LIVING LEGACY Heritage tree fund takes root | PG. 20 SUMMER 2014

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VOL.3 NO.2

The arts’ role in critical thinking and learning THE BIG PICTURE

Thearts’role By Veronica Lorson Fowler in critical thinking & learning

Iowa State’s tradition of integrating the arts into its campus, culture and curriculum Key to the city In the Products of Public Space Studio, students provides the foundation for students to address Ryan Pecinovsky, Joshua Larson-Konar, Christian the complex, open-ended challenges of our age. Wehr, Ryan Nieland, and Kate Whisler (l. to r.) bring the three Cs – creativity, collaboration, and complex problem-solving – to making ’s capital city a more vibrant place to live, work and play.

2 SUMMER 2014 / 3 Photo:/ John C. ThomasSUMMER Fisheye 2014 THE BIG PICTURE

HE NEXT BIG IDEA JUST professionals with narrow, technical solve them unless we come at them Act is that a democracy can only be MIGHT BE INCUBATING backgrounds who will solve them. from as many different angles as we can.” sustained with an educated citizenry,” IN THE BASEMENT OF Instead, the future belongs to those In fact, the university is engaged in a Pohlman says. “Our early leaders MORRILL HALL. There, leaders who can tackle the big challenges – national effort to bring greater emphasis recognized that the arts and culture are TIowa State University industrial design world population, famine, climate to this paradigm. In November, Iowa part of that, that the arts are needed to major Christian Wehr is working away change, water scarcity, political strife – State will host the first national conference create world-class, informed citizens.” in a spacious room that is part classroom, with expertise in their discipline and of the Alliance for the Arts in Research A famous example is Anson Marston, part gallery, and part construction site. creative approaches that cross disciplines. Universities. Made up of 30 top-tier who established Iowa State’s premier Called the Products of Public Space, “Iowa State is the perfect place for research institutions, the alliance was engineering college. In the 1930s, Marston the interdisciplinary, experimental this to happen,” says Luis Rico-Gutierrez, created to expand institutional support taught a required art appreciation class learning studio provides students a dean of the College of Design. In keeping and share best practices for arts-integrated to prepare engineers for their lives in place to apply complex problem-solving with its land-grant mission, Iowa State interdisciplinary activity that not only business and in their communities. methods to public space issues in provides students with a high quality engages the university but also the Glass – as an area of study and a greater Des Moines, and create projects Renewed and education, with an emphasis on working world beyond. Focus locus medium – has played a distinctive role in that can make the city a more vibrant renewable together to create and share knowledge Ingrid Lilligren, chair of the integrated The Focus program Iowa State’s tradition of connecting science urban environment. Sponsored by Iowa that benefits the greater good. As a result, studio arts program and conference began in 1959 as a and art across academic disciplines. In It’s definitely a creative space here in State’s Bioeconomy students are engaged from day one in co-chair, said Iowa State is making a name two-week festival of fact, when ceramics engineering faculty Institute, the annual arts-related experiences, the studio: The walls are lined with the creative, collaborative process of for itself as a leader in the recent trend established the Gaffer’s Guild in the 1960s, biorenewables art bringing artists, film illustrated renderings, shelves of scale competition provides problem-solving, Rico-Gutierrez says. toward interdisciplinary collaboration, critics, musicians, they set up glassblowing operations not models, sketches of projects in progress, students the opportunity He sees this evidenced in some of with an emphasis on creativity. sculptors and more to in the fine arts department, as is typical technical diagrams, and inspirational to create artwork the awards students in the college are In the 1970s, in response to the Iowa State’s campus. with many universities, but in the quotes. In