Class Notes

ISU Alumni Win National Design Award San Francisco-based Office (visitoffice.com) has received the Smithsonian’s Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award for 2014. Office is led by ISU graduates Jason Schulte (Graphic Design, 95) and Jill Robertson (Journalism & Mass Communications, 96). http://www.cooperhewitt.org/national-design-awards/2014-winners The National Design Awards program celebrates design as a vital humanistic tool in shaping the world, and seeks to increase national awareness of design by educating the public and promoting excellence, innovation, and lasting achievement. Since Schulte founded Office in 2004, the studio has developed differentiated solutions for some of the world’s most iconic companies, including Google, Disney, Coca-Cola, Target, and IBM. Rooted in the belief that design should make you feel something, Office is known for work that is grounded in smart strategy and executed in unexpected ways. The studio is equally passionate about its annual pro bono projects, like branding 826 Valencia’s Pirate Supply Store. In 2012, Office launched Wee Society, an award-winning kids’ brand that aims to help parents raise good little people by teaching kindness and sparking imaginations with happy apps, artful activities, and toys to transfix short attention spans. The awards will be presented at the 2014 National Design Awards Gala in New York City on Thursday, October 9, 2014. Though not yet confirmed, in past years, the National Design Awards honorees have also been celebrated with a luncheon ceremony at the White House, graciously hosted by the First Lady.

Kim (Kirkpatrick) Rodgers, '97 Exercise and Sports Science received the Tom Lyle Award for Athletic Training Excellence from Northern Arizona University Athletic Training Education Program. Kim teaches Sports Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Mountain Ridge High School in Glendale, Arizona and serves as the Athletic Trainer.

Steven W. Churchill Named Chief Executive of Association for Healthcare Philanthropy WASHINGTON, D.C., (April 25, 2014) – The Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) today announced that it has named Steven W. Churchill as its president and chief executive officer, effective July 1. Churchill, with more than 25 year of management experience in fundraising and nonprofits, was most recently executive director of the American Medical Association (AMA) Foundation. Prior to joining the AMA in 2007, he served as vice president, development and alumni relations of Des Moines University medical school. Churchill has a proven track record of building fundraising capacity/programs and growing organizations. “The board is excited that Steven Churchill has agreed to join our team and lead AHP at a critical time for philanthropy and health care delivery,” said William S. Littlejohn, chair of the AHP board of directors. “After an extensive search, he is clearly the best person for the job and will be instrumental in providing the profession with essential resources, exceptional experiences and vibrant communities that address the diverse needs of a membership representing North America’s development professionals,” Littlejohn added. “I am humbled and honored to have been selected to lead the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy,” Churchill said. “I look forward to working with the board of directors, staff and key stakeholders to help ensure AHP remains a vital resource for development professionals in the field of health care philanthropy and to develop a clear and compelling vision for the association's future.” Churchill succeeds William C. McGinly, Ph.D., CAE, AHP’s current president and chief executive officer, who is retiring on June 30 after 31 years with the association. “We thank Bill for his leadership, dedication and inspiration as he grew this organization from a small community of 600 members to the 5,000 members we have today,” Littlejohn said. “Bill was instrumental in establishing AHP as a leading professional organization and in the creation and acceptance of industry reporting standards for health care philanthropy.” In recognition of his achievements and tenure, the board has awarded McGinly the title of President Emeritus. McGinly will share his future plans in the upcoming month. The Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, established in 1967, is the leading authority for standards, knowledge and leadership in health care development. As the world’s largest association for health care fundraising professionals, AHP represents nearly 5,000 members who raise more than $9 billion each year for community health services.

