News Service

ISU part of partnership competing for BP biofuels research lab

A partnership of the University of California, San Diego, Iowa State University and the J. Craig Venter Institute will compete for BP's $500 million Energy Biosciences Institute. BP, a global energy company, has invited the University of California, San Diego, to submit a proposal for a biofuels research institute to be located on or adjacent to that campus. The university has asked Iowa State and the Venter Institute -- a non-profit research institute based in Rockville, Md., and dedicated to the science of genomics -- to be partners in the proposed institute.

News release.

Let's play 'Hardball'

A large crowd of ISU students and community members joined MSNBC's Chris Matthews and Sen. John McCain in Stephens Auditorium for a live broadcast of "Hardball" Oct. 18.

Story and transcript.

Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine to break ground on new teaching hospital

The College of Veterinary Medicine will break ground on the new Dr. W. Eugene and Linda Lloyd Veterinary Teaching Hospital at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 21, on the southeast lawn of the college. The event is open to the public. The $48 million renovation and expansion project increases the college's total space by 25 percent. Highlights of the 55,000-square-foot project for equine and large animals include a new advanced imaging facility, surgery suites, intensive care unit, and infectious disease isolation area.

News release.

'Suspicious' backpack is not a threat

ISU Police investigated an unattended backpack Wednesday morning, finding no threat. An investigation continues.

News release.

Two ISU students receive World Food Prize awards

Two Iowa State University students received World Food Prize awards for their work as Borlaug-Ruan International Interns in the summer of 2005.

News release.

ISU dining director named

Nancy Levandowski, a California-based business consultant, has been named director of campus dining services. Previously, she was a resident district manager for Aramark, an international food service company.

News release.

Student meteorology group best in nation

The Iowa State University student chapter of the American Meteorological Society has been named the national Student Chapter of the Year.

News release.

Homecoming Week Oct. 15-21

ISU Homecoming week is Oct. 15-21, culminating with the Cyclone football game vs. Texas Tech at 2:30 p.m. Saturday at Jack Trice Stadium.

See Homecoming events.

ISU will co-host National Summit on Video Games, Youth and Public Policy Oct. 20-21

The ISU Department of Psychology and the Institute for Social and Behavioral Research will join with the Minneapolis-based National Institute on Media and the Family to host the National Summit on Video Games, Youth and Public Policy next Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20-21, at The University of Minnesota Continuing Education and Conference Center in Falcon Heights, Minn.

News release

Delaware Senator Biden to present Manatt-Phelps Lecture in Political Science Oct. 31

U.S. Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., will present the fifth annual Manatt-Phelps Lecture in Political Science at Iowa State University at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 31, in the Sun Room, Memorial Union.

News release

Ravenscroft to become Roger P. Murphy Professor of Accounting

Susan P. Ravenscroft has been named the first Roger P. Murphy Professor of Accounting at Iowa State University.

News release

Webcast, mini-conference on ethanol Nov. 13

Experts will offer a variety of perspectives on the corn-based ethanol industry in Iowa in a statewide webcast and mini-conference Nov. 13. The conference is sponsored by the ISU economics department.

News release

Harris

Hank Harris has a winning plan

Sirrah LLC, a startup biotech company originating from the research laboratories of animal scientist Hank Harris and colleagues in veterinary medicine, was awarded $15,000 as runner-up in the first John Pappajohn Iowa Business Plan Competition. Sirrah develops vaccines for swine diseases. More than 80 business plans were submitted to the competition, which fosters entrepreneurial activity in the state. The award was announced at the recent Iowa Venture Capital and Entrepreneurship Conference in Des Moines.

Metallurgist named Iowa Inventor of the Year

Iver Anderson, senior metallurgist at Ames Laboratory and ISU adjunct professor of materials science and engineering, has been named Iowa Inventor of the Year for developing a patented, lead-free solder that's used worldwide and has generated more than $10 million in royalties to date.

News release.

Iowa State researchers recognized for work to inhibit meth production

George Kraus and John Verkade, University Professors of chemistry at Iowa State, discovered a way to make anhydrous ammonia fertilizer useless as an ingredient for methamphetamine.

Story.

Engler will explore critical landscapes in Presidential Lecture Nov. 6

There's more to landscape architecture than moving dirt and planting flowers, says Mira Engler. The Iowa State University landscape architecture professor will discuss her ideas on critical design and present examples of her work during the fall Presidential University Lecture. "Critical Landscapes: From Pork Barrels to Otherworldly Dumps and Gardens," will be at 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6, in the Sun Room, Memorial Union.

News release.

See and learn at Iowa State's planetarium

Iowa State graduate students will present planetarium shows at 7 p.m. Oct. 20 and 21, Nov. 10 and 11 and Dec. 8 and 9 in Room B57 of Physics Hall. The presentations will be followed by star-gazing sessions from Iowa State's astronomy observation deck. The presentations and sessions are free and open to the public.

News release.