Announcements for Students

Road widening project on South 16th Street begins June 16

A two-summer city of Ames project to widen South 16th Street in front of the Veterinary Medicine campus is beginning Monday, June 16, with site preparation. Materials delivery will begin Tuesday. Two-way traffic will be maintained throughout the project with the exception of one day of alternating one-way traffic during storm sewer work at the east end of the project (date yet to be determined). Pedestrians and cyclists who use the trails along South 16th Street should seek alternate routes during construction. The north-south Vet Med multi-use trail may need to close for up to a month this summer. The project will construct a four-lane road with curb and gutter and 10-foot-wide shared use paths on both sides of the roadway and replace the street lighting.

Matthew West concert tickets on sale June 16

Tickets for a Sunday, Nov. 23, concert at Stephens Auditorium by Christian singer-songwriter Matthew West go on sale to the public at 10 a.m. Monday, June 16 via Ticketmaster. His "Don't Stop Praying" tour highlights his 13th album, released in January 2024. Tickets start at $32 plus fees.

Children invited to propose new ice cream flavor for ISU Creamery

Children 12 years and younger are invited to propose a new ice cream flavor for the ISU Creamery . . . via a coloring sheet. The sheets can be picked up at the ISU Creamery, 2955 Food Sciences Building, or downloaded from the ISU Creamery website and printed at home. Contestants will color and name their proposed flavor -- which can't already exist in the ISU Creamery's ice cream flavors lineup. (Parents may help them describe their flavor on the separate entry form.) Entries are due in the store by 5 p.m. Saturday, June 28. The ISU Creamery team will announce the winning flavor at noon Wednesday, July 2, on the creamery's Facebook and Instagram pages. The winning ice cream will be made at the creamery and sold for a limited time in the store, starting Friday, July 18. Summer hours at the store are: noon-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Graduate College awards two honors to Ph.D. recipients

The Graduate College recently announced the 2025 recipients of two of its most prestigious graduate honors:

Liza Van der Laan, agronomy, received the Karas Award, which recognizes the most outstanding doctoral dissertation written by an Iowa State student. Her dissertation is titled "Breeding for Value Added and Climate Resilient Soybean via Genomic and Phenomic Tools." The award honors George Karas, who served as assistant and associate dean in the Graduate College before his retirement in 1995.

Sunil Ghimire, physics, received the Zaffarano Prize, which recognizes exceptional success in publishing one's research in discipline-appropriate sources. The prize was established by Daniel Zaffarano, former vice president for research (1973-88) who emphasized to graduate students that their research projects were not complete until they were published.

Tickets for fall Preacher Lawson performance go on sale June 6

Tickets ($34-$54) go on sale at 10 a.m. Friday, June 6, for a Sept. 25 performance at Stephens Auditorium by comedian Preacher Lawson, who will be joined by his mother and brother Justin. Lawson is best known for his appearance on the 2017 season of NBC's "America's Got Talent," where he made it to the final round. In television, Lawson can be seen on HBO's "A Black Lady Sketch Show" and NBC's "Connecting" as a series regular. He recently completed his residency hosting AGT Live in Las Vegas and performs in venues around the country. Lawson performed previously in Ames in February 2023, at a Student Union Board "After Dark" event.

June 4 update on Stange Road reconstruction

Today (June 4) access to University Village from Stange Road will transition south again, from Blankenburg Drive to Bruner Drive. Weather delays in late May have pushed back the date for reopening Stange Road to two-way traffic (one lane in each direction), but that transition is expected in the next few weeks; the specific date will be determined as the newly poured northbound lanes cure.

Hort farm's seasonal produce sale opens this week

Summer events resume June 2 in MU's Workspace

The Workspace at the Memorial Union will open June 2 with a summer calendar full of art classes, events and crafts. Drop-in crafts and Paint Your Own Pottery are open to all ages and can be done in studio or with a to-go kit. Summer hours are 2-9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday through July. Everyone is welcome.

