Moines and John Stoddard Cancer Center.
Georgia Van Gundy
- Class of 1992
- Finance
- Business
Georgia Van Gundy (Van Gundy)

Posted on September 24, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Georgia Van Gundy ('92 finance) of Waukee, Iowa, was honored Aug. 8 as a 2019 Des Moines Business Record "Woman of Influence" in recognition of her corporate and community leadership in Greater Des Moines. Van Gundy recently became senior vice president of Hy-Vee. She was previously the executive director of the Iowa Business Council.
Pat Miller
- Class of 1980
- Psychology
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Patricia Miller (Schneider)

Posted on September 24, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Pat Miller (L)('82 psychology) of Ames, Iowa, was honored Aug. 8 as a 2019 Des Moines Business Record "Woman of Influence" in recognition of her longtime leadership of Iowa State University's Lectures Program, as well as her activism in the area of women in politics.
Kevin Bourke
- Class of 1983
- Physical Education
- Education
Kevin Bourke

Posted on September 24, 2019 in Careers

Iowa Sports Foundation executive Kevin Bourke (L)('83 phys ed) has been named president and CEO of the Ames Convention & Visitors Bureau, replacing the retiring Julie Weeks. Bourke, a former track and cross-country coach at Iowa State, had been with the sports foundation for 20 years -- most recently as chief operations officer.
Saeed Mousa
- Class of 2017
- Mechanical Engineering
- Engineering
Saeed Mousa

Posted on September 24, 2019 in Careers

Saeed Mousa (PhD '17 mech engr) has been promoted to general director of scholarships, elite faculty recruitment, and international collaboration at Jazan University, Saudi Arabia.
- Class of 1995
- Advertising
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Eric Koppelman

Posted on September 13, 2019 in Careers

Effective September 23, 2019, Eric Koppelman ('95 advertising) is the new Chief Executive Officer of Portland, OR-based Ruby Jewel Ice Cream. Koppelman has spent the past 25 years in the consumer products food industry in a variety of leadership roles, with a special focus driving growth and organizational change at Organic/Natural Foods companies.
Laura Burnett
- Class of 2011
- Civil Engineering
- Engineering
Laura Burnett

Posted on September 11, 2019 in Education

On May 24, 2019, Laura Catherine Burnett ('11 civil engr) was honored as a Distinguished Naval Graduate of the Officer Training Command in Newport, Rhode Island. At the conclusion of four months' training at Civil Engineer Corps Officer School in Port Hueneme, California, ENS Burnett will then go to her first duty station at NAS Corpus Christi. ENS Burnett is a licensed professional engineer (PE) in her home state of Colorado and received her MSCE at Colorado State University in 2016.
Bruce Simonsen
- Class of 1993
- Mechanical Engineering
- Engineering
Bruce Simonsen

Posted on September 11, 2019 in Careers

Bruce Alan Simonsen (L)('92 mech engr) joined the McCarthy Cook & Co. team in 2017 as operations manager in China Basin, San Francisco. Simonsen has a depth of experience, having been on teams that built some of the largest and most complicated projects in the Bay Area, such as the Transbay Terminal. He has spent more than 20 years in the construction and commercial contracting industry as a successful design-build mechanical engineer and construction project manager on projects in Iowa, Colorado, and California. He resides in Pleasanton, California, with his wife, Elizabeth, and their four grown children: Charlie, Laura, Emma, and Grace.
John W. Adams
- Class of 1967
- Physical Education for Men (LAS)
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
John Adams

Posted on September 10, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Former ISU track and field letterwinner John Adams (A)('67 phys ed), owner of Parrot Film Company in Sioux City, Iowa, has been named 2019 "Vendor of the Year" by the Association of Theater Owners.
Jeremy Roth
- Class of 1982
- Psychology
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Jeremy Roth

Posted on September 10, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Jeremy Roth ('82 psychology) of Littler has been named to Best Lawyers in America's 2020 "Lawyer of the Year" list. Roth is based in Littler's San Diego, California, office.
- Class of 2012
- Biology (AGLS)
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Craig Cunningham