the middle of the room, Wehr that reflects BEI’s walking away with. “Whenever we explosive expansion of knowledge, Over time, Focus College of Engineering. (See “Melding is experimenting with white paint on mission: economic, enter competitions, we nearly always universities moved toward more metamorphosed into a art and science,” p. 9.) environmental and different celebration of paper to develop a visual theme for a come away with firsts or seconds,” he discipline-specific education. Now Christian Petersen, Iowa State’s social sustainability to the arts, one in which solar project. A former mechanical advance development of says. “No other institution pulls together the tide is turning, and increasingly students, whether art artist-in-residence from 1934 to engineering major, Wehr switched to an biorenewable resources interdisciplinary teams the way we do. universities have realized their students majors or engineers, 1955, laid the literal groundwork for interdisciplinary design degree program for the production That makes our teams unbeatable.” also need a broad education that helps were welcome to integrating the arts on campus through after taking an engineering class focused of materials, fuels, For the past six years, for example, them think in bigger-picture ways. express themselves via sculpture that elevates seemingly humble energy, and chemicals. the arts. Focus continues on imagination and creativity. Iowa State teams have swept the student Part of that broad education is an expressions of academic disciplines, Students are encouraged to foster creativity in The idea of blending the linear and to think about their art division of the Hospitality Design exposure to the arts and the highly Iowa State students such as a veterinarian cradling an ailing technical discipline of engineering with in terms of collaboration Awards, an international competition complex creative problem-solving the today through grant- puppy. His art has led generations of the wide-open creative challenges of the and sustainability, and for the best designs in luxury hotels, arts require, Lilligren says. “We talk funded art projects. Iowa State students to understand that design world intrigues him. “Engineering to integrate sustainable restaurants, spas, and other architecture. about thinking outside the box or their education is not just an amassing taught me how to solve,” Wehr says. elements and even Their success is in part because Iowa inside the box. But for an artist or of facts and skills; they have a larger, biorenewable materials “Design is teaching me how to think.” State competes with students assembled designer, there is no box. At Iowa State, grander purpose in the world. into their compositions. from different disciplines, including we are integrating that capacity for Pohlman says this integration of The post-box paradigm architecture, interior design, landscape innovative thinking.” the arts into Iowa State’s campus and Iowa State has a long tradition of architecture, and community and curriculum is as essential today. “Eighty integrating the arts within its campus, Above: regional planning. Integrate to innovate Above: percent of what sighted people learn is “Memento Mori” “On the Cutting Edge” culture, and curriculum, providing Beate Schmittmann, dean of the College Lynette Pohlman, director and chief through visual interpretation. The visual Natalie Buskohl Kathleen Albright students countless conduits for exploring Mixed media of Liberal Arts and Sciences and a curator of University Museums, points Ceramic and textile skills of comprehending and synthesizing the creative and human connections physicist by background, agrees, saying out that there has been a focus on our world are important to understanding within the sciences. Today, this tradition that an interdisciplinary approach, with integrating the arts into every corner and transforming it. Expression of is taking on greater purpose: As the the arts and humanities at the table, is and element of the university since thought and ideas transforms people world’s problems become ever more critical. “The problems we are facing Iowa State’s founding in 1858. and places – an educational vision that pressing and complex, it won’t be are just too big. We are not going to “The central premise of the Morrill is core to Iowa State.”