S. Luke Craven (B.A. Iowa State University ‘01) was recognized by the firm for 5 years of service to Whitfield & Eddy.

MADISON, WI (April 24, 2014) – Amanda K. Reese has joined the Madison office of Michael Best & Friedrich LLP as a partner in the firm’s Transactional Practice Group, focusing on health law and privacy matters. Prior to joining Michael Best, Ms. Reese spent almost nine years with the University of Wisconsin Medical Foundation, Inc. (the physician practice plan of “UW Health”) – serving first as Associate Counsel, and later as both Associate Counsel and Privacy Officer. She also worked as a Law Clerk for a personal injury law firm in Middleton, Wisconsin, served as a Judicial Extern for the Honorable P. Michael Mahoney in the U.S. District Court’s Northern District of Illinois, and served as a Legal Extern for the Honorable William E. Hanrahan during his tenure as Assistant Attorney General of Wisconsin’s Medicaid Fraud Control & Elder Abuse Unit. Ms. Reese is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, the American Bar Association, the American College of Healthcare Executives, and the American Health Lawyers Association. She is also a member of the Development Advisory Board for the Department of Orthopedics & Rehabilitation of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, and a Merit Badge Counselor for the Boy Scouts of America (Troop 628). Ms. Reese received her J.D. from the Northern Illinois University College of Law; and her B.S. in Animal Science from Iowa State University.

April 24, 2014 - Stephanie Downs joined Iowa State April 15 as the university's first wellness coordinator in university human resources. She will work with internal and external partners to advance the university's wellness initiatives, including the coordination, implementation and evaluation of health and wellness programs. In addition, Downs will be involved in local and state health initiatives, such as the Healthiest Ames and Healthiest State projects. Previously, Downs was the health promotion coordinator for the city of Ames. She holds a bachelor's degree in exercise science from Iowa State and a master's degree in health promotion from Nebraska Methodist College. Downs' office is in 3680 Beardshear Hall. She can be reached at 4-8902 or sdowns@iastate.edu.

Ben and Cindy Dees celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary on April 17, 2014. The couple first met in the fall of 2005 while they were community advisors in the Maple-Willow-Larch residence halls. Cindy graduated from the College of Business in 2006, while Ben graduated from the College of Engineering in 2007. After four years of dating, they tied the knot in April 2010 in an intimate ceremony in Houston, TX surrounded by seventy-five close friends and family members. They currently reside in the Houston, TX area where Ben works as a structural engineer and is an MBA candidate at the Jones School at Rice University. Cindy graduated in 2013 from DePaul University in Chicago, IL with her master's degree in public service management and works as a public administrator for a Houston suburb. In their spare time, the couple enjoys training their miniature Dachshund named Taz, expanding their wine and beer knowledge and socializing with mutual friends.

Iowa City, IA—Every Sunday evening for almost ten years, Iowa photographer and naturalist Carl Kurtz has e-mailed a photo and an extended caption to hundreds of outdoor enthusiasts. Engaging and informative, the photos focus on the world around and away from his tallgrass prairie homeplace: snow buntings in a blizzard, maple leaves in fall, migrating snow geese and red-winged blackbirds and monarchs, prairie spiderworts in spring bloom, leopard frogs loafing on waterlily leaves, northern flickers feeding young, and all the inhabitants and moods of the passing seasons. Now, in A Year of Iowa Nature, he presents fifty-five of his favorite photos along with an evocative introduction that urges us to go forth and discover the beauty in our own backyards. Concentrating on Iowa’s tallgrass prairie, Kurtz also points his viewfinder toward the great variety of natural habitats in the eastern United States. Arranged chronologically throughout the year, these stunning photos and their accompanying narratives rotate through the seasons like a nature film. The winter months showcase a frost-covered white-tailed deer, cedar waxwings feeding on winter apples, a muskrat on the surface of an icy pond, and dune-like snowdrifts. Kurtz’s palette warms up in springtime with stunning photos of Virginia bluebells, fox cubs, juvenile chipmunks, and ruddy ducks. Summer brings a host of butterflies, frogs, and goldfinches as well as blooming prairie plants. The colors become more subdued in fall with the change in light, revealing the rich hues of Indian grass and big bluestem and the subtle plumage of migrating warblers. Just as Kurtz’s Practical Guide to Prairie Reconstruction offers an indispensable manual for individuals and land managers working to create a diverse prairie community, so does A Year of Iowa Nature point the way toward a sincere, month-by-month appreciation of the natural world around us.

