Class Notes

The Schemmer Associates Inc. (Schemmer), a local full-service architecture, engineering and planning firm, is pleased to announce that Eric Deters, P.E., has joined the firm as a project engineer. With more than seven years of professional experience in water and wastewater engineering, Deters’ experience includes: water distribution and wastewater collection systems; grading and drainage; water source and storage sites; road alignment; paving plans; wastewater treatment facilities; and project management. At Schemmer, Deters will be responsible for projects with an emphasis on water/wastewater. Deters has a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Over the past half century, Schemmer has developed into a comprehensive, single-source multidiscipline firm prepared to offer clients a complete range of architectural, engineering and planning services. Headquartered in Omaha, Neb., Schemmer has regional offices in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Des Moines and Council Bluffs, Iowa; as well as in Lincoln, Nebraska. For more information, please visit our website at www.schemmer.com.

The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR; www.timken.com) today announced the appointment of Brent Dorman to the position of director of engineering and business process advancement for the company’s bearing and power transmission business group. Dorman joined Timken in 1982 as an associate engineer. Since then, he has held positions in application engineering as well as business-unit leadership assignments in Latin America and Asia. Dorman also served four years as director of process execution and was named director of engineering for the bearings and power transmission group in 2011. He holds a bachelor's degree in agricultural engineering from Iowa State University and a master's degree in mechanical engineering from Case Western Reserve University. Dorman lives in Jackson Township, Ohio, with his family. About The Timken Company: The Timken Company (NYSE: TKR), a global industrial technology leader, applies its deep knowledge of metallurgy, friction management and power transmission to improve the reliability and efficiency of machinery all around the world. The company engineers, manufactures and markets mechanical components and high-performance steel. Its bearings, engineered-steel bars and tubes—as well as transmissions, gearboxes, chain and related products and services—support diversified markets worldwide. With sales of $5.2 billion in 2011 and approximately 21,000 people operating from 30 countries, Timken makes the world more productive and keeps industry in motion.

On Sunday, November 11, 2012, an Iowa State University alumnus of 1987, Kay Graves, was honored at this year’s Emerson Excellence in Teaching Awards. A total of 93 local educators were honored with Tiffany crystal apples at the 2012 Emerson Excellence in Teaching Awards. Recipients were selected by their schools’ administration to celebrate their achievements and dedication to the teaching profession. A ceremony and reception was held at the Ritz-Carlton on Sunday, Nov. 11. "Quality teachers are instrumental in helping students achieve the highest level of success,” said Patrick J. Sly, Emerson executive vice president. “And their achievements ultimately enable our communities to grow, companies to succeed and increase jobs, and provide more progressive employment opportunities in the future.” Award recipients are also given an opportunity to apply for a Gold Star Grant from Emerson, which will be presented in spring 2013. Honorees from this year and the past five years are eligible to apply for the competitive grants, which are designed to fund educational projects that reflect the pillars of the Emerson brand – technology, innovation and leadership. Since 2006, Emerson has awarded $295,000 to area educators and schools through the Gold Star Grant program. The Excellence in Teaching Awards program is sponsored annually by St. Louis-based Emerson, a diversified global manufacturer and technology leader. Emerson and the Emerson Charitable Trust gave $10.6 million to more than 700 educational organizations and institutions globally for the year ending September 2012. “We are proud to celebrate the area’s most dedicated educators, and thank them for their commitment to education and to our children,” Sly added. About Emerson: Emerson (NYSE: EMR), based in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), is a global leader in bringing technology and engineering together to provide innovative solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and consumer markets around the world. The company is comprised of five business segments: Process Management, Industrial Automation, Network Power, Climate Technologies, and Commercial & Residential Solutions. Sales in fiscal 2012 were $24.4 billion. For more information, visit www.Emerson.com.