4 / SUMMER 2014 SUMMER 2014 / 5 All works of art are either part of the Christian Petersen Art Collection and/or the Art on Campus Collection, .

THE BIG PICTURE

IOWA STATE HISTORY 1937-38 – The Gentle Doctor In fact, University Museums has a and each other in a team in creative Art among – and about – us Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital highly successful Visual Literacy and ways. “In a way, this is structuring The tradition of integrating art related to Iowa State’s This Petersen sculpture became recognized internationally as a symbol of veterinary medicine, starting with Iowa State’s Learning Program, which involves in learning according to creative thinking mission and academics on campus dates back to the part curating special, small exhibits for itself,” Hopkins says. “Creative thinking, College of Veterinary Medicine. 1930s, when Christian Petersen became the nation’s faculty to use to broaden their students’ The central of course, has structure, but this structure understanding of a particular area. (See is not arrived at in fixed, predefined, first permanent collegiate artist-in-residence. Since “Art among – and about – us,” p. 7-8) premise of the predictable paths. Sparks of insight then, over 2,000 public works of art have been 1986 – Janus Agri Altar Agronomy Building courtyard Morrill Act flash on the edges.” added to the collection, with many acquisitions, 1937 –Breaking the Prairie Sod 1934 – History of Dairying Beverly Pepper created this Sparking the creative arc Hopkins is also director of the Parks Library Food Sciences Building courtyard as well as restoration and conservation projects, sculpture as a monument to is that a Grant Wood’s murals depict the advancement of Christian Petersen’s bas relief mural Iowa State’s curriculum includes several Center for Excellence in the Arts and the significance of agriculture funded through private giving. agricultural technology at Iowa State, starting was the first work on campus to programs that blur the line between democracy can Humanities, established a little over a throughout the history of civilization with Iowa’s founding by pioneers. integrate landscape, architecture, decade ago to support faculty research and to the world’s future. disciplines, drawing from the best of only be art, and academic discipline. each to enable students to learn about and scholarship in the arts and humanities sustained with 1986 – Left-Sided Angel their environment and themselves in at Iowa State. It does this in part through an educated Parks Library new ways. nurturing innovative, interdisciplinary, Stephen De Staebler’s sculpture symbolizes team-based work among faculty. Iowa State is among a handful of citizenry. Our the precariousness of the human race’s 1992 – G-Nome Project 1992 – Aequanimitas universities offering an unusual major early leaders Non-arts majors at Iowa State have place on earth, should we fail to take Molecular Biology Building Human Nutritional Sciences advantage of what the past can teach us. that blends students’ love of art and recognized that nearly as many opportunities to Andrew Leicester’s G-Nome Building science: biological and pre-medical participate in the arts as those majoring Project, with the art infusing the Tom Askman’s site-specific installation, whose name is Latin illustration. Students in the program the arts and in these areas. Most members of the building’s very DNA, challenges us to consider the ethical issues for balance, speaks to the heart of ISU Cyclone Football “Varsity” Marching learn to turn detailed and complex culture are part surrounding the technological nutrition – that our food must not information into visual images – every- of that, that the Band are non-majors. Introduction to 1986 – Carom frontier of genetic research. only nurture the human body but thing from the skeletal features of a dog music listening, available to only non- Black Engineering Building also the human spirit. to the hidden processes of microbes arts are needed music majors, has long been a favorite Created by manipulating a single sheet of aluminum, Bruce White’s within the soil. of Iowa State undergraduates. Once to create world- Carom mirrors the nature of the Another unique program is the class, informed taught by a professor with simply a research and study of materials being Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing piano in a classroom, the class is now undertaken within Black Engineering. citizens. 1999 – (1949) and Environment. Students in the held in the acoustically superior 1990 – Stride Seed Sciences Center program focus on the humanistic side LYNETTE POHLMAN Martha-Ellen Tye Recital Hall, and is Lied Recreation Athletic Center Petersen elegantly captured Carver’s Director and chief curator of environmental science study and often near capacity. And Iowa State’s William King’s sculpture captures perfectly the athleticism, vision for the future of agriculture of University Museums, 2007 – Bravo III (2005) enthusiasm and energy of students coming to the center. and his passion for science, farmers issues, drawing on geology, geography, Iowa State University dance program in the department of Gerdin Building and students. biology, chemistry, and environmental kinesiology remains popular among Bill Barrett’s sculpture represents the abstract thinking increasingly required science to develop an eco-centric non-majors. and the merging of disciplines within These opportunities make an important aesthetic in their writing. the College of Business’ programs. Associate professor of music and distinctive contribution to general Christopher Hopkins, who was involved education by providing students yet in developing the minor in music another form of creative expression. 2007 – Transformation