David Schejbal, who earned a B.A. in philosophy in 1982 and has become a nationally known leader in his profession. He has done much to distinguish himself, most recently receiving the top award from the University Professional and Continuing Education Association, being named that association’s president-elect and being invited to serve on a four-person panel for a Congressional briefing.

Anya and Mike Tillo are proud to announce that they are pregnant with a little Cyclone.

RICHMOND, Va. – Maryl R. Johnson, M.D., a heart failure and transplant cardiologist at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, has been elected secretary of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network/United Network for Organ Sharing (OPTN/UNOS) board of directors. She will serve a two-year term beginning in July 2014. During her term as secretary, Dr. Johnson will keep the minutes of business transacted at all meetings of the OPTN/UNOS board. She will serve the same function for the OPTN/UNOS Executive Committee, which is authorized to consider and vote on matters as necessary between meetings of the full board. Dr. Johnson currently serves as a medical/scientific organization representative on the OPTN/UNOS board. She is a past chair of the OPTN/UNOS Thoracic Organ Transplantation Committee and has also served on the OPTN/UNOS Policy Oversight Committee. She is a past president of the American Society of Transplantation and is a current member of the organization’s Financial Advisory Committee. She also serves on the board of directors of the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation and has chaired the Heart Failure and Transplant Committee of the American College of Cardiology. Dr. Johnson earned a bachelor of science degree in zoology from Iowa State University and a medical degree from the University of Iowa in Iowa City.

Cynthia (Cindy) Johnson-Dees (B.S. Business Management, c/o 2006) was recently promoted to Administrative Manager for Public Works for the City of Sugar Land, Texas. In this role, she will oversee the Public Works budget and purchasing functions, provide policy development and research assistance, and supervise secretarial staff. Previously, Cindy served as a Management Assistant I and completed a Water Quality Internship with the City of Sugar Land. Prior to working in local government, Cindy was a Store Manager for Toys "R" Us, Inc. She graduated from DePaul University with a Master of Science in Public Service Management in 2013.

Scoopshot Appoints Nancy Shonka Padberg as Vice President of Global Marketing Padberg to Lead Mobile Crowdsourcing Community Growth and Company Expansion into Global B2B and B2C Markets NEW YORK – March 28, 2014 – Scoopshot, the world’s leading mobile platform for photo and video crowdsourced content, announced today that Nancy Shonka Padberg has been named Vice President of Global Marketing. An accomplished, disciplined marketing and sales executive, Padberg will lead efforts to expand Scoopshot’s ever-growing mobile community. She will also guide the disruptive startup’s dramatic growth in the B2B and B2C marketplace. “Our Scoopshot user community has grown to nearly 500,000 subscribers, plus we serve 70 media and brand customers. Clearly we needed to partner with an experienced marketer who could build upon, and help accelerate, our momentum,” said Dave Rickley, Executive Vice President at Scoopshot. “At Times Mirror, Nancy and I worked together seamlessly on numerous high profile clients such as Universal Studios and Walt Disney Company. She consistently performs at the highest level in a fast-paced environment and her expertise in integrated marketing communications, digital platforms and content marketing makes her the perfect partner in our organization.” Padberg built her career in Los Angeles. She served as Vice President at The Phelps Group, a IMC firm, as an advertising executive at Times Mirror Corporation, and most recently she held the position of Vice President, Marketing and Sales at Navigate Boomer Media, a digital and content marketing firm. Padberg has led and served some of the world’s most iconic brands including Whole Foods Markets, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Ability Dynamics, PETCO, Volvo, Pillsbury, and The Food Network. Padberg said, “Media organizations today need immediate, authentic, compelling images; publishers and brands prefer on-demand visual content that meets their guidelines and specifications. We are uniquely positioned to fulfill these demands and we have the ability to immediately enlist our mobile users to visually capture news events and brand experiences. I’m excited to join an organization that places great value on solidly connecting media publishers and the communities they serve in a bold, powerful way.” Padberg holds an MBA from George L. Graziadio School of Business and Management at Pepperdine University and currently serves as Vice President of the Pepperdine Alumni. A thought leader in the marketing world, Padberg is a conference speaker and columnist for MediaPost Publications and she has contributed to The Huffington Post. In 2011, she was nominated for the Los Angeles Business Journal’s Women Making a Difference Award.

