VISIONS Magazine: Summer 2015 Issue

T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R M E M B E R S O F T H E I O WA S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N |

Summer 2015

THE SCIENCE OF WEATHER

›› Tornado

research

›› Forecasting

phenoms

›› Climate

change and agriculture

›› Weather

gone wild

G E TTI NG START ED

BY Carole Gieseke

CGIESEKE@IASTATE.EDU

Obsessing about the weather

2

same author who wrote The Devil in the White City, one of my all-time favorite non-fiction books. Isaac’s Storm is the story of the 1900 Galveston, Texas, hurricane in which somewhere between 6,000 and 12,000 people were killed.

The storm was a monster, with consequences not unlike Hurricane Katrina a century later. Within the telling of the Galveston tragedy, Larson weaves in other interesting weather trivia. Here’s the description of one storm: “Ninety-six-and-a-half inches of

rain once fell on Silver Hill, Jamaica, over four days. That’s eight feet.”

And this: “Hurricane Camille, which came ashore on the Gulf Coast in August 1969, was still flush with water two days later when it reached Virginia.

With no advance warning from the Weather Bureau, it jettisoned 30 inches of rain in six hours. Hillsides turned to mud, then to an earthen slurry that flowed at highway speeds.”

Even with our modern weather services – 24-hour-a-day forecasting that’s as close as your television, computer, or cell phone – weather is still a surprising and powerful force. People are still caught off guard by tornadoes, hurricanes, lightning strikes, and flash floods. The northeast portion of the U.S. was buried last winter by snow that towered over rooftops in some places.

California is currently experiencing a devastating drought. Weather can be in turn unpredictable and frightening and delightful because it’s completely out of our hands.

Iowa State has its share of weather experts, from faculty climate researchers to alumni television meteorologists.

In this issue, we’ve tried to pull together a sample of their stories, and I hope you find these folks and their stories as fascinating as I do.

As I write this, the weather is pretty darn nice in Ames. It’s still spring; the flowers are in bloom, the grass is green, and the trees are budding. It smells great. And every day is a bit different: The wind blew so hard yesterday that I had trouble opening my car door.

Sunday it rained. Today we have those wonderful, puffy clouds against a blue sky.

But it’s chilly. I should not have worn sandals today. I need shoes with socks. And a scarf. I try so hard to get it right…but I never do. 

COVER STORY

10

The science of weather

FEATURES

32 34 38

STATEment Makers Photo Gallery: 2015 Cardinal & Gold Gala Geology for the next generation

DEPARTMENTS

2 6 30 36 40 44 46

Getting Started Around Campus Diversions Newsmakers Association News Sports Calendar

JIM HEEMSTRA

E

very day I look at the National Weather Service forecast.

That’s one of the first things I do in the morning. Even if I’m going to be spending the entire day sitting at a computer in my office, I still want to know what the weather is going to do.

I’m especially compulsive about this when I have an outdoor event or a photo shoot, or if I’m traveling.

Sometimes the daily forecast isn’t enough for me. I want to see the hourly.

Or the 10-day. Even though I don’t really trust anything much beyond a few days.

I think for those of us who live in the Midwest, weather might be more interesting than it is for people who live in climates that don’t change so much.

I’m thinking Phoenix. Or maybe San Diego. Or Barrow, Alaska. Our weather here in Iowa runs the gamut – from really, really cold to very hot and humid. And we get to have these spectacular falls and springs when you have no idea what the weather is going to do from day to day. It could be shorts-andT-shirts weather one day and snow the next. That’s why weather is so much fun.

One reason I check the weather so compulsively is that I want to be prepared for the worst – and the best.

I want to have the right jacket, the right shoes, and an umbrella if there’s the slightest chance for rain. In the winter, I want to know which coat to wear… and do I need boots? Do I need TALL boots or just those little bootie things?

How cold are my feet going to be?

Worst-case scenario: Do I need my ice cleats? Should I bring two pairs of gloves, just in case? How about earmuffs? And when the weather might be really nice by the time I get off work, I want to be ready for that, too, with some comfy shoes and a water bottle, just in case I have time for a walk.

I just finished reading a book that’s essentially about a catastrophic weather event: Isaac’s Storm by Erik Larson, the

SUMMER 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG SUMMER 2015

3

NEW MEMBER BENEFIT

2015-2016 ISU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 SAVE 10%, 25%, EVEN 50% OFF EVERYDAY PURCHASES

Get discounts across the country with

Kari A. (Ditsworth) Hensen* ’96 Sociology, MS ’98 Higher Ed., PhD ’05 Ankeny, Iowa

OFFICERS Alan E. Krysan** Chair ’87 Ag. Business Lakeville, Minn.

#

Erin Herbold-Swalwell* ’03 Liberal Studies Altoona, Iowa

Melanie J. Reichenberger** Chair-elect ’00 Indust. Engr.

Shorewood, Wis.

#

Ana Hays McCracken** ’84 Fashion Merch.

Menlo Park, Calif.

#

Thea “Ted” H. Oberlander** Immediate Past Chair ’77 Industrial Admin.

Des Moines, Iowa

Trent L. Preszler** ’98 Interdisc. Studies Cutchogue, N.Y.

#

Kenneth R. Bonus** Vice Chair of Finance ’85 Const. Engr.

West Des Moines, Iowa Joy Wiegman Boruff** Vice Chair of Records ’76 Home Ec. Journ.

Moline, Ill.

The ISU Alumni Association’s newest member benefit provides discounts from the largest online retailers, as well as many local retailers in your city. See the full list of all discounts when you register at www.isualum.org/nationaldiscounts or by downloading the “MyDeals” app to your smartphone – a service that will allow you to instantly access your favorite discounts (and maybe some you didn’t even know about!) wherever you are. You can create your account through the website or through the app.

#

Julie Rodgers Rosin** ’78 Home Ec. Ed., MS ’83 Ankeny, Iowa

500

Darryl Vincent Samuels** ’88 Pol. Sci., MA ’90 Comm. & Reg. Plan. / Pol. Sci. Pearland, Texas

Popular National Brands

Nicole M. (Bell) Schmidt** ’09 Const. Engr., MS ’13 Overland Park, Kan.

Warren R. Madden** University Treasurer ’61 Industrial Engr.

Ex-officio/voting Ames, Iowa #

Jeffery W. Johnson** Talbot Endowed President & CEO Ex-officio/non-voting Ames, Iowa

#

The place to be this fall!

A one-of-a-kind event venue for tailgates, class reunions, and family gatherings.

Call the events staff at (515) 294-4625

Call toll free (888) 302-1268 for assistance using this program.

Deborah Renee (Verschoor) Stearns** ’81 Journ. & Mass Comm.

Altoona, Iowa Kurt Alan Tjaden** ’85 Accounting Bettendorf, Iowa

#

ELECTED DIRECTORS Mark D. Aljets** ’79 Indust. Admin.

West Des Moines, Iowa Timothy C. Becker** ’94 Const. Engr.

Glenwood, Iowa

Ryan M. York** ’95 Marketing, MBA ’03 West Des Moines, Iowa

Miles Lackey* ISU Assistant to the President Office of the President Representative Ames, Iowa

Lawrence Cunningham** ’02 Liberal Studies Urbandale, Iowa

Kim McDonough** ’02 Jlsm. & Mass Comm., MS ’04 College Representative Ames, Iowa

Wendell L. Davis** ’75 DVM Overland Park, Kan.

Gilman Hall

Letters 

WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU Let us know what you think about

APPOINTED DIRECTORS

Eric Burrough** ’97 DVM, PhD ’11 Vet. Path.

Ames, Iowa

Hall; top right:

#

#

#

Bottom left: Physics

Lora L. Talbot** Non-alumni Representative Belmond, Iowa

stories in this issue – or about other topics of interest to VISIONS readers. Email your letters to: CGIESEKE@IASTATE.EDU. Iowa State University values communication with alumni and other audiences, and VISIONS welcomes letters from readers about topics in the magazine. Letters must be signed and include address and daytime phone number. Letters chosen for publication may be edited for length and clarity. The editor may decide to publish a representative sample of letters on a subject or limit the number of issues devoted to a particular

ERSEN CHRISTIAN PET into the visual fabric of Christian Petersen is woven The legacy of Danish artist Fountain of the Four a stroll on campus: Petersen’s Library Iowa State University. Take Union. Head inside Parks entrance of the Memorial ºSeasons greets you at the of Veterinary Medicine for Boy and Girl. Visit the College and you’ll see The Library and Lagomarcino courtyard Hall for Marriage Ring, The Gentle Doctor, MacKay 12 of Petersen’s major displays State Iowa all, In – for Madonna of the Prairie. its Art on Campus collection 20 smaller works within sculptures and more than in the world. the largest Petersen collection Wood’s Public Works after working with Grant was Petersen came to Iowa State sculpture for Iowa State in the early 1930s. His first was of Art Project in Iowa City 1935 to 1955, Petersen Industry courtyard. From the bas relief in the Dairy name is located museum bearing Petersen’s art An nce.

Iowa State’s artist-in-reside

topic. While universities are places of open discussion, letters deemed potentially libelous or that malign a person or group will not be published.

 Spring color

surrounds the seating

area near Marston

Hall.

85

in Morrill Hall.

Annual and life members of the ISU Alumni Association are noted in VISIONS articles with (A) for annual and (L) for life. Membership is indicated in lists of names with * for annual and ** for life.

Fountain of the Four Seasons, Veterinary Medicine Mural,

Veterinary Medicine courtyard

Memorial Union (1941)



(1938)

102

#

Craig K. Denny** ’71 Civil Engr., MS ’73 Lenexa, Kan. #

Evan Fritz*** Senior, Kinesiology/ Health Student Alumni Leadership Council Representative Northwood, Iowa

Geoffrey C. Grimes** ’69 Architecture Waterloo, Iowa

#

Katherine E. Hallenbeck** ’02 Finance / MIS Ankeny, Iowa Duane A. Halverson** ’67 Ag. Business, MS ’69 New Brighton, Minn. #

4

Membership Key: *Annual member **Life member # 2014/15 Sustaining Life donor ***Student member

SUMMER 2015 / VOLUME 28 / NO. 2

Carole Gieseke Kate Bruns PHOTOGRAPHY: Jim Heemstra DESIGN: Scott Thornton / www.designgrid.com

294-6525 1-877-ISU-ALUM (478-2586) www.isualum.org

EDITOR:

LOCAL PHONE

ASSOCIATE EDITOR:

TOLL-FREE

VISIONS (ISSN 1071-5886) is published quarterly for members of the Iowa State University Alumni Association by the ISU Alumni Association, 420 Beach Avenue, Ames, IA 50011-1430, (515) 294-6525, FAX (515) 294-9402. Periodicals postage paid at Ames, Iowa, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to VISIONS, ISU Alumni Center, 420 Beach Avenue, Ames, IA 50011-1430. For ad rates please call 515-294-6560. Copyright 2015 by the ISU Alumni Association, Jeffery W. Johnson, Talbot Endowed President and CEO and publisher.

WEBSITE

FA L L 2 0 1 5 RELEASE!

O F I O WA S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y

The ISU Alumni Association mission: To facilitate the lifetime connection of alumni, students, and friends with the university and each other.

Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance, 3280 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.