Posted on September 10, 2019 in Education

Dr. Craig Cunningham ('12 biology) has graduated from residency at the University of Kansas School of Medicine -- Wichita Family Medicine Residence Program at Ascension Via Christi Hospitals.
Tom Hummer
- Class of 2011
- English
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Thomas Hummer

Posted on September 10, 2019 in Careers

Tom Hummer ('11 English) recently released his fifth EP, Real Life. He also performs and tours with his band, Sell the Future. Learn more about the Ames-based musician online at https://www.tomhummer.com or listen to "Real Life" online at https://open.spotify.com/album/2xzoQChAqJGdIfwLryCuy6?si=hG-lPpGZRg-A5np0kV8pUQ.
Kim Gehling
- Class of 2002
- Graphic Design
- Design
Kimberly Gehling (Nelson)

Posted on September 10, 2019 in Careers

Kimberly Jo Gehling ('02 computer sci, MS '11 human computer interaction) is the president of Websites to Impress, Inc., a web and digital marketing company that recently expanded its offices. WTI is located in Geneseo, Ill., and Davenport, Iowa.
Dennis Muilenburg
- Class of 1986
- Aerospace Engineering
- Engineering
Dennis Muilenburg

Posted on September 10, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Dennis A. Muilenburg (L)('86 aero engr) -- chairman, president, and CEO of The Boeing Company -- has been selected to receive the 2019 Owen B. Butler Education Excellence Award from The Conference Board. The honor will be presented Oct. 2 at The Pierre Hotel in New York, New York.
Steven Schuelka
- Class of 1980
- Statistics
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Steven Schuelka

Posted on September 10, 2019 in Careers

Steven Schuelka (L)('80 stat, MS '83) of Crown Point, Ind., has been elected treasurer of the American Society for Quality (ASQ). An associate professor at California State University and Ivy Tech Community College, Schuelka was elected to serve on the 2020 board during the organization's annual meeting May 19, 2019.
Ruth and Tom ('62) Harkin
- Class of 1962
- Government
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Thomas Harkin

Posted on September 10, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Former U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (L)('62 government) has been named one of dsm Magazine's 2019 "Sages Over 70," along with his wife, Ruth. The Harkins are being recognized in honor of their lifelong devotion to public service.
Dave Wedemeyer at the Great Alaska Century ride in 2016
- Class of 1986
- Graphic Design
- Design
David Wedemeyer

Posted on August 23, 2019 in Miscellaneous

Dave Wedemeyer recently achieved a cycling milestone by completing a century ride (100 miles) in every state. On August 27, 2019, Dave completed the Mt. Washington Century in New Hampshire, marking his 50th state. In total Dave has ridden over 120 century rides in his lifetime, and has also ridden RAGBRAI 29 times.
Carolann Jensen
- Class of 1986
- International Agriculture
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Carolann Jensen

Posted on July 31, 2019 in Careers

Carolann Jensen (L)('86 agriculture) will become the state relations officer for Iowa State University on Aug. 26, 2019. She comes to ISU from the Iowa Finance Authority, where she has served since 2011. She previously spent 24 years as a senior research analyst for the Republican caucus in the Iowa Senate.
Cheryl Stritzel McCarthy
- Class of 1981
- Journalism and Mass Communication
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Cheryl McCarthy (Stritzel)

Posted on July 30, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Cheryl Stritzel McCarthy (A)('81 journalism) is the author of a memoir entitled "Many Hands Make Light Work" (Aug. 6, 2019; She Writes Press). It documents the true story of a family of nine children growing up in a Midwest college town during the turbulent 60s and 70s, written in the spirit of "Cheaper by the Dozen" with advice for raising capable, confident children during turbulent times. McCarthy is a journalist whose work appears in The Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, and newspapers across the country.
Dr. Glenda Gallisath
- Class of 1995
- Professional Studies in Education
- Education
Glenda Gallisath