May 26 is a university holiday

University offices are closed and summer classes won't meet on Monday, May 26, in observance of the national Memorial Day holiday.

Limited bloom has begun for 'corpse plant' at Reiman Gardens

The Amorphophallus titanum (or corpse plant) has bloomed for the first time at Reiman Gardens, coinciding with the public garden's 30th anniversary celebration. The plant began its blooming cycle at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 17. Visitors are encouraged to come quickly -- the bloom only lasts for 24 to 36 hours. Reiman Gardens will have extended hours until 11 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday evenings. The tropical titan is known for its enormous height and infamous odor, often compared to rotting flesh. Follow the gardens' live updates on social media for real-time bloom status.

Gilbert selected as faculty director for University Honors Program

Stephen Gilbert, professor of industrial and manufacturing systems engineering, has been appointed faculty director of the University Honors Program, a three-year, 75% appointment. Gilbert, who also serves as associate director of the VRAC Research Center and directs the Human Computer Interaction graduate program, will direct Iowa State's undergraduate research program, help develop the Honors curriculum, foster partnerships with colleges and departments, mentor students and chair the University Honors Committee.

New website launches for 2022-31 strategic plan

A new website has launched for Iowa State's 2022-2031 Strategic Plan. The site reflects a revision of the plan approved earlier this year by the Iowa Board of Regents. Visitors to the site can download a PDF of the plan, read progress stories and review summaries of university investments made to date to advance strategic initiatives.

Hyland Avenue closing Monday for city project

Hyland Avenue, from Ontario Street to just north of the Unitarian Universalist worship center (1015 Hyland Ave.), will close on Monday, May 19, for the first of a four-phase city of Ames street reconstruction project. Sidewalks and bike lanes also will be closed.

Phase I is anticipated to take five to seven weeks, weather permitting. For motorists, the recommended detour is Grand Avenue between13th Street and Lincoln Way. Bicycle and pedestrian traffic should detour to North Dakota Avenue or consider other streets to avoid the construction.

The full project, anticipated for completion by fall, will include pavement removal and replacement on Hyland from Ontario Street to Pammel Drive, and patching on select locations between Pammel Drive and Lincoln Way. Existing bike lanes in the Hyland roadway between Ontario and Oakland streets will be relocated to a new shared-use path along the west side of Hyland.

May innovation lunch club features bioscience platform leaders

Rescheduled from April, the May edition of the Innovation Impact Lunch Club will feature the three chief technology officers assigned to Iowa State's three state-funded bioscience platforms: biobased products (Kevin Moore), digital and precision agriculture (Nadilia Gomez), and vaccines, diagnostics and immunotherapeutics (Mike Roof). It will meet on Friday, May 23 (11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m., training room, ISU Economic Development Core Facility, ISU Research Park). Learn more about each platform and its impact, and how the officers work with researchers and industry. The free series is hosted by ISU's office of economic development and industry relations especially for its faculty and staff partners, but open to all. RSVP to mndooley@iastate.edu.

Ticket packages on sale now for next year's Stephens series

The Iowa State Center released the 2025-26 Performing Arts Season at Stephens Auditorium this week. The 13 performances include comedy musicals, acrobatics, several holiday shows and tribute concerts. Subscriptions (tickets to three or four performances with discounts of 15% to 20% on the package) are on sale now. 2024-25 subscribers who renew by June 13 keep their seating priority. Single-event tickets begin to go on sale to the public Aug. 5. 

Cyclone 'Tailgate Tour' is May 19-23

The athletics department's annual Tailgate Tour will stop at 10 Iowa cities in five days, May 19-23. These family-friendly events give fans the unique opportunity to meet and hear updates from Iowa State head coaches and director of athletics Jamie Pollard. While tour event lineups may vary, in addition to Pollard, this spring's tour will feature football coach Matt Campbell, men's basketball coach T.J. Otzelberger, women's basketball coach Bill Fennelly, volleyball coach Christy Johnson-Lynch, wrestling coach Kevin Dresser and "Voice of the Cyclones" John Walters. Cy and members of the spirit squad also will attend.