Dresser-Rand Inducts Iowa State Graduate into Engineering Fellows Program BETHLEHEM, PA, April 8, 2014 —Dresser-Rand, a global supplier of rotating equipment solutions to the oil, gas, petrochemical, power, and process industries, inducted Iowa State alum Ken Schoeneck into the Dresser-Rand Engineering Fellowship Program. The Fellows program honors individuals who have attained the highest level of distinction through significant engineering achievements that have had a global impact on Dresser-Rand by providing competitive advantages in the energy markets and being recognized as an industry expert in their engineering discipline. “Ken has demonstrated exemplary leadership and made significant contributions to establish and maintain Dresser-Rand as a technology leader in the markets that we serve. He is an active leader in professional organizations that serve to advance the industries of gas machinery and mechanical engineering,” said David Nye, Vice President of Technology for Dresser-Rand. “Ken has proven his commitment to developing the future of Dresser-Rand by effectively communicating our mission and earning client loyalty.” Schoeneck is the director of Engineered Solutions at Dresser-Rand. His career in mechanical engineering began 49 years ago as a product design engineer at the Ingersoll-Rand Turbo Products Division in Phillipsburg, NJ. Later he became a development engineer for the same division. During his six years as a development engineer, Ken developed and commissioned a high-speed, high-pressure ratio compressor specifically designed for offshore oil and gas production platforms. In addition to incorporating new design concepts for industrial turbomachinery, he also developed a two-stage, 125 PSIG centrifugal air compressor incorporating an integral power recovery turbine. At different times Ken acted as manager of development for both Ingersoll-Rand and Dresser-Rand. In this capacity he designed and organized a number of development initiatives for pipeline compressors, large ethylene plant compressors and the industrial application of magnetic bearings. In 1990, Schoeneck moved into the role of engineering manager for Ingersoll-Rand’s Standard Pump Division. In this role, he managed the engineering department and worked on a number of product lines, including pump configurator software, magnetic drive seal-less pumps and ProEngineer CAD modeling software. In 1998, Schoeneck was named director of business development and technical support for Dresser-Rand and was responsible for organizing and growing the turbo compressor revamp and upgrade businesses within the Services operation. He also assumed responsibility for the Olean, NY Operations Services and Technical Support teams. In 2000, he established an applied technology engineering team in Olean that focused on revamping other manufacturers’ turbo compressors. As director of Engineered Solutions, Schoeneck now oversees the Bethlehem Technology Center in Pennsylvania that houses all engineering and marketing functions for Dresser-Rand’s applied technology turbo compressor revamps. Schoeneck received a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Lehigh University and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical and industrial engineering from Iowa State University. He spearheaded the creation of the Bethlehem remote technology center and was at the forefront of multiple mergers joining engineering departments from Ingersoll-Rand and Dresser-Clark. He is a lifetime member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. A formal recognition dinner was held in his honor at the Dresser-Rand Worldwide Management meeting held in Houston in February.

