Iowa State University


Inside Iowa State
Dec. 15, 1995

'95 in review

by Linda Charles

January-- In two lively discussion forums, faculty, staff and students discuss a proposed diversity requirement for undergraduate students.

February-- James L. Melsa is named dean of the College of Engineering.

-- A $5 million dollar cash gift launches the President's Scholarship Campaign. The gift, from the Lied Foundation Trust, Las Vegas, funds the Christina Hixson Opportunity Awards, aimed at students who have faced hardships.

March-- Two international teams of physicists, including five ISU researchers, announce that they have discovered the subatomic particle called the "top quark," the last undiscovered quark predicted by scientific theory. (Quarks are basic building blocks of matter.)-- A tougher-looking Cy is unveiled. April-- English professor Jane Smiley's latest novel, Moo, hits the stands.

-- Improving the quality of education for undergraduate students is the top priority in the university's new strategic plan.

-- Officials and students find a way to retain all 19 varsity sports and add women's soccer, thanks to a scholarship campaign, increases in student fees allocated to athletics, hikes in athletic conference and NCAA revenues, and success in reducing athletic department costs.

-- A diversity requirement for undergraduate students, with both a three-credit U.S. and a three-credit international component, is approved by the Faculty Senate.

-- Iowa State rolls out the red carpet for President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore and Secretary of State Dan Glickman, who visit campus for the National Rural Conference.

May-- Kathleen A. MacKay becomes dean of students.

-- Women's basketball coach Theresa Becker resigns after three years at Iowa State.

June-- Robert M. Anderson leaves his position as vice provost for extension to return to teaching.

-- Bill Fennelly is named head women's basketball coach.

-- Cathy Klein becomes Iowa State's first head women's soccer coach.

-- John Vincent Atanasoff, who created the first electronic digital computer while a member of the Iowa State faculty, dies at age 91.

-- Iowa State standouts Loren Meyer and Fred Hoiberg are chosen in the NBA draft.

July-- Ben Allen becomes dean of the College of Business.

August-- The campus gets an "A-Plus" as information kiosks are installed in four locations.

-- The university guarantees students who sign a contract that they can graduate within four years.

September-- Vice President for External Affairs Reid Crawford leaves for the University of Maryland, College Park.

-- Reiman Gardens blossoms with its official dedication.

-- Head baseball coach Bobby Randall heads to the University of Kansas.

October-- Catt Hall is officially dedicated during a week of celebration.

-- Lyle Smith is named head baseball coach.

November-- About 67 percent of ISU's employees attend the Succeeding with Students sessions.

December-- The Hixson scholarship winners learn they will receive awards for their sophomore year, thanks to a second gift from Christina Hixson, Lied Foundation trustee.

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Revised 12/14/95
URL: http://www.iastate.edu/
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