Posted on July 30, 2019 in Careers

Mercy College of Health Sciences has appointed its first academic dean, Glenda Gallisath (PhD '95 education). She will work to ensure that Mercy College continues to meet the academic and workforce needs within Des Moines and the region. Gallisath most recently was the associate vice president for accreditation and assessment at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science in North Chicago, Ill. She has extensive experience in academic affairs and has held membership and leadership positions on several boards pertaining to health care and human services, fine arts, nonprofit agencies and community development.
- Class of 1989
- Management
- Business
Richard Kroeger

Posted on July 30, 2019 in Careers

Rick Kroeger ('89 management) has been hired by Bank Iowa as a commercial loan officer in Des Moines.
Bishop-designate William M. Joensen
- Class of 1982
- Zoology
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
William Joensen

Posted on July 30, 2019 in Careers

William Joensen (L)('82 zoology) has been appointed by Pope Francis to serve as bishop of the Des Moines Diocese of the Catholic Church. The 59-year-old Waterloo native was ordained in the Dubuque Archdiocese in 1989 and attended seminary at Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. Joensen's episcopal ordination and installation will be celebrated Sept. 27, 2019. He replaces Bishop Richard E. Pates, who was required to retire by canon law.
Tony Hauber
- Class of 2008
- Computer Science
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Anthony Hauber

Posted on July 29, 2019 in Careers

Game designer Tony Hauber (’08 comp sci) moved to Silicon Valley after graduating from Iowa State. He worked with Google for several years before moving back to Iowa, where he is currently living in Elkader. He is the owner and designer of the arcade game system Deathball, which is a new coin-operated arcade console that has been selling rapidly to arcades in large metros throughout the country. The old-school game pits two wizards … essentially playing soccer. He says if you loved Mario and Donkey Kong games, you’ll love Deathball.
Dr. Bjorn-Gustaf Brooks
- Class of 2000
- Biology
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Bjorn-Gustaf Brooks

Posted on July 29, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Perceptual Informatics, an environmental startup company formed by Bjorn “BJ” Brooks (’00 biology, PhD ’09 geology), has received Microsoft’s AI for Earth Grant to further its research on the economic effects of climate change on the agriculture industry. The company, located in Asheville, N.C., is actively developing a software platform that leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and satellite imagery to identify the sustainability of short- and long-term agricultural investments and to determine costs and mitigate risks associated with climate change.
Ancestral Quest by Jim Redman
- Class of 1982
- Accounting
- Business
James Redman

Posted on July 29, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

James (Jim) Redman (L)(’82 accounting) has written a book titled Ancestral Quest, a profound book that takes readers to discover their ancestry and learn its lessons. It’s also a story filled with family reminiscences and anecdotes, providing short, humorous diversions along the trail of the quest to learn more about his own Redman ancestors. Redman is a retired Ernst & Young employee.
Frost by Sam Neumann
- Class of 2009
- Journalism and Mass Communication
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Samuel Neumann

Posted on July 29, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

During the summer of Sam Neumann’s (’09 journ & mass comm) junior year at Iowa State, he embarked on a trip to Alaska and subsequently wrote the non-fiction book Memoirs of a Gas Station, which made the New York Times bestseller list in 2013. Since then, Sam has authored several other works, including his most recent release titled Frost. Sam lives in Denver with his wife, Kristen, and their newborn son, Connor.
Ploughshares
- Class of 2013
- Creative Writing and the Environment
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Sarah Burke

Posted on July 29, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Sarah Burke (MFA ’13 creative writing & environ) published “At the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum” in the spring 2019 issue of Ploughshares. Her first poetry collection, Blueprints, won the 2018 Cider Press Review Editors’ Prize and will be published later this year. Her poetry has appeared in 32 Poems, Beloit Poetry Journal, Cimarron Review, Cincinnati Review, Mid-American Review, and Passages North. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Georgia Van Gundy
- Class of 1992
- Finance
- Business
Georgia Van Gundy (Van Gundy)

Posted on July 29, 2019 in Careers

Georgia Van Gundy ('92 finance) is leaving her post as executive director of the Iowa Business Council to become senior vice president of Hy-Vee in September 2019. She will work in administration and industry/government relations, Hy-Vee announced.
Javaune Adams-Gaston
- Class of 1983
- Psychology
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Javaune Adams-Gaston

