MAKING A DREAM OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT A REALITY

Don Koo Lee breathed deeply and looked out into the audience of delegates to the United Nations. He leaned into the microphone and began to speak:

“The core idea is that sustainable development is feasible when both developing and developed countries assume full responsibility, share each other’s burden and collaborate,” Lee said as part of his address. “I believe these are

the values we must continue to uphold and pursue.”

As minister of the Korea Forest Service, Lee (’75 MS forest biometry, ’78 PhD silviculture) sought to inspire the delegates to work together in “ecosystemic development,” which he and other world leaders see as a possible solution for desertification, land degradation and drought.

Lee was invited to address the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in October 2011 as president of the Conference of the Parties, the decision-making body of that convention. He proposed the Changwon Initiative, which provides practical measures to battling desertification and land degradation.

Lee is a renowned expert in forest sciences, especially forest regeneration and silviculture (the growth and management of trees for wood production). He served as president of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations from 2006 to 2010 and became minister of the Korea Forest Service in February 2011.

“I make and develop better policies and determine how to put them into practice. I enjoy knowing that the Korea Forest Service is well-recognized among other government organizations in our country. We recently obtained the top ranking in one-year work accomplishments among 38 government organizations.”

Most of Lee’s career has been spent as a professor of forest sciences at his alma mater–the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Seoul National University—where he also served a two-year term as dean.

His academic career culminated in the publication of “Ecological Management of Forests,” a book he authored with 29 of his students.

For Lee, the completion of his master’s and doctorate at Iowa State not only allowed him to build a meaningful career, it was the achievement of a childhood dream to become a professor.

Lee says he is glad government consultants recommended he attend Iowa State. He remembers the kindness and friendliness of Iowans, the hot July day he married his wife in a church near Ames, the volatile summer weather and the football rivalries.

“The Cyclones beat Nebraska in 1976 and the goal post was destroyed in the joy of victory,” he recalls.

Lee’s advice to current students: “Please have your own dream! Be ambitious in spirit and honest in all your works! Then you will be well-recognized and obtain great success.”

In his work with the United Nations Don Lee, minister of the Korea Forest Service, is working to address desertification and land degradation worldwide. He says to succeed all nations must "assume responsibility, share each other's burden."

His dream for the Republic of Korea is to continue to lead and collaborate with the international community in sustainable development and forestry cooperation.

SITTIN DOWN WITH THE DEAN – STUDENTS LEARN TO LEAD

Sharing quality time in a seminar with the dean of the college can help shape the rest of your college experience—if not the rest of your life.

Catherine Swoboda, (’08 agronomy), who works for the World Food Prize Foundation in Des Moines, says the Dean’s Leadership Seminar was a highlight of her years at ISU. “It taught me the joy of thinking analytically and rigorously and the pleasure of generously sharing ideas and knowledge. And for a freshman to have access to instruction by the deans was very impressive,” Swoboda says.

Each fall semester, a new cohort of students takes the Dean’s Leadership Seminar. The students are offered the opportunity as recipients of some of the college’s premier endowed scholarships. The seminar, co-taught by Dean Wendy Wintersteen and Associate Dean of Academic and Global Programs David Acker, introduces the freshmen to leadership qualities, problem solving on current issues, global perspectives and responding to societal needs in agriculture and life sciences.

“These students are up-and-comers who’ll be leaders in the college and in their future careers,” says Wintersteen. “It’s wonderful to follow these students as they progress through college and into careers.”

Nate Looker, a senior in agronomy and global resource systems, says the dean’s seminar substantially shaped his undergraduate experience. “Associate Dean Acker exhibits the style of leadership I hope to develop with time, empowering others with genuine, respectful communication. He introduced me to colleagues with whom he thought I’d share interests, helping me diversify my experiences.”

Rachel Owen, a senior who’ll graduate in agronomy, says she remembers Wintersteen speaking about how to respond to a critical news article. “The reason that stuck with me is because of the professionalism in which she handled the situation,” Owen says. “I try to model the same professionalism when I’m in a leadership role.”

The seminar was a great motivator, Owen adds. “Since the class, I’ve been involved in many student organizations both on campus and nationally. The issues we addressed helped me become a better leader.”

Allyson (Chwee) Dirksen (’08 agricultural business) took the Dean’s Leadership Seminar in 2004 with then-associate dean Eric Hoiberg. “Dean Hoiberg’s integrity made an impression on me. He was such an

approachable, sincere mentor,” says Dirksen, who now practices law in Sioux City.

CALS students Andrew Owen, sophomore in pre-diet and exercise, and Gail Barnum, junior in food science, are among the students who regularly visit with Dean Wendy Wintersteen as part of the Dean's Leadership Seminar.

Amy Peyton, now a senior in agricultural business, says she learned how important it was to contribute to a conversation with peers about real-world issues. “That was the best part, meeting and becoming friends with the amazing people in class, several of whom I’m still good friends with today.”

ENRICHING THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE, PAYING IT FORWARD

Scholarship recipient Alyssa Swan helps groom the horses at the ISU Horse Barns as part of a service project with the ISU Horseman's Association. Swan says receiving a scholarship allows her to participate in service activities and gain research experience rather than working to finance her education.

For many students, receiving a scholarship not only supports them financially, it gives them that extra boost of confidence needed to take advantage of all the opportunities college presents.

Alyssa Swan is such a student. As a Dean’s Leadership Scholar she receives financial support for working at east 10 hours per week in an area related to her major.

“Our scholarships come from someone who believes in us and in the college,” she says. “Being selected as a Dean’s Leadership Scholar was fantastic. It was like someone saying, ‘Here you go, you can do this!’ The donors believe in CALS and they believe I can make an impact and that helps me go that extra mile.”

