8 minute read
Getting Started
mreicks@iastate.edu
When I interviewed the Cyclone firefighters featured in our cover story, three common themes became clear. One, they were so incredibly humble. Each insisted their important efforts to safeguard communities from wildland fires were just their way of quietly making the world a better place. Two, they were each driven to serve others with science. They’re experts in their fields and stay current on developing practices and new discoveries, and they align procedures and policies accordingly. And three, teamwork is crucial to their success – not just on the front lines battling wildfires, but also while researching and developing new methods and policies to prevent them. Open communication and relationship-building are the cornerstones of their successful collaborations. Meet Bobby Tonkinson. He’s in the back row of this photo snapped during the press check for our last issue. That’s him in the red shirt. While not a firefighter, I believe the three themes identified above apply to him: humble, expertise, teamwork. Bobby has press checked every issue of VISIONS magazine for 25 years. Standing elbow to elbow with the editor, he scrutinizes each magazine spread for images that look “hot” or “flat.” He and his team at Mittera sharpen, chill, tweak, and amplify the photographs and rich design that enliven the stories we tell. Many hands, including Bobby’s, have touched the pages you now hold. VISIONS has always truly been a collaborative effort. The ISU Alumni Association, Iowa State University, and the ISU Foundation are now working together on a new collaboration with a goal to innovatively improve how we communicate with you, our members, and all other ISU alumni and friends. Read more in Lora and Russ Talbot Endowed President and CEO Jeff Johnson’s** (PhD ‘14 education) letter on page 28. Stay tuned, we’ll be sharing more about our collaboration with you here in VISIONS and in our e-mail newsletter ISU News Flash. Rest assured our discussions will keep you, our valued reader, in focus.
The VISIONS team posed for a photo after completing last issue’s press check. Front row, left to right: Jenny Witte** (‘02 management), designer; Melea Reicks Licht** ('00 public service & admin in agriculture, MS '05 agricultural education), editor; Kira Bliss, Talbot design intern; Kate Tindall** (‘15 journalism & political science), copy editor; Tim Smith, Mittera. Back row, left to right: Dan Pilcher, Mittera; William Corbin, Mittera; Erick Kuclo, Mittera; and Bobby Tonkinson, Mittera. Not pictured is Matt Van Winkle* (‘13 journalism & mass comm), photographer, who was behind the camera.
Iowa State University’s Brayton Memorial Forest is nestled in 322 acres of Delaware County in eastern Iowa. The productive forest integrates hands-on demonstrations and applied research while providing the public a safe multiuse area. Research ranges from native forest studies to the production of valuable wood and biomass to methods to re-establish oak trees through harvesting and prescribed burning. Photo courtesy Billy Beck (PhD ‘18 environmental science), ISU Extension Forestry Specialist and assistant professor of Natural Resource Ecology and Management.
CONTENTS
FEATURES
10 Runner
Guor Maker* (‘11 chemistry), a member of South Sudan’s National Olympic Team
COVER STORY
14 Reigning in Wildfires 21 A Cut Above, Field Experience for Students 24 Protecting Your Home 30 ISUAA Sustaining Donors 39 ISUAA Annual Meeting Notice,
Board of Directors Slate DEPARTMENTS
2 Getting Started 5 Reader Feedback 6 Around Campus 28 From the ISUAA President 29 Cyclones Everywhere
Featuring Cardinal & Gold Gala, Cyclone Stories, newsmakers, campus awards, and more 46 Sports 50 Calendar
On the cover: Ryan Schlater (‘02 animal ecology) is a contract fire specialist working for the Iowa DNR to certify wildland firefighters and dispatch crews to support fire incidents. He’s the assistant fire chief in Cambridge, Iowa, a certified EMT, and an active wildland firefighter leading crews to battle blazes from coast to coast. Read more about Schlater and other Cyclones working to harness the natural power of fire on page 15.
SPRING 2022 / VOLUME 35 / NO. 1
EDITOR: Melea Reicks Licht DESIGN: Jenny Witte PHOTOGRAPHY: Matt Van Winkle EDITORIAL SUPPORT: Kate Tindall, Krystal Couture LOCAL PHONE 515-294-6525 TOLL-FREE 1-877-ISU-ALUM (478-2586) WEBSITE www.ISUalum.org POSTMASTER: Send address changes to VISIONS, ISU Alumni Center, 429 Alumni Lane, Ames, IA 50011-1403. Copyright 2021 by the ISU Alumni Association, Jeffery W. Johnson, Lora and Russ Talbot Endowed President and CEO and publisher.
The ISU Alumni Association mission:
To facilitate the lifetime connection of alumni, students, and friends with Iowa State 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.
