Class Notes

Mike Orso** (’83 ag. journalism) recently spoke to nearly 200 college and university students at the Alpha Zeta national Agriculture Leadership Conference. The conference’s workshops focused on ethics in agribusiness, shaping the image of agriculture, and developing sound pubic policy. Mike and approximately 20 other employers met students and discussed career opportunities during the NALC’s career and internship fair. Mike lives in St. Louis, Mo.

Timothy Reinert* (’85 ag. bus./acct.) has been named director of accounting for Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society. As director of accounting, Timothy will oversee Woodmen of the World’s financial transactions, as well as those performed on behalf of Woodmen of the World’s subsidiary companies. Timothy will also be responsible for budget administration, general accounting operations, and financial reporting for Woodmen of the World. He lives in Glenwood, Iowa.

Michael Dombeck** (’84 PhD. ag) was awarded an honorary degree during commencement exercises at Haverford College in Haverford, Pa., May 20, 2007. Michael is the recipient of the prestigious Audubon Medal, the Lady Bird Johnson Conservation Award, and the Presidential Rank – Distinguished Executive Award, the highest award in federal service. He has authored, co-authored, and edited more than 200 scholarly and popular publications, including the book "Watershed Restoration: Principles and Practices," and most recently the book "From Conquest to Conservation: Our Public Lands Legacy." Michael lives in Stevens Point, Wis.

Kyoko Mizuno** (’89 English) was one of six recipients of the Presidential Award for Teaching Excellence. This award is presented to honor outstanding teaching, advising, and administrative skills at Kansas State University. Kyoko lives in Manhattan, Kan.

Andrew Beaver** (’86 ag. engr.) writes: “I just wanted to give you an update on what the family and I have been up to. I believe my last update was when we were living in Rhode Island. Last summer my wife, Rebecca, our two sons, Alexander and Colin, and I moved all the way across country to Ketchikan, Alaska, where I have taken over command of the NOAA Ship FAIRWEATHER. The ship conducts nautical charting in Alaskan waters for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. We use sophisticated multibeam sonar systems to completely map the ocean floor. The data is then used to update the nation’s nautical charts as part of our safety of navigation mandates, as well as for researching essential fish habitat and many other uses. We all love it here in Alaska! The only drawback is that I'm at sea about 200 days per year, managing the ship and our mission, so I don't get to see the family as much as I'd like. On the other hand, it's good to be the king! After 20 years in the NOAA Corps, it's great to finally get to this part of the country since most of my time has been on the east coast.”

John Hoover* (’76 speech) is the author of a new book entitled “Bullwinkle on Business: Motivational Secrets of a Chief Executive Moose,” written in the spirit of Hoover’s mantra: “When businesses want to get serious about making money, it’s time to start having some fun.” He is the author of more than a dozen books about motivational and business topics. John resides in Millburn, N.J.

Bill Good** (’72 ag business) and wife, Linda (Lindy) Good** (‘68 elementary education) are now house parents at Bill's fraternity, Phi Kappa Psi, at Iowa State. Phi Kappa Psi has returned as a colony and has petitioned to become a chapter. Bill and Lindy recently finished their first year there after having served as house parents for three years at Phi Delta Theta, their son’s fraternity. They are the parents of Anne (who lives in Omaha, Neb.) and Steve (who lives in Oxford, Ohio). Bill continues his work as an attorney.

Patricia Bukowski May* (’75 distributed studies) is the Compensation Manager for Lattice Semiconductor in Hillsboro, OR. She and her husband, Terry, reside in Beaverton, OR

Arlan N. Stavnheim* (’61 indus. admin.) received the Governor of Indiana Distinguished Hoosier Award for work in the formation of the Lafayette Tree Fund, Inc., and in planting more than 800 street trees in the city of Lafayette, as well as other civic activities. Arlan lives in Lafayette, Ind.

Richard Anson* (’70 MS indus. rel., ’73 Ph.D rural soc.) retired in 2001 as chair of the department of criminal justice/director of the Criminal Justice Institute at Albany State University. Richard was elected as the at-large member of the Dougherty County Board of Education in 1996 and was recently elected vice chairman of the Board of Education. Two years ago, Richard was re-elected to a third term as the school board’s county-wide representative.

Roger Silberstein* (’63 dairy sci.) writes: “My Iowa State experience was very rewarding both from the financial [standpoint] as well as making my adult life wholesome and well-rounded in every aspect. The real prize I gained from my ISU experience, along with an excellent education, was learning to be flexible. This factor has helped me be successful in many endeavors, not even remotely connected to the dairy industry. I was brought up with hard work and good ethics. Those are the salt & pepper. Flexibility is the tobasco sauce. Take those three and the flavor will come out right.” Roger lives in Quasqueton, Iowa.

