News Service

ISU Plant Sciences Institute's aphid researchers on way to developing biopesticide

ISU researchers are working toward creating a biopesticide to control Iowa's soybean aphid population.

News release.

Presence of soybean rust in Iowa field

ISU has confirmed the presence of soybean rust infection from plant samples taken this week from a field in Dallas County.

News release.

NEWS TIPS: ISU experts can respond to Oct. 26 closing of former Maytag plant in Newton

Iowa State experts have been working with Newton officials since in was announced the former Maytag plant would be closing on Oct. 26. They can provide insight into the community's economic future after the closing.

News release.

Reiman Gardens announces winter plans

Reiman Gardens will begin winter hours on Nov. 1. The Gardens will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and closed weekends. The Christina Reiman Butterfly Wing will be closed for the winter. Facilities will continue to be available seven days a week for private rental. Seasonal, daily operations resume April 1, 2008.

News release.

Gift launches specialized engineering institute

A $500,000 gift from James and Julie Balloun, an ISU engineering graduate and his wife, will establish the Engineering Policy and Leadership Institute at Iowa State. The goal for the institute is to help engineering students and faculty learn more about current legislative policies and understand how their expertise can help inform and shape public opinion.

News release.

Metallurgist receives top materials award

Karl Gschneidner, senior metallurgist at the U.S. Department of Energy's Ames Laboratory, has received the Acta Materialia Gold Medal. It's considered by many to be the top award worldwide in materials research.

News release.

Schmidt to discuss Iowa caucuses 'fear and loathing' at Oct. 8 ISU Presidential Lecture

Steffen Schmidt, University Professor of political science at Iowa State, will present "More Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail: The Iowa Caucuses and American Presidential Candidate Selection" as this fall's Presidential University Lecture on Monday, Oct. 8, at 8 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room.

News release.

ISU Department of Health and Human Performance changes name to Kinesiology

The Board of Regents, State of Iowa, approved changing the name of ISU's Department of Health and Human Performance to the Department of Kinesiology. The Regents approved changing the names of the degree programs to make them consistent with the new department name during their meeting last week.

News release.

DuPont partners with Iowa State to enhance biofuels production

DuPont today announced a pledge of $1 million to the Iowa State University New Century Farm, the first research effort in the United States to focus on producing cellulosic ethanol on the farm.

News release.

AP, Gannett journalists make Iowa Caucuses subject of first Chamberlin Lecture

Washington Bureau Chief Sandy Johnson of The Associated Press and Political Editor Chuck Raasch of Gannett News Service will be the first speakers in the Gene and Margaret Chamberlin Lecture Series, sponsored by ISU's Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication. "Covering the Caucuses" will be the topic of their talk, which will be held Tuesday, Oct. 2, at 8 p.m. in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union.

News release.

Obama to speak during Political Action Week

As part of Political Action Week, Illinois Senator and presidential candidate Barack Obama will speak on central campus at noon Friday. Political Action Week is a multi-partisan series of discussions sponsored by the Government of the Student Body.

PAC schedule.

Design college addition to be named for Steven and Barbara King

The Board of Regents, State of Iowa, approved naming the College of Design Foundations Pavilion the King Pavilion. The name recognizes alumni Steven and Barbara King who provided the lead commitment of $1.5 million for the new $6.25 million facility.

News release.

Iowa State University conference examines developing bioeconomy

The 2007 Biobased Industry Outlook Conference, "Growing the Bioeconomy," will be Nov. 5 and 6 at the Iowa State Center on the Iowa State University campus. The conference will include speakers such as venture capitalist and ethanol supporter Vinod Khosla and genomics researcher J. Craig Venter.

News release.

ISU Design West grand opening is Sept. 22 in Sioux City

The College of Design and Sioux City Great Places Committee will host a grand opening celebration for the ISU Design West Studio, 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 22, in Sioux City. The ISU Design West studio is the college's new satellite program. It expands regional educational opportunities in the design disciplines of architecture, landscape architecture, urban and regional planning, graphic design and interior design.

News release.

Cyclones FWAA National Team of the Week

With their 15-13 win over Iowa Saturday, the Iowa State Cyclones (1-2) are the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl National Team of the Week for games the weekend of Sept. 15.

News release.

ISU-Toledo game will be web cast

Iowa State's football matchup at Toledo Sept. 22 will be web cast live in the Clone Zone section of cyclones.com. Monthly subscriptions to the Clone Zone are $8.95.

News release.

Dubuque attorney Jim Heckmann to direct Iowa Small Business Development Centers

Jim Heckmann, principal of James M. Heckmann Law Offices of Dubuque, and president of the consulting firm Aligned Resources, LC, has been named the new state director of the Iowa Small Business Development Centers.

News release.

Vilsack named distinguished fellow in Iowa State's Biosafety Institute

Former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack has been named a Distinguished Fellow in Iowa State University's Biosafety Institute for Genetically Modified Agricultural Products.

News release.