technology, which brings together Indeed, the opportunities to experience Morrill Hall CONTINUED music, computer programming, the arts abound on campus – through Designed as a monument 2011 – ISU Horticulture … looking to the past and a threshold back, looking ahead … cultivating acoustics, and software design, has exhibits and professional performances to the future, Albert knowledge now also developed what he calls “edge” at C.Y. Stephens Auditorium and other Paley’s sculpture acts Horticulture Hall classes, where advanced students get venues, as well as concerts, plays and as a metaphor for the 2008 – The Moth In the tradition of Christian Petersen, Coover Hall interdisciplinary team research experience. literary magazines featuring students. transformations continually 2010 – e+l+e+m+e+n+t+a+l artist Sarah Grant and the Sticks, Mac Adams described this sculpture’s occurring at Iowa State. Hach Hall Inc. mural crew took up a short-term In these classes, students not only connect This programming helps teach students creation as a problem-solving Chemical elements and molecular models residency and involved the campus ideas from different disciplines but also to appreciate works by great composers, process based on the moth in the inspired Norie Sato’s site-specific sculpture community in capturing the essence writers and artists, and by their peers. machine that coined the term learn how to connect tasks, methods, of glass, aluminum and LED lights. of horticulture at Iowa State. “debugging a computer program.”

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12 WITH IMPACT 16 IN BRIEF These experiences add to students’ becomes part of us, it’s the cumulative cultural literacy and remind them of moments of enlightenment that change the importance of creativity, balance a student’s outlook. What you and “play” in life. Students such as Ameila Medici, a can do sophomore in industrial engineering Philanthropy Philanthropy: the creative fuel from Johnston, Iowa, who went with has long been Philanthropic support has been key an industrial engineering class to view instrumental in integrating the in building and enhancing the arts an Iowa State exhibit of cast metal and arts into Iowa EXTENDING IOWA STATE'S IMPACT at Iowa State, funding both spaces welded objects. Walking on campus State’s campus, and programming for creativity and afterward, Medici realized she was seeing culture and innovation as well as for scholarships the campus sculptures around her in a curriculum, to THROUGH PHILANTHROPIC GIVING in the arts. Gifts such as those by new way. Certainly, she understood understand and transform our Elizabeth and Byron Anderson to working metal for precision and world: establish the sculpture garden strength, but this was really the first surrounding Morrill Hall can time she thought about the aesthetics completely revitalize an area of of, say, welding. Scholarship campus, while private scholarships Gazing at the small bronze sculpture support for students encourage individual students to of George Washington Carver south of majoring in the arts, as well as for pursue creative passions. For example, , she found herself non-majors to the Barbara King Landscape Architecture analyzing the skill and process used pursue their talent Scholarship for Innovation and in creating the piece, trying to guess and interest in the Entrepreneurship assists students where the parts may have been welded arts, enables them who have demonstrated leadership and together, although there was barely a to deepen their capacity for self- initiative in creative ways, encouraging clue that seams even existed. expression, and them in new endeavors. “After just that one encounter, I enhances their And on the horizon, the colleges of noticed myself being more open-minded appreciation of all Engineering and Design are spearheading and creative about it and curious about forms of artistic the Student Innovation Center, a first- the process,” Medici said. “I study expression. of-its-kind hub on campus to foster manufacturing a lot, but I realized that Gifts toward programs and collaboration in an environment of art is also a kind of manufacturing. It’s environments that open inquiry, stimulating student-led interesting to think about how I could enable students to PROGRAMS THAT MATTER entrepreneurship and hands-on apply this approach in a variety of engage in the Melding art and science learning grounded in “thing-making” ways in the future.” creative, collaborative and fabrication. process of problem- It’s a typically busy afternoon in the engineering majors. Successful Tanner Borglum (left), a new solving are especially As a research institution, Iowa State Gaffer’s Guild studio in Sweeney (and safe) glassblowing requires a graduate in computer engineering valuable for expanding continues to make the breakthroughs Hall. The furnace is blazing away as detailed understanding of the physical from Plainfield, Iowa, says he got On the cover: their capacity for two students work carefully to and chemical properties of materials. into glassblowing because “it’s a in science and technology that vastly innovative thinking. Taking stock Integrated studio arts The new Jeff and Deb Hansen Agriculture shape a red glass vase on the end Michael Zeller (right), a 2014 very interesting way of creating improve the lives of people in Iowa, major Guillermo of a long rod. biochemistry graduate from Pella, things – like nothing I’ve done Student Learning Center provides Iowa State the nation and the world. Fundamental Thompson-Clavell’s students as well as youth from around the For more than 40 years, the Iowa, says he got hooked on before.” to making these discoveries is an photo composition Gaffer’s Guild has enabled materials glassblowing because it makes for He appreciates the science in CONTACT US region a premier facility in which to practice environment where students are able to captures Shelby their animal interaction and evaluation skills. science and engineering students a nice change of pace when he’s play – basic physics and the effect Erickson, a senior in 515.294.4607 and others to blend the art of stressed out about coursework. “I of different temperatures on the acquire an understanding of the nexus The center was built with private support, with graphic design, in toll-free lead gifts from the Hansens, and Jan and the glassblowing with the science of really like the way the glass glass – but in the end, he says he between art and science – and between free-form dance. To 866.419.6768 late Marv Walter, classes of 1962 and 1964. Photo: Cameron Campbell ceramic engineering. The guild is moves. You can make subtle just likes getting together with creativity and innovation – within the watch video about crafting the cover questions@foundation. open to anyone seeking a creative tweaks to it, and then those small fellow gaffers and creating fascinating, context of our lives. For in the end, as image, go to www.isuf.info/ iastate.edu outlet, but it’s also an instructive things are amplified and you can complex pieces of art. with most learning that eventually forwardmag experience for science and do some very cool effects.”