Traffic changes at University Boulevard/Sixth Street begin May 19

A university project to reconstruct the intersection of University Boulevard and Sixth Street (adjacent to the CyRide facility), including sidewalks, and replace the traffic signals is scheduled to begin Monday, May 19, and continue into the first week of August. The work will be done in phases, first the northbound lanes, followed by the southbound lanes (estimated to begin around June 19). Single-lane traffic in both directions will be maintained throughout the project. Access between Sixth Street and University Boulevard will be closed during the first phase, and access between the east CyRide driveway and University Boulevard will be closed during the second phase.

Shared walking and cycling paths in the vicinity of the road project, including the sycamore path north of the Lied recreation center, will close during the project, and pedestrians and bicyclists will have two detour options:

1. South from Sixth Street on Brookridge Drive/North Hazel Avenue to Lincoln Way, and west on Lincoln Way to campus.
2. West past the Brookside Park baseball fields and ISU Transportation Services to the pedestrian railroad underpass near the horse barns/Wallace Road.

Corpse plant's infrequent bloom is likely in mid-May

Stink plant

The Reiman Gardens staff awaits the blooming of its corpse plant (Amorphophallus titanum), irreverently named "Stink Floyd," which promises an unforgettable sensory experience when it blooms every seven to 10 years. The corpse plant is one of the world's largest and most unusual flowering structures, growing up to 10 feet tall. When it does bloom, it emits a powerful odor reminiscent of rotting flesh -- an evolutionary strategy to attract pollinators like carrion beetles and flesh flies. The bloom and stink last for 24-48 hours. The bloom is expected between May 10 and May 14, but because of the plant's unpredictability, guests are encouraged to follow Reiman Gardens on social media for live updates. The gardens will offer extended hours (7 a.m.-11 p.m.) during the peak stink/bloom, and guests can see the plant with the price of daily admission. 

"This bloom is nature's rock concert,” said director of Reiman Gardens Christine Prescott. "It's loud in scent, rare in appearance and draws a crowd."

End-of-semester Art Mart is May 13-16 at the MU

The Workspace and Gaffers' Guild will co-host an Art Mart pop-up shop May 13-16 in the Memorial Union's first floor art gallery. Purchase blown glass pieces, pottery, jewelry, accessories, prints and more. Hours are: 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Friday.

Demo Day set for Startup Factory's newest class

The ISU Startup Factory 18-week incubator program will hold Demo Day for the program's 17th cohort on Tuesday, May 20 (5:30 p.m., networking reception follows their presentations until 8 p.m., atrium, ISU Research Park Core Facility). All Startup Factory alumni, founders, mentors and startup community supporters are welcome; RSVPs are requested.

SHOP food pantry seeks volunteers for May-August

Faculty and staff volunteers are needed to help keep the SHOP food pantry open during prep week, finals week and summer break. SHOP, which serves our student community out of 1306 Beyer, would like to maintain its service hours on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. A new volunteer sign-up schedule has been created for May-August.

Reiman Gardens' plant sale is May 10-11

The Reiman Gardens' annual plant sale is May 10-11 in the gardens' parking lot, rain or shine. Plants for sale include perennials for sun and shade, trees, Buck roses, houseplants, spider plants, "Dreamy Kiss" dahlias, "Shamrock Rose" lantanas, "Dragon Wing Red" begonias and more. Credit card, check and cash are accepted. Sale hours are: May 10 (9 a.m.-6 p.m.) and May 11 (10 a.m.-3 p.m.). Garden members can shop early on Friday, May 9 (3-4 p.m. sustainer and champion levels, 4-7 p.m. all membership levels).

Reminder: United Way food donation ends May 8

Iowa State is participating in the United Way of Story County's annual Live United food drive, which continues through May 8. Donations collected will go to participants in the Story County Food Pantry Collaboration, which includes food pantries and food distribution programs. A drive-up, drop-off option will be piloted Monday and Tuesday during the morning commute (7-8:30 a.m.) at three locations daily. Indoors, there are nearly 20 drop locations on campus.

