Inside Iowa State

Sept. 9, 2007

2007 Fall University

Convocation & Awards Ceremony

The faculty and staff recognized on these pages will be honored by the university community during Iowa State's fall convocation Monday, Sept. 10. The program begins at 3:15 p.m. in the Memorial Union Sun Room and the public is invited. Following remarks on the academic year ahead by President Gregory Geoffroy and the award presentations, refreshments will be served.

Distinguished Professor

The title of Distinguished Professor, first awarded in 1956, is the highest academic honor bestowed by Iowa State University. It recognizes a faculty member for exemplary performance in at least two of the following areas: teaching and advising; research, scholarship or artistic creativity; and extension, university service or professional practice. A $3,300 increment in base salary is granted, and the awardee retains the title the rest of his or her career at the university.

Distinguished Professor in Liberal Arts and Sciences

Frederick Gibbons, professor of psychology

Gibbons is among the leading scholars in social and health psychology. His 165 scholarly publications constitute a body of work that is considered one of the most incisive and influential contributions to the study of self-awareness, social comparison and health behavior in psychological literature, and has made him one of the most frequently cited scholars in psychology textbooks. His model of adolescent health risk behavior is internationally acclaimed and has resulted in a paradigm shift in understanding and predicting this behavior. He has more than $12 million in research funding from the National Science Foundation, Centers for Disease Control, National Institutes of Health and other agencies, and he has been recognized for excellence in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Alan Goldman, professor of physics and astronomy, senior physicist and interim director, Ames Laboratory

Goldman has led a world-class research program in experimental condensed matter physics at Iowa State for nearly 20 years. His more than 170 refereed publications, many in the world's most prestigious journals, and his many citations place him at the top tier of researchers in his field. He has been principal investigator on 10 research projects with funding of nearly $19 million. He is the co-recipient of three prestigious U.S. Department of Energy materials science awards for his work in quasicrystals and superconductors. He has served as the director of the Midwest Universities Collaborative Access Team for the Argonne National Laboratory's Advanced Photon Source project.

Richard Larock, University Professor of Chemistry

Larock is an internationally acclaimed organic chemist whose pioneering work has led to significant advancements in organic synthesis. He is acknowledged as one of the most active and productive researchers in the world in the study of palladium, and his work has led to that metal becoming the single most important metal in organic synthesis. In recent years, his work in biobased plastics has played an important role in Iowa State's emergence as a leading research university in biorenewable resources. He holds 32 patents, and his publication record includes 315 articles -- 17 in 2006 alone -- and five books. Since 1972, he has directed more than 60 grant-funded research projects. More than 100 graduate and postgraduate students have been engaged in research in his group.

Anson Marston Distinguished Professor in Engineering

Arun Somani, Jerry R. Junkins Chair and professor of electrical and computer engineering

Somani is an award-winning teacher and internationally respected researcher in several areas of electrical and computer engineering. His pioneering work in fault-tolerant computing, computer interconnection networks, optical networks and parallel- and distributed-computer system architecture has led to the development of computer and networking systems that can identify when a fault occurs and continue to function. He is the author or co-author of 11 books and book chapters and nearly 100 publications and reports, and he has made more than 140 invited presentations. He holds five patents with two pending, and he has directed the work of 31 doctoral and 70 master's students. He has completed 33 grant-funded research projects, and has 10 active research projects under way.

University Professor

The title of University Professor is bestowed on a senior faculty member who has had a significant impact on his or her department and the university in the areas of teaching, research and professional service. The awardee receives a base salary addition of $2,800 and retains the title for the remainder of his or her career at the university.

Michael Mendelson, professor of English

Mendelson is an outstanding scholar and teacher whose work has had a significant impact on education at Iowa State and nationally. His research interests include children's literature, composition pedagogy and classical rhetoric. He wrote the highly acclaimed book, Many Sides: A Protagorean Approach to Theory, Practice, and Pedagogy of Argument. He was instrumental in establishing Iowa State's doctoral program in rhetoric and personal communication, the university's nationally recognized learning community initiative, and ISUComm, Iowa State's groundbreaking approach to communication instruction.

