ABE News 04.indd - ABE - Iowa State University

As I assume my position as dean of the College ofEngineering, I am especially pleased to be associated withIowa State University’s record of innovation in agriculture.The Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineeringhas clearly anchored this record of accomplishment. Asthey have since establishment of the nation’s first formalprogram in agricultural engineering in 1905, ABE scholarstoday—students as well as faculty—continue a traditionof outstanding leadership in research and education, andservice to the profession.ABOVE: Heads of thenation’s ag engineeringdepartments at ASAEmeeting in Madison,Wisconsin, 1925.Davidson—clearly aman with much to smileabout—is in the frontrow, third from right.LEFT: Class doingfieldwork in farmdrainage.The accomplishments of ABE are critical to the well being,security, and health of the nation. We have few obligationsto future generations that are more fundamental than thedevelopment and implementation of sustainable models ofagriculture that protect our environment while feeding theworld’s growing population. I have the utmost confidencethat, in its second century, ABE willDean Mark Kushner continue and improve upon its recordof excellence in developing the scienceand technology necessary to meet andbest this challenge. Please join me incongratulating the department for 100years of excellence—and in supportingits mission over the next century.The College of Agriculture is proud tocelebrate the centennial of agriculturaland biosystems engineering at IowaState. Throughout its history, ABE hasbeen one of the nation’s best programsand continues to be a pioneer in applyingengineering, agricultural sciences, andtechnology to biological systems. The Dean Catherine Wotekiefforts of ABE’s faculty and staff help usto better understand our natural resources and what needsto be done to maintain their quality. Their assistance toagricultural producers has a significant economic impact,as it helps them apply new methods and technology toimprove their operations. The department continues tomeet the needs of students in innovative ways. In 2004,the addition of the industrial technology program greatlystrengthened our technology-intensive educational efforts.The Colleges of Agriculture and Engineering look forwardwith anticipation to the department’s second century. Wefully expect that ABE will remain a national leader and asource of excellence our alumni and friends can point towith pride.Iowa State University names new engineering deanMark J. Kushner of the University of Illinoishas been named tenth dean of Iowa State’sCollege of Engineering, effective January 2005.He replaces James Melsa, who retired June 30,and will also hold the inaugural James L. andKatherine S. Melsa Professorship. ProfessorCharles Glatz of the Department of ChemicalEngineering has served as interim dean.“Dr. Kushner brings exceptional leadershipskills and broad experience to our Collegeof Engineering,” said Iowa State UniversityPresident Gregory Geoffroy. “He is aninternationally known researcher with anoutstanding record whose focus is on academicexcellence and student achievement. We’redelighted he is joining Iowa State.”Dr. Kushner earned bachelor’s degrees innuclear engineering and astronomy from UCLAin 1976. He earned his master’s and PhD inapplied physics from Cal Tech in 1977 and 1979,respectively.