SEASONS

A#new#book#of#campus#photography#by#Jim#Heemstra Published#by#the#ISU#Alumni#Association $39#list#price#/#$33#ISUAA#member#price PLUS: STUDENT LIFE • ART & ARCHITECTURE • NOTABLE ALUMNI • ISU HISTORY • ALUMNI MEMORIES

Printed with soy ink on recycled and recyclable paper.

SUMMER 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG SUMMER 2015

5

6

Jeff Johnson, Russ and Lora Talbot, and ISU President Steven Leath at the Cardinal & Gold Gala

JIM HEEMSTRA

Around Campus

Talbots endow ISU Alumni Association President and CEO position

A

Belmond, Iowa, couple has established an endowed position for the Iowa State University Alumni Association – the first of its kind in the nation. Jeffery W. Johnson (L) (PhD ’14 higher ed) is the first holder of the Lora and Russ Talbot Iowa State University Alumni Association Endowed President and Chief Executive Officer position.

The Talbots’ gift of $2.5 million creates the first non-academic endowed position at Iowa State and establishes the first known endowed alumni association president position at a college or university in the United States.

The gift was officially announced April 10 at the Alumni Association’s annual Cardinal & Gold Gala in Des Moines.

“Welcoming. Warm. Inclusive.

Dedicated. Service-minded. We wanted to join the team and be part of all that,” Lora Talbot said during the event after listing a number of other positive adjectives about

the Alumni Association.

Remarkably, neither Lora nor Russ Talbot (L) graduated from Iowa State. But their investments in the university have come in the form of service to the ISU Foundation Board of Governors and ISU Alumni Association Board of Directors and gifts to create the Russell G. and

In the fall 2015 VISIONS, we’ll take a closer look at the story behind the creation of the Talbot Endowed President and CEO position Lora L. Talbot Scholars in Veterinary Medicine program, the Lora and Russ Talbot Graduate Fellowship in Veterinary Medicine, the Lora and Russ Talbot ISU Alumni Association Cardinal & Gold College of Veterinary Medicine Scholarship, a Best in Show scholarship endowment for the ISU Fashion Show, and the Talbot Hall of Alumni Association Leadership and

History at the ISU Alumni Center.

They have also given generously to support VISIONS Across America, the Dr. W. Eugene and Linda Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center, the Hixson-Lied Small Animal Hospital, and the ISU Alumni Association’s Sustaining Life program.

“In 2008, we were at a meeting where Jeff Johnson spoke, and he explained that students, alumni, and friends could join the Alumni Association,” Russ Talbot said.

“Our relationship with the Alumni Association promptly began following that meeting when we became life members in April 2008.”

The new endowment will allow the Alumni Association to more visibly connect with and engage Iowa State alumni and friends. Funds will specifically support Johnson’s professional development and a portion of his salary and travel expenses, as well as expanded programming initiatives within the Alumni Association.

It will also establish a new Talbot Student Intern position for the organization.

SUMMER 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

Construction begins on new residence hall Construction began in May on a muchneeded new campus residence hall. The $49.5 million, eight-story, 784-bed facility is going up to the east of Buchanan Hall and is scheduled to open in spring 2017.

It will be the first new campus residence hall since Martin Hall was opened in 2003; Opus Design Build was selected as the contractor for the new project.

Over the past 10 years, enrollment at Iowa State has grown by 35 percent, only to be outpaced by demand for campus housing at 55 percent growth.

The Department of Residence hasn’t been able to keep up and has resorted to leasing Ames apartment spaces. Officials say they hope the construction of a new residence hall will help alleviate some of the squeeze.

“This building design was fully informed by previous and current InterResidence Hall Association student leadership,” said director of residence Pete Englin (L)(PhD ’01). “Large student rooms, well-designed bathrooms, and formal and informal gathering spaces for socializing and learning are all things our students helped us with in the design.”

Despite some efforts and campaigns against it, the university recently removed

5

an approximately 192-year-old hackberry tree and an approximately 171-year-old black walnut tree to make way for the construction. Officials say the Buchanan site has been identified as far back as 1991 as a prime area for expansion due to its proximity to both existing student housing and the campus in general; the hackberry tree was discovered to be in extremely poor condition when it was removed in May.

OPUS DESIGN BUILD

1: Iowa State is world-class in ag and vet med: ISU’s programs in agriculture, forestry, and veterinary science have been ranked among the world’s best by Quacquarelli Symonds, a British organization that ranks institutions by subject matter at www.top universities.com.

cool things you should know and share about ISU

2: Iowa State is still going for the gold:

Add a ninth building to the Iowa State campus’ list of LEED-certified facilities. The Jeff and Deb Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center has received Gold certification on the U.S. Green Building Council’s rating system.

3: Iowa State is serving vets: BestColleges.

com recently ranked Iowa State among the top 10 best colleges for supporting veteran students, pointing particularly to the work of the Student Veterans Center.

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG SUMMER 2015

4: Iowa State’s study abroad program is

on the rise: A record 1,812 ISU students engaged in study, volunteer, and service learning opportunities in 50 countries between summer 2014 and spring 2015.

“It’s exciting to me that even during difficult economic times, or times when news events create apprehensions among parents, our students are still going,” says Trevor Nelson, director of ISU’s Study Abroad Center.

5: Iowa State is the Cy-Hawk champion…

again: The Iowa State softball team clinched the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series with a 5-4 win over the Iowa Hawkeyes April 15 in Iowa City. It was the softball team’s first victory in Iowa City since 2003 and gave the Cyclones the edge in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series, 15-11.

It marks the second-consecutive season ISU has won the series, marking the first time either school has claimed back-to-back Cy-Hawk Series titles.

7

Distinguished Professor named to National Academy of Sciences

Catherine Kling

In April the National Academy of Sciences announced the election of Catherine Kling, Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor of Agriculture and Life Sciences, professor of economics, and director of the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State as one of the academy’s 84 new members.

“It’s with great pride that I learned of Dr. Kling’s election to the National Academy of Sciences,” ISU President Steven Leath (L) said. “Dr. Kling joins some of the most distinguished scientists

in the history of this institution as a member of the academy, and I join the rest of the Iowa State University community in congratulating her on this well-deserved honor.”

“The group of people elected to the National Academy of Sciences is awe-inspiring,” Kling said. “I’ve tried my entire career to emulate the environmental economists in the section of the academy I’ve been elected to. I don’t really have the words to describe what an honor this is.”

McNeil is ISU’s new library dean

Beth McNeil

8

Beth McNeil, professor and associate dean for academic affairs at the Purdue University Libraries in West Lafayette, Ind., has been named dean of the Iowa State University Library. At Purdue, McNeil was responsible for managing 12 campus libraries, as well as the archives/ special collections, technical services, digitization, and the collections management units. She had oversight of nearly 90 faculty and staff and a $13.7 million annual collections budget. McNeil pre-

viously served in leadership positions in the libraries at Bradley University and the University of Nebraska.

“I am honored to serve Iowa State as dean,” said McNeil, who will begin her duties on campus July 15. “It’s a great library with an exceptional history and a bright future. I look forward to working with students, faculty, and staff to support our mission to create, share, and apply knowledge in Iowa and around the world.”

SUMMER 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

Hixson Opportunity Award celebrates 20th anniversary

F

or 20 years, the Christina Hixson Opportunity Awards have lent a helping hand to students from each of Iowa’s 99 counties to attend Iowa State University. Beginning in 1995, the Opportunity Awards have provided students a scholarship of one-half tuition and fees over eight semesters – for a total of 2,100 scholarships, including entering first-year students for fall 2015. To date, 1,340 Hixson students have graduated from ISU. Many of these students and graduates came together on April 30 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the

CHRISTOPHER GANNON

Around Campus

“For many of the great, great successes of the world, the background they came from was their great challenge. I’m trying to find those people. Those who may not have the highest grade point or a perfect family background, but who can be successful.

These are the ones who will lend the helping hands in the future.”

– C H (’ )

Hixson Opportunity Awards. Nearly 175 people attended the anniversary reunion and celebration, including 65 alumni, 65 current students, faculty, staff, and special guests – including program donor Christina Hixson.

“This was a fantastic opportunity to link our current students and alumni through the Hixson Program,” Debra Sanborn (A)(PhD ’13), Hixson Opportunity Awards director, said. “There were many fun memories, a few happy tears, and a great sense of gratitude and community at the event. Hixson alumni are excited to give back to the program.”

Building a better Iowa for butterflies ISU is a chief partner in the new Iowa Monarch Conservation Consortium, a broad-based initiative aimed at enhancing the iconic Iowa insect’s habitat in both rural and urban areas. The consortium, which was established as a collaboration between the ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, will take a science-based approach to enhancing monarch butterfly reproduction – focusing largely on maintaining milkweed plants, which are critical to egg-laying and caterpillar nutrition. ISU

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG SUMMER 2015

has already planted 10,000 seeds of nine different milkweed species, and awareness efforts are underway to encourage Iowa farmers to plant milkweed on land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced a goal of planting 200,000 acres of milkweed as part of a national campaign, and Iowa State is playing a significant role in the effort.

“The bottom line is that while we are proceeding with a sense of urgency, we also will use and develop sound scientific understanding to guide the development of cost-effective, productive monarch

habitat,” said Sue Blodgett, chair of ISU’s Entomology Department. “Applying the best available science to improving the monarch’s reproductive success is important for our state and the nation.

Delivering science-based information for both farmers and the general public helps raise awareness and motivation.”

9

BY CAROLE GIESEKE



PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM HEEMSTRA

ADDITIONAL WORDS AND IMAGES BY RANDALL HYMAN, NEAL IVERSON, AND MIKE KRAPFL

W

eather is one of those non-negotiable, unavoidable things that we have to deal with every day, like death and taxes.

Most of us don’t truly understand how the weather works; we just know it’s out there, destroying our outdoor plans and making Midwesterners flee south for the winter.

In an attempt to better grasp the complex questions surrounding our planet’s weather and climate, VISIONS rounded up Iowa State’s Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences faculty and alumni to provide some answers. 

ISU meteorology faculty researchers and graduates answer our questions about weather and climate

10

11

Global Climate Change 101 

































C



limate scientist Bill Gutowski, ISU professor of geological and atmospheric science, has heard it all: That, sure, the climate is changing, but it has nothing to do with humans. That meteorologists can’t accurately predict the weather more than a week ahead – so how in the world can they predict what the climate will do decades in the future? That the government is raising an alarm so it can get more money.

Gutowski knows it’s hard for people





























 W H AT



to understand the science behind the change.

“Anything science tells us can be controversial,” he says. “People believe what they want. But it’s best not to get politics involved with the science.”

Gutowski has studied the science of global climate change for more than 30 years. He teaches a 400/500-level course on global climate change at Iowa State.

So he’s familiar with what science tells us about our changing planet – and what we don’t yet know.

With the help of his colleagues, Gutowski has created a presentation titled “Our changing climate: What we know, where we are heading.” He was also a lead author for the most recent report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The following information is taken from that report.

THE SCIENCE TELLS US

• Human influence on the climate system is clear, and recent emissions of greenhouse gases originating from human activity are the highest in history. Recent climate changes have had widespread impacts on human and natural systems.