Charles (Brad) Shrader, professor of management

Shrader is a renowned educator, case writer and expert on business ethics and corporate governance who has had a profound impact on graduate business education at Iowa State and internationally. His leadership in graduate program and curricula development has been instrumental in moving the College of Business from a primarily undergraduate program to a broad-based professional school. He has served as co-director of the Murray G. Bacon Center for Business Ethics, and he has been involved in developing graduate business programs and curriculum in five other nations. He has received many teaching awards.

International Service Award

This award recognizes a faculty member for outstanding international service in teaching, research or administration, within the United States or abroad. A $2,500 grant for carrying out an internationally related activity is awarded.

Margaret Mook, associate professor of world languages and cultures

Mook is an internationally known scholar in Cretan Late Bronze Age through Archaic pottery and domestic architecture. Her 23-year career in excavation, field work and pottery study in Greece and Crete have resulted in more than 60 refereed journal publications, many popular articles, and invited papers and lectures throughout the United States and the Mediterranean. She has participated in nine major archaeological field research projects, most notably in Kavousi and Azoria, which have been instrumental in developing new models for human development from the end of the Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age. She also has directed six summer abroad programs for Iowa State students in Greece and Crete.

Max Rothschild, Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor in Agriculture, professor of animal science

Rothschild is one of the world's foremost animal geneticists whose leadership and involvement in animal genomics research and education have resulted in significant improvements in animal agriculture and living conditions throughout the world. He has been principal or co-principal investigator on 125 grant-funded research and educational projects. He leads a national effort to map the swine genome, and he is the author of 240 refereed publications. He has shared his extensive knowledge and expertise willingly through collaborative research and development projects in more than 40 nations.

Louis Thompson Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award

This award recognizes an outstanding teacher who is dedicated to helping undergraduate students. Thompson, emeritus associate dean of Agriculture, established the award to support his belief that a strong undergraduate teaching program should be one of the primary goals of the university. A $1,500 award is granted.

Derrick Rollins, professor of chemical and biological engineering, professor of statistics

Rollins is a highly motivated and award-winning teacher who cares deeply for his students' learning, as evidenced by his consistently outstanding student course evaluations and comments. He has received more than 20 awards for teaching and research excellence, including a National Science Foundation Presidential Faculty Fellow Award. He co-founded two programs for under-represented students -- the Carver Honors Academy and the Multicultural Visioning Program, and he has been a leader in summer programs to encourage more women and minority students to pursue science and engineering careers.

Margaret Ellen White Graduate Faculty Award

This award recognizes superior performance by a member of the graduate faculty who serves as a mentor and who enriches the student-professor relationship through support and attention to detail, enabling students to finish their work in a timely and scholarly manner. This award was established in 1985 by White to show her appreciation to graduate faculty for their guidance and encouragement of graduate students. A graduate of Iowa State's former College of Home Economics, White served as an administrative assistant in the Graduate College for 37 years. A $1,500 award is granted.

Robert (Sam) Houk, professor of chemistry

Houk has served on Program of Study committees for 155 graduate students, chairing 40 of them; currently serves on 40 such committees; and supervises several other graduate students in his own research group. When a faculty member leaves the department, Houk is known to step in to take on other graduate students so they do not fall behind in their programs. He actively engages students in his research projects involving ionization techniques for analytical mass spectrometry, such as inductively coupled plasmas, lasers and electrospray ionization, as well as several other areas of analytical chemistry. He is the author or co-author of 150 refereed publications, and has presented more than 270 invited lectures throughout the world.

James Huntington Ellis Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Introductory Teaching

This award recognizes a faculty member who, in teaching introductory courses, demonstrates creativity in improving its quality, excites interest and involvement without compromising scholarship, and enhances student performance in future courses. Ellis, '28 industrial science, established this award to honor professors like his "who made their courses interesting." A $1,500 award is granted.