Posted on July 21, 2019 in Careers

Javaune Adams-Gaston (PhD '83 psychology) has been named the seventh president of Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia. She is an academic professional with more than 30 years' experience in higher education. Her most recent position was senior vice president at The Ohio State University. She also served as Ohio State's president for student life.
Lee Tesdell
- Class of 1982
- English
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Lee Tesdell

Posted on July 21, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Lee Tesdell (A)(MA '82 English, PhD '99) was honored July 10, 2019 with the Practical Farmers of Iowa’s 2019 Farmland Owner Legacy Award. Tesdell operates Tesdell Century Farm near Slater, which has been in his family since 1884. He and his tenants, Charles and Mike Helland, work together to address soil conservation and water quality issues through a range of in-field and edge-of-field conservation practices.
Laura Hildreth
- Class of 2013
- Interdisciplinary
Laura Hildreth

Posted on July 21, 2019 in Careers

Laura Hildreth (PhD '13 statistics) has joined the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) as a research staff member in IDA’s Cost Analysis and Research Division. In addition to her Ph.D. from ISU, Hildreth earned her master’s degree in applied economics from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities in 2007 and her bachelor’s degree in economics and statistics from the University of Minnesota, Morris in 2006. Hildreth is a member of the American Statistical Association. IDA is a not-for-profit corporation that operates three Federally Funded Research and Development Centers in the public interest. IDA answers the most challenging U.S. security and science policy questions with objective analysis leveraging extraordinary scientific, technical, and analytic expertise.
- Class of 1979
- Animal Science
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Roy Budlong

Posted on July 21, 2019 in Careers

After six years as president/CEO, Roy Budlong ('79 an sci) of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin stepped down from his leadership post with PremierBank and will assume the role of chairman of the board and investment officer.
- Class of 1978
- Forestry
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Richard Paris

Posted on July 21, 2019 in Careers

Richard W. Paris (L)('78 forest mgmt) retired from a 35-year career with the U.S. federal government. He last career stop was as an electrical planner from Grand Coulee Dam, the United States' largest hydroelectric dam, but his career also included 12 years as a professional forester with the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs. He is spending his retirement living in Grand Coulee, Washington, where he has been the Grand Coulee Volunteer Fire Department and Ambulance Service fire chief since 1996.
Robert Regenwether
- Class of 1989
- Agricultural Business
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Robert Regenwether

Posted on July 21, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Robert Regenwether (L)('89 ag bus) of Hudson, Iowa, a farm manager/real estate agent with Farmers National Company, recently received the company's 25-year employment award. He was previously honored with the 2014 National Farm Manager of the Year award from the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers.
Natasha Sayles
- Class of 2011
- Marketing
- Business
Natasha Sayles (Ahmed)

Posted on July 19, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Natasha Sayles ('11 marketing) -- executive director of Winefest in Des Moines, Iowa, has been named to the Iowa Restaurant Association's first-ever "40 Women to Watch in Hospitality" list. The list is designed to showcase women in Iowa's hospitality industry who are blazing new trails, leading by example, or impressing their peers, customers, and managers daily.
Lauren Doll-Sheeder
- Class of 2012
- Management
- Business
Lauren Doll-Sheeder (Doll)

Posted on July 19, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Lauren Doll Sheeder (A)('12 marketing & mgmt) -- a sales and marketing specialist for Doll Distributing in Des Moines, Iowa, has been named to the Iowa Restaurant Association's first-ever "40 Women to Watch in Hospitality" list. The list is designed to showcase women in Iowa's hospitality industry who are blazing new trails, leading by example, or impressing their peers, customers, and managers daily.
Karla Walsh
- Class of 2010
- Health and Human Performance
- Human Sciences
Karla Walsh

Posted on July 19, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Karla Walsh ('10 journalism & health) -- a freelance food and lifestyle writer based in Des Moines, Iowa, has been named to the Iowa Restaurant Association's first-ever "40 Women to Watch in Hospitality" list. The list is designed to showcase women in Iowa's hospitality industry who are blazing new trails, leading by example, or impressing their peers, customers, and managers daily.
Christina Moffatt
- Class of 2002
- Liberal Studies
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Christina Moffatt