• Warming of the climate system is unequivocal, and since the 1950s many of the observed changes are unprecedented over decades to millennia. The atmosphere and ocean have warmed, the amounts of snow and ice have diminished, and sea level has risen.

and human systems on all continents and across the oceans. Impacts are due to observed climate change, irrespective of its cause, indicating the sensitivity of natural and human systems to changing climate.

• Changes in many extreme weather and climate events have been observed since about 1950. Some of these changes have been linked to human influences, including a decrease in cold temperature extremes, an increase in warm temperature extremes, an increase in extreme high sea levels, and an increase in the number of heavy precipitation events in a number of regions.

• Continued emission of greenhouse gases will cause further warming and long-lasting changes in all components of the climate system, increasing the likelihood of severe, pervasive, and irreversible impacts for people and ecosystems.

 C L I M AT E C H A N G E I N B R I E F Fact: Humans are increasing greenhouse gases.

Fact: This is causing more energy to accumulate in earth’s climate system.

Fact: We are changing our climate.

• Surface temperature is projected to rise over the 21st century under all assessed emission scenarios. It is very likely that heat waves will occur more often and last longer, and that extreme precipitation events will become more intense and more frequent in many regions. The ocean will continue to warm and acidify, and global mean sea level will rise.

What has happened?

• Our planet is heating up How do we know this?

• Global temperature is rising • Most glaciers are melting • Arctic Ocean ice is shrinking • Sea level is rising • The growing season is lengthening across North America

• Climate change will amplify existing risks and create new risks for natural and human ecosystems. Risks are unevenly distributed and are generally greater for disadvantaged people and communities in countries at all levels of development.

What does the future hold?

• Global average surface temperature will continue to increase • Global sea level will continue to rise

• Limiting climate change would require substantial and sustained reduction in greenhouse emissions, which, together with adaptation, can limit climate change risks.

“What kind of legacy do we want to leave for our children and grandchildren?”

– Bill Gutowski, professor of geological and atmospheric science

12

• Anthropogenic (human-caused) greenhouse gas emissions have increased since the pre-industrial era, driven largely by economic and population growth, and are now higher than ever. This has led to atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide that are unprecedented in at least the last 800,000 years. Their effects have been detected throughout the climate system and are extremely likely to have been the dominant cause of the observed warming since the mid-20th century. In recent decades, changes in climate have caused impacts on natural

SUMMER 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

• Many aspects of climate change and associated impacts will continue for centuries, even if human-caused emissions of greenhouse gases are stopped. The risks of abrupt or irreversible changes increase as the magnitude of the warming increases.

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG SUMMER 2015

13

Flood forecasting 







































Squaw Creek meanders quietly through Ames, Iowa, often with so little flow that you couldn’t launch a toy boat from its shores.

And then there are the summers when Squaw Creek has barreled through campus, dumping as much as 14 feet of water into Hilton Coliseum and flooding the surrounding land.

Kristie Franz is working to understand how water moves over land and through stream channels to shed light on flooding.

Franz is associate professor of geological and atmospheric sciences and professor in charge of Iowa State’s meteorology program. Here in Squaw Creek, Franz measures the river discharge – its rate of flow through a section of the stream channel. She’s interested in discharge because it tells a story

14

SUMMER 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG SUMMER 2015



about how water travels in a watershed. The discharge data helps her and her research team build models of this behavior.

“In this area, flooding is economically very costly,” she says. “It can shut down the city. Our modeling efforts are geared toward improving our ability to predict floods – to get people out of the way and protect buildings and businesses.”

Water has always played a big role in Franz’s life. A river was a prominent feature of her Wisconsin hometown, and the citizens hold an annual Pure Water Days Festival.

Franz holds degrees in geology, hydrology and water resources, and civil engineering.

She’s been on the faculty at Iowa State since 2006.

15

Riding the storm out 

















































Y

our family picnic is scheduled for 1 o’clock this afternoon, and the sky looks ominous. Will it rain? Should you cancel?

Or will that weather system move to the north?

Answers to these questions are just a click away at www.weather.gov – the website for the National Weather Service.

The Johnston weather forecast office in central Iowa is one of 122 locations nationwide governed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Johnston office provides the weather outlook for 51 of Iowa’s 99 counties, providing forecasts for winter storms, tornado watches and warnings, flood watches, and seven-day forecasts.

Six Iowa State meteorology graduates work at the Johnston office, including Ken Harding (A)(’86), meteorologist in charge.

“Most meteorologists have wanted to do this since they were little kids,” Harding says. “Some had a severe weather event in their past – a tornado or a flood. Then they’re hooked.”

Meteorologists staff the Johnston office 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They have access to Doppler weather surveillance radar equipment with a 250-mile range.

“We can look at thunderstorms, measure wind, see precipitation… it’s wonderful,” Harding says. “It’s sensitive enough to see a bumblebee at 40 miles.”

There’s pressure to be accurate, and there’s especially pressure to predict severe storms accurately in order to give people time to take cover or avoid the threat.

“You’re protecting lives,” Harding says. “We take the ‘service’ part of National Weather Service very seriously.”

Left to right: Brad Small (’90), senior meteorologist; Jeff Zogg (’96), senior hydrologist; Craig Cogil (’94), senior meteorologist; Mindy Beerends (’01), meteorologist; Ken Harding (’86), meteorologist in charge; and Rod Donavon (’00), senior meteorologist

Freese-Notis: The little weather forecasting company that grew 





































I

Harvey Freese (left) and Charlie Notis

16

n the early 1970s – before the public had access to the Internet, before cell phones, before personal computers, even – two fresh-out-of-grad-school ISU meteorology alumni decided to start a company creating customized weather forecasts for businesses.

“We were looking for jobs, and nobody was hiring,” remembers Charlie Notis (L)(MS ’72 meteorology). “It was the early 1970s, and we were in a recession. The National Weather Service was not hiring. People said to us, ‘Why don’t you start your own company?’ and we said, ‘Well, maybe that’s what we should do.’”

Notis and his friend Harvey Freese (L)(’71 meteorology, MS ’73) started a business and called it Freese-Notis Weather – a combination of their last names that serendipitously created a natural name for a weather-forecasting business.

SUMMER 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS















































The two started out with one client – Iowa Power and Light – for whom they created customized weather forecasts.

Within a year, they signed on more customers, and the company started to grow, providing forecasts for radio stations, the city of Des Moines Public Works Department, other highway departments, and construction companies. By the late 1970s, the client base had grown to nearly 75. During the 1980s, Freese-Notis began working with agriculture commodity clients; in the 1990s they expanded to provide forecasts for the energy industry.

At first, it was just the two of them: 24 hours on, 24 hours off. Forecasts were provided to customers by phone, with maps sent by modem. Technology was in its infancy back then, and Notis and Freese expanded their reach as technology allowed.

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG SUMMER 2015









































“There was a T1 line with high-speed Internet along Grand Avenue [in Des Moines],” Freese says.

“We were pioneers,” Notis adds.

“Our first computer was an Apple II,” Freese says. “Then we had an ISU engineer build a computer for us.”

Over the years, as the technology improved and the company expanded, Notis and Freese stuck to their original mission: to provide customized forecasts for their subscribers.

“The National Weather Service provides information,” Notis says.

“But a construction company wants to know exactly when it will freeze – will it be 32 degrees tonight or 28 degrees?

They want to know exactly when it will start raining, so they can plan their day accordingly. Commodity companies are looking for changes in the weather pattern, because if it rains in the growing











































season, after a lengthy dry and hot period, soybean and corn prices will go kaboom.”

It takes a mix of art, science, passion, and a good memory for details to create accurate weather forecasts, they say.

“You have to have a mind that can remember certain weather forecasts,” Notis says. “What happened eight years ago? No two weather systems are exactly alike.” Freese adds: “You have to draw on your skills and do lots of research…that’s the secret sauce.”

After more than 30 years in the business, Notis says he got tired of getting up at 2 a.m. to go to work, and he recently retired from the company. Freese is “still having fun,” but he’s cutting back on his hours.

“I still find it fascinating,” he says.

17

Right: Al Wanamaker and his research assistant, ISU graduate student Maddie Mette; far right: The team’s research ship at sea

The research team sorts shells on the dock.

Reconstructing ancient climate 





P





























aleoclimatologist Al Wanamaker is measuring and sorting clam shells in northern Norway, and the clam shells are speaking to him. They’re telling him about weather patterns that have occurred here over the last 2,000 years.

Through his work with clam shells in Norway and similar research in Iceland and Maine, Wanamaker, an assistant professor of geological and atmospheric sciences at Iowa State, hopes to understand and reconstruct climate from the past in order to project it forward.

“You’ve heard of measuring the age of a tree by counting its rings; we use long-lived clam shells because they have bands like trees. They have a unique barcode of growth records,” he explains.

Wanamaker and European colleagues reconstructed over a millennium of climate change based on Arctica islandica 18







































clam shells collected off Iceland’s northern coast.

Twice Wanamaker has travelled to the northern coast of Norway. During last summer’s expedition the research team was accompanied by a Discover magazine photojournalist, Randall Hyman.

Hyman posted field notes online during the experience.

One day, Hyman observed the research team as it stumbled upon thousands of Arctica islandica shells heaved ashore by an overnight storm. He posted this in his online field notes: “‘This is heaven!’ Wanamaker exclaimed, kneeling on the white-sand beach and examining the goods. ‘This is unbelievable, seeing them in such heaps and piles.’ Assistants and scientists sifted through the piles and marveled at their good luck.”

Most shells are not so easy to come

by. Wanamaker and the research team, including students, spent most days dredging the deep water of the cold north Atlantic for clam shells – and the elusive live clams.

Early in his career, Wanamaker was a high school science teacher. Then he went to a workshop on climate change and “got hooked.” He went back to school for a graduate degree. “It was a one-way ticket to where I am now,” he says.

Paleoclimate research results, like the field itself, take a long time to sort out. Wanamaker’s current project has been funded for three years, but there’s no guarantee he’ll have all the results by then. Still, he’s eager to try.

“It may take my entire career to figure this out.”

Al Wanamaker, right, sorts through shells gathered off the coast of northern Norway.

PHOTOS BY RANDALL HYMAN



Stu

SUMMER 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

dyin

g she

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG SUMMER 2015

l l i n c r e m e n t s – l i ke r i n g s o

nat

re e

19

“Most farmers will now agree that things are different than they used to be, but a majority do not believe that humans are responsible.” – Gene Takle

Climate change and agriculture: ‘We need to do something’ 























































G

ene Takle remembers the moment he first became aware of a new concept called global climate change.

It was August 1988. He was in Denmark, and he was reading an article in Science magazine.

Takle had been vaguely aware of what was going on with the earth’s climate, but never thought it would be a “game changer” until he read that article.

He’s since spent the majority of his career pursuing research on global climate change. He’s a co-principal investigator on the North American Regional Climate Change Assessment Program and was a member of authoring and review teams of periodic assessment reports of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change cited as a co-winner of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize.

The professor of atmospheric science and Pioneer Hi-Bred Professor of Agronomy has shifted his primary focus to the impact of climate change on regional agriculture. He often presents his findings to agriculture networks such as the USDA. When he has an opportunity to meet with local farmers, he lays it on the line.