Charles (Chuck) Richards, associate professor of art and design

Richards' exceptional teaching has positively impacted every first-year student in his nine years as a faculty member. He teaches the college's foundation course in design representation drawing, and he is highly regarded by students as a dedicated, energetic and dynamic instructor who cares deeply about student success in his courses and studios. He has a passion for drawing, and he has written and illustrated an award-winning book, Jungle Gym Jitters, and illustrated another. He also has exhibited his works throughout the nation.

Iowa State University Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching

This award recognizes a tenured faculty member for outstanding teaching performance over an extended period of time. A $1,500 award is granted.

Fredric Janzen, professor of ecology, evolution and organismal biology

Janzen is known for expanding his classrooms beyond the traditional four walls to bring enthusiasm and excitement into his instruction of evolution and ecology. One of his innovative programs is his "Turtle Camp" along the Mississippi River, a long-term research project that involves undergraduate, graduate and postdoctoral students and has been supported by the National Science Foundation. He was principal investigator for a four-year, NSF-funded undergraduate mentoring environmental biology program. Several of his mentoring activities focus on women and underrepresented groups. He has more than 75 publications related to teaching and mentoring.

Iowa State University Award for Early Achievement in Teaching

This award recognizes a tenured or tenure-track faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding teaching performance unusually early in his or her career. A $1,500 award is granted.

Lisa Schulte, assistant professor of natural resource ecology and management

Schulte is highly valued by her colleagues and students. She was the first faculty member hired following the merger of the departments of forestry and animal ecology, and she was instrumental in merging the department curriculum and charting its future development. She has taught four different courses and a graduate seminar, and co-led the department's fall camp. She is a mentor for students at all levels, with a special focus on women and minority students. She has received two Women in Science and Engineering awards from the National Science Foundation and was a Wakonse Teaching Fellow in 2006.

Sriram Sundararajan, assistant professor of mechanical engineering

Sundararajan is respected by his colleagues and students as an exceptional teacher and researcher, and for his ability to bring current research into his classes. He has developed two new courses in micro/nanoscale engineering, redesigned a lab course to emphasize a strong systems approach, and transformed a traditionally unpopular undergraduate course in engineering measurements into one of the best-rated courses in the department. He has maintained an active research program, supported by more than $2.1 million in grants, and in 2004-05, he received a Miller Faculty Fellowship award for innovative teaching.

Iowa State University Award for Outstanding Achievement in Research

This award recognizes a faculty member who has a national or international reputation for contributions in research, and who has influenced the research activities of students. A $1,500 award is granted.

Tsing-Chang (Mike) Chen, professor of geological and atmospheric sciences, professor of agronomy

Chen's research on the physics of weather and climate has made him an international leader in several areas within atmospheric science. While most scientists concentrate on one or two areas of research, his work has shown exceptional breadth and fundamental advances, spanning topics ranging from short-term weather events to multi-decadal climate variability, and from local severe weather to global-scale circulation. He has published more than 135 articles in leading scientific journals, and is co-author of a textbook. He has been major professor for 13 doctoral students and 22 master's students, and he has led 34 grant-funded research projects.

Rodney Fox, Herbert L. Stiles Professor of Chemical Engineering

Fox has distinguished himself in the field of computational fluid dynamics, becoming a leading international expert in the area of fluid mechanics of chemically reacting systems. His work has resulted in groundbreaking contributions to chemical reaction engineering and an impressive record of publications, including more than 100 refereed journal articles, two book chapters, and more than 50 other publications. Since 1990, he has obtained more than $10 million in grant funding for his research, and he has presented nearly 100 invited lectures throughout the world. He is a former Fulbright Scholar and a Presidential Young Investigator Award winner.

Iowa State University Award for Mid-Career Achievement in Research

This award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated exemplary research performance or scholarship accomplishments as documented by peers and experts in the field. A $1,500 award is granted.