Stange Road to close for several hours Thursday evening

The crews working on the Stange Road reconstruction north of campus have encountered an unanticipated condition near the bridge over Ioway Creek. The solution involves some grinding that will require complete closure of the road for several hours. On Thursday, May 1, from approximately 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., northbound and southbound lanes will be closed between Bruner Drive and 13th Street.

Classrooms reserved for evening study during prep week

Room scheduling will reserve 13 general university classrooms for students to use as study rooms during the evenings of prep week, May 5-9 (5:30-11 p.m. daily):

• 2226 and 2234 Bessey
• 0124, 0128 and 0202 Carver
• 0278 and 0289 Forker 
• 1220 and 1226 Howe 
• 0029 and 0031 Ross
• 1116 and 1120 Sweeney

Last call: Wednesday ice cream sale

For the final time this semester, members of the Dairy Science Club are selling ice cream today (11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.) outside the north doors to Lush Auditorium in Kildee Hall. Get a cup for $2 (cash only). Flavors this week are birthday cake, chocolate, Kit Kat, Oreo and Reese's. The ice cream is mixed by club members at the ISU Creamery, and the sale serves as a fundraiser for club activities throughout the year. Interested in having the club's ice cream for your event? Send an email.

One-block stretch of Welch closed for city utility improvements

A city of Ames project has closed Welch Avenue from Chamberlain to Hunt streets, including the intersections, for upgrades that include water main, storm and sanitary sewer replacement, sidewalk and street reconstruction and street light replacement. Weather-dependent, work starts Monday, April 28, and will take two to three months for this block. Pedestrians are asked to use the protected routes through this construction zone created by chain link fencing along both sides of Welch.

Last chance: Lake LaVerne survey closes Friday

As part of a broader plan to dredge, restore and maintain Lake LaVerne, a design team invites interested faculty, staff and students to participate in a 10-question survey about the south campus landmark by end-of-day Friday, May 2. The information collected will be used to guide the redevelopment plan.

Distinguished Awards celebration is May 2

Celebrate the university's highest awards at the annual Distinguished Awards celebration on Friday, May 2 (2 p.m., lower level of the Sukup End Zone Club at Jack Trice Stadium). The ceremony is open to the public, and a reception follows. Details about the awards presented to alumni and friends via the ISU Foundation and Alumni Association are online.

Honors poster presentation is May 7

The University Honors program invites the campus community to its spring poster presentation, featuring honors capstone projects, on Wednesday, May 7 (3-5 p.m., MU Great Hall). Spring 2025 honors graduates and other honors students will present, answer questions and speak with individuals interested in their projects. The Honors spring convocation will follow at 5:45 p.m. in the MU Sun Room, preceded by a reception (5-5:45 p.m.).

Ticket lottery announced for 'Book of Mormon' shows April 30-May 1

"The Book of Mormon," winner of nine 2011 Tony Awards including Best Musical, has announced a lottery ticket policy for the shows at Stephens Auditorium April 30 and May 1 (7:30 p.m.). A limited number of tickets will be available for $25 each. Here's how it works: Beginning at 5 p.m., entries will be accepted at the Stephens ticket office for that evening's performance. On a card that's provided, each person will print their name and number of tickets (one or two) they wish to purchase (limit of one entry/person). Shortly after the lottery closes at 5:30 p.m., names will be drawn at random for a limited number of tickets. Winners must be present for the drawing and show valid ID to purchase up to two tickets. Cash or credit card is accepted.

Dog scamper is May 3

The 41st annual Scamper, a 5K walk/run with pet dogs hosted by Iowa State's chapter of the Student American Veterinary Medicine Association, will be held Saturday, May 3 (10 a.m., College of Veterinary Medicine). Registration is $25; register online. Proceeds will support local animal shelters and rescues as well as be used to raise community awareness about the One Health mission.

