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Mid-Iowa Community News

Ames Voice

Iowa State University

Representatives of the state of Iowa, Iowa State University and BioMADE broke ground for a $40 million fermentation pilot plant on Friday at Iowa State University's BioCentury ResearchFarm just west of Ames. The facility will support biomanufacturing research and development into the conversion of crops into chemicals, livestock feeds and other uses. Pictured, from left, are Brent Shanks, ISU distinguished professor in engineering; Jack Starr, BioMADE chief manufacturing officer; Douglas Friedman, BioMADE chief executive officer; Kim Reynolds, governor of Iowa; and Wendy Wintersteen, president of Iowa State.

BioMADE breaks ground on new plant

Published November 16, 2025
Representatives of the state of Iowa, Iowa State University and BioMADE broke ground for a $40 million fermentation pilot plant on Friday at Iowa State University's BioCentury ResearchFarm just west of Ames.
The Alliant Energy Solar Farm at ISU welcomed OLLI at Iowa State members to learn more about its public-private partnership during a tour in the fall of 2024.

A lifelong learning opportunity in the community

by Michael Kitchell, Staff Reporter
Published November 11, 2025
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Iowa State University has offered numerous educational opportunities for community members since 2008, and with numerous volunteer instructors and support from Iowa State, the participant feedback the program has received has been quite positive.
David Cook is introduced as the president-designate, to become the 17th president of Iowa State University on Tuesday, at the Memorial Union. (Photo: Christopher Gannon/Iowa State University)

Regents select David Cook, president of North Dakota State University, as next president of ISU

by Kyle Werner, Reporter
Published November 11, 2025
The Iowa Board of Regents announced Tuesday that David Cook will be the next president of Iowa State University. Cook, currently the president of North Dakota State University, will begin his term as Iowa State’s 17th president in 2026 following the retirement of current president Wendy Wintersteen, who announced her decision in May.
David Cook is the second of two finalists for the presidency of Iowa State University who will visit the campus.

David Cook, Ames native and ISU graduate, argues leadership starts with a strong team

by Kyle Werner, Reporter
Published November 7, 2025
David Cook, the second of two finalists who visited Ames this week as part of the search process for Iowa State University’s next president, spoke at an open forum on Thursday with his vision for Iowa State and how a successful university president starts with a strong team and a shared goal of servant leadership.
Benjamin Houlton is the first of two finalists for the presidency of Iowa State University who will visit the campus.

Benjamin Houlton, a finalist for president, underscores ‘multidisciplinary excellence’ at ISU

by Kyle Werner, Reporter
Published November 5, 2025
Benjamin Houlton’s vision for Iowa State University is to “unleash this great institution for even greater impact.” Houlton, first of two finalists to visit campus as part of the search process for Iowa State University’s next president, spoke to students, faculty, staff and community members at an open forum on Wednesday.
To end homecoming week with a bang, around 2,000 people gathered in the parking lot behind the Alumni Center for the annual pep rally. The rally featured the women's and men's basketball teams, the men's wrestling team and speeches from ISU President Wendy Wintersteen and Jeff Johnson, the recently retired Lora and Russ Talbot Endowed President and Chief Executive Officer of the ISU Alumni Association. The event also announced the Cardinal Court winners and hosted the Yell Like Hell final performances between Cycademy Awards, How the Grinch Stole Homecoming and Cy Wars: The Clone Wars.

Photos: Cyclone spirit shines during homecoming

Iowa State University celebrated its homecoming last week with events such as the athletic competition Cyclone Tourneys, Campanile for CyFest, Yell Like Hell, Painting Victory Lane and Food on Campus.
Wes Buchele, inventor and advocate for safety in agriculture

Ames Notables: Wes Buchele

Published October 22, 2025
Wes Buchele came to Ames in 1963 to be an agricultural engineering professor at Iowa State University. Having grown up on his family farm, Buchele was passionate and knowledgeable about everything in agriculture, particularly how to stay safe.
Beardshear Hall at Iowa State University on July 8, 2025.

ISU’s presidential search narrows to 8 candidates

by Kyle Werner, Reporter
Published October 8, 2025
A search committee narrowed a list of 78 candidates hoping to be Iowa State University’s next president down to eight in a closed meeting on Monday. The committee will conduct virtual interviews with the eight semifinalists, whose names have not been made public, between Oct. 20 and Oct. 22.
Pumpkin patches, apple orchards, murder mysteries and more are right here in Ames and surrounding communities for you to partake in.

How to celebrate the spooky season in Ames

by Kyle Werner, Reporter
Published October 8, 2025
It’s now the season of cooler weather, changing leaves and spooky festivities. Halloween is a time for dressing up — maybe with a jacket if it continues to stay chilly — but you can get in the spooky mood ahead of Halloween night.
As falls among seniors rise, Story County Falls Prevention Coalition is a local group that is trying to reduce the risk of falls. A lecture this Thursday at Iowa State University will also inform on measures and exercises to help reduce the risk.

Community groups partner to reduce falls

by Michael Kitchell, Reporter
Published September 24, 2025

Editor's note: Michael Kitchell is one of the 22 members of the Story County Falls Prevention Coalition. A few years ago, Dr. Sherri Flugrad, an emergency room physician, asked Matt Peterson, director...

The Knoll, the president’s residence, was found to have “challenges typical of older homes” according to the Board of Regents' report.

Aging Knoll residence shows issues in regent analysis

by Kyle Werner, Reporter
Published September 24, 2025
The Iowa State University president’s home was found to have several issues — most associated with aging homes — by a facility analysis completed by the Iowa Board of Regents. Sean Reeder, senior vice president for operations and finance, told the Regents about deficiencies at the president’s home, known as the Knoll, at its meeting last Thursday.
Beardshear Hall at Iowa State University on July 8, 2025.

Regents approves new majors, hears strategic initiatives

by Kyle Werner, Reporter
Published September 22, 2025
The Iowa Board of Regents heard updates from Iowa State University on Thursday, including the introduction of two new majors, implementation of initiatives for university efficiency and university appropriations for the upcoming 2027 fiscal year.