Mei Hong, John D. Corbett Professor in Chemistry

Hong's work has placed Iowa State at the forefront of biophysical chemical research on biological membranes using solid state NMR techniques. Among her many national and international awards are: National Science Foundation POWRE and CAREER awards, Research Innovation Award, and the 2004 Award in Pure Chemistry from the American Chemical Society. She also received a Sloan Research Fellowship in 2002. Her two current research projects have received nearly

$2 million from the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. She has nearly 100 publications and has presented 50 invited lectures.

Surya Mallapragada, professor of chemical and biological engineering, professor of materials science and engineering

Mallapragada has quickly achieved international recognition for her work in biomaterials for drug and gene delivery and tissue engineering. She is one of the youngest persons to be elected a fellow of the American Institute of Medical and Biological Chemical Engineers. She received a Global Innovator Award from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a National Science Foundation CAREER Award and recognition as one of the world's Top 100 Young Innovators by Technology Review. Her research has been supported with more than $9 million in grant funding, and has resulted in more than 60 refereed publications and 40 invited talks. Her work also resulted in the creation of a new company specializing in nerve regeneration.

Iowa State University Award for Early Achievement in Research

This award recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments unusually early in his or her professional career. A $1,500 award is granted.

Yong Guan, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering

Guan's research in digital forensics is significantly impacting security and critical infrastructure applications in the United States. With support from several sources, including the National Science Foundation, he has established a digital forensics laboratory to develop practical techniques for discovering and analyzing digital evidence to more effectively detect and prosecute cyber crimes. He developed the first digital forensics course in the nation. He received a National Science Foundation CAREER award in 2007, and will serve as chair of the 2008 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Symposium on Security and Privacy.

Iowa State University Award for Early Achievement in Extension or Professional Practice

This award recognizes a faculty or staff member who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in extension or professional practice unusually early in his or her career. A $1,500 grant is awarded.

Matthew Helmers, assistant professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering

Helmers has emerged as a leading researcher in water quality and drainage. He has led or collaborated on 21 research projects that have attracted more than $4.7 million in grants, and he oversees the work of 18 graduate students. His research has resulted in several peer-reviewed articles, a book chapter and more than 40 other publications. Over the past three years, he has made more than 50 presentations to Extension meetings and conferences throughout the Midwest, including a series of drainage design workshops across Iowa in 2006 that helped the 213 participants save nearly $3,000 each through improved management decisions.

Iowa State University Award for Outstanding Achievement in Extension or Professional Practice

This award recognizes a faculty or staff member who has demonstrated outstanding performance in statewide leadership in extension or professional practice and achieved national recognition for outreach activities. A $1,500 award is granted.

Daryl Strohbehn, professor of animal science

Strohbehn is recognized throughout Iowa and the United States for excellence and innovation in the systems approach to beef cattle production. He pioneered the Beef Cow Business Records program in Iowa; standardized performance analysis guidelines at the national level; chaired regional Extension handbook efforts; and organized several national conferences for in-service training for his peers. Much of his work has become the national standard in the industry. He has served on several regional and national commodity advisory boards, and he has helped countless producers make profitable production decisions based on his analysis of records.

Iowa State University Award for Distinguished Service in Extension

This award is the highest career award bestowed on an extension professional. It recognizes sustained distinguished performance and educational contributions to Iowa State's clientele through extension programs. A $1,500 award is granted.

Jerald DeWitt, director, Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, professor of entomology

DeWitt, a longtime leader in Extension and sustainable agriculture research, is recognized in Iowa and throughout the nation. His 35-year career with Iowa State, beginning as an Extension entomologist in 1972, includes service as coordinator of the Pest Management and the Environment Program, assistant director of University Extension, and associate dean of the College of Agriculture. In each of his positions, he created collaborations to strengthen farming, promote environmental stewardship and enhance the quality of life in rural Iowa. He was the first non-farmer recipient of the Spencer Award for Sustainable Agriculture, and he was instrumental in creating a partnership between Extension and Practical Farmers of Iowa that earned a Rodale National Environmental Achievement Award.

