News and Events
Liberal Arts & Sciences News
Economists study Iowa communities 15 years before and after Wal-Mart
May 10, 2012
Small Iowa towns with Wal-Mart stores showed moderate increases in retail sales in the 15 years following the stores' opening, according to a new Iowa State study.
ISU students off to world collegiate computer programming World Finals
May 7, 2012
Three students studying computer science will match skills with the best in Warsaw at the International Collegiate Programming Contest World Finals.
A 'quiet voice' for women's and gender issues wins second Upstander Award
May 7, 2012
Abby Barefoot, a May 2012 graduate of Iowa State who has been active in women's and gender justice issues, is this year's recipient of the Engel Upstander Award from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at ISU.
Liberal Arts and Sciences awards honoring 30 college faculty, staff members
May 7, 2012
Liberal Arts and Sciences has announced that 30 faculty and staff members have received college awards this year. These recipients will be formally recognized at the LAS Faculty/Staff Convocation on Aug. 29.
Students discovering science means creativity, curiosity in transformed labs
April 30, 2012
Liberal Arts and Sciences is playing a major role in an Iowa State effort to transform science laboratory curricula for first- and second-year students.
Top awards: Wendel is a Distinguished Professor; Miller a University Professor
April 30, 2012
Two College of Liberal Arts and Sciences professors have earned the university's top faculty honors, and 11 other college personnel honored with ISU awards.
26 on Liberal Arts and Sciences tenure, promotion list for 2012
April 30, 2012
Promotions have gone to 26 Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty members, including 13 assistant professors who received tenure and promotion to associate professor.
Meredith renews partnership with Iowa State's Greenlee School of Journalism
April 18, 2012
The latest Meredith gift includes apprenticeships, technology upgrades and media suite enhancements.
LAS College's graduation ceremony is Friday, May 4, in Stephens Auditorium
April 16, 2012
All Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates in attendance will be formally and individually recognized at the cap and gown ceremony.
Discovery! More than 50 LAS students presenting their research April 17
April 10, 2012
Liberal Arts and Sciences students will share research findings at ISU's Symposium on Undergraduate Research and Creative Expression on April 17.
Researchers find winds extending far away from Alabama tornado's path
April 9, 2012
Ph.D. student Christopher Karstens built a 3-D model and used ISU's Tornado/ Microburst Simulator to confirm complex, rough terrain can channel tornado winds.
Princeton Review book on 'The Best 300 Professors' includes three from Iowa State
April 3, 2012
A new Princeton Review guidebook, "The Best 300 Professors," includes two from Liberal Arts and Sciences, Doug Gentile and John Warne Monroe.
Iowa State biochemistry student is named a prestigious Goldwater Scholar
April 2, 2012
Student Sam Condon is a 2012 Goldwater Scholar, the nation's premier undergraduate award in mathematics, natural sciences and engineering.
Spring break was training, work, success for 11 ISU Army ROTC cadets
April 2, 2012
It was a spring break of hard work, commitment and success for members of ISU's Army ROTC unit, the Cyclone Battalion.
College of LAS students to showcase their research at Capitol event April 4
March 26, 2012
Twenty-four ISU undergraduates will present their research to legislators and others during the seventh annual "Research in the Capitol," including students from Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Rare personnel change coming to ISU's renowned Ames Piano Quartet
March 23, 2012
Retirements of William David and Mahlon Darlington will only be the second membership change in three decades for Iowa State's chamber ensemble.
Economics report finds statewide retail sales are stabilizing after economic downturn
March 20, 2012
Retail sales in most Iowa regions appear to have stabilized over the past fiscal year following the downturn during the recession, according to new ISU reports.
Leigh Tesfatsion among recipients of $3 million electricity market award
March 9, 2012
Economics' Leigh Tesfatsion is among the ISU researchers receiving a $3 million grant to reduce costs and maintain reliability as renewable energy use grows.
Lee Hamilton to discuss U.S. foreign policy in March 27 Manatt-Phelps Lecture
March 8, 2012
Former Indiana congressman and U.S. foreign policy leader Lee Hamilton will discuss "American Foreign Policy after Iraq and Afghanistan" on March 27.