OFFICERS
Timothy R. Quick**# Chair '01 marketing, international business Clive, Iowa
Marc S. Mores**# Chair-Elect '95 exercise & sport science Johnston, Iowa
Kathy A. (Sullivan)
Peterson**^# Immediate Past Chair '95 speech communication Aurelia, Iowa
Gregory Smith**# Vice Chair of Finance '91 occupational safety, MPA '10 Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Cathy Schmidt**# Vice Chair of Records ‘88 marketing Plymouth, Minnesota
Bonnie Whalen* ISUAA Board Treasurer ‘92 BBA finance, MPA ‘12 Ex-officio/voting Pilot Mound, Iowa
Jeffery W. Johnson**# Lora and Russ Talbot ISUAA Endowed President & CEO PhD ‘14 education Ex-officio/non-voting Ames, Iowa
ELECTED DIRECTORS
Scott Bauer** ‘85 business management Ames, Iowa
Dan Bumblauskas** ‘03 industrial engineering, economics, MS ‘06, PhD ‘10 Cedar Falls, Iowa
Kelli Ann Cameron**# ‘02 agricultural & life sciences education Janesville, Wisconsin
Taylor Davis** ‘17 supply chain management Las Vegas, Nevada
Marvin DeJear** ‘00 business management, MBA ‘03, PhD ‘16 educational leadership Des Moines, Iowa
Allison Flinn* ‘10 animal science, DVM ‘14 Cheverly, Maryland
Chad Harris** ‘01 political science Kansas City, Missouri Trey Hemmingsen** '11 advertising Denver, Colorado
Anthony Jones* '98 exercise & sport science, PhD ‘10 educational leadership Ames, Iowa
Amanda Matchett** '08 marketing, international business Blaine, Minnesota
Larry Pithan** '73 mechanical engineering Andalusia, Illinois
Darius Potts* '89 telecommunication arts Ankeny, Iowa
Dawn Refsell** '01 agronomy, MS '03 crop production & physiology Runnells, Iowa
Melissa Schnurr* ‘04 psychology, MS ‘06 human development & family studies, PhD ‘09 Ankeny, Iowa
Martha Smith**# ‘04 agricultural business St. Louis, Missouri
Amy Burrough Tetmeyer**# ‘91 accounting Johnston, Iowa
Eric Wittrock**# ‘92 mechanical engineering Urbandale, Iowa
APPOINTED DIRECTORS
Sophia Ann Magill** ISU President’s Designee ‘05 political science Ames, Iowa
Michele Appelgate* College Representative ‘88 journalism & mass communication Ames, Iowa
Brad Lewis** Non-alumni Representative Bondurant, Iowa
Hunter Crawford*** Student Alumni Leadership Council Representative Senior, agricultural business Clarinda, Iowa
To meet the board or apply go to www.ISUalum.org/Board (deadline is Sept. 15 annually). “To live a fulfilling life, one has to maintain a mindset of continuous learning and development in both professional and personal aspects of their life. I strive to learn every day and maintain interest in a variety of disciplines, both for personal and professional growth as well as to enjoy a diverse and interesting life.”
Greg Smith** (‘91 occupational safety, MPA ‘10) is the fire chief for the City of Cedar Rapids Fire Department and vice chair of finance for the ISU Alumni Association Board of Directors. Smith has earned his Executive Fire Officer Certification through the National Fire Academy and holds a Chief Fire Officer designation through the Center for Public Safety Excellence. In Cedar Rapids, Iowa, he leads the accredited department of 148 full-time employees, operating from nine stations, in policy development and implementation and budget management.
VISIONS asked Smith to share a few thoughts on service and volunteerism.
What drew you to work in firefighting?
Growing up, my dad was involved with our town’s volunteer fire department and my mom was a nurse. I think that generated my initial interest in emergency services. As an adult, I joined a volunteer department after college, and enjoyed the challenge of responding to incidents – not only to assist and care for others, but also the challenge of mitigating the incident to achieve the best possible outcome for those affected by the emergency. I tested for career departments after that initial exposure, and am fortunate to have a career that is fulfilling and rewarding.
Why do you volunteer with the ISU Alumni Association and what has been your most meaningful ISUAA board activities?
I love Iowa State University. I initially started volunteering to give back to the university that has been instrumental in forming who I am. The relationships I have formed while volunteering for the ISUAA help me continue to grow personally and professionally. As a member of the board I have enjoyed the synergism that is created within our committees and work groups. I am currently the vice chair of finance, and it is rewarding to dig into the financials and understand and communicate them to the finance committee and board. The most meaningful impact to me, though, is learning from all of the talented people serving on the board and the staff of the ISU Alumni Association.
What does membership in the ISU Alumni Association mean to you?
Membership in the ISUAA is meaningful to me in a variety of ways, but the most important is that it is a symbol of the bond and connection I feel with the university and fellow Iowa State alumni.
Nominate yourself or another Cyclone for service on the board of directors at www.ISUalum.org/Board.
Scan this QR code for video of Greg Smith sharing more about his career in fire service and meet other members of the board.