Reminder: Stash the Trash is this weekend

The Ames/ISU annual "Stash the Trash" community spring clean-up event is Saturday-Sunday, April 26-27. Volunteers can choose to work alone or with a group or organization and clean up their neighborhood or favorite outdoor area. All collected trash can be disposed of in a rolloff container that weekend at the city's Resource Recovery Center, 420 E. Second St. Use your own bags and gloves, or pick them up April 21-25 at the plant.

MU parking permit sale opens April 30

Update on Stange Road construction

On Friday, April 25, access to University Village from Stange Road will close at Bruner Drive and open at Blankenburg Drive. Northbound traffic on Stange remains detoured east to Grand Avenue via 13th and 24th streets. Closure of Stange's northbound lanes is required for the contractor to demolish the old road surface up to the center line. The closure has required detours to three CyRide bus routes: #6 Brown, #14 Peach and #25 Gold, including closed and temporary bus stops. Weather dependent, this phase of the work is expected to be completed by the first week of May. Map of detour.

Graduate Career Exploration showcase is April 23

The Graduate College will host a poster showcase for its new Graduate Career Exploration Program on Wednesday, April 23 (11 a.m.-1 p.m., Student Innovation Center atrium, pizza provided). For the last 12 weeks, 16 Ph.D. students in biology-related fields have participated in the newly established program, and they will present their potential career paths, share the knowledge they have acquired from the program, and discuss insights gained from conducting multiple informational interviews with professionals already pursuing those careers. All are welcome; graduate students, graduate faculty mentors and graduate student support staff especially are invited to learn more about this new program. Questions may be directed to Svitlana Zbarska, graduate career services lead.

Design student art sale is April 16-18

The CODAC (College of Design Art Club) spring sale, featuring work by students in the integrated studio arts and integrated visual arts programs, will take place April 16-18 in the central foyer of the College of Design building. Hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday. Find unique gifts for spring and summer celebrations, or something for yourself. A majority of proceeds go to the student artists, with the remainder allocated for club activities like guest speakers and workshops.

Peak spring bloom window at Reiman Gardens opens this weekend

An estimated 50,000 tulips, daffodils and other bulbs are blooming at Reiman Gardens this spring, with the peak tulip time estimated for April 19 through May 3. Reiman Gardens opens daily at 9 a.m. and is open five days a week until 5 p.m., with extended hours to 8 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Admission is $12 (65 years $11, youth 2-12 years $6, ISU students free with ID).

Uganda baskets pop-up sale runs April 14-25

The Workspace is hosting a pop-up basket sale with the Uganda Alliance Club April 14-25 (weekdays 2-9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m., lower east level of the Memorial Union). Handmade baskets created with dried raffia and banana leaves by women in the Tusubila ("hope") Crafts Group, Kamuli, Uganda, sell for $10-$25, and the money from sales goes directly toward supporting the artist's family with food, school fees, and other needs.

This initiative began through Iowa State's Uganda program. Students studying abroad purchased baskets but saw that market access was limited for the artists. They formed the Uganda Alliance Club to work with the Tusubila group to bring baskets to the United States, sell them and send the money back to the artists.

Student employees: This week is for you

The Student Employment Center, part of the office of student financial aid, is sponsoring several events daily to celebrate National Student Employment Week, April 14-18. Options include free food, wellness and career readiness workshops, virtual trivia with prizes, free headshots, cash cab and a session with therapy dogs.

Monday Monologue series resumes on library steps

Three spring events have been added to the university library's Monday Monologues series, a free lunch-hour series to highlight Iowa State performing talent. Events begin at 12:15 p.m. on the front steps of Parks Library:

• April 14: Student vocal ensembles Cantamus, Lyrica and Count Me In 
• April 21: Jubilee Gospel Choir, a student organization
• April 28: Favorite Poem Project (a National Poetry Month event), everyone is invited to read a cherished published poem and share why it's personally important, books of poetry will be on site

Celebrate: ISU Extension and Outreach Week is April 7-12

Throughout Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Week (April 7-12), Iowa's 100 county extension offices will host "I Spy Cy" activities and educational events to thank Iowans across the state for their support of ISU Extension and Outreach.