The Omaha law firm of Gross & Welch is pleased to announce Abbie M. Schurman has joined the firm as an Associate. Ms. Schurman has been a law clerk with Gross & Welch since 2010. Ms. Schurman earned her law degree from Creighton University in 2012, where she graduated magna cum laude. She received her undergraduate degree from Iowa State University. While at Creighton, Ms. Schurman received the CALI Excellence for the Future Award in the area of Criminal Law and competed in the East Lansing Mock Trial Competition. In addition to her awards, Ms. Schurman served as an Editorial Staff Member of the Creighton Law Review. Ms. Schurman is a member of the Iowa State Bar Association and is licensed to practice in Iowa. Ms. Schurman will be admitted to practice in the state of Nebraska in the near future. The law firm of Gross & Welch was founded in 1927 by Daniel J. Gross and is located in Omaha,Nebraska. The firm includes the following practice areas: civil litigation, business law, insurance law,employment law, estate planning and probate, real estate, family law, creditor bankruptcy and workers’ compensation. The firm represents clients throughout Nebraska and Iowa. More information about the firm can be found at: www.grosswelch.com.

Kathleen Niedert, Ph.D., administrator of Parkview Manor Care Center, is recipient of this year’s highest honor from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (formerly known as the American Dietetic Assocation). Niedert, a registered dietitian and Academy member for 32 years, was presented the 2012 Marjorie Hulsizer Copher Award at the opening session of the academy’s national conference in Philadelphia. The 73,000-member Academy recognized Niedert for her leadership as well as commitment to the profession and organization. The award is named for an early 20th-century pioneer in dietetics. “My first reaction was wow, and then when I came down from the clouds I wondered if I were really that old,” laughs Neidert. “The ride getting here has been everything anyone could have wanted, and I can truthfully say that I am as passionate about dietetics today as I was the day I graduated from Iowa State in 1973.” In her acceptance remarks, Niedert attributed her success to many people who had influenced her through the years: her parents, husband, son, close friends, academy members, and boss Kris Hansen, CEO of Western Home Communities in Cedar Falls, which manages Parkview Manor and where Niedert previously served several years as dietitian and director of dining services. Niedert also thanked the college students in attendance who are planning careers in nutrition and dietetics. She shared three simple rules for life that her parents taught her. “If you don’t go after what you want, you will never have it; if you don’t ask, the answer will always be no; and if you don’t step forward, you will always be in the same place,” Niedert said, as she encouraged the students to dream big and think of the day when one of them would be on the stage receiving an award. Niedert is a widely published author and served as editor of the academy’s Nutrition Care of the Older Adult (2004). She is a past president of the Iowa Dietetic Association and Mid-East District Dietetic Association, and former chair of the academy’s Dietetics in Health Care Communities dietetic practice group. Niedert received the academy’s 2009 medallion Award for service to the organization and the dietetics profession, the 2001 Award of Excellence in Consultation and Business Practice, and the 2000 Service Award. She was Iowa’s Outstanding Dietitian of the Year in 1992. Niedert graduated from Iowa State University and earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Northern Iowa. She earned a PhD in health care administration from Warren National University for her research on the use of liberalized diets in long-term care settings.

Was named Region XXIV Co-Coach of the Year and NJCAA District K Volleyball Coach of the Year for leading Lincoln Land Comm. College to the National Tournament for the first time in school history, finishing 11th with a 33-9 record.

Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A. is pleased to announce the addition of Courtney I. Schultz as an associate attorney. Courtney focuses her practice in the areas of automobile law, commercial transportation matters, and general liability. She works with insurers, third-party administrators, and self-insured employers. Prior to joining Arthur Chapman in 2012, Courtney worked as a litigation associate in Wisconsin. She is an Iowa native and a graduate of Iowa State University and the University of Iowa College of Law. The law firm of Arthur, Chapman, Kettering, Smetak & Pikala, P.A. was established in 1974 and is headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota with a branch office in Hudson, Wisconsin. Arthur Chapman is one of the premier defense litigation law firms in Minnesota with approximately 43 attorneys practicing from coast to coast. The attorneys at Arthur Chapman serve the litigation needs of businesses, the insurance industry, and self-insured entities by providing a full range of litigation services, including general and commercial litigation, products liability, automobile liability, workers’ compensation, subrogation, professional liability, insurance coverage, intellectual property, construction, high technology disputes, liquor liability, employment law, trucking, railroad, and personal injury law.

Mark Nolta ('85, BS, Engineering). Kraus-Anderson Construction Company (KA), one of the Midwest’s oldest and largest commercial general contractors and construction managers, has named Mark Nolta as preconstruction services manager. He will focus on collaborating with the entire project team to meet the owner’s expectations. Nolta will be based in Minneapolis and will oversee preconstruction services for KA company-wide.