Posted on July 19, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Christina Moffatt ('02 liberal studies) -- the owner of Creme Cupcake & Dessert in Des Moines, Iowa, has been named to the Iowa Restaurant Association's first-ever "40 Women to Watch in Hospitality" list. The list is designed to showcase women in Iowa's hospitality industry who are blazing new trails, leading by example, or impressing their peers, customers, and managers daily.
Gwen Page
- Class of 1999
- Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Manag
- Family & Consumer Sciences
Gwendolyn Page (Page)

Posted on July 19, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Gwen Page ('99 hotel, restaurant, instit mgmt) -- the co-owner and founder of Fong's Pizza in Des Moines, Iowa, has been named to the Iowa Restaurant Association's first-ever "40 Women to Watch in Hospitality" list. The list is designed to showcase women in Iowa's hospitality industry who are blazing new trails, leading by example, or impressing their peers, customers, and managers daily.
Denise Drake
- Class of 1985
- Psychology
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Denise Drake (Drake)

Posted on July 12, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Denise Drake ('85 psych & speech comm) has earned the Litigation Practitioner Award by Missouri Lawyers Weekly as part of their Women's Justice Awards. Drake is one of 51 female attorneys in the state of Missouri selected for the Women's Justice Awards. Currently, she is a shareholder at Polsinelli law firm, based in Kansas City, Mo. She also serves as chair of Polsinelli's employment disputes, litigation, and arbitration practice.
- Class of 1962
- Home Economics Education
- Family & Consumer Sciences
Lori Ernst (Peterson)

Posted on July 12, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Lorraine Peterson Ernst (A)('62 home ec ed) is a cancer survivor-turned-author. The rural Storm Lake native turned a battle with cancer into an opportunity to spread hope. Ernst calls her book Recliner Row after the imposing line of patient chairs she found waiting when reporting for chemotherapy. "Writing was never in the plan," she says. "But then again, neither was the cancer."
Maria Longworth Storer: From Music and Art to Popes and President
- Class of 1972
- History
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Constance Miller (Lickteig)

Posted on July 12, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Constance Lickteig (Miller) Moore ('72 history) has co-authored a book titled Maria Longworth Storer: From Music and Art to Popes and Presidents. Moore is the historian of the Army Nurse Corps Association. Her subject, Sorer, was the founder of the first female-run manufacturing company in the U.S., Rockwood Pottery. She was passionate about women's rights, her city, and issues of poverty and the arts.
Nick Sloan and Leila Ammar
- Class of 2013
- Psychology
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Nick Sloan

Posted on July 10, 2019 in Engagements and marriages

Nick Sloan ('13 psychology, MBA '17) married Leila Ammar ('12 arch) on May 17, 2019.
Dalton Gackle
- Class of 2017
- Journalism and Mass Communication
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Dalton Gackle

Posted on July 10, 2019 in Careers

Dalton Gackle ('17 history & journalism) recently earned his master's degree from IUPUI and has accepted a position as research coordinator for the Park City Museum in Park City, Utah.
Marshall T. Trowel and Family – Concrete – Work Hard. Work Together.
- Class of 1985
- Industrial Engineering
- Engineering
Joseph Carter

Posted on July 10, 2019 in Alumni Bookshelf

Marshalltown, a U.S. manufacturer of construction tools, has announced the release of a children’s book, Marshall T. Trowel and Family – Concrete – Work Hard. Work Together. President & CEO Joe Carter (L)(’85 industrial engr) wrote the book, and his daughter, Hanna Carter (’16 graphic design), a freelance graphic designer in Portland, Ore., did the illustrations. They hope to inspire young people to see the value of working in the construction field.
Mouhamad Diallo
- Class of 2019
- Materials Engineering
- Engineering
Mouhamad Diallo

Posted on July 10, 2019 in Education

Mouhamad Diallo ('19 materials engr & mech engr) has been accepted into the University of California-Berkeley's highly selective graduate engineering program. Diallo graduated from Iowa State in May 2019 having already been published in research journals three times -- twice at ISU and once at Des Moines Area Community College, which he attended before Iowa State. He is a former Boeing Company Scholar and ISU McNair Scholar.
Vanessa McNeal
- Class of 2015
- Child, Adult, and Family Services
- Human Sciences
Vanessa McNeal