Houston Hewlett-Packard design engineer Jim Mann** (’88 comp. engr., ’90 MS elec. & comp. engr.) and his wife, Pam (Coberley) Mann** (’90 elem. ed.), a teacher, donated a laptop computer to the Texas Association of Family & Consumer Sciences to aid in the update of administrative services and preparation of Texas family and consumer sciences research publications. TAFCS president Marlene (Lewis) Lobberecht* (’80 MS home ec. ed.) accepted the donation from Jim, Braden, Pam and Kylee Mann. Their paths originally crossed in 1992 at an elementary Parent/Teacher Night, when Pam Mann taught Marlene’s son in 4th grade math. Marlene also taught Kylee and Braden Mann as preschoolers at Cypress Creek H.S. Laboratory School. Acknowledging strong ISU alumni bonds, their friendship continues supporting education, as well as family and community betterment efforts. Jim and Pam Mann live in Cypress, Texas, and Marlene Lobberecht lives in Houston, Texas.

Kieren P. Knapp** (’76 zool.) a family practice physician was recently re-elected as vice speaker of the House of Delegates during the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association’s (POMA) 99th annual clinical assembly. Kieren lives in Jacobus, Pa.

Retired in 1985 from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission as director of the Division of Hydropower Resources. Neal moved to Scottsdale, Ariz., in 1989 and founded Pets on Wheels of Scottsdale, a volunteer pet therapy corporation. He also wrote a book entitled, “A Pet-Visitation Therapy Program – Starting One and Keeping it Going,” as well as several articles. Neal has also received numerous awards for volunteering, including Arizona’s top Hon Kachina Award. Neal and his wife, Anne, have been involved in community service for more than 20 years. www.petsonwheelsscottsdale.com

We have just discovered this great site. I hope that it will bring many Iowa Staters back together again. We have lived in several areas of the country and have been in Masachusetts since 1976 My background is Child Development and Nutrition and am married to Dick Becker ( 1968 / 1970 ) who also went to Iowa State. His background is Aero Space Engineering, Finance and Real Estate. For the past 12 years we have owned our own internet based business and help people all over the country build buisinesses. Please see the Class notes area.

Randy (VM '79) and Amy Shirbroun had a new baby girl, Kylee Margaret, on February 23, 2007.

Phil Jasper has been appointed vice president and general manager of Integrated Systems for Rockwell Collins.

Corinne Holtz,MS ATP ME'95 transferred positons to coordinator of assistive technology assessment and training services at the Coalition For independence in Kansas City, Kansas. May 2007

In March 2007, Chad Harris was selected to serve as the fifth Executive Director in the 102-year history of FarmHouse Fraternity. A former Iowa State FarmHouse chapter president, Harris served as the Senior Director of Campus Relations with the University of Wisconsin Alumni Association in Madison from 2003 to 2007. As the chief executive officer for the fraternity, Harris oversees the organization’s strategic initiatives, national and regional educational conferences, alumni outreach efforts, marketing and communications, expansion efforts and membership growth, risk management assessment and budgetary planning. With International headquarters located in Kansas City, Missouri, FarmHouse Fraternity is a men’s international agriculturally-related fraternity that seeks to build men intellectually, spiritually, socially, morally and physically. FarmHouse is located on 30 campuses throughout the United States and Canada, with 1,300 undergraduates and 25,000 living alumni.

A fellow Cyclone Alumni, Brad Snedden, and I founded Sawtooth Marketing. Sawtooth Marketing assists companies with their on-line marketing campaigns. We currently manage over $1.5 Million in Search Engine advertising expenditures, and our client base is growing every month. We have on-line programs that fit companies of any size.

Bryce and Shelly Richard wish to announce the birth of their son, Henry Isaac and daughter, Macy Elizabeth.

Ariella Elana Sheppard was born December 5th, 2006 to happy parents Bill Sheppard, CprEng '88 and Dr. Riki Alcheck (Brandeis '92 / GWU '95) and big sister Shira Liat.

Sandra Trca-Black** (’97 public svc. & admin in ag.) and husband, Bruce Trca-Black** (’97 ag. stud./farm op.) are parents of a son, Caden, born in August 2005. Sandra is self-employed as an administrative and personal assistant with Alloy Virtual Assistance. Bruce is employed at the New Holland Ag Information Center near Nevada, Iowa. Sandra and Bruce are nearing completion on a major renovation and addition project to their acreage home north of Ames.

Jennifer Vogel (JLMC '00) and Brad Eckerman were married November 4, 2006 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in West Des Moines. Jennifer is a marketing and publicity design manager at Meredith Corporation, Brad is a corporate accounts project manager with Pella Corporation. The couple resides in Urbandale with their cat, Thomas and new puppy Reggie.

Three wee ones: Maria, b 12 Dec 1999 Andrew, b 21 Aug 2001 Isabel, b 9 Mar 2006