I am very thankful and proud for having attended ISU; ISU experiences profoundly affected my life and my behavior. I was blessed to have the late Dr. Weigle as my major professor and had my life further enriched by being accepted as a member of the ISU Indian (India) Society. My M.S. degree was looked upon with great respect by my peers in the fields of education (28 years) and in Rutgers Cooperative Extension, where I spent the last 17 years of employment as a Horticultural Consultant for Ocean County New Jersey. God Bless ISU. Sincerely, Al Clericuzio, M.S. Horticulture, 64

Iowa native rises to CEO of Canada's Couche-Tard A Carroll native and graduate of Iowa State University will become the next president of Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., a company that four years ago attempted a hostile takeover of Casey's General Stores. Chief Operating Officer Brian Hannasch will be promoted to the position following the announcement that current CEO and founder Alain Bouchard will take on a new role as executive chairman of the board of directors. Both moves will be effective on Sept. 24. Hannasch joined Couche-Tard in 2001 as part of the Canadian company's acquisition of Midwest U.S. convenience chain Bigfoot, Couche-Tard's first step into U.S. territory. He moved from vice president of operations for the company's Midwest division to vice president of integration and then senior vice president for North America, before being promoted to chief operating officer in 2010. He is a graduate of Iowa State University and the University of Chicago. Couche-Tard is a leader in the Canadian convenience store industry. In the United States, it is the largest independent convenience store operator in terms of number of company-operated stores. As of Feb. 2, Couche-Tard's network comprises 6,221 convenience stores throughout North America. In September 2010, Couche-Tard dropped its $2 billion hostile takeover bid for Casey's General Stores Inc., five months after the company made its initial offer for the Ankeny-based convenience store chain in an attempt to expand its presence in the U.S.

Thompson & Knight attorney Scott Stolley named Local Litigation Stars – Texas by Benchmark Litigation Thompson & Knight Again Named Recommended Litigation Firm Texas (October 22, 2013) – The law firm of Thompson & Knight LLP has been recognized as a “Recommended Litigation Firm” in Texas by Benchmark Litigation. Benchmark Litigation 2014 recognized Thompson & Knight for its expertise in antitrust, energy and natural resources, franchise, and general commercial litigation. Partners Gregory S.C. Huffman, Joseph S. Pevsner, and Scott P. Stolley, and Senior Counsel David R. Noteware were named “Local Litigation Stars – Texas.” Partners Debora B. Alsup, Hunter M. Barrow, and Jennifer R. Ecklund were named “Future Stars – Texas.” This is the second consecutive year for Alsup, Barrow, Ecklund, Huffman, and Noteware to receive this honor. Benchmark Litigation identifies the leading U.S. trial attorneys and firms at the local and national levels. Focused exclusively on the U.S. litigation market, Benchmark’s rankings and editorials are the result of extensive interviews with litigators and their clients and review of case work to identify the leading litigators and firms. The guide’s “Local Litigation Stars” reflect lawyers who are recommended as reputable and effective litigators by clients and peers. “Future Stars” reflect those attorneys who were consistently referenced by peers and clients as litigators who are likely to be become “Local Litigation Stars” in coming editions. For more information about Benchmark Litigation, please visit www.benchmarklitigation.com.

Boeing honors Iowa State University alumnus for aerospace innovation Kirby Keller earns 2013 Special Invention Award Keller, who retired from Boeing this year, lives in Chesterfield, Mo. and is from Cape Girardeau, Mo. He graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1969, and Iowa State University in 1971 and 1973. CHICAGO, Oct. 9, 2013 – Boeing has honored Kirby Keller, a retired Technical Fellow, with the company’s annual Special Invention Award, which highlight the best of the company’s innovation. These awards are given each year to individuals and teams who are inspired to create inventions that prove most valuable to Boeing and to the future of aerospace. This year, 16 such inventions were recognized, most of which have been granted or are awaiting U.S. patents. Keller, 65, was part of a team that invented a fleet performance optimization tool. “This award is recognition for doing the work I love,” Keller said. “I get so much satisfaction from contributing to new technologies that support Boeing products and services.” Keller, who has been with Boeing for 39 years, earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Southeast Missouri State University in 1969, a master's degree in mathematics from Iowa State University in 1971, and a doctorate in Mathematics from Iowa State University in 1973. “Every day, our people strive to unveil the next breakthroughs that will strengthen our 97-year-old legacy of technical excellence and engineering achievement,” said John Tracy, Boeing’s Chief Technology Officer and senior vice president of the company’s Engineering, Operations & Technology division. “Innovators like Kirby have achieved a level of technical mastery that's led to business success and that stands out from a peer group of outstanding, technically excellent, and resourceful professionals.”