Financial aid office announces annual award recipients

The office of student financial aid announced the recipients of its annual awards:

• 2025 Student Employee Supervisor of the Year (in partnership with university human resources): Lauren Schalinske, divisional communications lead, division of operations and finance
• 2025 Student Employee of the Year: Zara Babinat, senior in computer science, and shelter coordinator at Ames' Bridge Home, a non-profit organization and partner employer in Iowa State's student employment program (students work at a local non-profit as community service employees but are paid as ISU student employees)

2nd annual AI event is April 16

The Translational Artificial Intelligence Center team is hosting its second annual TrAC Day on Wednesday, April 16 (2-6 p.m., first floor of the Student Innovation Center). The free event includes a series of 5-minute flash talks from students, short presentations from industry collaborators about how they use AI in their work, student poster presentations about how artificial intelligence is being applied to various sectors such as agriculture and healthcare, and networking opportunities. Faculty, staff, students and the public are welcome. Register to receive more information closer to the event date.

Northbound Stange Road traffic will be detoured to Grand Avenue

The next phase of the work on Stange Road in the north part of campus will begin on Wednesday, April 2. Northbound traffic will be detoured east to Grand Avenue via 13th and 24th streets. Southbound traffic will continue to travel in the outside lane currently being used. This closure is required for the contractor to demolish the old road surface up to the center line. Access to University Village will be available, either via Blankenburg or Bruner drives (one of these entrances must remain open during this phase). The closure has required detours to three CyRide bus routes: #6 Brown, #14 Peach and #25 Gold, including closed and temporary bus stops. Weather-dependent, this phase of the work is expected to be completed by the first week of May. The detour to Grand Avenue will inconvenience many drivers, but this lane closure and detour is the only way the work can be completed safely. Map of detour.

Students: Improve your financial literacy during April (and enter a scholarship drawing)

Anniversary calendar will honor impactful women in ISU history

To mark the 20th anniversary of its publication, the Carrie Chapman Catt Center's 2026 "Women Impacting ISU" calendar will feature women who left Iowa State before the first calendar was created. Any woman who graduated from or left employment with Iowa State before 2007 is eligible. Nominations of women not already widely recognized on campus for their contributions are especially welcome. Nominations are due by Sept. 28, and a campus vote will follow in early October to select the 2026 calendar honorees. Instructions and a link to the nomination form are on the Catt Center website.

You're invited: Flag-folding ceremony on April 4 closes out LAS Week

To conclude LAS Week (March 31-April 4), Air Force ROTC Detachment 250 cadets will host an official flag folding ceremony on Friday, April 4 (5 p.m., central campus flagpole) to honor both our nation and the Iowa State community. Cadets in full-service dress will demonstrate the traditions and discipline of military service while emphasizing the connection between leadership, service and the diverse academic fields within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. A speaker will share the traditions in the event as it happens. The university community is invited. Iowa State's military tradition dates back to the establishment of ROTC programs in 1919.

Innovative student work sought for IGNITE showcase in May

The Student Innovation Center is looking for groups, classes and organizations to showcase their innovative student work at the IGNITE Innovation Showcase May 5-9. Exhibits, presentations, activities or celebrations are welcome in this showcase of the innovative work of Iowa State students. The priority deadline for submissions is April 9 (for the first round of space assignments), but submissions will be accepted through April 23. The submission form is online.

Lawnmower service days are April 4-5

Members of the Agriculture Systems Technology Club will hold their annual lawnmower service days on Friday, April 4 (1-6 p.m.) and Saturday, April 5 (8 a.m.-1 p.m.), on the west side of Sukup Hall near parking lot 6. This is a routine maintenance service and cleaning for $35 (no riding lawn mowers); club members won't do repairs. Pick up and delivery for Ames-only addresses is an additional $25. Cash or check payment is accepted. Sign up online to schedule an appointment.