“I tell them that climate is changing, humans are having a large fraction of the impact on it, it’s affecting all Iowans, it’s affecting our economy, and we need to do something about it, because it’s going to get worse. That’s the elevator speech.”

He says the information resonates with farmers – up to a point.

“Most farmers will now agree that things are different than they used to be, but a majority do not believe that humans are responsible,” he said. “There’s a lot of year-to-year variability [in the weather]. It’s hard to say, well, this drought was due to climate change but this storm wasn’t. But there are trends in the U.S. that are clearly related to climate change and related to increases in greenhouse gasses.”

Takle is also studying the impact of wind turbines on crops.

“When windmills started sprouting up like dandelions in the spring across the landscape, it just occurred to me to wonder if they had an effect on crops,” he said.

It turns out they do. Just like trees planted as agricultural shelterbelts – a subject Takle researched for more than a decade – a series of large wind turbines have a measurable impact on field temperature, moisture, and wind speed. Takle’s research group is the first in the U.S. to report such field measurements within wind farms.

20

 C H A N G E S A H E A D FO R I OWA FA R M E R S Iowa farmers are seeing changes in the growing season: • Fewer hot spells mean plants can grow clos• The growing season is longer and so planter together and there are fewer pollination ing is earlier, with longer-season hybrids failures. and later harvests.

• Higher humidity means more spraying • Springs are wetter and so farmers are using for pests that prefer moist conditions and larger machinery to complete harvest in longer grain drying in the fall. smaller windows of dry weather.

• Drier falls mean delaying harvest to take • More summer rain allows planting at higher advantage of natural drying in the fields. densities.

• Wetter springs and summers mean more drainage tile is being buried under fields.

SUMMER 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG SUMMER 2015

21

Weather and food security: ‘Preparedness is key’ 













































I

n developed countries, accurate weather forecasting helps us plan our lives: Will our daughter’s softball game be rained out? Is it going to snow? Do I need to pack an umbrella?

For developing nations, the issues are more critical. Sometimes, accurate forecasting can mean the difference between having enough food to eat and going hungry.

Alkhalil Adoum (MS ’90 geological and atmospheric sciences, PhD ’94 agronomy) is a regional scientist for the Famine Early Warning System Network (FEWS NET) in Niger. Originally from Chad, Adoum received a USAID scholarship to attend Iowa State.

“My objective was to go back and support my country’s effort to improve agricultural productivity through agrometeorological applications,” he said. “ISU was the first university on the list.”

Adoum’s work with FEWS NET focuses on monitoring climate indicators, looking for changes that would affect agricultural productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. His organization issues early-warning reports that can head off potential famine conditions.

“Through the use of satellite information, our goal is to catch on time any anomaly in vegetation or rainfall,” he said.

The group’s efforts are having a significant effect.

“We have not had a major crisis without alerting the concerned parties from the 1980s to now,” he said.

“Preparedness is the key issue.”

Iowa DOT Road Weather Information Systems Coordinator Tina Greenfield (A)(’02 meteorology, MS ’04) checks a snowy bridge over I-35 near Story City.

Slippery when wet (and icy) 























W Three of Alkhalil Adoum’s seven children chose Iowa State for their educations. Twins Kabbod (’12) and Mehawesh (’11) Alkhalil graduated with degrees in mechanical engineering and currently work for John Deere in Cedar Falls. His daughter Reem is a sophomore in chemical engineering.

22

SUMMER 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

































hen she was an Iowa State meteorology student, it was not unusual to find Tina Greenfield huddled on a bridge at 4 a.m., crawling on her hands and knees looking for frost crystals.

For her senior thesis, she specifically headed to bridges over Hwy. 30 to observe whether frost was forming; for her master’s in meteorology she created a bridge frost forecast model.

The Iowa Department of Transportation was interested in the project because of hazardous driving conditions on icy bridges. Ten years ago, Greenfield became a full-time Iowa DOT employee in a newly formed position. The DOT contracts out its weather forecasting; Greenfield looks for operations-specific information from those forecasts and helps supervisors and

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG SUMMER 2015











operators understand the weather predictions.

At the beginning of each week, Greenfield prepares a statewide weather briefing and also sends out specific storm briefings when necessary. Her goal is to give the local supervisors and crews the information they need in order to make decisions on the amount and frequency of chemicals, salt, and sand to use on roads during winter storms.

“Pavement temperature plays a big role,” she explains.

“Air temperature is very different.”

As a member of the winter operations group, Greenfield spends much of her time on research projects, doing performance measurements, and preparing for the winter storm season.

23

Neal Iverson, left, conducts field work in Iceland with ISU students.

“We work in August in Iceland, so it is not that cold. The bigger problems are high winds … and rain, both of which are common.” – Neal Iverson

V I S I O N S : Tell us about your current

SUBMITTED PHOTOS

research projects.

The cold truth 

































O

ver the last century, nearly all of the earth’s glaciers have shrunk, some of them dramatically. All of the glaciers in Glacier National Park, Mont., are expected to d disappear isappear in the next 15 years. New studies show that the Greenland ice sheet has lost 10 billion tons of ice per year since 2003 – 10 billion tons per year.

One professor at Iowa State has studied glaciers for more than 30 years. Neal Iverson (’83 geology), professor of geological & atmospheric sciences, is currently studying drumlins (streamlined hills that form beneath glaciers) and glacial movement. His fieldwork has taken him to the Alps, the Canadian Rockies, Sweden, Norway, and Iceland.

Iverson spent the spring semester as a Fulbright scholar in Trondheim, Norway. VISIONS spoke with him via email; the following is an edited transcript of the discussion.

I V E R S O N : We are studying the sediments that make up drumlins that have formed beneath the glacier Múlajökull in central Iceland. These drumlins are unusual because they have been shaped by a modern glacier over the last century, rather than having formed during a past ice age. We study the magnetic properties of the sediment, which tell us about the patterns of sediment movement under the glacier, and the degree of sediment compaction, which tells us about the stress at the bottom of the glacier that affected the sediment’s mobility.

We also do experiments in the laboratory that simulate the physics of glacier sliding – the process whereby glaciers slip over their beds and achieve high speeds, as high as 150 feet per day in extreme cases. The goal is to develop relationships that can be used in numerical models aimed at predicting increasing speeds of glaciers that terminate in the ocean – those rates of flow are a major factor affecting sea level rise.

What do you hope this research will tell us?

The fieldwork in Iceland is aimed at understanding how drumlins form. The work has been made possible by climate warming, which has caused the glacier to shrink and expose the drumlins for study.

Results of the laboratory experiments, through their inclusion in numerical models of ice sheets, could help shed light on the extent of future glacier accelerations due to climate warming.

Why is the study of drumlins important?

Drumlins are elongate hills orientated in the direction of glacier flow. They occur in groups of as many as 10,000 individu-

24

SUMMER 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG SUMMER 2015

als, hidden from view under glaciers. No one yet knows how they form, despite 150 years of study and more than 1,000 publications. Drumlins are also of interest these days because, by sticking up into the base of modern ice sheets and affecting resistance to glacier slip, they could affect how quickly parts of ice sheets move and shed ice into the oceans.

Do you include students in your research?

Many of my students have worked on glacial sediments in the Midwest because that is their interest, having grown up in the Midwest. Others have in interest in modern glacial environments, often stimulated by their love of hiking, climbing, etc. These students have worked on a glacier in northern Sweden called Storglaciären, studying its flow behavior; in tunnels beneath the Svartisen Ice Cap in Norway, studying its sliding mechanics; and most recently in Iceland studying drumlins and other landforms at Múlajökull. Students participate in all aspects of the research.

How long have you been studying glaciers?

Thirty-two years. In the spring of 1983 I graduated from Iowa State and joined a University of Minnesota field project for the summer – 80 days of camping in front of a glacier in northern Sweden, where we studied its mass balance (gain or loss of ice) and speed. I ended up doing my Ph.D. at the University of Minnesota and have been studying glaciers continuously since then.

How cold does it get where you’re working?

We work in August in Iceland, so it is not that cold. Temperatures have ranged in August from about freezing to 55 degrees F. The bigger problems are high winds

(sometimes sustained winds of 60 mph) and rain, both of which are common and make working hard or sometimes impossible.

Describe your working conditions.

We camp in front of the glacier and have a cook tent that makes cooking and eating a lot easier than if we had only sleeping tents. Working consists of walking several miles each day to a particular drumlin, digging to expose fresh sediments not disturbed by slope processes, and then spending the day working in the resultant pit carefully collecting sediment samples.

It is dirty work that is hard on aging knees and backs but quite enjoyable when the weather is good.

What do you wear for protection from the cold?

Most of us wear synthetic inner layers that retain most of their warmth when wet and an outer shell that breaks the wind and is waterproof. On our feet we wear boots that are rigid to allow walking on loose stones and sufficiently waterproof to allow the many streams in the area to be crossed.

You got a B.S. at Iowa State – were you an Iowa kid? If so, how did you get interested in glaciers of all things?

I grew up in Ames until I was eight and thereafter in Sioux City, where my father worked for ISU Extension. My parents took us each year camping in the Rockies. It was seeing glaciers – and the spectacular Alpine landscapes they produce – on some of those trips, that got me interested in glaciers. Also, glaciology is rooted in basic physics (mechanics and thermodynamics), subjects that I really enjoyed as an undergraduate at ISU.

25

Partha Sarkar designed and built the ISU Tornado Simulator a decade ago.

A recent grant will support new simulator studies of tornado winds and their impacts on homes and buildings.

Gathering storm 























T













he Iowa State University Tornado Simulator kicked up a thick and slowly spinning funnel cloud over a model of a small town, overwhelming the miniature streets, buildings, and homes.

Partha Sarkar turned from the laboratory vortex and explained, “That’s an EF3.”

Most tornadoes (about 90 percent of them) are EF3 or less in intensity. And so Sarkar advocates that homes and buildings within tornado alley across the middle of the U.S. be designed to withstand EF3 tornadoes and their top wind speeds of 165 mph.

Sarkar, an Iowa State professor of aerospace engineering, knows something about the biggest tornadoes. He walked the debris fields of Parkersburg in 2008 and Joplin, Mo., in 2010, and has seen what the 200-plus mph winds of EF5 storms can do to cities, buildings, and people.

To study the interaction of tornadoes with man-made structures, he designed and built a tornado simulator that can create and move a tornado-like vortex back and forth over a test bed. He, his coworkers, and Iowa State students have worked with the simulator for a decade, studying the loads and pressures caused by laboratory storms passing over models of homes and buildings.

But, Sarkar said, there’s still a lot engineers don’t understand about





tornado winds: How, for example, do nearby structures and terrain affect those winds? How do building codes, building ages, structure shapes, roof types, and even construction quality influence tornado damage? How do internal pressures inside buildings influence tornado damage? And, how are the wind loads distributed and shared by a building’s components, such as roof sheathing, roof trusses, walls, studs, and nails?

To find these answers, the National Science Foundation has awarded a pair of three-year, $250,000 collaborative research grants to Sarkar and to Texas Tech University researchers Daan Liang, an associate professor of construction engineering and engineering technology, and Xinzhong Chen, an associate professor of civil and environmental engineering.

As part of this new project, “We will try to quantify the uncertainties in estimating tornado winds and the corresponding structural damage,” Sarkar said.