Iowa State University R. K. Bliss Extension Award

This award recognizes outstanding achievement of an ISU Extension staff member for developing an overall or continuing extension education program. The award was established in 1971 by donations from the family and friends of Mr. Bliss, director of extension from 1912 to 1946. A $500 award is granted.

Jack Van Laar, Extension education director, Decatur County

Van Laar's 30-year career in Extension is distinguished by his outstanding programming to meet the diverse needs of clients and exceptional service to his community, including eight years as mayor of Leon, four years on the city council and continuing service on the planning and zoning commission. In Decatur County, he is a member of the Economic Development Entrepreneurial Task Force, president of Pheasants Forever and past president of the Development Network. His professional work includes organizing and delivering some of the first viticulture programs to encourage and support that industry in Iowa, as well as several innovative youth programs.

Holle Smith, Extension education director, Emmet County

Smith's 30-year career in Extension has been marked by strong leadership and extraordinary rapport with clients of all ages and groups. She directs the county's PROSPER program (Promoting School-community-university Partnerships to Enhance Resilience), one of 14 Iowa demonstration sites in the two-state, $21 million program led by ISU and Pennsylvania State University. She led the creation of the Emmet County 4-H Foundation to raise funds for youth activities and the Emmet County Community Foundation, and is active in many county and state youth development programs.

Iowa State University Award for Departmental Leadership

This award recognizes outstanding departmental leadership that helps faculty members meet their complex obligations to undergraduate teaching, graduate mentoring, research and service. A $1,500 award is granted.

Roger Baer, associate professor and chair, department of art and design

Baer has played a major role in strengthening the academic programs in his department and in the College of Design. He has been a leader in reorganizing the college's first-year core academic program, and he strengthened art and design programs by enhancing art history. He developed a faculty incentive grant program to help art and design faculty advance their research programs, and improved travel and mentoring programs in the department to better support faculty. He has been major professor for 43 graduate students. He co-chairs the university's Sesquicentennial Implementation Committee.

Iowa State University Alumni Association Award for Superior Service to Alumni

This award recognizes an Iowa State faculty or staff member who has demonstrated a commitment to establishing or furthering alumni relationships with the university. A $500 award is granted.

Michael Crum, associate dean, College of Business, professor of logistics, operations and management information systems

Crum has played a lead role in bringing representatives from the supply chain industry and, in particular, Iowa State alumni, into partnership with the college to improve educational programs and enhance learning and career opportunities for students. He was instrumental in forging a relationship with Caterpillar Inc. that makes Iowa State one of only 13 universities nationwide designated as a Caterpillar Strategic Partner University. He is an established scholar in supply chain management and transportation economics, with more than 70 scholarly publications and three books. He has been principal investigator on three U.S. Department of Transportation-funded research projects.

Iowa State University Award for Excellence in Academic Advising

This award recognizes outstanding performance by an academic adviser over an extended period of time. A $1,500 award is granted.

Steven Lonergan, associate professor of animal science

Lonergan has served as academic adviser for between 20 and 30 undergraduate students each year since 2000, as well as the adviser for several Block and Bridle Club student activities and committees and the Collegiate Beef Team. He served on the National Meat Association Scholarship Committee and Southeast Regional Invitational Meats Judging Contest Official Committee, and is a past president and board member of the Iowa FarmHouse Association. He also served as major professor or adviser for nine graduate students. He received the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' 2007 Outstanding Adviser Award.

Anne Oldham, academic adviser, food science and human nutrition

Oldham's outstanding advising, mentoring and recruitment have been instrumental in the enrollment growth in her department. From 2001, when she assumed primary responsibility for undergraduate student advising, to 2006, undergraduate enrollment in the department grew 36 percent, stemming a 15 percent decline over the previous five years. She is a leader of the food science and human nutrition learning community program. In 2006, she became director of the Didactic Program in Dietetics, which is responsible for ensuring that the curriculum meets professional accreditation criteria. She was a Wakonse Fellow in 2004 and received Iowa State's Outstanding Innovations Award for Learning Communities in 2005.