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WHEN VISITING FARMS IN UGANDA’S The program, with mostly private SOWING SEEDS OF SUCCESS RURAL KAMULI DISTRICT, Mark support, collaborates with Volunteer Westgate and his Center for Sustainable Efforts for Development Concerns, a The Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods is changing rural Rural Livelihoods colleagues watch for Ugandan nongovernmental organization, Ugandans’ quality of life – and teaching Iowa State students to be an initial clue to the families’ welfare: and Makerere University, one of the change agents in improving the global community. Do they offer the visitors food? country’s top colleges. Service-learning “They’re very happy to feed us when participants and Makerere students one of the team visits,” says Westgate, By Thomas R. O’Donnell | Contributed photo live and work as a binational team in director of the Iowa State University Kamuli District, Nonnecke says. Some center, which marked its 10th year in Sustainable Makerere students also have come to 2013. “It’s striking how generous they philanthropy Iowa State. The Center for Sustain- are. It could be sugar cane or fruit, but Iowa State students participate because able Rural Livelihoods typically it indicates that they’re well.” might not exist without they want to learn about international The center’s efforts and the students ongoing support from development, work globally in their it’s brought to Uganda mean more donors interested disciplines, and help others, Nonnecke farmers can feed their families, often in developing water says. “We want them to have an with crops left to sell. In the three Kamuli resource, entrepreneur- international experience that transforms ship and nutrition District subcounties where CSRL operates, their perspective about what it means programs, says Mark farmer-to-farmer training programs, Westgate. to be global citizens.” demonstration projects, and other efforts “But the real impact Rebecca Chamberlin, a junior have helped boost the percentage of of the donors is they from Des Moines majoring in GRS families with food security – the ability are engaged with us. and environmental science, taught We communicate with to meet daily needs – from 9 percent to environmental science to fifth- and them regularly and more than 60 percent in five years. treasure their input,” so sixth-graders in Kamuli in 2013. “Agriculture is the foundation of our that CSRL will continue She also helped plant Euphorbia, a work, because just about everybody we to stand for positive succulent used to keep herd animals work with is engaged in agriculture,” change and crucial out of the school gardens, and planted Westgate says. Yet CSRL also addresses progress for years trees for food and timber. to come. sanitation and hygiene, fresh water The children were all “very eager to availability, and education. The center learn and to experience new cultures. has helped drill 14 wells and supported I also got to do the same, and learn Iowa State students who have gone something myself,” adds Chamberlin. into the schools to teach children She is considering the Peace Corps or about agriculture and nutrition and graduate school to work in sustainable to work in gardens that supply food agriculture. for the pupils. Andrea Matthews, a senior also Since 2006, 56 Iowa State under- majoring in GRS, agrees. “Interning in graduates have participated in service- Uganda taught me that in development, learning programs in Kamuli District, you are never alone,” she says. “I The fourth R says Gail Nonnecke, CSRL’s associate Relationship-building was a big now know more about how effective part of Rebecca Chamberlain’s director for education and Global partnerships work and how to make teaching in Uganda. Professor in Global Resource Systems. these relationships and projects thrive.” Another 13 participated as interns for the GRS major, and six graduate students have conducted research benefitting the center’s work.

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FOR NATE BYRO, FALL 2013 was of the program in 2000. “Its purpose is OPENING UP VISTAS a semester crammed with novel to provide students with a foundation adventures – including a close call with for continued studies in the program, During the Traveling Savanna Studio, landscape architecture students a herd of buffalo. But for the sophomore to inform their understanding of what learn to open their senses – and open their minds. majoring in landscape architecture, the landscape architecture is and how they most memorable time was an hour of may fit within the profession.” uninterrupted silence. “The variety of landscapes helped It happened beside Jenny Lake in me appreciate how landscape affects By Sherry Speikers Illustrated postcards: Nate Byro and Kayla Volkmer Grand Teton National Park, one of people so differently,” says Kayla several stops during the Traveling Volkmer, who completed the studio in Savanna Studio, the hallmark of Iowa fall 2013. “I saw how others have State University’s Landscape Architecture Savanna arcana stretched design limits, and I now program. Byro and his classmates Inspired by the inherent know there are endless possibilities for were instructed to silently observe the beauty, resilience and my designs.” landscape before sketching the scene. heritage of the savanna Volkmer, along with Byro, was a – a nearly 1,800 mile “I can still see every detail of the recipient of the 2013 Traveling Savanna corridor from Manitoba, place in my mind,” Byro says. “I Canada, through the Studio Award. Funded by an anonymous noticed a pattern in the driftwood in central United States donor since 2011, the award provides front of me: Its curves complemented (including Iowa) to two students each year with more than those in the mountains, and they were northern Mexico – the half the cost to attend the studio. Traveling Savanna repeated in the outlines of the valleys “Because of the award, I didn’t have Studio now journeys to worry about whether I could afford and trees.” beyond the region’s This heightened observation – the boundaries. The fall the right design tools or meals during separation of parts from the whole and 2013 studio included 16 the trip,” Byro says. “I was able to focus recognition of patterns – is the foundation destinations extending on academics.” from which landscape architects from Gallatin Gateway, For Volkmer, the award meant she Mont. (near Yellowstone), develop their design skills. And it is a didn’t have to work at a job during the to Jekyll Island, Ga. talent best developed through hands- “The idea is to show studio semester, something she is sure on learning. students the contrasts would have jeopardized her grades and “Being in these places lets students in nature, culture and her ability to gain the most from the trip. experience them through all the senses. form throughout the “The award helped make the studio U.S.,” Martin says. They gain a deeper understanding of one of the best experiences I’ve ever According to Volkmer, had. I grew so much personally and the regional character of landscape and the strategy worked. how ecosystems work,” says Michael “I’ll never forget academically,” she says. “The trip Martin, associate professor of landscape the transition from confirmed for me that landscape architecture, who made his fourth trip Minneapolis to the architecture is what I want to do with the studio last fall. Badlands. Within a day, with my life.” we went from being in During two, three-week trips each a busy city in 90-degree fall semester, students travel across the weather to climbing country at a whirlwind pace – studying hills and pitching tents and sketching natural and built in the windy, desolate landscapes, identifying plant species, Badlands with coyotes howling in the back- meeting design professionals, and more. ground. To realize that WATCH ONLINE “The studio is quite broad by design,” both places are equally Watch students talk about their says Gary Hightshoe, professor emeritus, beautiful was amazing.” studio experience at who led the creation and implementation www.isuf.info/forwardmag