Posted on July 9, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Vanessa McNeal ('15 child, adult, and family services) won the "Best Documentary" award at the Des Moines Arts Festival's Interrobang Film Festival June 28-30 in downtown Des Moines. McNeal received the prize in recogntion of her film, "Gridshock," which exposes the hidden and disturbing reality behind the sex trafficking demand in Iowa.
Anna Segner
- Class of 2019
- Integrated Visual Arts
- Design
Anna Segner

Posted on July 9, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Anna Segner (A)(MFA '19 integrated studio arts) won the Leysens Family Award for Best of Emerging Iowa Artists at the 2019 Des Moines Arts Festival, which was held June 28-30 in downtown Des Moines. Segner was one of nine emerging artists, including four from Iowa State, selected to exhibit their work at the festival in downtown Des Moines. In addition to a $1,000 cash prize, Segner will be invited to exhibit in the professional artists’ category at next year’s festival.
Sara Compton
- Class of 1980
- Music
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Sara Compton (Bailey)

Posted on July 1, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Sara Compton (A)('80 music), outreach manager for the Iowa State Center, is the recipient of the Bill Pelz Arts Advocacy Award from the Ames Community Arts Council. Compton, who has worked at the center for more than 20 years, was recognized for supporting students and adults with a desire to participate in or enjoy performing arts -- through both her work and volunteer activities.
Jake Nelson
- Class of 2018
- History
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Jacob Nelson

Posted on July 1, 2019 in Careers

Jake Nelson ('18 history) has been hired by Southeast Polk Community School District in Runnells, Iowa, to teach ninth-grade U.S. history.
- Class of 1990
- Engineering Operations
- Engineering
Timothy Fuller (Fuller)

Posted on June 21, 2019 in Careers

Retired from the Air Force in 2011 after 20 years of active duty military service. Continue to service USAF as a civilian employee since 2015 in post-graduate engineering professional continuing education as a department head at the Air Force Institute of Technology.
Grant Thomas
- Class of 2006
- Materials Engineering
- Engineering
Grant Thomas

Posted on June 20, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Grant Thomas ('06 materials engr), manager of product research for AK Steel Research and Innovation, was honored by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) and the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI) for collaborative steel market development and distinguished research as part of the AISI-SMDI General Meeting in Washington, D.C., on June 6, 2019. Grant received SMDI’s 2019 Market Development Achievement Award for his significant contributions in advancing the competitive use of steel in the marketplace. He has contributed to the industry through active involvement with the SMDI-sponsored program on Integrated Computational Materials Engineering, development of commercial Third Generation Advanced High Strength Steels, and active promotion of steel research and development.
- Class of 1990
- Nuclear Engineering
- Engineering
Scott Carey

Posted on June 20, 2019 in Careers

Scott Carey (MS '90 MS nuc engr) attended the commissioning of the USS South Dakota (SSN 790) on February 2, 2019, in Groton, Connecticut. Carey is the manager of the Fleet Nuclear Engineering Subdivision at the Naval Nuclear Laboratory, which is responsible for design of the submarine's nuclear reactor. In addition, his team directed the initial startup and acceptance testing of the reactor.
- Class of 2017
- Political Science
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Khayree Duckett

Posted on June 20, 2019 in Careers

Khayree Duckett (’17 political science) has joined the Saint Paul Area Association of REALTORS (SPAAR) as its Director of Government Affairs.
Joe Woodley
- Class of 2004
- Liberal Studies
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Joseph Woodley

Posted on June 19, 2019 in Careers

Joe Woodley ('04 liberal studies) has been named the head football coach at Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa. He previously served as the Vikings' associate head coach/offensive coordinator. He replaces his father, Mike Woodley, who started the Grand View football program 11 years ago.
Kirt Walker
- Class of 1985
- Management
- Business
Kirt Walker

