Announcements
October 2024
Celebration of life for Dr. Nani Ghoshal is Nov. 15
A celebration of life for former faculty member Nani Ghoshal, professor emeritus of veterinary anatomy, will be held Friday, Nov. 15 (2:30 p.m., Commons Area, Patterson Hall, use entrance B to enter through the "fish tank lobby"). Ghoshal died Aug. 7 in Ames at age 89. He was a member of the Veterinary Medicine faculty from 1963 until his retirement in 2009. The event will include remembrances followed by refreshments. Individuals who would like to share a remembrance are asked to email Audra Hartwigsen, biomedical sciences department. Memorials are suggested to a scholarship fund in Dr. Ghoshal's name at the ISU Foundation. Obituary.
Faculty reminder: Complete online survey about president's office
Members of the Faculty Senate-appointed committee leading a regular, comprehensive review this year of President Wendy Wintersteen and the office of the president ask faculty to complete the confidential online survey. Faculty received their invitation and link to the survey in an Oct. 8 email from the Faculty Senate Administrative Review Committee. The committee members want to hear from all voices across campus, and extend their thanks in advance for all contributions. Faculty are asked to complete the survey by end of month as the committee will analyze the data during November.
October innovation lunch speaker is Jason Henderson
The October edition of the Innovation Lunch Club will feature vice president for ISU Extension and Outreach Jason Henderson. It will meet on Friday, Oct. 25 (11:15 a.m.-12:30 p.m., training room, ISU Economic Development Core Facility, 1805 Collaboration Pl.). Learn more about how extension's approach to innovation and economic development continues to develop a strong lowa.. 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. RSVPs are requested to Stacy Dreyer.
Indoor Halloween celebration is Oct. 27
Iowa State's Sorority and Fraternity Community will host its annual indoor Trick or Treat on Sunday, Oct. 27 (1-3 p.m., Great Hall, Memorial Union). Enjoy a free, safe, climate-controlled and inclusive trick-or-treating experience, complete with interactive activities and plenty of candy. This ISU tradition is open to all youth and their families/guardians from the Iowa State and greater Ames communities.
Proposals due Nov. 5 for February P&S conference
The Professional and Scientific Council's professional development conference planning team is accepting session proposals through Nov. 5 for the next conference Feb. 27, 2025, in Ames. Proposals should engage P&S employees in personal or professional development and tie into one of four tracks: health and wellness, human interactions, leadership or professional resources. A title and description are needed to complete the online submission form. Individuals will be contacted about their proposal status by mid-November.
P&S staff: Submit comments for review of president's office
During this academic year, the Faculty Senate is conducting a routine review of President Wendy Wintersteen and the office of the president, as mandated by the Faculty Handbook. The review is intended to enhance the ability of the office to support the university's teaching, research and service missions. Professional and Scientific (P&S) employees who would like to provide input to the review may send their comments by Oct. 25 to the P&S Council's executive committee, or contact council president Jason Follett. Council leaders will share comments with the committee leading the review process.
Dancing With the Stars tickets go on sale Oct. 11
Dancers from the hit television series "Dancing With the Stars" will perform at Stephens Auditorium Thursday, Feb. 13 (7:30 p.m.) as part of a winter tour. Tickets ($59.50-$125) go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11, at ticketmaster.com and the Stephens Auditorium ticket office. VIP packages include premium tickets, meet-and-greet photo opportunity, interactive experience with members of the touring cast, exclusive merchandise and more; details are on the tour website.
ISU's United Way campaign clears halfway mark
Iowa State's annual fundraising campaign for United Way of Story County is more than halfway to its $400,000 goal, with employees pledging or gifting nearly $214,000 as of late last week. The tally site usually updates on Fridays. Library dean Hilary Seo is chair of the campus campaign this fall. Oct. 18 is the local United Way's first deadline, though the campaign runs through Sunday, Dec. 1. Employees have two ways to make a gift:
- Payroll deduction in Workday (follow the announcement tile on your home portal)
- A secure credit card transaction on the United Way of Story County website (installments or a one-time gift)
For employees who don't live in Story County and would like to donate closer to home, with a minimum gift of $50, they can direct their giving to a United Way service area (health, education or financial stability), another United Way or another 501c3 not-for-profit organization.