Boeing honors Iowa State University alumnus for aerospace innovation Kevin R. Davis earns 2013 Special Invention Award Davis, who lives in Covington, Wash. is from Des Moines, Iowa, graduated from Iowa State University in 1986, and the University of Washington in 1991. CHICAGO, Oct. 9, 2013 – Boeing has honored Kevin R. Davis, a senior principal engineer for Boeing Commercial Airplanes, with the company’s annual Special Invention Award, which highlight the best of the company’s innovation. These awards are given each year to individuals and teams who are inspired to create inventions that prove most valuable to Boeing and to the future of aerospace. This year, 16 such inventions were recognized, most of which have been granted or are awaiting U.S. patents. Davis, 50, was part of a team that invented an energy absorbing structure for aircraft, a necessary structural component for new composite airplanes, like the 787 Dreamliner. “Challenges and innovation are part of our job and I'm proud to be part of the teams that develop creative solutions for our products,” Davis said. “I enjoy technical challenges. Everything we do is focused on making our products better, more efficient, less expensive, and more profitable for our customers and the public. Those challenges have never gone away and it continues to drive me professionally.” Davis, who has been with Boeing for 27 years, earned a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from Iowa State University in 1986, and master's degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering from the University of Washington in 1991. “Every day, our people strive to unveil the next breakthroughs that will strengthen our 97-year-old legacy of technical excellence and engineering achievement,” said John Tracy, Boeing’s Chief Technology Officer and senior vice president of the company’s Engineering, Operations & Technology division. “Innovators like Kevin have achieved a level of technical mastery that's led to business success and that stands out from a peer group of outstanding, technically excellent, and resourceful professionals.”

Jessica Reinert Earns Certified Association Executive Credential Des Moines, IA, [June 26, 2013] -- ASAE has announced that Jessica Reinert CAE, IOM, Executive Director of the American Institute of Architects, Iowa Chapter (AIA Iowa) has earned the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential. The CAE is the highest professional credential in the association industry. Less than five percent of all association professionals have earned the CAE with only 39 other CAE’s in Iowa and 12 CAE designations within AIA National. To be designated as a Certified Association Executive, an applicant must have a minimum of three years of experience in nonprofit organization management, complete a minimum of 100 hours of specialized professional development, pass a stringent examination in association management, and pledge to uphold a code of ethics. To maintain the certification, individuals must undertake ongoing professional development and activities in association and nonprofit management. More than 4,000 association professionals currently hold the CAE credential. The CAE program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). About ASAE ASAE is a membership organization of more than 21,000 association executives and industry partners representing 10,000 organizations. Its members manage leading trade associations, individual membership societies and voluntary organizations across the United States and in nearly 50 countries around the world. For more information about ASAE, visit www.asaecenter.org. About The American Institute of Architects Founded in 1857, members of the American Institute of Architects consistently work to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities. Through nearly 300 state and local chapters, the AIA advocates for public policies that promote economic vitality and public well being. Members adhere to a code of ethics and conduct to ensure the highest professional standards. The AIA provides members with tools and resources to assist them in their careers and business as well as engaging civic and government leaders, and the public to find solutions to pressing issues facing our communities, institutions, nation and world. Visit www.aia.org.