Iowa State University Award for Early Achievement in Academic Advising

This award recognizes outstanding performance by an academic adviser early in his or her career. A $1,500 award is granted.

Ann Thye, academic adviser, department of apparel, educational studies and hospitality management

Thye has been a dedicated adviser for students in the apparel merchandising, design and production program since 2003. She has been responsible for, and adviser to, many of the innovations in the program related to advising services and extracurricular activities, including the "Common Threads" learning community, an internship and career preparation class, the student magazine and many service learning activities. With her extensive background in business, she has contributed to many classes and provided valuable advice to students as a career counselor. She is a strong advocate for academic excellence and diversity in the department and the university.

Professional and Scientific Excellence Award

This award recognizes contributions made by a professional and scientific staff member within and beyond the university, and career progress demonstrated by accomplishments at Iowa State. A $1,500 award is granted.

Janet Melby, scientist, Institute for Social and Behavioral Research

Melby has brought distinction to the university and the Institute for Social and Behavioral Research through her expertise in observational methods for studying children and families. She led the development of a system for quantifying family interactions that is currently used by researchers around the world. As director of the ISBR observational data unit, she has maintained a high level of reliability and validity for the institute's studies. She has more than 25 publications and has made more than 60 professional conference presentations. She is principal or co-principal investigator on 11 research projects involving nearly $4.9 million in grant funding.

Arlen Patrick, agricultural specialist, department of horticulture

Patrick has been recognized nationally for his methods and expertise in creating safer environmental systems for greenhouse pest and disease control. He manages the department's greenhouse, assisting faculty and students with their projects. He is known throughout the campus for regularly donating his time and plants from the greenhouse to various university groups, activities and offices, including providing planters with fresh flowers each Memorial Day at the graves of all recently deceased faculty and staff buried at the Iowa State Cemetery.

Gary Polking, associate scientist, Office of Biotechnology

Polking's research and managerial skills are recognized nationally. As manager of Iowa State's DNA Facility since 1997, he has overseen a near doubling in its size. He has implemented several new programs and services, including a high throughput sequencing service for large-scale projects and an online ordering system for clients around the world. At the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Veterinary Services Laboratories' request, he implemented an emergency sequencing service to detect virulent strains of avian influenza and Newcastle virus. He is co-organizer and co-instructor of a course that teaches molecular biology skills, and he has published several research articles.

Professional and Scientific Outstanding New Professional Award

This award recognizes a professional and scientific staff member who has demonstrated outstanding accomplishments unusually early in his or her professional career at Iowa State. A $1,500 award is granted.

Julio Rodriguez, instructional support specialist, department of world languages and cultures

Rodriguez is director of the Language Studies Resource Center for the department, and he is respected for his innovative transformation and effective use of instructional technology among faculty, staff and students in the two years he has been in the position. He obtained five grants to support expansion and improvements in the center, and he made several presentations at Iowa State and nationally on language learning. He also was a research assistant with the center while he earned his doctorate from Iowa State.

Terry Torneten, Extension education director, Shelby County

Torneten has led an effective educational and community development program in Shelby County for the past five years. His program successes include: Community Diversity Awareness, Circle of Support, Annie's Project, Farm Safety Day Camp, Plant Iowa and Rural Women's Conference. He is an active member of the Harlan and Shelby County community. For seven years, he was a board member and public relations director for the Carstens 1880 Farmstead Inc. historic preservation project, and also served as co-chair of its fund-raising effort.

Sharon Wirth, teaching lab coordinator, department of apparel, educational studies and hospitality management

Wirth has demonstrated outstanding management skills in overseeing the sewing and textiles labs for more than 200 students each semester, and she displayed remarkable patience and creativity in working with students at all levels in the successful completion of their projects. She frequently visits manufacturers to bring new innovations and improvements to the labs, and she collaborated with faculty to produce a series of instructional materials on DVD for students.

