Budget questions dominate a productive 2003

A dwindling budget was on everyones mind through much of the year, but the university community also experienced its share of high points. New buildings were opened, anniversaries were celebrated and awards were won. Heres a look at some of the noteable events in 2003.


Lost friends

• Veteran sportscaster and associate athletics director Pete Taylor died in March following surgery to treat complications from a stroke. Taylor was in his 33rd season as the radio play-by-play announcer for the Cyclones.

  W. Robert Parks

• The campus and Ames community turned out to remember W. Robert Parks, Iowa State's longest serving president, after he died in July. Parks was the university's 11th president, serving from 1965 to 1986.

Deans' list

• Dean of Engineering James Melsa and Dean of Veterinary Medicine Norman Cheville announced they will retire at the end of the academic year. Melsa has served as dean since 1995 and Cheville, since 2001.
• Carol Meeks, dean of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences, stepped down in June to become the director of the college's Center for Family Policy. Pamela White was named interim dean.
• Peter Rabideau, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, accepted a position at Mississippi State University in July, and Michael Whiteford was named interim dean.

Shrinking budget

• Iowa State officials started FY04 with a budget that had to accommodate smaller state appropriations than the previous year, unavoidable increases to operating costs, support for some new strategic initiatives and self-funded salary increases for all employees.
• As part of the shrinking budget, the Iowa State Dairy Farm closed and its operations were merged temporarily with the university's dairy farm in Ankeny until a new $15 million dairy facility opens south of Ames.
• In October, Gov. Tom Vilsack reduced the FY04 state budget by 2.5 percent, resulting in a $5.8 million reduction for the university in this year's budget. Plans for dealing with the cut are expected to be announced this month. The university projected an additional $2.5 million shortfall due to smaller-than-expected enrollments and a decrease in indirect costs recovery.
• Tight budgets prompted vice president for academic affairs and provost Benjamin Allen to put the search for a new Family and Consumer Sciences dean on hold while a broader review of the university's organizational structure, including the structure of the colleges, is conducted. The study is expected to be completed by mid-January.

Funds raised

• The Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication completed an $18 million fund-raising campaign in April that was initiated in 1998.
• "Investing in People," a two-year initiative to secure private support for faculty and students, wrapped up in November, surpassing its $50 million goal. Funds designated for faculty will support 11 existing and six new chairs and professor-ships, and two new faculty fellow-ships.
• By November, nearly half of the $9 million needed to remodel Morrill Hall had been raised. Donors numbered nearly 1,500.

New residents

Red fox seen on campus

• A red fox with at least five cubs was spotted on campus this summer. The red fox adapts well to suburban settings, as witnessed by one person who reported seeing the fox carrying a bagel on campus.

On campus

• A yearlong observance of the 50th anniversary of the landmark school desegregation case, Brown vs. the Board of Education of Topeka (Kan.) opened with lectures, a candlelight vigil and discussions.

  Ice sculpture commemorating the 100th birthday of John Vincent Atanasoff

• The International Symposium on Modern Computing in October brought leading experts on computer technologies to campus. The symposium honored John Vincent Atanasoff, inventor of the electronic digital computer and former Iowa State physics and math professor, on what would have been his 100th birthday.
• Distinguished professor of agriculture Max Rothschild delivered the first Presidential University Lecture in November. The new lecture series was created to highlight faculty excellence in learning, discovery and engagement.

Bricks and mortar

• The first residence suite building, in the Union Drive neighborhood, was named for former ISU President Gordon Eaton in April.
• In August, ISU Dining opened the Union Drive Community Center, featuring a Cyclone-themed restaurant, market and deli, and the MU Caf, offering gourmet coffee among other things.

  The Marketplace at the Union Drive Community Center

• The Roy J. Carver Co-Laboratory, the flagship building for the Plant Sciences Institute, was dedicated in October. The co-lab includes a business incubator to nurture potential new businesses associated with the institute.
• The second phase of the Engineering Teaching and Research Complex -- Hoover Hall -- was dedicated in October. The new occupants started moving in during November and students will begin using the building spring semester.
• The new 4-H Youth Building, with terrazzo floors and a bronze casting of Christian Petersen's "4-H Calf," was dedicated in November.
• Faculty began moving into the Gerdin Business Building in December. It will be fully operational spring semester. The building, under construction for two and a half years, will be dedicated in February.

Kudos

• ISU researchers notched two more R&D 100 Awards. The Institute for Physical Research and Technology and a Hawaiian firm won a 2003 R&D 100 Award for a new system that detects and labels antigens (proteins that serve as the body's natural defense system against infectious agents). ISU researcher Doug Jacobson and his network security company received the award for innovative technology designed to protect the security of internal computer networks.
• R. Bruce Thompson, Distinguished professor of engineering, was elected to the National Academy of Engineering.
• Balaji Narasimhan, associate professor of chemical engineering, was named one of the world's 100 top young innovators by Technology Review. Narasimhan specializes in the design of biodegradable polymers for encapsulating vaccines and proteins.<;/li>

The world of sports

• Promising an "exciting brand of basketball," Cyclone assistant coach Wayne Morgan became head men's basketball coach in May. He succeeded Larry Eustachy, who resigned after reports of him partying with college students surfaced in the media.
• Iowa State's intercollegiate athletics received NCAA certification in May. The process involves a lengthy self-study and review to ensure an athletics program conforms with NCAA operating principles. The certification is for 10 years.

Anniversaries

Banner celebrating Design's 25th

• Alumni Association, 125
• ISU Extension, 100
• Memorial Union, 75 (transferred from its own non-profit corporation to
  Iowa State in March)
• College of Design, 25

High fashion from high tech

• Iowa First Lady Christie Vilsack had Iowa State to thank for her inaugural gown
  at the January ball. It was designed and digitally printed by textiles and clothing professors J.R. Campbell and Jean Parsons.