To do that, Sarkar said his research group will use the latest advances in tornado simulation, data acquisition, and computer modeling to answer engineering questions about tornado winds and their effects on buildings.

One result of this research could be refinements to the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale that considers storm damage to measure the strength of tornadoes.

Another result could be new provisions in building codes and construction practices for tornado-resistant buildings.

“The overarching goal of this research is to enhance society’s resiliency to tornadoes through innovative design and construction of building components and systems in tornado-prone regions,” the Iowa State and Texas Tech researchers wrote in a project summary.

At Iowa State, Sarkar said the grant will support experiments and data collection with the tornado simulator.

One experiment, for example, will study actual buildings damaged in tornadoes by creating computer and physical models of the buildings and their structural failures. The computer models will be refined and verified by running lab tornadoes over the physical models.

The computational models – called finite element models – will help researchers understand and predict the damage caused by tornado winds.

Data from the experiments and models will also be shared with the Texas Tech construction engineers who will study building performance in tornado winds.

“In the long run,” the researchers wrote in their summary, “the research is expected to contribute to methods and strategies that can be implemented for preventing tornado hazards from becoming disasters.”

– Mike Krapfl, ISU News Service

Sarkar advocates that homes and buildings in tornado alley be designed to withstand EF3 tornadoes.

26

SUMMER 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG SUMMER 2015

27

Weird, wonderful weather 







B























































W E AT H E R G O N E W I L D 

ill Gallus, ISU professor of geological & atmospheric sciences, is a self-proclaimed weather nut.

“I was born this way,” he says, laughing. “I can’t remember a time that I wasn’t fascinated by the weather.”

In fact, Gallus says that most students entering Iowa State’s meteorology program – the largest number of ISU students in the physical sciences – love the weather. Maybe, he adds with a wry smile, it’s because they have their own television channel.

Gallus has been working on research to improve prediction of thunderstorms and their rainfall and studying severe storm dynamics for years, and he’s passed on his passion for extreme weather to class after class of meteorology students.

“There’s still a lot to be learned about severe weather,” he says.

“It’s a thrill to see if I can learn something to change how we understand tornadoes. Sometimes it’s still like I’m five years old, but it’s more fascinating now because I know how the laws of physics work.”



B ILL GALLUS’S TOP 3 WEIRDES T IOWA WE ATHER EVENT S

1) During a spell of particularly wild weather in early March 1990, Iowa had a severe ice storm that brought up to two to three inches of glaze on one day, tornadoes the next day, and then was part of a big tornado outbreak five days later. When Ankeny, Iowa, was hit by one of the tornadoes that day, it apparently picked up many of the piles of tree limbs along the curbs that had fallen in the ice storm a few days earlier!

2) On Jan. 24, 1967, a tornado outbreak brought roughly a dozen tornadoes each to Iowa, Illinois, and Missouri, killing several people. Within 36 hours, Chicago's biggest 24-hour snowstorm was occurring, and more than a foot fell in the same parts of southeast Iowa that had just had tornadoes.

3) My pick for Iowa’s weirdest weather event was actually pretty weird across a big chunk of the country. On May 27-29, 1947, heavy snow fell across parts of Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Michigan, with around 10 inches in a few spots in each of these states. It would not have been much fun shoveling out the picnic table to celebrate Memorial Day! F I V E M O R E W E I R D -W E AT H E R EVENTS

1) On Feb. 14-15, 1895, over 20 inches of snow fell in Houston, 15 inches in Galveston, and six inches in Brownsville, Texas, on the Mexican border at the Gulf Coast. Enough also fell in Florida to allow people to go sledding.

2) Cordell, Kan., was hit by a tornado on May 20 three years in a row – 1916, 1917, 1918. I'd guess in 1919 no one hung around to see if it would happen again!

3) The largest hailstone to fall in the U.S. happened on July 23, 2010, in Vivian, S.D. – it was eight inches in diameter and weighed nearly two pounds. Hailstones the size of baseballs or larger can fall at faster than 100 miles per hour.

4) During perhaps the worst U.S. cold wave ever, the temperature fell to -2 in Tallahassee, Fla., on Feb. 13, 1899, and ice flowed out of the mouth of the Mississippi River into the Gulf of Mexico.

5) During the “Summer in March” heat wave of 2012, several cities in the Midwest and Great Lakes region had daily low temperatures that were already warmer than the previous record high temperature for the day. In Marquette, Mich., the previous record high for March 21 was 49 degrees.

In 2012, it hit 81 that day! That same day, St. Johns, Newfoundland, in Canada set a record high for the month of March that was warmer than the record high for April!

That is the stuff of science fiction!

TA K E T H I S W E AT H E R TRIVIA QUIZ How much do you know about extreme weather events?

1. What is the width of the largest tornado observed in the United States? a) One mile b) One and a half miles c) Two and a half miles d) Four miles 2. Which city has the coldest mean temperature for a January afternoon? a) Juneau, Alaska b) Ames, Iowa c) Cheyenne, Wyo. d) Winter Park, Colo.

3. How far away can lightning strike from its parent thunderstorm? a) Up to 2 miles b) Up to 5 miles c) Up to 10-15 miles d) Up to 40-50 miles

4. Which of the following has the highest temperature? a) The sand in the desert near Yuma, Ariz., on a July afternoon b) Surface of the sun c) Aurora borealis d) Lightning bolt 5. Which type of cloud is highest in the sky? a) Cirrus b) Altostratus c) Altocumulus d) Stratus 6. The typical halo one sees around the sun or moon when high clouds move in is caused by ice crystals refracting light by how many degrees? a) 11 b) 22 c) 33 d) 44 7. Which weather event, on average over the past 30 years, kills the most people in the U.S. each year? a) Hurricane b) Tornado c) Lightning d) Flood 8. Which of these cities has had a snowstorm drop over 20 inches of snow in just one day? a) Des Moines, Iowa b) Barrow, Alaska c) Houston, Texas d) Atlanta, Ga. 9. What significant weather event occurred on May 22, 2011? a) 100 degree heat in Nebraska b) Flooding rains in eastern Colorado c) EF5 tornado in Joplin, Mo. d) Snow in North Dakota 10. Which of the following weather systems resulted in the lowest surface pressure? a) Hurricane Wilma in 2005 b) The Great Appalachian Storm of 1950 c) Superstorm 1993 d) The ”Polar Vortex” event of 2014

Correct Answers: 1: C, 2: B, 3: C, 4: D, 5: A, 6: B, 7: D, 8: C, 9: C, 10: A 28

29

Diversions A GUIDE TO ISU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION EVENTS

Black College Reunion Sept. 11-13, 2015 Come back to Iowa State!

Our weekend reunion will feature a talent show, golf outing, Cyclone football, and social activities.

Attendees at the 2010 Black College Reunion

Cy’S DAYs OF sERVICE

Alumni and friends volunteered more than 3,800 hours during the fourth-annual Cy’s Days of Service during the month of April 2015.

 Total number of participants: 459  Total number of hours: 3,878  Number of states represented: 28  Counties in Iowa represented: 30  Number of ISU Alumni Association ISUAA Club of Raleigh: Suzy Stiegelmeyer (L)(’90) and clubs participating: 12 Dana Jensen (A)(’12)  Number of ISU Extension and Outreach county offices participating: 12  Oldest ISU grad participant: Reginald Baxter To view photos and project details, go to (’49), North Palm Beach, Fla. www.isualum.org/cysdaysofservice and follow  Participant farthest from ISU campus: Cy’s Days of Service on Facebook. Thanks to Daniel Zeller (’81), Chula Vista, Calif. everyone who participated!

Save the date!

Oct. 30-31 for Homecoming 2015: “Make a STATEment.”

For a complete list of events or for information on how to plan a reunion, go to

www.isualum.org/homecoming

Gear up for fall Cyclone Central tailgates Cyclone Central tailgates will begin three hours prior to each home football game at the ISU Alumni Center, 420 Beach Ave. This year’s dates are: Sept. 5: Cyclones vs. Northern Iowa Sept. 12: Cyclones vs. Iowa Oct. 3: Cyclones vs. Kansas Oct. 17: Cyclones vs. TCU Oct. 31 (Homecoming): Cyclones vs. Texas Nov. 14: Cyclones vs. Oklahoma State Admission is free. Come for food, entertainment, cash bar, and Cyclone merchandise! Pre-register for meals at www.isualum.org/ cyclonecentral.

KEEP UP WITH ALUMNI EVENTS AT WWW.ISUALUM.ORG/CALENDAR AND FOLLOW US ON isualum.org/blog 30

SUMMER 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

FIND OUT ABOUT THIS YEAR’S STATEMENT MAKERS’ FAVORITE ISU TRADITIONS, COLLEGE MEMORIES, THEIR GUILTY PLEASURES,

Cristobal Salinas Jr.* Ames, Iowa MS ’12 student affairs & higher ed, PhD ’15 Recognized as a rising star by the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity; George Washington Carver graduate assistant in ISU’s office of multicultural student affairs

Maggie Luttrell Roby** Overland Park, Kan. ’09 history & women’s studies, MEd ’11 Volunteer sign language interpreter and advocate for the deaf community

Mark Richard Kresser Seattle, Wash. ’09 civil engineering Ran RAGBRAI XLI, raising $20,000 for the Iowa Veterans Home; mountaineer and ultramarathoner who works as a professional ski patroller, EMT, and avalanche controller

Mary Fuller Corning, Iowa ’08 ag & life sciences education & studies Spent three years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia, helping farmers improve agricultural and conservation practices

Andy Hoernecke San Francisco, Calif. ’05 computer engr, MS ’07 Senior application security engineer for Netflix’s cloud security team

32

Carl Kirpes* Lee’s Summit, Mo. ’12 mech engr & indust & manufacturing systems engr, MS '14 Vice president of operations for GENESYS Systems Integrator in Kansas City Ned Skoglund West Bend, Iowa ’08 management & marketing Entrepreneur, owner, and president of Skoglund Meats, a successful business that sustainably processes high-quality local pork, beef, and wild game Christopher Cassling Omaha, Neb. ’11 biology National Park Service law enforcement ranger at Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Stephen Lauer Des Moines, Iowa MS ’13 sustainable agriculture & community planning Eight-year volunteer for Oxfam America; program coordinator for the World Food Prize Foundation, where he leads the Iowa Hunger Directory program

Katherine Wiegert Denver, Colo. ’07 biology Family medicine resident; part of a medical team in Quito, Ecuador that was responsible for the health care of the indigenous tribes of the Amazon rainforest

Rachel Bell Parks** Madison, Wis. BS/MS ’11 diet & exercise Sports dietitian at the University of Wisconsin and pediatric dietitian for American Family Children’s Hospital

STATEment Congratulations to the 2015 class of Iowa STATEment Makers!

Sponsored by the ISU Alumni Association in conjunction with the Young Alumni Council, this recognition honors the early personal and professional achievements and contributions of Iowa State’s young alumni (graduates 32 years of age and under).

FAVORITE APPS, ROLE MODELS, AND MORE. STATEMENT MAKERS ARE PROFILED AT WWW.ISUALUM.ORG/STATEMENTMAKERS2015

To learn more about the Iowa STATEment Makers recognition program or to nominate a young alum for the 2016 awards, go to www.isualum.org/statementmakers.