Carroll Ringgenberg Award

This award recognizes a professional and scientific staff member who has been employed by the university for at least 10 years and has demonstrated constant and contagious dedication and good will for Iowa State. The award was established in 1995 by colleagues of the late Mr. Ringgenberg to honor his 40 years of service in Iowa State's purchasing and facilities divisions. A $1,500 award is granted.

Lola Van Wyk, program coordinator, Facilities Planning and Management

Van Wyk has provided outstanding service to Iowa State and the Ames community in several positions in FP&M over 34 years. She currently manages the architectural and engineering design services as well as the project coordination center. For the past 17 years, she has been FP&M's primary connection with major events hosted by the university, including: Iowa Games, Iowa Special Olympics, National Special Olympics and Odyssey of the Mind World Finals, as well as with major university events. In 1999, she was named the Iowa Special Olympics' Volunteer of the Year.

Regents Award for Faculty Excellence

This award recognizes a faculty member who is an outstanding university citizen and who has rendered significant service to Iowa State University and/or the state of Iowa. The Board of Regents, State of Iowa, hosts a dinner for recipients from all of the regents institutions. A $1,000 award is granted.

Richard Carter, professor of finance

Carter is widely recognized for his exceptional work in the classroom and in his research involving capital acquisition and investment banking, and more recently, in the interdisciplinary area of entrepreneurship and electronic commerce. He has published more than 30 refereed articles, many in top-tier journals, and he is one of the highest rated teachers in the college in student evaluations. Since 1999, he has served on more than 100 independent study, creative component, honors and graduate committees.

Charles Glatz, professor of chemical and biological engineering

Glatz has distinguished himself as an outstanding researcher, teacher and administrator in a career spanning 32 years at Iowa State. He is nationally recognized for his research in biochemical separations, and his pioneering work on recovering special proteins from complex reaction media supports many of Iowa State's efforts in the plant sciences and biorenewable resources. He has brought in more than $5 million in grant funding, published 90 refereed journal articles, and mentored 19 doctoral and 20 master's students. He is a former chair of the department and interim dean of the College of Engineering.

Suzanne Hendrich, professor of food science and human nutrition

Hendrich has led a nationally recognized research program in food science, nutrition and toxicology in her 20 years as a faculty member. In her seven years as associate dean of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences (now Human Sciences), she led the development and implementation of improved assessment tools for teaching effectiveness and student learning, and improvements in teaching and learning technology. She has been principal or co-principal investigator on research that has brought in more than $10.5 million, and she has published more than 90 articles.

Vasant Honavar, professor of computer science

Honavar has played a lead role in developing computational biology as a nationally recognized ISU program. He founded and directs an artificial intelligence research laboratory and a research program in computational intelligence, learning and discovery. He was instrumental in establishing the bioinformatics and computational biology graduate program, and obtaining two integrative graduate education and research training grants from the National Science Foundation. He has been principal or co-principal investigator on research projects that have received $6.2 million in grant funding, published more than 160 refereed journal articles, and directed the work of 28 graduate students.

Micheal Owen, professor of agronomy

Owen is an award-winning and exceptionally productive researcher and teacher who has shared his insights into herbicide weed management, weed biology and plant stress physiology with people across the globe. He has written more than 900 Extension publications; authored or co-authored more than 75 refereed journal articles; and been an invited speaker at 70 scientific conferences in the United States and 12 other nations. His many recognitions include: National Corn Growers Association Research Recognition Award, Weed Science Society of America Outstanding Extension Weed Scientist, Ceiba-Geigy Agricultural Recognition Award and North Central Weed Science Society Distinguished Achievement Award.