Psychologist collaborates on study showing mean screens prime the brain for aggression
March 1, 2012
A new study, co-authored by psychology's Doug Gentile, has found that social exclusion, gossip and emotional bullying may prime the brain for aggression.
Ambassador (and LAS grad) fighting human trafficking is at ISU
February 29, 2012
Ambassador Luis CdeBaca, an LAS graduate who directs the State Department's Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons, will speak at Iowa State Tuesday, March 6.
Chemists from ISU aid study of mutated plants that may be better for biofuels
February 28, 2012
Genetic mutations to cellulose in plants could improve the conversion of cellulosic biomass into biofuels, say researchers including two LAS chemists.
Video game playing can compound kids' existing attention problems says ISU study
February 23, 2012
Impulsive children or those with attention problems tend to spend more time playing video games than other children, which subsequently may compound their attention problems, says a new ISU study.
Gary Wells talks about his eyewitness research in Dean's Lecture March 1
February 20, 2012
Psychology's Gary Wells will discuss mistaken eyewitness identifications and the improvements his research has developed in the LAS Dean's Lecture Series.
Iowa State researchers: Information flow can help farmers cope with climate change
February 18, 2012
Instant communications technology could help Iowa farmers cope with climate change, according to ISU researchers.
8th annual Wildness Symposium at Iowa State features Winter's Bone author
February 6, 2012
Readings, talks and panel discussions highlight the Symposium on Wildness, Wilderness & the Creative Imagination, Feb. 26-27. Included this year is the author of Winter's Bone, Daniel Woodrell.
Xavier Cavazos, noted slam poet, completes his first poetry manuscript
February 6, 2012
A graduate student in English, Xavier Cavazos, wrote a book of poetry about George Washington Carver. Watch a video as he reads one of the poems.
Iowa State-made 3D video game really teaches cell biology
February 2, 2012
ISU's Eve Syrkin Wurtele decided to get the attention of the science-deprived, gamer generation by putting textbook information in a 3D video game.
New campus plaques highlight quotes from notable LAS people
January 30, 2012
New to campus are three plaques highlighting quotes from notable ISU and LAS professors and alumni, thanks to the local Phi Beta Kappa chapter.
Mary Swander, Distinguished Professor of English, stays active as Iowa Poet Laureate
January 23, 2012
Gov. Branstad reappointed Mary Swander to a second term as Iowa Poet Laureate last summer and she is staying busy touring the state giving talks, readings, keynotes, workshops, performances and panels.
Sociologists earn grant to study Iowa prisoner reentry
January 17, 2012
David Peters and Andy Hochstetler plan to assess the quality and appropriateness of rehabilitation treatment received by the inmates in predicting their chances of becoming repeat offenders.
Trio of ISU music alumnae abroad this year on Fulbright scholarships
January 13, 2012
This academic year has been good on the international scene for Iowa State music graduates: three graduates are on Fulbright scholarships for study abroad.
Psychology's Gentile cites positive, negative effects of video games
December 27, 2011
Douglas Gentile says his own research has found both positive and negative effects from playing video games.
Astronomers discover planets that survived their star's expansion
December 21, 2011
Research by professor Steve Kawaler and a research team is published in the Dec. 22 edition of the journal Nature.
Mock trial finds companies 'not guilty' of contaminating water supply
December 20, 2011
It was a stunner. The jury said, "Not Guilty." The verdict in December when Iowa State students in Professor Bill Simpkins' hydrogeology course re-tried the toxic tort case that became A Civil Action
Steve Rodermel honored with four others from ISU as AAAS Fellows
December 16, 2011
Biological scientist Steve Rodermel is one of five Iowa State researchers named as American Association for the Advancement of Science Fellows.
Science meets art on the river in biology learning community
December 15, 2011
When the Skunk River Navy students slogged down river on their annual cleanup patrol this fall, they weren't looking for trash. They were looking for art.