Nomination deadline is Dec. 1.

SUMMER 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

Daniel Eaton Deephaven, Minn. ’08 mechanical engineering Built his own computer software platform from the ground up; proposed to his wife under the Campanile in the moonlight Alex Priest Omaha, Neb. ’11 landscape architecture Exhibition manager at Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts and volunteer curator for the Omaha Public Library

MAKERS VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG SUMMER 2015

Cristina Saint-Blancard Plantation, Fla. ’06 mechanical engineering Contracted a life-threatening bacterial infection that left her with tremendous health obstacles; earned a master’s in biomedical engineering; advocates for disability awareness and service animals

* ISU Alumni Association Annual Member ** ISU Alumni Association Life Member 33

Left: Scholarship recipient Dallas Cupples, a senior child, adult, and family services major, spoke during dinner. Below: Evan Stadlman places his bid during the live auction.

Kathy Stockdale, Dan Stockdale, Stephen Groneboom, scholarship recipient Kylie Roozeboom, Chris Weaver, and Jessica Weaver

Randy and Liz Hertz in the Cardinal & Gold Gala photo booth

Lora and Russ Talbot respond to ISU President Steven Leath’s announcement of the endowed ISU Alumni Association president and CEO position bearing their name.

Chuck and Heidi Howlett and Kristi and Ryan Dillon

Let’s go, State! Back row: Brady Sutton, Jennifer Garrels, Bruce Anderson, and Jay Chapman. Front row: Kate Sutton, Diane Heldt, Stephanie Hansen, and Karen HeldtChapman.

Spring in Monte Carlo The fourth-annual Cardinal & Gold Gala

O

n April 10, 2015, nearly 370 Iowa Staters were transported to the French Riviera for the fourth-annual Cardinal & Gold Gala. The event, held at Des Moines’ Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in support of first-generation student scholarships and alumni programming, netted nearly $75,000.

Coordinated by the ISU Alumni Association, and with the assistance of many hardworking volunteers, the formal event consisted of dinner and dancing in addition to silent and live auctions and a rousing game of “cardinal or gold.” A special announcement named Jeffery W. Johnson (L)(PhD ’14) as the first Lora and Russ Talbot Iowa State University Alumni Association Endowed President and Chief Executive Officer (see page 6 for details). Dan Winters (A)(’03) emceed the evening’s festivities. Al (’56) and Ann (’56) Jennings (L) and Nick Roby (L)(’81) and Deb Tharnish (L)(’77) were honorary co-chairs.

Coupled with dollars raised from the Gala and from two endowed scholarships, to date $334,000 has been raised through Alumni Association programming to support first-generation scholarships and alumni programming. The following ISU students are the 2014-15 scholarship recipients: 34

MARDI GRAS! Next year’s Cardinal & Gold Gala will be Friday, Feb. 12, 2016.

Photos by Jim Heemstra

n Bethany Gedney, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Nevada, Iowa n Corey Hassebrock, College of Business, Williams, Iowa n Kylie Roozeboom, College of Design, New Sharon, Iowa n Christopher Grow, College of Engineering, Waukee, Iowa n Dallas Cupples, Terry & Craig Denny ISU Alumni Association Cardinal & Gold Gala/College of Human Sciences Scholarship, Newton, Iowa n Tisa Tollenaar, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Sigourney, Iowa n Erik Montelongo, Lora & Russ Talbot ISU Alumni Association Cardinal & Gold College of Veterinary Medicine Scholarship, Indianola, Iowa In addition, Kiersten Savoie of Minneapolis, Minn., is the inaugural recipient of the ISUAA Board of Directors Cardinal & Gold Leadership/Terry Denny Memorial Scholarship.

SUMMER 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

2015 Honorary Gala Co-Chairs Al (’56) and Ann (’56) Jennings** Nick Roby (’81)** and Deb Tharnish (’77)** 2015 Benefactors & Table Host Committee Michele Whitty (’79),* chair Ron Barnes (’87)** Kevin Drury (’83)** Jon Fleming (’75)** Graig Stensland (’02) Cynthia Thorland (’84)** Brian Torresi (’03)** Dwayne Vande Krol (’93)** Special thanks to Stacy Dreyer,* Gala Auction Coordinator 2015 Benefactors Bells of Iowa State ($5,000) Bank of America/Merrill Lynch Businessolver

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG SUMMER 2015

Colorfx/Catchfire Media Davis Brown Law Firm Al (’56) and Ann (’56) Jennings** Brad and Lesa Lewis Nyemaster Goode, P.C. Campanile ($2,500) Mary Greeley Medical Center McFarland Clinic PC & Dr. Jon Fleming (’75)** Principal Financial Group Sigler Companies Simonson & Associates Lora and Russ Talbot** Tim (’76) and Mary (’78) Wolf** Cardinal & Gold Supporters ($500) Mark (’79) and Ann (’78) Aljets** Todd (’92) and Kerry Walter (’92) Ashby** Craig (’71) and Barb (’71) Foss** Jeff (’14) and Peggy Johnson** Choy (’85) and Connie Leow** Warren (’61) and Beverly (’60) Madden**

Ana McCracken (’84)** and Kathy Ochab (’83) Michael (’77) and Carrie (’77) Thrall** Dwayne (’93) and Lori (’93) Vande Krol** 2015 Underwriters $500 (photography): Choy (’85) and Connie Leow** 2015 Table Hosts Bankers Trust Davis Brown - US Bank Jamie Bunn (DVM ’98)* and Kaaren Olesen* BCS Communications Jay (’90) and Karen Heldt (’92) Chapman** Tom Craig (’05) Craig K. Denny (’71, ’73)** Justin (’01) and Andrea Hammes (’01) Dodge** Kevin (’83) and Jeanne Drury** Katherine Hallenbeck (’02)** High, Bowden and Stockdale Chuck (’81) and Heidi (’81) Howlett**

ISU Athletics Department ISU Foundation Al (’56) and Ann (’56) Jennings (2)** Don (’80) and Laurie Nickerson* Al (’78) and Ted (’77) Oberlander** Larry (’73) and Pam Pithan** Ryan (’95) and Meg (’98) Schon (2)** Becky (’74) and Evan (’74) Stadlman** Andy (’95) and Sandee (’93) Thielen Cynthia Thorland (’84) ** and Fritz Weitz** Steve (’78) and Michele (’79) Whitty* Peter Wolf (’07)** * ISU Alumni Association Annual Member ** ISU Alumni Association Life Member

35

Newsmakers I O WA S TAT E A L U M N I I N T H E N E W S

 ‘Prince Farming’ finds TV fame

serve as Bush’s national campaign manager. Kochel, who lives in Des Moines, is a central Iowa native.  Winter named public works

director

Thanks to reality television, Iowa State alumnus Chris Soules (’04 agronomy & ag studies) has become a star. Soules, a farmer in Arlington, Iowa, first broke onto the scene in “The Bachelorette.” He became a fan favorite for that show and was cast on the most recent season of “The Bachelor.”

And then, just when we thought he was heading back to the farm, he showed up on “Dancing with the Stars.”

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences communications specialist Melea Reicks Licht (L)(’00 agriculture, MS ’05) caught up with “Prince Farming” earlier this year.

Soules said his degree at Iowa State has been critical to his success (he’s a farmer and farm manager with Summit Farms).

“Not only did my education give me the tools to be successful, but it allowed me to bring knowledge and skills back to the family farm and help us take things to another level,” he said.

You can read the interview at www.cals. iastate.edu/ChrisSoules.

Jennifer Winter (A) (’97 civil engineering), has been named the city of Cedar Rapids, Iowa’s, new public works director.

In that role, Winter will oversee 200 city employees. She was previously a regional director at engineering firm HR Green Inc. in Cedar Rapids, where she helped plan and design the Paving 4 Progress program and designed flood control for the west side of the city.  Bierman is president of women

engineers organization

Elizabeth Keller Bierman (A)(’99 aerospace engineering, MS ’05) is president of the national Society of Women Engineers.

She is a senior project engineer at Honeywell Aerospace in Minneapolis; she has been involved with the Society of Women Engineers since 1994.  Iowa Staters take turns leading

Shive-Hattery office

 Kochel tapped to head Bush

36

ALUMNI HONORS

• Tim Sullivan (L)(’77 construction engineering) has received national grain industry recognition as the Grain Elevator and Processing Society’s 2015 International Member of Distinction.

Sullivan is West Central Co-op’s director of technical services. He resides in Barnham, Iowa.

• Bill Dikis (’64 architecture, MA arch ’67) is the 2015 recipient of the American Institute of Architects’ Component Excellence Award, Category 3: Citizen Architect. Dikis retired in 2007 from RDG Planning and Design of Des Moines.

Since then, he founded Architectural Strategies, a company that focuses on concept design, programming, feasibility and master plans, and expert witness assistance.

Mike Kammerer (A)(’73 civil engineering) will retire this summer, ending a 26-year tenure at the helm of Shive-Hattery’s largest design office, located in West Des Moines.

Thomas Bosch (MS ’93 civil & construction engineering) has been named the next office director. He will transition from his role as structural group leader to office

800.545.FAIR · IOWASTATEFAIR.ORG

• Hunter Menning (’85 electrical engineering) is an EMMY and TELLY Award winner who has taught 25,000 students and was awarded National Teacher of the Year. He is in his 25th year at Florida’s Full Sail University, in entertainment and media production education.

• Colorado artist Curtis Rowland (’85 art education) has been named one of the “most innovative, talented, and progressive artists” in the business today.

That designation came from Handmade Business magazine. Rowland runs a Loveland, Colo.-based art studio, Ildanach Studios.

ALUMNI BOOKSHELF

campaign

With presidential politics gearing up for the Iowa Caucuses, it’s only fitting that an Iowan – and an Iowa Stater – should be involved at the highest level of the process. David Kochel (’92 political science), former presidential campaign adviser to Mitt Romney, has been recruited as a senior adviser to Republican Jeb Bush’s political action committee Right To Rise and is in line to

director upon Kammerer’s retirement.

• The Organization of American Historians has named The Myth of Seneca Falls: Memory and the Women’s Suffrage Movement, 1848-1898,

by Lisa Tetrault (’89 history/French) as the winner of its inaugural Mary Jurich Nickliss Prize in U.S. Women’s History.

Kaplan helps individuals achieve their educational and career goals. We build futures one success story at a time.

Kaplan has been helping students prepare for entrance exams, such as the MCAT and LSAT, longer than anyone else.

Our comprehensive courses teach proven methods and strategies that help raise test scores, which in turn create for more competitive applications to graduate and professional programs.

Kaplan is a proud sponsor of the ISU Alumni Association and offers members a 10% discount on our graduate programs!

Take the first step – start with a free practice test: www.kaptest.com/practice

(A) = ISU Alumni Association annual member (L) = ISU Alumni Association life member SUMMER 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG SUMMER 2015

37

9.

Woman in apron

once a cyclone

Geology for the next generation

14.

ALWAYS

Geology students experience the landscape in a unique, hands-on environment at the Carl F. Vondra Geology Field Station.

a cyclone!

2.

1.

9. Iowa State Patterned Apron by Desden. $29.99 (89493301852)

10.