Ricardo Rosenbusch, professor of veterinary microbiology and preventive medicine

Rosenbusch is a leading expert on mycoplasmal diseases in bovine, ovine and caprine hosts. His research into mycoplasmal and bacterial infection of ruminants has gained international acclaim. He serves on two international research committees and has been a consultant to 25 international organizations. His research has brought in $2.6 million in grant funding and resulted in nearly 75 refereed journal articles, six book chapters, 32 other publications and 200 scientific presentations. He co-chairs the implementation committee for Iowa State's new collaborative program in veterinary medicine with the University of Nebraska.

Regents Award for Staff Excellence

This award recognizes a member of the professional and scientific staff or the supervisory and confidential staff who is an outstanding university citizen and has rendered significant service to the university and/or the state of Iowa. The Board of Regents, State of Iowa, hosts a dinner for recipients from all of the regents institutions. A $1,000 award is granted.

Ronald Ackerman, program coordinator, College of Business graduate program

In his 25 years with Iowa State, Ackerman played key roles in the organization and initial accreditation of the college, and in directing, marketing and recruiting students for the college's graduate programs, including the very successful Saturday and Des Moines MBA programs. He led development of the graduate program's case study method, resulting in the Iowa State Case Competition program and the Big 12 MBA Case Competition. He served two terms on the Professional and Scientific Council, and is active with several community service organizations.

Marcia Anderson, secretary, University Marketing

Anderson has devoted 25 years to the university, providing exceptional support and service to four different offices: the department of veterinary physiology and pharmacology, contracts and grants office, president's office and, since 1990, as secretary for University Marketing. She is one of only two staff members in the office, so she plays a key role in all of the many marketing projects that are initiated by the office or that are coordinated through the office, including Iowa State's Iowa State Fair exhibit, hundreds of major publications each year and advertising and promotional efforts. She is active in her community, as a member of the South Hamilton Community School Board and an organizing committee to establish a cooperative to keep a grocery store in the community.

Chad Hart, scientist, Center for Agricultural and Rural Development

Hart's understanding of agricultural policy and his ability to communicate economic concepts have brought distinction to the center and its affiliated programs at Iowa State. He developed innovative Web tools and interactive data bases to aid farmers, researchers and policy makers nationwide to make better decisions. In 2006, he was appointed director of CARD's biorenewables policy division because of his understanding of ethanol production and Iowa and U.S. agricultural policy. He has published seven articles in refereed journals, three book chapters and 85 other publications. He received the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Group Honor Award for Excellence in 2002.

Margaret (Johnny) Pickett, assistant vice president for business and finance

Pickett has provided outstanding financial management, budget projection and economic analysis for four Iowa State presidents over a span of nearly 25 years. She provided leadership in debt financing for major projects for the residence department, Iowa State Center, Memorial Union, recreational facilities, ISU Dining, utility systems and other major university facility projects. She was one of the leaders in the development of the university's new budget model, and led the transition team that successfully renegotiated the new Ames Laboratory contract with the U.S. Department of Energy. She is recognized nationally for her business leadership.

Penny Rice, coordinator, Women's Center

Rice's leadership on campus climate and equality issues has played a major role in the university's diversity progress. She is active on the City of Ames' Human Relations Commission, Breaking Down the Barriers Committee and Sexual Assault Task Force, and on Iowa State's Committee on Women, Women's Leadership Consortium and Conference on Race and Ethnicity. She was co-developer of the Principles of Community, adopted by Iowa State in 2006, and she has served as a mentor for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Support Service program staff.

Michael Zeller, program coordinator, Office of Biotechnology

Zeller led the development of the university's biotechnology outreach education program, which has become a national model. Since joining the office part-time in 1997 and full time in 2000, he has trained more than 1,400 Iowa educators, providing them with equipment, supplies and curriculum packages to take back to their schools. These teachers have, in turn, provided high-quality biotechnology instruction to more than 156,000 students in Iowa schools. He is a fellow of the Iowa Academy of Science, and has received the Iowa Governor's Teacher Award and Iowa Academy of Science Excellence in Science Teaching Award. He has nearly 20 professional publications and has made more than a dozen state and national conference presentations.