Wish you were here As part of the Savanna Studio, students create post- 14 / SUMMER 2014 cards about their experience and mail them home. SUMMER 2014 / 15 GIFTS AT WORK / IN BRIEF

IMPACT IMPACT CyBIZ creates buzz In January, the College of Business launched CyBIZ Lab, a dynamic learning program through which Iowa businesses can tap into the 74 expertise of students across the WINS SETS RECORD spectrum of the college’s programs. The 74 wins by the Iowa State The lab offers clients varying as WebFilings and C.H. Robinson, and his wife, Terri, created a men’s basketball team since 2012 are the most over a three-year levels of assistance, from small and helped with a product launch scholarship for undergraduate stretch in school history. student teams that focus on for a beverage called Muddy Water. participants. shorter-term projects, to entire Historically, the college has “Students have a lot to offer – classes that take on projects as shared its expertise with companies – they understand technology and semester-long, live case studies. and addressed real-life business know how to use social media for Blossoming impact “I get to network with great challenges in the classroom – in research, along with many other National data show that more than half of pregnant women gain too people and learn more about less formal ways. CyBIZ Lab offers valuable skills,” said Judi Eyles, a much weight during their pregnancy, increasing health risks for mothers specific industries I had no a centralized process for initiating staff member in the Pappajohn and infants. Katie Smith wants to see that number shrink to zero. knowledge about,” said Alex projects and a variety of approaches Entrepreneurship Center who helped She’s made strides toward that aim in her doctoral program in Andrade, one of four graduate to problem-solving. launch CyBIZ. “I tell companies, nutritional science at Iowa State University, heading up the Blossom assistants who oversee and team Donors support the lab through ‘Give Iowa State students the Project Online, a behaviorally-based website developed to increase up with undergraduates in the lab. scholarships, graduate assistantships, opportunity to shine, and they will. exercise in previously sedentary and low-active pregnant women. REVOLUTIONIZING MANUFACTURING So far, the first-year MBA student and programmatic funding – for You’ll be amazed at the results.’” “I’m very interested in intervention during pregnancy via promotion has worked with companies such example, alumnus Mark Walker of a healthy maternal lifestyle, including physical activity and nutrition “This is public-private to improve maternal and fetal outcomes,” Smith said. partnership on a grand Smith works with associate professor of food science and human scale, one capable of nutrition and Sandra S. and Roy W. Uelner Professor Christina Campbell, providing the significant Iowa State University had the who developed the Blossom Project, which studies pregnant women’s resources and talents to diet and exercise behaviors and how they influence positive birth advance research, effect foresight to admit, nurture, outcomes. Building on Campbell’s research, the Blossom Project Online A MAN FOR ALL SEASONS provides modules to assist in exercise goal-setting, problem-solving, change for manufacturers educate and employ this journaling, tips and resources for diet and exercise, and a community large and small, and page where participants post questions and provide social support. prepare the next generation obscure black man who Smith gives credit for the opportunities she’s had at Iowa State to for the multi-faceted turned out to be a genius Campbell and the support received through such scholarships as the demands for a new type Ruth and Vincent Mahoney Scholarship, established by Richard of workforce.” of his time, a legend for Mahoney and Lois Hartman in honor of his late parents. Ruth and Vincent, who raised their three sons in Rockwell City, Iowa, were never —Janis Terpenny, director of today, and a role model able to attend college due to financial constraints. Mahoney, who holds Center for e-Design, and chair for future generations. a doctorate in hospitality management from Iowa State, and Hartman and Joseph Walkup Professor in want to ensure high-performing students like Smith aren’t held back Industrial and Manufacturing from achieving their goals for similar reasons. Systems Engineering, on being a — Andrew Manu, George Washington Carver After graduating this summer, Smith plans to complete the supervised Tier One partner in the Digital Lab for Manufacturing, a new $320 million, Chair and professor of agronomy, speaking at a practice necessary to become a registered dietitian. “I’m very excited to Pentagon-funded consortium aimed symposium at Iowa State this spring honoring step into the clinical setting and implement my research,” she said. at spurring manufacturing innovation the life and legacy of George Washington Carver. “Above all, I want to make a significant impact in the lives of others.” and economic growth.