1. Ladies V-Neck by Summit Sportswear. 100% Cotton. $29.99 (2030916)

2. Ladies Workout V-Neck by Champion. $29.99 (2030895)

14. Iowa State Family Cheer Frame. 8”X24”. $32.00 (2031582)

15.

6.

10. Gray ikat Tote. 100% Polyester. 22”x5”x16” $24.99 (80629305688)

11.

5.

3.

15. Iowa State Copper Moscow Mule Mug. $34.00 (2031728)

16.

11. Striped Dri-Fit Polo by Under Armour. $75.00 (2030003)

12.

4.

By Betsy Snow Hickok and Avery Amensen

E

ach summer since 1957, Iowa State geology majors have journeyed to Wyoming’s Big Horn Mountains, spending six weeks at the Carl F. Vondra Geology Field Station, where they put classroom learning into practice. Just a day’s drive across South Dakota, the area’s young mountains, arid climate, and sparse vegetation make the western terrain a geoscientist’s paradise.

It’s a unique experience that really brings geology to life in a way no textbook can. “There is absolutely no substitute for this style of education, and the result is a truly transformative learning experience,” said Neal Iverson (’83 geology), professor of geological and atmospheric sciences at Iowa State.

For many, one visit isn’t enough; the first reunion was held in 2002, and alumni,

38

faculty, family members, and friends have continued to return in droves ever since.

But alumni not only come back, they also give back.

Two such alumni are Tom Smith (L) (’68 geology, MS ’71) and Evonne Smith (L) (’68 textiles & clothing), who want to ensure the camp continues to place Iowa State’s geology program among the best in the nation. The greatest need was improving the outdated facilities, which included four buildings recycled from a World War II internment camp. As Tom Smith explained, “I have wonderful memories, but more important, I have a profound interest in the camp’s future.”

The couple’s most recent commitment helped fund the renovation, which was completed in December and will be unveiled during this summer’s geology field camp reunion. “The sky’s the limit for this new

facility, and we have our alumni and friends to thank for their continued partnership with Iowa State,” said William Simpkins, the Smith Family Foundation Departmental Chair in Geology. Improvements include two dormitory buildings and a combined classroom and laundry facility.

Geology alumni are pleased with the final result, which modernizes the facility for today’s students while maintaining its rustic integrity.

“It was my field camp experience that gave me the knowledge and the tools to move ahead in life after Iowa State,” said Kevin Connolly (L)(’87 earth sciences).

“Something about this place, this camp, gets under your skin and never lets go of you.”  Learn more at: www.movingstudentsforward.com SUMMER 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

3. Cyclone Nation T-shirt by Nike. 100% Cotton. $26.00 (2030898) 4. Basketball Water Bottle with Cy by Camelbak. $22.99 (05012217110) 5. Dri-Fit T-shirt by Nike. 100% Cotton. $30.00 (2030899) 6. Polo by CORE365. 100% Polyester. $30.00 (2024858)

7.

8.

12. Red Water Bottle by Contigo. $30.00 (473824765)

16. Iowa State “I Am A Cyclone” Red Grande Mug (two-sided). $10.00 (70519910388)

13.

7. Cyclones Pet Collar Charm. $11.00 (7051991624) 8. Red Football Game Day T-shirt by Gildan. 100% Cotton. $10.00 (2031518)

13. ISU Cy Mascot. 100% Polyester. $16.00 (68441893110)

ISU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MEMBERS SAVE 15% AT UBS!!

ASSO C I ATI O N N EWS

ASSO C I AT I O N NEWS

Positioning the ISU Alumni Association for the next 125 years

Inspired!

The 2015 Faculty-Staff Inspiration Awards

Dear Members: Did you know Iowa State’s first graduating class (1872), comprised of 26 alumni – 24 men and two women, is responsible for establishing the Iowa State University Alumni Association? They did this six years after their graduation (1878).

Did you also know that the first graduate of that class, Edgar M. Stanton, served as the Association’s first alumni secretary? (This was a volunteer position; it is now a paid position and titled the Talbot Endowed President and CEO. More on the Talbot title will come in the next issue of VISIONS!) Edgar also served as director of the Memorial Union and six stints as interim university president. He also gave the first set of bells, in memory of his first late wife, to help establish the Carillon that makes up our beloved Campanile.

Yes, alumni have been making a difference at Iowa State since the first students graduated from this special place.

As we fast forward to fall 2003, the Association’s Board of Directors, under the leadership of Board Chair Stan Thompson (L)(’82), set out to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Association’s founding. The yearlong celebration would run from Homecoming 2003 to Homecoming 2004.

It turned out to be a beautiful year of remembrances and a special time to chart the Association’s future.

As a culmination of the yearlong celebration, a gala evening event was held, chaired by former Board Chair Jamie Lucas Stensland (L)(’88).

During this festive occasion, five special announcements were made: 1) Former Association Board Chair Glen Mente (L)(’61) unveiled a special gift: the University Mace – a gift to the university from The Circle (former Alumni Association leaders), University Museums, the Stanton 40

Memorial Carillon Foundation, the Registrar’s Office, Bill (’66, ’74) and Judy Heofle (L), and the ISU Alumni Association.

2) Former Board Director Jen Gelbmann Swanson (L)(’96) announced the Association goal to reach 50,000 members by the end of 2005.

3) Former Board Director Jeff Whiton (L)(’71) announced the university had given the Association the green light to move forward with plans to raise funds to construct a long-awaited alumni center.

4) Former ISU Foundation President Dan Saftig announced that Roy (’57) and Bobbi (’06) Reiman (L) had agreed to provide the full funding

“Please know that your board and staff, with input from alumni, students, and friends and in consultation with President Steven Leath, are working on plans that will signal our bold next moves for the next 125 years.” of $9 million for the construction of the facility. He also shared that more than 50 other couples and individuals had made contributions totaling $2 million toward the operations, maintenance, and special appointments of art, artifacts, and amenities for the center.

5) Finally, Former Board Chair Choy Leow (L)(’85) announced that the Association would be making an anniversary gift of $200,000 toward the Morrill Hall Renovation project.

Yes, alumni and friends have been making a difference for Iowa State since the first students graduated from this special place.

Well, I’m happy to report that if

Iowa Staters say they are going to do something, you can take them at their word. You see, the Mace, which is on display at the Alumni Center, is used each year at commencement to signal the entrance of the official platform party. The Association not only grew to 50,000 members, it surpassed it. (Did you know that the ISU Alumni Association is the second largest dues-paying alumni association in the Big 12 Conference?) And thanks to the incredible generosity of Roy and Bobbi Reiman and a number of other alumni and friends, the reality of an alumni center, which had been a 70-year dream, is now a reality. The ISU Alumni Center! What a vision this building was, and what a wonderful asset it has already become for the university, the Iowa State family, and central Iowa. And, finally, the Morrill Hall gift of $200,000 was made possible because of the rebate the Association receives every time alumni, students, and friends use their credit card bearing Cy or the Campanile. Morrill Hall stands today as a visible reminder of our land-grant heritage.

Please know that your board and staff, with input from alumni, students, and friends and in consultation with President Steven Leath (L), are working on plans that will signal our bold next moves for the next 125 years. While 12 of those years have already flown by, we have not stood idle. Membership has grown, new ventures were undertaken, and tremendous planning has been occurring. Get ready, as the ride is going to be fun, the opportunities to participate boundless, and the need to have your involvement critical.

Remember, alumni, students, and friends have been making a difference at Iowa State since the first students graduated from this special place in 1872.

Yours for Iowa State,

Jeff Johnson Talbot Endowed President and CEO PhD ’14 Education SUMMER 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

Inspirational faculty and staff were recognized at the ISU Alumni Association Inspiration Awards and Annual Reception on May 29. The ISU Alumni Association established the Faculty-Staff Inspiration Award in 2011 as a way for former ISU students to recognize current or former ISU faculty or staff members who had a significant influence on their lives as students at ISU and beyond. The Faculty-Staff Inspiration Award is partially funded by earnings from the Nancy (L)(’72 food science) and Richard (L)(’72 agriculture, MS ’77) Degner Alumni Association Endowment. The event was funded in part by Martin (A)(’55 animal science, ’65 DVM) and Sue (A) Roepke.

Here are the 2015 recipients, along with heart-felt words from their nominators:

Dianne Bystrom* Ames, Iowa Director, ISU Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics “Dr. Bystrom has always displayed a high degree of integrity, and her leadership is nothing short of inspiring.”

James Noxon Ames, Iowa Professor of veterinary clinical sciences, ISU College of Veterinary Medicine “Dr. Noxon cares deeply about veterinary medical education and the impact each veterinarian can have on their patients.”

Michael Gaul Ames, Iowa Director of career services, ISU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences MS ’86 horticulture “Students are not four- or five-year commitments to Mike. They are lifelong commitments. He doesn’t do it for accolades; he does it because he inherently cares about the success of each and every person.”

Jane Peterson Ames, Iowa Professor, ISU Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication MS ’82 ag journalism, PhD ’87 professional studies in education “Jane Peterson was the guide who cleared a path for me that I didn’t even know to look for.”

Patrick Gouran Professor of ISU theatre Posthumous award “‘Doc’ was a giant in my life. His influence started with acting and ended with him making me a better man.”

Ann Thompson Ames, Iowa University professor, College of Human Sciences “As I now teach my own classes, design my own learning environments, lead my own research teams, and produce my own research, I reflect back on how all this was shaped by Dr. Ann Thompson.”

Read more about these inspirational faculty and staff online at www.isualum.org/inspiration.

To nominate a current or former faculty or staff member for the 2016 award, go to www.isualum.org/awards. The nomination deadline is Dec. 1. *Annual member of the ISU Alumni Association VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG SUMMER 2015

41

ASSO C I AT I O N NEWS

Introducing four new Association staffers Katie Crawford (L)(’06 apparel merchandising, design, and production) joined the ISU Alumni Association staff this spring after working as a retail and fashion buyer for a number of galleries and businesses. In her current position as assistant director for membership and marketing, she works with the Association’s membership recruitment and merchandise programs and provides assistance with member benefits and services to the ISUAA’s 52,000-plus members. She also coordinates New Grad member recruitment and is a Young Alumni Council staff liaison.

Angela Tharp (A) joined the Alumni Association staff in April from Madrid Home Communities. She is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa. Her primary responsibilities as assistant director for membership and revenue enhancement are the development and administration of the ISU Alumni Association’s sponsorship program, business membership program, business network, and membership discounts. She works as a member of the Alumni Association’s membership and marketing team to directly serve the organization’s 52,000-plus members.

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG SUMMER 2015

Brandon Maske (A)(’12 marketing and management) joined the ISU Alumni Association staff in April as a program assistant for outreach and events. He earned his MS in higher education administration in 2014 from Florida International University, where he also worked as a graduate assistant for housing and residential life and as a campus life advisor to the Interfraternity Council. He previously worked as a chapter consultant for Pi Kappa Alpha International Fraternity in Memphis, Tenn. In his current position, Maske serves as a liaison to the Alumni Association’s national clubs program and helps coordinate gamewatches, awards, and Cy’s Days of Service.

He is also a staff liaison to the Young Alumni Council.