Barbara Beichley (1974, MS, Family & Consumer Sciences) Retired on June 30, 2012 from Marshalltown Community College Foundation where she was the Executive Director. Beichley came to MCC in 1986 and during her tenure raised nearly $6 million dollars in Scholarships for students! Under her leadership the Foundation's endowment grew to $3.6 Million. Beichley believes education is the key to a strong and productive work force and enhances quality of life for individuals, families and communities. She remarked, "It's the reason I was so passionate about raising money for student scholarships. I know education changed my life and I wanted that for others." Barbara plans to travel, spend time with her grandson, and enjoy the company of family and friends.

Jane (Skiles) O'Dea ('72, BS, Liberal Arts & Sciences) Jane was included in the book "Military Fly Moms"—a collection of 71 stories by women who were or are military aviators and also mothers. Compiled and edited by retired naval aviator, Linda Maloney One of these women is retired Navy pilot, Jane (Skiles) O’Dea. O’Dea retired from the Navy in 1997 and she and her husband reside in Norfolk, Virginia, where their two grown daughters, their husbands, and grandchildren live nearby. O’Dea shares that her goal as a mom was to be the best role model for her daughters, and now her granddaughters. She encourages both her daughters and granddaughters to pursue their dreams, and to realize that there are no limits to what they can accomplish.

Lisa Eberhart (1981, BS, Family & Consumer Sciences), I am a graduate of Iowa State and I just received the governors award for the State of North Carolina for my work. When Chancellor Randy Woodson showed up at Lisa Eberhart’s office last week, he wasn’t looking for tips on healthy eating. Woodson was there to surprise Eberhart, registered dietitian for University Dining, with the highest honor a state employee can receive. Eberhart clinched a Governor’s Award for Excellence. The annual honors are given in five categories including outstanding state government, safety and heroism, public service and human relations. Eberhart is being recognized in the innovations category. “I’m thrilled because University Dining is very innovative and has come a long way,” she says. “I’ve been able to do many innovative things because I’ve had a lot of support.”

Carl J. Kirpes (2012, BS, Engineering). One of the five 2012 Tau Beta Pi Laureates is Carl J. Kirpes, a 2012 summer graduate in mechanical and industrial engineering from Iowa State University, cited for his diverse achievements; Tau Beta Pi, the engineering honor society, has named Carl as one of five Laureates in the Association’s annual program to recognize gifted engineering students who have excelled in areas beyond their technical majors. Carl is a member of six campus honor societies and takes advantage of these opportunities to develop his leadership skills. He is currently writing a fictional novel incorporating his philosophy of “reflective leadership” as part of his capstone honors project. He spent two seasons as a walk-on varsity football player for the Cyclones before a medical injury ended his football career. He is a published undergraduate researcher and a residence hall honorary, recognized for his accomplishments as a president of his residence house. Dedicated to community service, Carl has been involved with the local Des Moines YMCA as a volunteer since high school. In 2007, his extensive service efforts were recognized by being named the United Way Youth Volunteer of the Year. He was described by a presenter of his senior award as being the epitome of a well-rounded ISU student who has consistently displayed a passion for learning and leading.

Ryan Nisle, ('98, BS, Liberal Arts & Sciences) was named to one of The Best Lawyers in America list this yea with Miller Nash offices.

John Beam ('87, BS, Engineering) joined Timken in 1987, working as an application engineer for several years before moving into the company’s bearing operations. He subsequently held numerous positions in bearing manufacturing, ultimately serving as director of automotive operations. He went on to leadership positions in supply chain, most recently holding the position of director of small-bore supply chain and process excellence. Beam holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University. He was promoted to vice president for supply chain.