Ann McCarthy Elevated to Combined Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer Position for ZeaVision, Maker of EyePromise Nutraceuticals ST. LOUIS, Missouri (October 9, 2013) – Ann McCarthy has been named Chief Operating Officer of ZeaVision, the St. Louis-based manufacturer of EyePromise nutraceuticals, scientifically shown to support eye heath and enhance visual acuity. In Ms. McCarthy’s new role she will lead the company’s expansion into new markets and new products. Ms. McCarthy became ZeaVision’s Chief Financial Officer in 2010 and will continue her leadership in this role. She brings more than 30 years of experience in finance, accounting, marketing and operations to the company from positions at Peat, Marwick and Mitchell, Kimberly Clark, Ralston Purina, Nestle and Dallas Area Rapid Transit. Ms. McCarthy is a Certified Public Accountant, earned a BS from Iowa State University, MBA from University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and has completed all but her disquisition for a Doctor of Management from Webster University. She has been recognized with the prestigious Effie award for her work on Energizer EZ Change hearing aid batteries and was selected as a Corporate Woman of the Year by Women in Business. She currently is a Family Advisor for St. Louis Children’s Hospital and serves on their Safety committee. About ZeaVision and EyePromise ZeaVision is passionate about preserving healthy vision and fighting vision loss. The company develops innovative nutraceutical and instrumentation technology for eye care professionals, patients, and consumers. ZeaVision scientists have conducted more than 20 years of research and development in nutrition and eye health and hold patents on zeaxanthin, a crucial dietary antioxidant and photo-protectant. The company also offers a state-of-the-art macular pigment measurement instrument as part of its Eye-Q Intelligent AMD Risk Management Program. TheQuantifEye instrument measures macular pigment optical density and allows eye care professionals to measure, manage, monitor, and maintain healthy macular pigment levels to address an important AMD risk factor. www.eyepromise.com

ISU alumnus Jesse Donner accepted to the prestigious Chicago Lyric Opera's Ryan Opera Center Young Artist program for the 2014 - 2015 season. The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center welcomes three new members to the Center's 2014-2015 Ensemble - soprano Hlengiwe Mkhwanazi, tenor Jesse Donner, and bass Bradley Smoak. Since its inception, the Ryan Opera Center, the professional artist-development program of Lyric Opera of Chicago, has been recognized as one of the premier programs of its kind in the world. That standing is maintained by providing the finest up-and-coming singers with unparalleled training and experience. Each year the Ryan Opera Center selects gifted young singers from some 400 applicants. Soon after arriving at Lyric in the spring, incoming Ryan Opera Center members begin an intensive full-year residency under the guidance of Dan Novak, director, Craig Terry, music director, and Gianna Rolandi, vocal consultant, as well as numerous other opera professionals. Coaching sessions and master classes are augmented by performance and understudy experience in Lyric Opera’s regular season productions as well as other Ryan Opera Center concerts and recitals. This presents an extraordinary opportunity to work with the world's greatest opera singers, conductors, directors, orc hestra, and chorus. (Until September 2006, the program was known as the Lyric Opera Center for American Artists.) - See more at: http://www.lyricopera.org/about/ryanopera.aspx Jesse Donner, from Urbandale, Iowa, is a 2007 graduate of Dowling Catholic High School in West Des Moines, and is a 2011 Vocal Performance graduate of Iowa State University (where he was mentored by Simon Estes). He went on for his Masters in Vocal Performance at the University of Michigan, where he is currently pursuing a further post-graduate Specialist Degree in Vocal Performance. Jesse is the son of Lynette ('81 pol sci), and Dan ('79 comp sci). Brother Jordan is a current chemical engineering student at Iowa State.

As you may be aware, Dr. Dan Robinson is retiring in May. A retirement reception will be held Thursday, May 1st in Ames, IA at the Alumni Center from 2:30 pm - 5:30 pm with a program at 3:15 pm. Let's all show our appreciation and support by sharing in an alum video collage he won't forget! Video clips (for his retirement) can be sent to Dennis Culver (dculver@iastate.edu) by April 25. V. Lynette Mitchell, c/o 94.

