6/8/99

Contacts:
Joel Coats, Entomology, (515) 294-4776
Robert Schafer, Sociology, (515) 294-8312
Brian Meyer, Agriculture Information, (515) 294-0706

ISU NAMES NEW DEPARTMENT LEADERS IN ENTOMOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY

AMES -- Iowa State University has named two new leaders for its departments of entomology and sociology.

Beginning July 1, Joel Coats will be the new chair of the Department of Entomology. Coats, a professor of entomology and toxicology, has been on the ISU faculty since 1978. He succeeds Tom Baker, who served as chair for seven years and will remain on the department faculty.

Coats, a native of Kenton, Ohio, conducts research in areas that include natural insecticides and repellents, pesticide degradation in the environment and cleaning up pesticides and other agricultural chemicals from soil. He has taught a course on insecticide toxicology and taught portions of three other courses. Coats received his bachelor's degree in zoology at Arizona State University, and his master's degree and Ph.D. in entomology at the University of Illinois.

Also starting July 1, Robert Schafer will be the new chair of the Department of Sociology. Schafer, a professor of sociology, has been an ISU faculty member since 1970. He served as assistant chair of the department from 1988 to 1989. He succeeds Willis Goudy, who is completing a five-year term and will return to the department faculty.

Schafer, a native of Salt Lake City, Utah, received his bachelor's degree in political science at the University of Utah, his master's degree in sociology at Iowa State, and his Ph.D. in sociology at Pennsylvania State University. He has taught courses in social psychology, attitude change, minority group relationships and introductory sociology. His research interests include work on family interaction patterns, and on family attitudes and behaviors related to nutrition.

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