Debralee Carroll (A) joined the ISU Alumni Association this spring as account clerk for the director of finance. She was previously employed as an accounts payable clerk for Pritchard Bros. in Boone, Iowa. She has an AAS accounting degree from Des Moines Area Community College. In her current role, Debra completes the daily and online deposits, coordinates travel expenses for the ISUAA president, processes vouchers, and completes payroll entries for staff and students.

43

Sports

T

KBRUNS@IASTATE.EDU

his summer head men’s basketball coach Fred Hoiberg (L) (’95 finance) took advantage of what he described as the “opportunity of a lifetime” and moved to The Windy City to take over head coaching duties with the NBA’s Chicago Bulls – leaving behind a legacy, and a preseason top five team, for someone to take over in Ames.

On June 9, athletics director Jamie Pollard (L) identified that someone as Steve Prohm. The 40-year-old Vienna, Va., native and 1997 Alabama graduate comes to ISU after nine years at Murray State (Ky.) – five as an assistant, and the last four as head coach, where he compiled a 104-29 record, tutored two NBA-level point guards, and was named the 2012 Basketball Times National Coach of the Year.

Pollard said he got the recommendation to interview Prohm from a successful coach who cares about the future success of the Cyclones: a guy named Fred Hoiberg, who minced no words about his successor.

“This is a home run hire,” Hoiberg said. “I’ve known Steve for years, and I think the world of him. I have always admired how his teams have played, and I know Cyclone fans will, too.”

Prohm’s Murray State team averaged 79.0 points per game in 2014-2015, playing an up-tempo style that is familiar to Iowa State fans. 

TRACK AND FIELD: KEMBOI RACES INTO CYCLONE HISTORY BOOKS

44

I

t was a history-making day at the 2015 NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships March 13 in Fayetteville, Ark. Cyclone senior Ed Kemboi broke the tape in the 800-meter run with a time of 1:46.05 to take first place, becoming the first Cyclone man to earn an indoor national championship since 1993. Kemboi’s title is the first 800-meter indoor championship for the Cyclone program since 1984.

The Eldoret, Kenya, native outpaced Monmouth's Dylan Capwell to become ISU’s 10th All-American in the 800 meters (four of those awards belong to Kemboi). Kemboi was also part of the Cyclone foursome that finished third in the distance medley relay. These remarkable finishes helped the Cyclones tie for ninth in the team standings, their best

finish at the NCAA indoor meet since placing third in 1997.

Kemboi, who rewrote history at the Big 12 Indoor Championships when he became the first athlete ever crowned league champion in the 800-meter and 1,000-meter run in back-to-back seasons (he even won them with only 20 minutes rest in between), was named the men’s Big 12 Indoor Track and Field Outstanding Performer of the Year.

Kemboi is the first Cyclone to win that award since Corey Ihmels (’97 history) did so during the Big 12’s inaugural season. Iowa State now has six Big 12 Performer of the Year honors in program history. Kemboi (2015), Betsy Saina (2012, 2013), Lisa Koll (2009, 2010), and Ihmels (1997) have all received the honor.  SUMMER 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

Steve Prohm

TAB BROCKMAN – MURRAY STATE ATHLETICS

ISU ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS

Ed Kemboi

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG SUMMER 2015

WRESTLING: GADSON GOES OUT ON TOP

ISU ATHLETICS COMMUNICATIONS

BY Kate Bruns

THE MAYOR STEPS DOWN

K

yven Gadson (’14 child, adult and family services) put the finishing touch on his legacy as an Iowa State wrestler when he pinned Ohio State’s Kyle Snyder in 4:24 in the 197-pound title bout at the 2015 NCAA Wrestling Championships March 21 in St. Louis, Mo. In the only match that ended by fall in the finals, No. 3 Gadson, who posted a 30-1 overall record and was 13-0 in dual meets during his senior campaign, went to a unique “one arm over, one arm under” move that head coach Kevin Jackson has long been calling “The Gadson” and that will now be recognized by wrestling fans across the country.

“Coach told me, ‘You gotta hit [the move] on the big stage for [the name] to really stick,’” Gadson told reporters after his win. “I think it’s gonna stick.

What I love is scoring points, having fun, and dominating matches. Coach Jackson told me I really needed to open up the offense first. I wanted to go out with a bang, and I did it.”

After winning his third career Big 12 title in Hilton Coliseum March 7, Gadson was dominant at the NCAA championship, outscoring opponents 38-11 and not surrendering a single takedown en route to the title. He defeated four of his five opponents via bonus-point victories.

Gadson’s college wrestling career has been a roller coaster, marked by the tragic death of his father and former coach Willie (’77 phys ed) during his sophomore year and feelings of pain and frustration his junior year that ultimately led him to take last summer off from wrestling. A product of Waterloo (Iowa) East High School (When asked on his ESPN questionnaire what his hometown was known for, Gadson wrote “making national champions”), Gadson becomes

National champion Kyven Gadson, center

the 69th national champion in ISU history and the fourth under Jackson.

Gadson is now the 45th grappler in Iowa State history to be named an AllAmerican three or more times. In April, the two-time academic all-Big 12 first teamer was further honored as the Big 12 Wrestling Scholar-Athlete of the Year. An aspiring college athletics director who is currently pursuing a master’s degree in higher education, Gadson served as the co-president of ISU’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and president of the Big 12 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee during the 2014-2015 school year.

The Iowa State wrestling team, (1 1-2, 2-1 Big 12) finished second at the Big 12 meet and 14th at this year’s NCAA championships with 39 team points.

Ohio State won the team championship with 102 points.

Due to its shrinking size, the Big 12 Conference had lost its automatic qualifier status for the national championships in 2015. But the league will get that status back next year as the conference merges with the Western Wrestling Conference – Air Force, Northern Colorado, North Dakota State, South Dakota State, Utah Valley State, and Wyoming – for wrestling only.

“We should be a 10-team conference next year,” said Jackson, who recently signed a contract extension that will keep him in Ames through 2018. “It is really huge because we need to be an automatic qualifier tournament.”  45

Calendar  Alumni events July 18: Twin Cities Big 4 Golf Outing Aug. 13-23: Iowa State Fair Aug. 16: Twins Baseball Outing in Twin Cities Sept. 11-13: Black College Reunion Oct. 24: ISUAA tailgate in Waco, Texas Oct. 25-31: Homecoming Oct. 30: Greek Alumni Reunion Oct. 30: Alumni Band Reunion Nov. 7: Save the date! Quad Cities Cylebration

 Events in the

ISU Alumni Center Aug. 21-22: ISUAA Board of Directors annual retreat and summer meeting Sept. 5: Cyclone Central Sept. 12: Cyclone Central Oct. 3: Cyclone Central Oct. 17: Cyclone Central Oct. 29: The Circle reception Oct. 29-30: ISUAA Board of Directors fall meeting Oct. 30: Greek Alumni Reunion Oct. 30: ISUAA Young Alumni Council fall meeting Oct. 30: Pep Rally and Homecoming Celebration Oct. 31: Homecoming Tailgate

Oct. 31: Football vs. Texas (Homecoming) Nov. 7: Football at Oklahoma For all Cyclone sports schedules, go to www.cyclones.com

 Alumni travel JUST ANNOUNCED: Traveling Cyclones 2016 tours! See the travel catalog included in your summer VISIONS mailing.

For a complete list of remaining 2015 and the 2016 Traveling Cyclones tours, go to www.isualum.org/travel

 Lifelong learning Aug. 13: OLLI at ISU fall open house Sept. 14: OLLI at ISU fall classes begin

 Arts and entertainment Sept. 30: Last Comic Standing Oct. 4: 42nd Street Oct. 8: Chamber Orchestra Kremlin Oct. 9: Little Big Town Oct. 18: The Hot Sardines All events at Stephens Auditorium

 Career resources Sept. 29: Engineering Career Fair Sept. 30: Business, Industry & Technology Career Fair Oct. 20: Ag & Life Sciences Career Day

 On campus Aug. 24: Fall semester begins Sept. 25: Cyclone Family Weekend Oct. 30: Homecoming ExCYtement in the Streets, Mass Campaniling, and fireworks

 Cyclone Athletics Aug. 13: Meet the Coaches Night Sept. 5: Football vs. Northern Iowa Sept. 12: Football vs. Iowa Sept. 19: Football at Toledo Oct. 3: Football vs. Kansas Oct. 10: Football at Texas Tech Oct. 17: Football vs. TCU Oct. 24: Football at Baylor Oct. 24: ISUAA tailgate in Waco, Texas

46

 Awards Aug. 1: Distinguished Alumni Award and Honorary Alumni Award nomination deadline* Oct. 30: Homecoming Honors & Awards luncheon and ceremony *For criteria and to submit a nomination for ISUAA awards: www.isualum.org/awards

 Find more events online Campus Calendar: http://event.iastate.edu/ ISU Alumni Association: www.isualum.org/calendar Cyclone Athletics: www.cyclones.com Department of Music and ISU Theatre: www.las.iastate.edu/newnews/arts/isuarts. shtml Reiman Gardens: www.reimangardens.com Iowa State Center: www.center.iastate.edu University Museums: www.museums.iastate.edu Lectures: www.lectures.iastate.edu/ Homecoming: www.isualum.org/homecoming SUMMER 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

Iowa State University Alumni Center 420 Beach Avenue Ames, Iowa 50011-1430

$100

cash rewards bonus offer*

1% 2% 3%

cash back on purchases everywhere, every time cash back at grocery stores

The BankAmericard Cash Rewards™ credit card for the Iowa State University Alumni Association Carry the only card that helps support the Iowa State University Alumni Association

cash back on gas

Grocery store and gas bonus rewards apply to the first $1,500 in combined purchases in these categories each quarter.�

To apply for a credit card, visit www.newcardonline.com and enter Priority Code VAB59M.

For information about the rates, fees, other costs and benefits associated with the use of this Rewards card, or to apply, go to the website listed above or write to P.O. Box 15020, Wilmington, DE 19850. *You will qualify for $100 bonus cash rewards if you use your new credit card account to make any combination of Purchase transactions totaling at least $500 (exclusive of any credits, returns and adjustments) that post to your account within 90 days of the account open date. Limit one (1) bonus cash rewards offer per new account. This one-time promotion is limited to new customers opening an account in response to this offer. Other advertised promotional bonus cash rewards offers can vary from this promotion and may not be substituted. Allow 8-12 weeks from qualifying for the bonus cash rewards to post to your rewards balance. The value of this reward may constitute taxable income to you. You may be issued an Internal Revenue Service Form 1099 (or other appropriate form) that reflects the value of such reward. Please consult your tax advisor, as neither we nor our affiliates, provide tax advice. ▼ The 2% cash back on grocery store purchases and 3% cash back on gas purchases applies to the first $1,500 in combined purchases in these categories each quarter. After that the base 1% earn rate applies to those purchases.

By opening and/or using these products from Bank of America, you’ll be providing valuable financial support to the Iowa State University Alumni Association.

This credit card program is issued and administered by Bank of America, N.A. Visa and Visa Signature are registered trademarks of Visa International Service Association, and are used by the issuer pursuant to license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. BankAmericard Cash Rewards is a trademark and Bank of America and the Bank of America logo are registered trademarks of Bank of America Corporation. ©2015 Bank of America Corporation ARGYB8WH-07112014 AD-08-14-0369