Todd Van Hal (1996, BS, Engineering) of John Deere was honored on Aug. 1, 2012 during an awards program at the ASABE Annual International Meeting held in Dallas, Texas at the Anatole Hilton Dallas he was the recipient of this ASABE award. Todd is the 2012 Sunkist Young Designer Award for his outstanding engineering and leadership skills and accomplishment in designing agricultural harvesting and cooling system equipment and in delivering and exceeding customer expectations around the world. Van Hal, senior engineer, combine cooling systems, John Deere Global Crop Harvesting Product Development Center, East Moline, Illinois, is leading cooling system configuration and design for worldwide combine programs. He is recognized as an expert in harvesting-vehicle cooling system design both internally at Deere and by cooling component suppliers. While a student at Iowa State University, Van Hal authored the 1995 winning K.K. Barnes Paper award entry, “Optimizing the Operation of a Quasi Ad-Libitum Electronic Feeding System for Gestating Sows in Loose Housing.” His other ASABE awards include a Student Engineer of the Year award, Mid-Central Regional Paper award. His work has received two patents.

Bill Burke, Jr., (1978, BS, Business) president of Burke Marketing Corp. (Nevada, Iowa) with Hormel Foods Corporate (NYSE: HRL) has announced his retirement. “Bill has played an integral role in building Burke Marketing Corp. into the industry leader it is today. His passion and never-ending desire to serve our customers have been critical to our success,” said Mark A. Coffey, vice president of affiliated business units, Refrigerated Foods. “We thank Bill for his leadership of the company and wish him and his wife, Sue the very best in retirement.” During his 39-year career, Burke held a variety of roles for Burke Marketing Corp., which was founded by his father, Bill Burke, Sr. His first position with the company was on the night shift sanitation crew and he also worked in other production departments including blending, cooking and packaging. After graduating from Iowa State University, he worked in sales and was challenged with growing the company’s sales and customer base. In 1986, Burke advanced to sales and general manager and in 1991 was named president. Under Burke’s leadership, Burke Marketing Corp. has grown fivefold.

Scott Williams, (1982, B.S. Chemical Engineering) who has extensive experience as an in-house patent attorney at several major pharmaceutical companies, has joined Armstrong Teasdale’s Intellectual Property practice group as an of counsel. As a registered U.S. patent and trademark attorney, his practice will focus on helping both emerging and mature businesses in the development and application of chemical and life sciences technologies. Prior to joining the firm, Scott spent more than 10 years in the pharmaceutical industry as in-house patent counsel at Pharmacia Corporation, Pfizer, Inc., and AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LLP. His experience includes managing Pfizer’s St. Louis patent department and evaluating numerous pharmaceutical collaboration, licensing and acquisition opportunities. Williams received his J.D., Order of the Coif, from the University of Kansas and B.S., chemical engineering, with distinction, from Iowa State University. He is admitted to practice in Missouri, Kansas, and Massachusetts.

FMC Environmental Solutions hires alumni Dr. Patrick Hicks (1986, Ph.D. Agricultural and Life Sciences, Agronomy) as Technical Sales Manager for Soil Remediation. Located in Raleigh, NC., Hicks is responsible for field sales management of FMC Soil and Groundwater remediation products and services in the Southeastern U.S. market. Hicks earned a B.S. in Agronomy from McNeese State University, a M.S. in Agronomy from Louisiana State University and a Ph.D. in Soil Microbiology and Biochemistry from Iowa State University. He is an active member of the National Groundwater Association and has published more than a dozen papers on a variety of industry topics. Hicks brings more than 22 years of agriculture and environmental experience to the FMC Environmental Solutions division, specifically in design and implementation of environmental remedial technologies. In his new role, Hicks will be responsible for field sales management of FMC Soil and Groundwater remediation products and services in the Southeastern U.S. market.

My fiance and I met at Iowa State my senior year of undergrad. We both met during CA training during our first year as CAs. He was a CA in BWR, and I was a CA in Oak Elm, he in the all male residence hall, and I in the all female residence hall. Our hall directors wanted our staffs to meet and get to know each other since we would be working together throughout the year. Though, as I tell the story, I was interested in my fiance, I pretended not to be interested in anything to do with him. Fortunately, he persisted and after one semester of playing this cat and mouse game, we finally had our first date. After that first date, we were inseparable, well, that is, until he went off on an engineering co-op in Boston, MA. Through that, grad school and ultimately, living apart for over a year right out of school, we got engaged with plans to be married in 2013. We both look at our time at Iowa State as an enjoyable and memorable one, and with fondness, of the place where we met.