Celebrate Earth Science Week with the GIS facility
Iowa State's GIS Support and Research Facility and its IowaView program will host an Earth Observation Day come-and-go celebration on Tuesday, Oct. 15 (10-11:30 a.m., 206 Durham) as part of the global Earth Science Week. The campus community is invited to enjoy cupcakes, swag (posters, booklets, trading cards) and three presentations:
- 10-10:30 a.m., "Google Earth Engine and Open Evapotranspiration," with Antonio Arenas, civil construction and environmental engineering
- 10:30-11 a.m., "LiDAR Processing via ArcGIS and Point Data Abstraction Library," with Brian Gelder, agricultural and biosystems engineering, GIS Facility research lead
- 11-11:30 a.m., "Google Earth Engine and Agriculture Residue Cover," with graduate student Bryce Pape, community and regional planning
Organic conference to highlight climate-smart systems
The country's largest university-sponsored organic conference will be held Nov. 25 at the University of Iowa Memorial Union and focus on economic opportunities and climate-smart systems. A joint effort of ISU Extension and Outreach and the University of Iowa, the conference will feature producers and experts sharing tips for transitioning into organic production and methods to enhance organic operations. Registration is $100 through Nov. 10, $150 after that date.
It's a great day for ice cream
Members of the Dairy Science club are selling ice cream today (noon-2 p.m.) outside the north doors to Lush Auditorium in Kildee Hall. Get a cup for $2 (cash only); flavors this week are mint chip, chocolate, brownie Heath, smores and Oreo. 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.
Big 12 Conference student government leaders meet on campus
About 100 student government leaders from Big 12 Conference universities will be on campus Oct. 10-12 for the group's annual conference. Their opening event is Thursday evening in the Student Innovation Center, with Friday and Saturday programming at the Memorial Union. ISU student senators Holly Schmitt and Monet Butler are co-chairs of the event; MU director Chad Garland and associate directors Kristine Heflin and Brad Hill serve as advisors to Student Government.
Central campus' Sloss House reopens Oct. 14
After a nearly four-month closure for much-needed renovations, central campus' Sloss House will reopen on Monday, Oct. 14. Updates to the house include an upgraded porch and accessible front door and refinished floors. Also reopening is the Sloss resource room, an extension of The SHOP food pantry. Hours for the resource room are 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday, Thursday and Friday. While no official ribbon cutting will take place, ISU community members are encouraged to visit the home to see the updates.
The historic house was constructed in 1883 and originally called the Pines House. Later it was named for Thomas Sloss, the longest resident of the Pines and the college's superintendent of buildings. Margaret Sloss was Thomas' daughter and the first woman to graduate with a doctorate in veterinary medicine from Iowa State. In 1985, the full use of the Sloss House was granted to the Margaret Sloss Center for Women and Gender Equity.
Reminder: Veteran employees may request time off on Veterans Day
As Veterans Day -- Monday, Nov. 11 -- approaches, ISU employees who are veterans (as defined in Iowa Code Section 91A.5A) are reminded they may request unpaid time off on Veterans Day by following their normal procedures to request time off a month or more in advance. Those who accrue vacation may choose to utilize their accrued vacation time off to remain in paid status (using one of the unscheduled holidays incorporated into vacation accrual). See Iowa State's Holidays policy for more information, or contact your HR Delivery Team with any questions.
Museums' art and objects sale is Oct. 30
University Museums will hold an Art & Objects Sale, including many signed and artist-known pieces, on Wednesday, Oct. 30 (9 a.m.-6 p.m., ISU Surplus, 925 Airport Rd.), with proceeds supporting the museums' collection. This is a first come, first served sale; no holds or early sales. Prices (non-negotiable) range from several dollars to hundreds of dollars. Accepted payment forms are: cash, credit/debit (Discover, Visa, Mastercard), Apple Pay and Google Pay. Objects offered at the sale include:
- Southwestern works of art, including baskets, jewelry, loose beads, pottery, sculpture, gourd art and textiles.
- Central American pottery, baskets and beaded sculpture.
- A selection of artwork, jewelry, ceramics and other items.
Nominations for Advancing One Community awards due Nov. 1
Nominations will be accepted until noon Nov. 1 for the university's Advancing One Community awards, which recognize a demonstrated commitment to the principles and goals of Martin Luther King Jr. over a sustained period. The award may be presented in multiple categories: student, employee and campus group/organization. Nomination letters should demonstrate the nominee's commitment to bringing about positive change to Iowa State University through their volunteerism, engagement, scholarship, research, teaching or program development. Recipients are honored at Iowa State's annual MLK campus celebration in January. More information, including eligibility criteria, past recipients and the nomination form, is online.