Iowa State astronomer helps discover planet that offers clues to Earth's future

Iowa State University's Steve Kawaler helped an international team of astronomers make the first discovery of a planet orbiting a star near the end of its life. The news provides a preliminary picture of what could be the Earth's destiny in four to five billion years. The discovery will be announced in the Sept. 13 issue of the journal Nature.

News release.

ISU sociologist studies social construction of 9-11 and its use as political, social resource

Brian Monahan, an assistant professor of sociology at Iowa State, has been researching the social construction of 9-11 and is working on a future book on its media coverage. Even though yesterday's sixth anniversary may not have the same exposure as a year ago, Monahan says remembrance of 9-11 has not faded.

News release.

Southwestern Community College and ISU partner

Iowa State University President Gregory Geoffroy and Southwestern Community College President Barbara Crittenden announce the establishment of an admissions partnership agreement that will make it more convenient for SWCC students to transfer to ISU. The announcement was made today at the SWCC campus in Creston.

News release.

ISU prof is taking people to school on the Iowa caucuses with online class in October

University Professor of Political Science Steffen Schmidt is teaching Political Science 312: The Iowa Presidential Caucuses, during the fall semester's second seven weeks. The two-credit course will begin on Monday, Oct. 15, and covers the history and future of the Iowa caucuses.

News release.

Geoffroy recommends arming campus police

President Gregory Geoffroy has provided to the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, his recommendation to allow police officers on the regent university campuses to carry firearms. Iowa State's Faculty Senate, Professional and Scientific Council and Government of the Student Body earlier lent their support to the proposal.

News release.

Students sponsor Political Action Week

Central campus will be the forum for a series of discussions among students, faculty, political candidates, issue experts and elected officials from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 17-21. It's all part of Political Action Week, a multi-partisan event sponsored by the Government of the Student Body.

PAC schedule.

Plan ahead, travel safely, have fun at annual ISU-Iowa matchup

Saturday marks Iowa's biggest sports event of the year as the Cyclones take on the Hawkeyes for the 55th time. Following are tips to ensure a successful day at Jack Trice Stadium.

News release.

Richard Florida to discuss the rise of the creative class as ISU Hilton Chair on Sept. 19

Best selling author and noted economic intellectual Richard Florida will deliver this year's Dean Helen LeBaron Hilton Endowed Chair in Human Sciences Lecture. Florida will share his views in a free public lecture titled "The Rise of the Creative Class" -- which is also the name of one of his best sellers -- at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 19, in C.Y. Stephens Auditorium, Iowa State Center.

News release.

Madeleine Albright will speak at Iowa State Sept. 14

Former United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will speak at Iowa State University at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14 in the Sun Room of the Memorial Union. Her talk, "Restoring America's Standing in the World," is free and open to the public.

News release.

Iowa State's fall enrollment climbs

Student enrollment at Iowa State University is 26,160, an increase of 2.7 percent (or 698 more students) compared to fall 2006.

News release.

"Cashin Plus Six" exhibit to open Sept. 16 in ISU Textiles and Clothing Museum

ISU's new Mary Alice Gallery, Textiles and Clothing Museum at Morrill Hall will showcase designs by Bonnie Cashin in an exhibit of seven influential 20th-century American fashion designers titled "Cashin Plus Six: Crafting an American Style, 1946-1975." The exhibit will open in the Mary Alice Gallery on Sunday, Sept. 16, and run through Sunday, Nov. 18.

News release.

University convocation Sept. 10

President Geoffroy will speak and awards will be presented to faculty and staff at Iowa State's fall convocation Monday, Sept. 10 (3:15 p.m., Memorial Union Sun Room).

Daily Show's Aasif Mandvi set for free comedy performance Sept. 28 at ISU

Aasif Mandvi, Baghdad bureau chief on "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," will give a free comedy performance at 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28 at Stephens Auditorium.

News release.

ISU at The Scene

Iowa State University was a major sponsor of "The Scene" over the weekend at Jordan Creek Town Center in West Des Moines. More than 2,000 teenagers attended the free event that included music, video game challenges, a model search, local cheer and dance teams and informaiton about Iowa State. Iowa State has been the exclusive college sponsor of the event for the past four years..

Geoffroy named to Power Fund Board

ISU President Gregory Geoffroy has been appointed to the 18-member Iowa Power Fund Board. The Power Fund is a $100 million state fund that will be invested in research and development to expand Iowa's energy economy. Iowa legislators passed Power Fund legislation last spring and Iowa Gov. Chet Culver visited the ISU Food Sciences Building May 23 to sign the bill into law. Geoffroy is among seven ex-officio members on the board and represents the Board of Regents, State of Iowa.

Governor's office release.

Iowa State undergraduate engineering programs earn reaccreditation

Ten undergraduate engineering programs at Iowa State have earned reaccreditation. "The reaccreditation process is a valuable tool that helps us to continually improve our college and assure quality programs for our students," said Mark J. Kushner, the dean of the college.

News release.