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NEWS ACCOLADES

EXTENSION100 TURNS A CENTURY ‘NEW’ Theaster Gates, When Congress passed the Smith-Lever Act to ‘96, ‘06, recently named one of Fast establish the Cooperative Extension Service in Company’s 100 Most 1914, Iowa State had already been engaged in A lean, keen educating and research machine Creative People extension work since 1903, cooperating with a in Business. group of Sioux County farmers to improve seed Iowa State is the nation’s only institution of higher learning to spend the last corn. A hundred years later, Iowa State University eight years hiring full-time faculty while shrinking administration. According Extension and Outreach continues to be focused to the Delta Costs Project at the American Institutes for Research, a nonprofit on an innovative and sustainable future for extension education in Iowa and nationally, group that studies college affordability, the university boosted its full-time with nearly a million people each year directly faculty per 1,000 students by 41 percent between 2004 and 2012, and benefiting from ISU Extension and Outreach programs. Learn more at www.extension.iastate. decreased part-time faculty and all non-teaching jobs, all while increasing edu/100years. student retention by 3 percent since 2005.

A RENEWING REENTRY Distinguished company “As the father to three young boys and working Each year during the Distinguished Awards full time, with this scholarship I have been able Photo: Jim Heemstra Celebration, Iowa State University honors its best – to step into a much less stressful role at work alumni and friends whose achievements and to focus on school, which gets me that much contributions reflect the best of Iowa State. This VISIONS OF ALUMNI-NESS closer to becoming a teacher. It’s a challenge to April, the university bestowed awards on these Twenty-four months, 50 states, 129 alumni, balance family, work and school. Because of the individuals and organizations: 30,000 rental car miles, and 129,934 Jim generosity of the Bernard Osher Foundation, Heemstra photographs – that’s what goes into a Order of the Knoll Corporation and we breathe a little easier.” celebration of Iowa State alumni and their amazing Foundation Award: – Jamie Spittler (with wife Staci and sons Quinten, Vinson impact all across the nation. Three years in the Iowa Pork Producers Association and Will), senior in history/secondary education, and Osher making, the VISIONS Across America project, Reentry Scholar. The scholarship program, which is funded created by the ISU Alumni Association, profiles Order of the Knoll Cardinal and Gold Award: through a gift from the Bernard Osher Foundation, assists graduates in every U.S. state exploring how their Jon L. Fleming non-traditional students coming to Iowa State to complete Iowa State education has shaped their lives. The their degree programs. project includes a website and special issue of Order of the Knoll Campanile Award: VISIONS magazine, as well as an exhibit of Jean H. and Michael R. Steffenson WE GOT A THRESHING! photographs that runs through Aug. 9 at Brunnier You could call this a “mea cropa.” In the archival photo on page 18 of Art Museum that was made possible in part by Honorary Alumni Award: the winter issue of Forward, the activity in which the farmers were Lora and Russ Talbot, Michele and Steve Whitty, Deb and Jeff Hansen, John T. Pesek, Jr. engaged was misidentified as haying. And did we hear from sharp- Marcia and Steve Stahly, and others. Find out more eyed readers! You pointed out that the farmers are actually harvesting at www.isualum.org/visionsacrossamerica. grain such as oats. (One reader even identified the tractor as a Ford Distinguished Alumni Award: 8N pulling a small IH combine.) We appreciate the importance of Cynthia Z. F. Clark, Stephen G. Juelsgaard, accuracy, and we’ll endeavor to do better in the future! Gerald A. Kolschowsky, and Simin Nikbin Meydani

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GIVING FORWARD

Illustration: Evanny Henningsen HERITAGE EXTENDED A family’s gift is preserving the history and majesty of one of Iowa State University’s most treasured assets – its 6,200 shade trees.