Posted on June 19, 2019 in Careers

Kirt Walker (L)('85 mgmt) has been named the CEO-Elect of Nationwide. He has served the insurance and financial services organization for 33 years, most recently as president and chief operating officer. He is a board member for the American Council of Life Insurers, the Association of Ohio Life Insurance Companies, and the American Institute for Chartered Property Casualty Underwriters. Nationwide is a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio that offers a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm , and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans; annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; pet, motorcycle, and boat insurance.
Blake Heitman
- Class of 2019
- Management
- Business
Blake Heitman

Posted on June 19, 2019 in Careers

Blake Heitman (L)('19 mgmt & mktg) has joined the NFL's Indianapolis Colts as a member of the franchise's partnership marketing staff.
Dr. Bob Birkenholz
- Class of 1976
- Agricultural & Life Sciences Education
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Robert Birkenholz

Posted on June 18, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Bob Birkenholz (’76 ag and life sci ed, MS ’78, PhD ’82), professor emeritus for The Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, received the Meritorious Service Award from the college’s alumni society.
Austin Putz
- Class of 2013
- Animal Science
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Austin Putz

Posted on June 18, 2019 in Careers

Austin Putz (’13 an sci) has accepted a position as a geneticist for Hypor.
Daiton Tietz
- Class of 2018
- Agricultural and Life Sciences Education
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Daiton Donkers

Posted on June 18, 2019 in Careers

Daiton Tietz (A)(’18 ag and life sci ed) has accepted a position as a client development manager at VerticalXchange.
- Class of 2012
- Agronomy
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Vivian Bernau

Posted on June 18, 2019 in Careers

Vivan Bernau (’12 horticulture & agronomy) has accepted a position as a maize curator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Ames.
Justin Jedlicka
- Class of 2006
- Agricultural Studies
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Justin Jedlicka

Posted on June 18, 2019 in Careers

Justin Jedlicka (A)(’06 ag studies) has accepted a position as the north central U.S. sales team leader with Alta Genetics U.S.A.
- Class of 1976
- Agricultural Business
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
David Danilson

Posted on June 18, 2019 in Careers

Dave Danilson (A)(’76 ag business) retired as Chief Judge of the Iowa Court of Appeals in January 2019 after serving 38 years in various judicial positions -- hospitalization referee, magistrate, district associate judge and district court judge.
Paul Waugh
- Class of 1983
- Metallurgical Engineering
- Engineering
Paul Waugh

Posted on June 18, 2019 in Careers

Paul Waugh (L)('83 metallurgical engr) has been appointed to the U.S. Senior Executive Service. The Senior Executive Service was established by Title IV of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 and its members are charged with leading the government and “producing results for the American people,” according to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. These leaders operate and oversee nearly every government activity in about 75 federal agencies. Waugh previously served as Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center's (AFNWC) deputy director for its Air-Delivered Capabilities Directorate, where he enabled the center to acquire and sustain air-delivered nuclear weapon systems in support of the nation's nuclear deterrence operations. He retired as an Air Force colonel in 2010 after senior leader positions in a variety of fields, including engineering, program management, training and logistics.
Brad Moore
- Class of 1985
- Chemical Engineering
- Engineering
Bradley Moore

Posted on June 17, 2019 in Careers

PMI Industries, Inc., an engineering and manufacturing company based in Twinsburg, Ohio, with a global presence servicing energy (both fossil fuel and renewables), marine, research, and government industries, has hired Brad Moore (L)('85 chem engr) as its manager of sales and marketing. Moore will be responsible for leveraging PMI’s brand worldwide and directing the company’s sales efforts. He recently was the Senior Business Development Manager at Ohio-based Beckett Energy Systems.
- Class of 1983
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering
Bryan Boswell

Posted on June 7, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Bryan Boswell (A)('83 Electrical Engineering) of Keysight Technologies, Inc. in Loveland, CO was granted a US patent #10220715 that he co-authored for his invention "Systems And Methods For Determining A Self-Discharge Current Characteristic Of A Storage Cell".
Nancy Bohl Bormann
- Class of 2004
- Environmental Science (AGLS)
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Nancy Bohl Bormann (Bohl)