Iowa State University graduate Darren R. Hartman, (1993, MS Civil Engineering) P.E., LEED AP, has been promoted to principal in the Kansas City office of Thornton Tomasetti, the international engineering firm. Mr. Hartman has 20 years of experience managing design projects, negotiating contracts and supervising engineering design project staff. He is the leader of the firm’s Construction Support Services practice. Mr. Hartman is a licensed Professional Engineer in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and South Dakota. His professional memberships include the American Society of Civil Engineers, the American Institute of Steel Construction and the Structural Engineers Association of Kansas and Missouri. Mr. Hartman graduated from South Dakota State University with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.

Ana Hays (1984, BS, Human Sciences) was elected to the California Hospice and Palliative Care Association (CHAPCA) board of directors. Ms. Hays will serve as a voting member of the board of directors of CHAPCA representing Region V, which includes Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, San Mateo, Santa Clara and Santa Cruz Counties. CHAPCA is a not-for-profit organization that represents hospice and palliative care providers and members in California and Nevada and advocates for individuals facing life-limiting illness by promoting availability and access to quality end-of-life care. Ms. Hays is the director of marketing communications and community education for Hospice of the Valley, San Jose CA. As a CHAPCA board member and Region V director, Ms. Hays brings over 20 years of experience in strategic alliances and collaborations that includes developing and implementing educational programs, board leadership, fund development, as well as marketing communications, community education and outreach expertise. Previously, Ms. Hays worked in academia where she led executive education programs and fund development events at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business as the associate director of conferences and special events and at Stanford Law School as the director of executive education. At Hewlett-Packard Company and Agilent Technologies, she managed the internal employee volunteer fundraising campaigns raising over $18 million in employee/corporate contributions for a multitude of charities. She is a member of the Silicon Valley American Marketing Association (SVAMA), the Association of Fundraising Professional (AFP), and a member of the Peninsula Volunteers.

New volunteers join ISUAA Board of Directors, Young Alumni Council This summer the ISU Alumni Association is excited to welcome six new members each to its board of directors and Young Alumni Council. Ana Hays (board of directors, term expires '17) (1984, BS, Human Sciences) is the executive director of the Thistlewood Foundation. She is studying for her MFA in Writing at the University of Nebraska and leads creative writing workshops in her home and at the non-profit organization WomenCare in Santa Cruz, CA, which serves women with cancer. Ana serves on the board of the Peninsula Volunteers, Inc. and has served on the board of the California Hospice and Palliative Care Association, Next Way Young Professionals of United Way Silicon Valley, and Today’s Youth Matter. She is a past president of the ISU Club of Chicago.

Founding principals of Pickard Chilton are Jon Pickard, ('76, BA & '79 MA - Architecture , FAIA, RIBA, and William Chilton, ('76, BS & '80 MA in Architecture) FAIA, RIBA (both BA 1976 Architecture). New Haven, Conn.-based Pickard Chilton has won a 2012 Green Good Design Award from the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design for the firm's design of BG Group Place in Houston. From thousands of submission from more than 20 countries, the jury selected more than 100 outstanding examples of green design. Completed in March 2011, BG Group Place, located in downtown Houston's historic Main Street, serves as the headquarters for BG Group, an international natural gas company. It is the first LEED-CS Platinum-certified high rise in the state of Texas.

Founding principals of Pickard Chilton are Jon Pickard, ('76, BA & '79 MA - Architecture , FAIA, RIBA, and William Chilton, ('76, BS & '80 MA in Architecture) FAIA, RIBA (both BA 1976 Architecture). New Haven, Conn.-based Pickard Chilton has won a 2012 Green Good Design Award from the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies and the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design for the firm's design of BG Group Place in Houston. From thousands of submission from more than 20 countries, the jury selected more than 100 outstanding examples of green design. Completed in March 2011, BG Group Place, located in downtown Houston's historic Main Street, serves as the headquarters for BG Group, an international natural gas company. It is the first LEED-CS Platinum-certified high rise in the state of Texas.

Ken Smith, FASLA (1976, BS Landscape Architecture), founding principal of Workshop: Ken Smith Landscape Architect in New York City and Irvine, Calif., is one of 33 distinguished members of the American Society of Landscape Architects who will be inducted into the ASLA Council of Fellows Sept. 30 at the organization's annual meeting in Phoenix. Among the highest honors a landscape architect can receive, the Fellow designation is conferred in recognition of exceptional accomplishments over a sustained period of time.