By Debra Solberg Gibson The Iowa State University Foundation can help you THERE’S A SWEET IRONY in knowing member of the Outdoor Teaching give a gift that moves lives forward. the Bob and Eileen Martin ISU Committee, enlisted students to Heritage Tree Fund took root collect seeds from the catalpa nearly 70 years ago when two before it was removed. The seeds, ISU Foundation Board of Directors young Iowa State students met cultivated in Iowa State nurseries, 2013-14 on a blind date in the Oak-Elm generated hundreds of plants, Len C. Rodman, chair dining hall. far more than could be added Olathe, Kan. Lloyd A. Bettis, vice chair Bob Martin was studying to the campus. Naples, Fla. agricultural education, Eileen So Graves, who also serves Steven T. Schuler, treasurer Douglas and Urbandale, Iowa Smith home economics, and as an associate dean in the Nancy K. Armbrust, secretary the date launched their graduate college, collabo- Ann Gustafson Green Bay, Wis. Gregg D. Behrens 65-year marriage, seven rated with the ISU Alumni Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Michael J. Dubes children, and a fulfilling Association for a sapling Scottsdale, Ariz. farm life in northwest Iowa. sale held last fall. About 200 Jon L. Fleming Ames, Iowa Today, one of those children, young catalpa trees were sold, with a Marla J. Franklin, Clive, Iowa Rhonda Martin, is a landscape architect similar sale of other species scheduled James F. Frein at Iowa State who purchases plant for fall 2014. Vail, Colo. When I attended veterinary college at Iowa Rudolf J. Herrmann materials for the campus, including As campus trees continue to age, Tulsa, Okla. Barbara J. Janson replacement trees for those needing to Graves and Martin are leading the State, my professors were dedicated to Dedham, Mass. be removed. charge to collect more seeds and grafts Daniel L. Krieger Thanks to educating successful future veterinarians Ames, Iowa Two years ago, however, when a from existing plants to keep Iowa Steven Leath and making sure we were ready to practice Ames, Iowa black maple near was cut the Martins’ State’s landscape legacy alive. When Frankee H. Oleson down, three saplings grown from seeds generosity, we Martin’s mother passed away last year, after graduation. In fact, that’s the theme Ames, Iowa Gary J. Streit and graftings collected by Martin’s now have a way her family established the Heritage throughout the College of Veterinary Cedar Rapids, Iowa department filled that hole. Tree Fund. Those memorial gifts and Roger C. Underwood Medicine. Ann and I want to ensure that Ames, Iowa “I remember asking, ‘Why aren’t we to perpetuate proceeds from the 2013 sapling sale collecting seeds and grafts all the our campus’ are being used to hire students to continues by keeping excellent teaching time?’” she said. “It’s easy to find legacy and collect the seeds from existing trees, faculty in the college. An excellent professor ISU Foundation replacements for red maples, but it’s tend to the nursery seedlings, and Senior Management maintain the will influence every student in the College Team very hard to find black maples – maintain records of the genetic offspring. of Veterinary Medicine.” they’re just not as prolific – and it’s heritage of “Thanks to the Martins’ generosity, Roger Neuhaus especially hard to find black maples we now have a way to perpetuate our _ President and Chief Executive Officer our trees. DOUGLAS GUSTAFSON Lisa Eslinger grown in Iowa.” campus’ legacy and maintain the heritage Senior Vice President of Finance WILLIAM GRAVES Because they are passionate about enhancing the and Operations A year later, a disintegrating catalpa Horticulture professor of our trees,” Graves said. “It’s sad educational experiences of veterinary students, Douglas, Larissa Holtmyer Jones near Pearson Hall faced the same fate, when we have to take one down, but classes of 1968 and 1969, and Ann Gustafson chose to Vice President for Development Kevin Stow a tree horticulture professor William it’s less painful when seedlings or young fund the Dr. Douglas and Ann Gustafson Professorship for Associate Vice President of Human Teaching Excellence in Veterinary Medicine with an Resources and Governance Graves calls “one of my favorites on progeny can go back on campus.” expendable gift, which will be elevated to an endowed chair The Iowa State University Foundation does not campus.” Graves, a longtime through a deferred gift. The inaugural Gustafson Professor discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, actual or perceived sexual is Dr. Locke Karriker, director of the Swine Medicine orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, Education Center at Iowa State. disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Any persons having inquiries concerning this may contact 21human 20 / SUMMER 2014 SUMMERresources, 2014 Iowa State Foundation, 515.294.4607. / NONPROFIT ORG. Iowa State University Foundation U.S. Postage 2505 University Blvd. PAID Ames, IA P.O. Box 2230 Permit No. 27 Ames, Iowa 50010-2230

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What you make possible

For the fourth year in a row, Deanne Day, a fourth-year veterinary medicine student at Iowa State, garnered an award from the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, this time receiving a $5,000 scholarship for the top student presentation at the AASV annual meeting. “Many Iowa State students participate and represent the college well,” says Day, also a recipient of the G.W. and Peg Cornwell Scholarship, Julien L. Boatman Student Scholarship, and Class of 1964 Scholarship. “This is largely the result of the great swine faculty-researchers we have, who provide students with opportunities to take part in their research projects.”

Forward Find us

Editor: Jodi O’Donnell PHONE: 515.294.4607 Writers: Debra Solberg Gibson, TOLL-FREE: 866.419.6768 Veronica Lorson Fowler, Thomas R. www.foundation.iastate.edu O’Donnell, Sherry Speikers E-MAIL: forwardmag@foundation. Designer: Ryan Peterson iastate.edu Communications coordinator: Valerie Jansen Multimedia: Patrick Boberg, Emily Drees Cover: Guillermo Thompson-Clavell and Ryan Peterson