Posted on June 3, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Nancy Bohl Bormann (A)(’04 ag and life sciences education, environmental science) of Humboldt, Iowa, environmental services manager and agronomist for The Maschhoffs, is a 2019 recipient of the Secretary’s Iowa Ag Leader Award for Conservation from the Agribusiness Association of Iowa.
Jeff Mounts
- Class of 2008
- Art and Design (Bachelor of Arts)
- Design
Jeffrey Mounts

Posted on June 3, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Jeff Mounts ('08 advertising and design), an employee-owner of and marketing manager for ESP International, a 100% employee-owned global supply chain company headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has been named the national 2019 Employee Owner of the Year by The ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) Association. Mounts was previously recognized with the Iowa/Nebraska Chapter award in February but went on to win the national honor at a May 2019 ceremony in Washington, D.C.
- Class of 1989
- Agricultural Biochemistry
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Travis Knight

Posted on June 3, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Travis Knight ('89 ag biochem, MS '92 an sci, PhD '99 biochemistry, biophysics, and molecular biology) of Slater, Iowa, received the 2018 Alumni Award of Merit from Gamma Sigma Delta -- the Iowa Chapter of the Honor Society of Agriculture. Knight is the laboratory bureau chief for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
Ron Hankins
- Class of 1980
- Industrial Administration
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Ron Hankins

Posted on June 3, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Ron Hankins (A)('80 indus admin) of Polk City, Iowa, a retired transportation manager with MidAmerican Energy, received the Abbott 6-Star Finisher distance running award in April 2019 for completing all six of the Grand Slam of World Marathon major running events -- in London, Tokyo, Berlin, Boston, New York, and Chicago. As an ISU Alumni Association member who sported his school colors while running in these international events, Hankins was able to train using the ISU indoor track at the Lied Rec Center during Iowa's cold winter days.
Lynn Davis
- Class of 1980
- Animal Science
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Lynn Davis

Posted on June 3, 2019 in Honors and Awards

Lynn Davis (A)(MS '80 an sci, PhD '83) of Hortonville, Wisconsin, received the 2018 Distinguished Achievement in Agriculture Award from Gamma Sigma Delta -- the Iowa Chapter of the Honor Society of Agriculture. Davis owns Nutrition Professionals, Inc.
Claire Masker
- Class of 2005
- Agricultural & Life Sciences Education
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Claire Masker-King (Masker)

Posted on May 21, 2019 in Careers

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.
- Class of 1993
- Fisheries & Wildlife Biology
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Brian Canaday

Posted on May 21, 2019 in Careers

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.
- Class of 1989
- Animal Science
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Jeffrey Kaisand

Posted on May 21, 2019 in Careers

Jeff Kaisand (L)(’89 an sci, DVM ’93 ) has been named the new Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship state veterinarian.
Faye Perkins is honored at UW-River Falls
- Class of 1979
- Physical Education
- Education
Faye Perkins

Posted on May 21, 2019 in Honors and Awards

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
- Class of 1993
- Community and Regional Planning
- Design
Dan Culhane

Posted on May 21, 2019 in Careers

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.
Patricia Tice
- Class of 1975
- Child Development
- Family & Consumer Sciences
Patricia Tice

Posted on May 21, 2019 in Honors and Awards

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
- Class of 2003
- Journalism and Mass Communication
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Dan Winters

Posted on May 21, 2019 in Honors and Awards

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
- Class of 1968
- Agricultural Engineering
- Engineering
Larry Buss

Posted on May 21, 2019 in Honors and Awards

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
- Class of 1993
- Animal Science
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Joseph Cassady

Posted on May 21, 2019 in Honors and Awards

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.
Dr. Paul Thomas
- Class of 2009
- Animal Science
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Paul Thomas

Posted on May 21, 2019 in Honors and Awards

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.
- Class of 2013
- Animal Science
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Stephanie Couser (Carlson)

Posted on May 21, 2019 in Careers

Stephanie Carlson (’13 animal science) has accepted a position as a legislative assistant for U.S. Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa.
- Class of 2018
- Agricultural Business
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Jessica Manthe

Posted on May 21, 2019 in Careers

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