Chemist among the first class of women rising stars of chemistry
December 13, 2011
Iowa State's Malika Jeffries-EL has been named a rising star of American chemistry
Grad student prairie restoration project earns national conservation fellowship
December 13, 2011
An Iowa State doctoral candidate is one of 40 students nationwide selected as a TogetherGreen fellow from The National Audubon Society and Toyota earning $10,000.
A ton of research, literally - Graduating senior presents recycling study at national sustainability conference
December 12, 2011
Kevin Marquardt probably knows more about recycling at Iowa State than any other student. He has been studying campus recycling since 2009.
Schmittmann named next dean in Liberal Arts and Sciences
December 7, 2011
Beate Schmittmann, named Dec. 7 as the new dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has been on the physics faculty at Virginia Tech since 1991 and department chair since 2006.
Carver Trust award to GDCB's Schneider
December 7, 2011
Stephan Q. Schneider, of genetics, development and cell biology at Iowa State, is the recipient of a grant from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust.
Pruetz finds savanna chimps exhibit sharing behavior like humans
November 28, 2011
New study by anthropologist Jill Pruetz reports that chimpanzees frequently share food and hunting tools with other chimps.
LAS College's graduation ceremony is Friday, Dec. 16, in Hilton Coliseum
November 28, 2011
All LAS graduates in attendance at the Liberal Arts and Sciences graduation ceremony will be formally and individually recognized at the cap and gown event.
ISU students advance to computer science 'Battle of the Brains' in Europe
November 22, 2011
A runner-up finish at the regional collegiate computer programming competition has qualified an Iowa State student team for the world finals in Poland in May.
Researchers discover method to increase biomass in algae 50-80 percent
November 21, 2011
The breakthrough comes from turning on certain genes in algae that increase the amount of photosynthesis in the plant, which leads to more biomass.
Catt Center announces 12 honorees for 2012 Women Impacting ISU calendar
November 11, 2011
Twelve women who have made a difference at Iowa State will be honored on the Carrie Chapman Catt Center's Women Impacting ISU calendar in 2012.
Ames Piano Quartet releases 15th album
November 14, 2011
Music publisher Sono Luminus has released the Ames Piano Quartet's 15th compact disc recording.
Harpole a founder of group taking new approach to cooperative global research
November 10, 2011
A group founded in part by an ISU researcher Stanley Harpole operates with few funds and has grown to a worldwide research force in just six years.
Iowa State study finds health value to children of National School Lunch Program
November 9, 2011
A study by ISU researchers confirmed that school lunches improve the health outcomes of children from low-income households.
Political analyst Charlie Cook at inaugural Harkin Institute event Nov. 29
November 8, 2011
NBC News political analyst Charlie Cook will discuss the Iowa Caucuses at the inaugural Harkin Institute of Public Policy Lecture Tuesday, Nov. 29.
Surface water hydrologist Kristie Franz aims to improve predictions for 'streamflow events'
November 7, 2011
She works in a department of geologists and meteorologists, but Kristie Franz is neither. The assistant professor is a surface water hydrologist
It was a high-energy summer for Iowa State students at European physics lab
November 2, 2011
Several LAS students had a high-energy ol' time last summer doing research at CERN in Europe.
Economics study finds Vision Iowa provided healthy return on investment
October 26, 2011
A report by ISU economics faculty and students found the former Vision Iowa program made the state a strong 9.2 percent annual return on investment.
Jeans, Genes and Genomes--Wendel to discuss the mysteries of cotton, Nov. 8
October 24, 2011
Jonathan Wendel will present "Jeans, Genes and Genomes: Exploring the Mysteries of Cotton" on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the Sun Room, Memorial Union.
ISU Army ROTC wins regional Ranger Challenge
October 17, 2011
Iowa State's Army ROTC won the Task Force Dodge/Riley Ranger Challenge Competition for the sixth time in eight years.
Physicist says nanoparticle assembly is like building with LEGOs
October 13, 2011
New processes that allow nanoparticles to assemble themselves into designer materials could solve tech challenges, Alex Travesset reports.