AIA Iowa Establishes Scholarship to Recognize Influential Member, William Dikis, FAIA The American Institute of Architects, Iowa Chapter (AIA Iowa) has established the William M. Dikis, FAIA Architecture Service Scholarship in honor of one its most influential members. The scholarship was presented to Dikis by AIA Iowa’s 2013 Board of Directions on December 5, 2013 and it will benefit selected students in the Department of Architecture in the College of Design at Iowa State University. Dikis graduated from Iowa State University with his Bachelor of Architecture in 1964 and his Masters of Architecture in 1967. He has been an AIA Iowa member since the 1960’s and is a recipient of the AIA Iowa Medal of Honor, the highest of AIA Iowa awards. Dikis is also a member of the AIA College of Fellows. His current involvement and participation in state government affairs is instrumental to the architectural profession and his peers. He has dedicated much of his life to serving the public and profession through his career in architecture. The scholarship, named after him, will recognize students that exemplify Dikis’ spirit of professional service and excellence in architecture. Since 1857, the American Institute of Architects has represented the professional interests of America's architects. AIA Iowa, headquartered in Des Moines, is a statewide affiliate of the national AIA. AIA Iowa members express their commitment to excellence in design and are proactive in the design of livable communities. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct that assures the client, the public, and colleagues of an AIA member architect's dedication to the highest standards in professional practice.

Nathan Kalaher receives 2014 AIA Young Architects Award Kalaher is the fourth Iowan to receive this national honor Des Moines, Iowa– The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has announced Nathan Kalaher, AIA, with PLaN Architecture, in Sioux City, Iowa, is a recipient of the 2014 AIA Young Architects Award. This national award recognizes individuals who have shown exceptional leadership and made significant contributions to the profession early in their careers. Kalaher will be presented the Young Architects Award at the 2014 AIA National Convention and Design Exposition in Chicago, IL, along with 17 other recipients from around the country. “Mr. Kalaher unquestionably possesses and reflects the personal character and commitment to the community that this award seeks to promote,” said Christopher J. McGowan, President of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce. “I have worked with Nathan over the past decade and believe he is an exceptional young man, an indispensable part of our Chamber’s efforts to revitalize Sioux City. He was a capable quarterback helping Sioux City overcome stiff competition to become one of Iowa’s first “Great Places.” His passion for this community is contagious. He possesses the skills necessary to transcend boundaries that prove insurmountable to many others.” Kalaher graduated from Iowa State University in 2002 with degrees in both Architecture and Community and Regional Planning. ISU Professor Gregory Palermo, FAIA, points out that “even as an undergraduate, Kalaher was committed to the healthy rejuvenation of Sioux City, and the reclamation of an abandoned industrial/rail area in the city.” Kalaher was also instrumental in the development and fundraising for Design West Studio in Sioux City, a satellite of Iowa State University’s College of Design. He received his Masters of Architecture from Cornell University in 2006 and returned to Iowa where he co-founded PLaN Architecture, a firm committed to community engagement and design, in 2010 with his wife Lisa Kalaher and friend Paul Martin Jr. An active member of AIA Iowa, Kalaher is the 2014 President. In 2013, he chaired a record-breaking interdisciplinary Spring Conference along with ASLA Iowa, APA Iowa and Main Street Iowa. He has generated a long list of award-winning projects and is a frequent presenter and critic in architectural design. His work is recognized for design excellence and is published nationally. His work has been published in more than 100 articles including AIArchitect, Metropolis and Iowa Architect. He has received numerous awards including consecutive Design Excellence Awards from AIA Iowa in 2012 and 2013. Continuing on Kalaher’s theme of improving communities, he serves as the Vice Chair of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce Community Enhancement Committee. Kalaher continues to work with various public and private groups to reinvent two blighted districts in Sioux City. A dedicated professional on both the state and local levels, Kalaher has also been recognized as an Iowa Innovator by IaBiz Magazine in 2007 and was celebrated in 2012 as one of the “10 under 40” in his region. He serves on numerous state and local boards and has taught at colleges and universities.