Make that miles. Swan, a junior in animal science from Milwaukee is an officer in the ISU Horseman’s Association and a member of the Pre-Vet Club. She also is a member of National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Alpha Lambda Delta / Phi Eta Sigma and Alpha Zeta honor societies as well as the University Honors Program.

She has worked as undergraduate research assistant in Matthew Ellinwood’s lab since her freshman year (see story on Ellinwood on page four). Swan worked as an animal caretaker and assisted Ellinwood with a surgical procedure related to his genetic research on the mucopolysaccharidoses diseases.

Swan continues to work in the lab, but is now leading her own project researching cat coat color genetics. She believes this project has the potential to advance the future genetic research potential of the cat colony.

“I don’t think I ever would have been adventurous enough to attempt undergraduate research my freshman year if it hadn’t been part of my scholarship. Because of my work with Dr. Ellinwood, I’ve really been able to begin to figure out what I like to do and how to plan for my future,” she says.

Swan has an externship at Wisconsin Equine Clinic and Hospital this summer— an opportunity she says she might not have been able to take if she had not received a scholarship, because the job is unpaid.

She benefitted so much from her scholarship she’s already looking for ways to pay it forward.

“I see myself becoming a donor in the future because these scholarships have improved my experience tenfold,” she says.

GROOMING NEXT GENERATION OF ANIMAL CARETAKERS

Ashli Jay, a freshman from Miami, called Marshall Ruble repeatedly asking for a job at the Beef Teaching Farm and a chance to prove herself alongside students with more on-farm experience. Ruble was impressed by her determination.

When Marshall Ruble started as manager of the beef teaching farm as a new Iowa State grad, he figured he’d stay three or four years. It’s now been nearly 33 years, mentoring hundreds of students to care for the farm’s herd.

The farm provides cattle for 11 undergraduate courses, industry events such as scholarship contests, livestock judging, artificial insemination schools, ultrasound training and ultrasound certification.

“If we can help promote animal agriculture we want to be a presence. We are involved in a few research projects if it doesn’t affect our primary directive of undergraduate teaching,” he adds.

Ruble (’78 animal science) is a native Iowan raised on a diversified livestock farm near Corydon. He especially loves beef cattle, although he’s taken care of sheep, swine, horses, chickens and dairy cattle.

Ruble likes to call his student-workers “projects.” His no-nonsense demeanor doesn’t hide his concern for the students under his charge.

“My success is measured if they’re successful,” he says.

More and more student workers have been added in recent years. Enrollment is at an all time record for animal science and expected to increase significantly this coming fall semester. About 11 students work each semester. Some care for the animals while others maintain machinery. In the summer, students work harvesting forages and bedding for the sheep, swine, horse, beef teaching and beef nutrition farms.

“The students are my labor,” he says, “Without them, we don’t get it done.”

Ruble has been impressed by the students coming from more urban areas, a trend that started about 15 years ago. About a third of the farm’s students are pre-vet, with most coming from animal science majors.

Ashli Jay, an animal science freshman from Miami, wanted to work with cattle in high school. For her that meant going to another school district to join an FFA program. The USDA’s Ag Discovery summer program brought her to Iowa State and she liked it so much Jay decided to apply after high school.

“She started calling me when she graduated, emailing me, wanting a job,” says Ruble.

Jay’s initiative and persistence helped convince him to hire her despite a lack of experience.

“He took me under his wing and helped me with transitioning from Florida to Iowa,” Jay says, even helping her shop for the proper footwear for working on the farm in winter. “I am so grateful for Marshall, I could not have a better introduction to Iowa.”

Ruble estimates he’s had nearly 200 students work at the farm during his 33 years as manager. Many start as freshman and continue working until they graduate.

His first crew set a standard for excellence that he strives to continue:

~Steve Johnson (’81 animal science) is the director of feedyard operations at Cactus Feeders, the largest cattle feeder in the nation

~Dave Judd (’80 animal science) is a Kansas Gelbvieh cattle breeder

~David Edge (’80 farm operation) is owner with his wife, Melanie, of the Western Edge stores, farms and raises horses

Edge still has vivid memories of that first calving season with Ruble.

“I spent a couple summers on a Montana ranch, so I’d rope calves from a pick-up while he drove. After roping, my job was to tag, weigh and tattoo calves all the while keeping as far from the cows as possible,” he says. “They would try to get into the truck. After that year, Marshall began to select for disposition in the herd.”

Edge also took away the importance of record-keeping from the experience, something he applies in his current businesses.

Ruble expects students to learn as well as earn a paycheck.

“Everybody’s going to learn,” he says. “Every job you have hopefully you learn and pick up new things. I always ask them, ‘What do you want to get out of this job today?’.”

Ruble Recognized for Excellence

Dean Wendy Wintersteen presented Marshall Ruble with the Dean’s Citation for Extraordinary Contributions Feb. 16 at the college’s spring convocation. The surprise award recognizes faculty and staff who have exceeded expectations. Maynard Hogberg, chair of the Department of Animal Science, says he nominated Ruble because he’s a dedicated staff member who is a great role model for other employees.

“Marshall Ruble continuously operates the Beef Teaching unit with a positive financial operating balance. He does this with hard work, smart buying and closely monitoring costs of his operation, including student labor,” Hogberg says.

The Beef Teaching cow herd produces genetics sought after by commercial beef producers, Hogberg says, judging by the success of the biannual “Tradition of Excellence Female Sale.” It is conducted with assistance of the Beef Marketing Class that is co-taught by Ruble and Brad Skaar. Ruble also is one of Iowa State’s main contacts for the Iowa beef industry. He has served on multiple boards and committees, including the Iowa Beef Breeds Council where he served at the president.