Provost's office offers registration funds for faculty success program
The Faculty Success Program, offered online by the ncfdd, is a 12-week mentoring program designed to teach faculty the skills they need to increase their research and maintain work-life balance. The provost's office will contribute $2,500 towards the early registration costs of $4,495 for faculty in all tracks. Participants are expected to cover the remaining program fees through other sources, such as matching funds from their department or college, professional development funds or grants. The spring 2025 program dates are Jan. 27-April 6. To apply for this assistance, complete the short application form by Oct. 15. Faculty sponsored by the provost's office are expected to participate in and complete all components of the program.
Iowa State is an institutional member of the ncfdd; ISU faculty, staff and postdocs are eligible for an individual membership free of cost.
What's new in the tearoom?
The student-operated Joan Bice Underwood Tearoom in 23A MacKay is serving lunch Tuesday through Friday (11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m., with 11:45 a.m. and noon seatings). The lunch special, which changes weekly, is $10 and available for dine-in or carry out at the front of the tearoom. Walk-ins are welcome for dining in the tearoom, though online reservations are recommended. The tearoom is a cashless operation; payment is with a debit/credit card.
Feedback sought on S. 16th Street trail closure
ESPN host to give Friday keynote
As part of the Greenlee School's inaugural Sports Media and Communication Week (Sept. 30-Oct. 4) to promote its new major, ESPN's Clinton Yates will participate in a Q&A on Friday, Oct. 4 (11 a.m.-noon, 2630 Memorial Union). Yates' conversation with assistant teaching professor Tony Moton will focus on how success in today's sports media market depends on versatility and multiple skill sets. All are welcome. Yates joined ESPN in 2016 following nine years in several assignments with the Washington Post. Iowa State's sports media and communications major officially launches next fall.
Employee benefits site contains 2025 plan information
The Iowa State employee benefits website has been updated with a 2025 open enrollment page to help employees study their options for the plan year that begins Jan. 1. It includes an overview (35-minute video presentation or slide show), approved monthly premium rates, benefits summaries including the Wellmark health insurance options, dental insurance options, and the (optional) flexible spending accounts, Avesis eye care and group life insurance. Open enrollment for the next plan year runs Nov. 1-22, and enrollment occurs in the "benefits and pay" task in Workday.
ALEX, the free interactive guide (found in Workday) that explains how benefits work, analyzes the pros and cons of different offerings and proposes personalized suggestions for what benefits to select, also has been updated with 2025 information. Upcoming editions of Inside Iowa State will provide several preview articles about this fall's open enrollment.
ISU to host regents disability summit Oct. 24
Iowa State will host the 14th annual Iowa Disability Summit on Thursday, Oct. 24 (9 a.m.-5 p.m., Memorial Union), a day of sessions about accommodations in higher education. The summit, a collaborative event that rotates among the three regent universities, focuses on enhancing awareness and addressing issues related to disability and higher education. Registration is free and open to all faculty and staff.
Tickets available online for Spirits in the Gardens
Tickets for Spirits in the Gardens remain available for the Oct. 11-13 (5-9 p.m. nightly, Reiman Gardens) event. Visitors can explore the gardens at night, illuminated by twinkling lights and 1,000 jack-o'-lanterns carved by community volunteers and staff. Tickets must be purchased online in advance and cost $16 ($14 for members and ISU students, $7 for youth ages 2-12 years). As of Wednesday, Saturday night tickets were already limited, with some entry times sold out.
Oct. 17 'She Talks' features seven local business stories
Seven businesswomen will share their stories (20 slides, 20 seconds each) during the annual She Talks gathering on Thursday, Oct. 17 (5-6 p.m., networking at 4:30 p.m., reception 6-7 p.m., Core Facility atrium, ISU Research Park). The series is hosted by the Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship and sponsored by the Ivy College of Business. Registration is free but requested.
Faculty, staff sought to judge Homecoming events
Arts and events
Following a 22-month hiatus, water returned to Christian Petersen's Fountain of the Four Seasons sculpture during Friday's rededication.