Greenlee School Futures Forum to explore presidential campaign news coverage
October 13, 2011
"The Iowa Bounce: How Political Coverage Shapes the Race" is the first of four Greenlee Futures Forums featuring panels of top speakers, Oct. 20 and 21.
Back to his roots, giving others wings--Simon Estes' Roots & Wings concerts continue on 99-Iowa county tour
October 10, 2011
Opera great and ISU adjunct professor of music Simon Estes has come back to his roots during a series of concerts in each of Iowa's 99 counties that is benefitting Iowa students.
Iowa State researchers help detect very-high-energy gamma rays from pulsar
October 6, 2011
ISU astrophysicists are part of an international team that unexpectedly discovered very-high-energy gamma rays from the already well-known Crab pulsar star.
First Iowa Conference on Human Trafficking coming to Iowa State on Oct. 26
October 6, 2011
ISU and an organization are teaming up to present the first Iowa Conference on Human Trafficking Oct. 26, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Greenlee School hosts panel discussions in 'Futures Forum' Oct. 20-21
October 5, 2011
"The Iowa Bounce: How Political Coverage Shapes the Race" is the first of four Greenlee Futures Forums featuring panels of top speakers, Oct. 20 and 21.
Lee Hamilton to discuss U.S. foreign policy in Oct. 19 Manatt-Phelps Lecture at ISU
October 3, 2011
Former Indiana congressman and U.S. foreign policy leader Lee Hamilton will present the 10th annual Manatt-Phelps Lecture in Political Science at Iowa State on Wednesday, Oct. 19.
Nominations sought for 2012 Catt Center 'Women Impacting ISU' calendar
September 20, 2011
The Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics at Iowa State is now accepting applications for the 2012 "Women Impacting ISU" calendar.
Study finds sequential photo lineups produce fewer mistaken eyewitness identifications than simultaneous photo lineups
September 19, 2011
A study led by Gary Wells, Distinguished Professor of Psychology, has implications for reducing wrongful convictions in the United States criminal justice system.
New water field station provides richer learning experience for students
September 15, 2011
Students studying water science in a variety of classes will conduct research at the 20-foot-deep monitoring wells.
Political scientist David Peterson named interim director of Harkin Institute
September 8, 2011
David Peterson, political science, has been named interim director of the Harkin Institute of Public Policy at Iowa State.
Alan Wanamaker named first holder of David Morehouse Faculty Fellowship
September 12, 2011
Alan Wanamaker, Department of Geological and Atmospheric Sciences, has been named the first holder of the David Morehouse Faculty Fellowship in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Iverson named Smith Family Foundation Departmental Chair in Geology
September 6, 2011
Neal Iverson has been named the Smith Family Foundation Departmental Chair in Geology at Iowa State.
Jay Newell named Shakeshaft Master Teacher
August 29, 2011
Jay Newell, associate professor in the Greenlee School of Journalism and Communication, has been named the Jerry Shakeshaft Master Teacher in Humanities and Social Sciences for the 2011-12 academic year.
Dusselier, Stephenson receive Cassling Family Faculty Awards for outstanding teaching
August 29, 2011
Two faculty members, Jane Dusselier and W. Robert Stephenson, in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences will receive Cassling Family Faculty Awards.
Migration researcher Abdi Kusow says Somalia issue needs two-prong plan
August 29, 2011
Somali native and ISU sociologist Abdi Kusow says the famine and unrest in the African nation requires international assistance in two forms.
Teaching, service and research honored with 2011 LAS awards to 32 faculty and staff
August 22, 2011
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Iowa State University is honoring 32 faculty and staff with awards for their accomplishments.
New lodge at ISU's Wyoming geology field station named for Smith family
August 15, 2011
The new lodge building at the geology field station near Shell, Wyo., now bears the name of one of the camp's proudest alumni.
Maj. Richard Smith new military science department chair
August 15, 2011
U.S. Army Maj. Richard Smith is the new professor and department chair of military science at Iowa State.
ISU anthropologist studying the Fighting Sioux mascot controversy
August 15, 2011
Christina Gish Hill, an anthropology faculty member in American Indian studies, has been watching the North Dakota the Fighting Sioux controversy.
Research: most plant species are important in grassland ecosystems
August 10, 2011
Research by two professors in the Deparment of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology is published in the journal Nature.
Sociologist expects renewed 9/11 remembrance on its 10th anniversary
August 2, 2011
The 10th anniversary will renew interest in 9/11 among Americans, says Brian Monahan, who authored a book on the 9/11 media coverage.
ISU physicist to test next-generation neutrino detector for major experiment
July 15, 2011
Mayly Sanchez is developing the next generation of detectors to pick up the trail of neutrinos, abundant subatomic particles.
English prof earns rave reviews for new book, 'My American Unhappiness'
June 30, 2011
Dean Bakopoulos' new novel was named the No. 1 "Title to Pick Up Now" for June by O, The Oprah Magazine, and earned praise in a Sunday New York Times review.
Developing corn for warmer climate is focus of Iowa State University research
June 30, 2011
ISU researchers are looking to develop a corn variety that maintains the region's high yields even as temperatures rise.
How a big university gets small
June 28, 2011
First-year seminars create a small class atmosphere where students can connect with professors, with other students and with lecture and research material.
Powell-Coffman, Schroeter named interim department chairs
June 27, 2011
Professor Jo Anne Powell-Coffman will chair the Department of Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, and Professor John Schroeter has been named interim chair of the Department of Economics.
Parents prefer media content ratings system in study led by Douglas Gentile
June 19, 2011
Psychologist Douglas Gentile says parents would prefer media ratings based on content rather than current age-based ratings.
Bioinformatics grad student selected for Nobel Prize conference in Germany
June 15, 2011
When a group of Nobel Prize winners meets in Lindau, Germany, in June, an Iowa State graduate student will be among the dignitaries.
Laser pulses could get spinning nanomagnets to increase speed of storage and computation devices
May 31, 2011
The problem is really quite simple, said physicist Jigang Wang. "How fast can we flip a nanomagnet? Essentially spin it from the up to the down state."
Students learned teamwork in electronic music seminar that fit like a glove
May 23, 2011
Christopher Hopkins and students used a data glove in a seminar that focused on designing software for performance of electronic music.
Undergraduate Katie Githens to participate in professional conference on software engineering
May 16, 2011
Senior software engineering major Katie Githens will participate in the premier international conference for software engineers later this month in Honolulu.
Martin Spalding appointed LAS interim associate dean
May 11, 2011
Martin Spalding has been appointed interim associate dean for research and graduate studies effective July 1 in Liberal Arts and Sciences.
ISU Catt Center to present Ready to Run: Campaign Training for Women on June 10
May 11, 2011
The Catt Center for Women and Politics is presenting "Ready to Run Iowa: Campaign Training for Women," on Friday, June 10, for anyone interested in running for office.
Discovery by Vary's research team of short-lived nucleus tests a basic force in nature
May 10, 2011
The discovery, by a team of researchers led by ISU's James Vary, of an exotic, short-lived nucleus called fluorine-14 may indicate scientists are better understanding a fundamental force in nature.
Psychologist Doug Gentile addresses multiple dimensions of video game effects
May 9, 2011
A new article by Doug Gentile argues that existing video game literature can't be classified in black and white terms. Instead, there's a vast gray area when considering the multiple dimensions of video game effects on children and adolescents.
New graduate Nidhi Shah, who creates poverty awareness, wins Engel Upstander Award
May 9, 2011
Nidhi Shah, who creates awareness about poverty, homelessness and food access is the first recipient of the Engel Upstander Award from Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Popular ISU on the Mediterranean study abroad program becoming even more popular in 2011
May 2, 2011
A record number of students will participate in Iowa State's summer study abroad program to Valencia, Spain, in 2011.
Ames Piano Quartet's 14th album features new take on wind pieces
April 29, 2011
The Ames Piano Quartet, Iowa State's resident chamber orchestra, has produced its 14th album.
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