Students Living Cardinal, Gold & Green Archive

Summers of Sustainable Internship Experiences (October 2023)

This past summer, students undertook so many unique and impactful initiatives and opportunities all with one thing in common: being the difference they envision for the world! Students spent their summers learning, connecting, discovering and applying their Cyclone-acquired knowledge and skills to the test as they dove into a variety of experiences, many directly focused on ensuring a sustainable future. Live Green! connected with a few students about their unique and memorable summers of sustainability, as interns. Read the entire Students Living Cardinal, Gold and Green article here!

Embracing Appreciation through Philanthropic Commitments (November 2023)

At ISU, sororities and fraternities come together to support community and embrace social sustainability through many philanthropic endeavors. This month, Students Living Cardinal Gold and Green will feature philanthropic commitment and impact of sororities and fraternities at Iowa State University through connections with Alpha Chi Omega, Kappa Delta, Sigma Kappa, Alpha Gamma Rho, Alpha Phi and Delta Delta Delta. Read the entire Students Living Cardinal, Gold and Green article here!

Intentions Toward a Sustainable Future (December 2023 / January 2024)

With the intention of bringing our campus community together and making a sustainable difference, Iowa State student organizations continue to raise the bar through volunteering, fundraising, education and beyond. This month, Live Green! highlights a few of the numerous student organizations that pursue intentions (environmental, economic and social). Read the entire Students Living Cardinal, Gold and Green article here!

Iowa State Organizations Practicing Sustainability Through Nourishment (February 2024)

Iowa State University has a vibrant community of clubs and organizations that go beyond conventional boundaries, channeling their passion into meaningful actions, particularly in the realm of nourishment. Nourishing ourselves extends beyond the realm of food; it encompasses the multifaceted aspects of our wellbeing. Cultivating meaningful connections with others and engaging in activities that bring joy and fulfillment. In the exploration of Iowa State University’s sustainability-minded student organizations, two are highlighted in this month’s issue as we delve into the inspiring endeavors of Dance Marathon and Blood Drive, shedding light on their unique approaches to fostering a nourishing campus culture. Read the entire Students Living Cardinal, Gold and Green article here!

Students Emerging Cardinal, Gold and Green (March 2024)

At Iowa State University, the spirit of innovation and community engagement thrives through the emergence of new and growing student organizations. As the campus community continues to grow, enhance and evolve, so do the interests and passions of a diverse student body. Through the lens of growth and new explorations, this month’s SLCGG highlights two new and upcoming student organizations. Read the entire Students Living Cardinal, Gold and Green article here!

Students Uniting Toward a Sustainable Future (April 2024)

In the heart of Iowa State University thrives a spirit of unity dedicated to fostering sustainability across diverse domains. From cultivating fresh produce to conserving wetlands, student-led organizations exemplify a commitment to creating a resilient and sustainable future. This month’s SLCGG delves into the initiatives of these groups, each playing a crucial role in promoting unity and collective action within the university and wider community. Read the entire Students Living Cardinal, Gold and Green article here!

Start Something College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (October 2022)

During the 2022-2023 academic year, Student’s Living Cardinal, Gold, and Green will celebrate each college’s commitment to optimism and innovation through their Start Something initiatives, and feature some of their many students ensuring innovative solutions toward a sustainable future. This month, the Start Something College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Program is celebrated.

 

Start Something College of Engineering (November 2022)

With November being so closely connected to gratitude and giving back to the community, this month’s contribution to Students Living Cardinal Gold and Green celebrates the value-oriented and creative solutions that Start Something College of Engineering has achieved. Start Something College of Engineering offers a unique approach to innovation in offering moments of gratitude by envisioning and developing new products and services through their engineering entrepreneurial expertise.

 

Start Something College of Human Sciences (December 2022/January 2023)

With the objective that innovation emerges and flourishes in a culture in which the opportunity for creative thinking and doing is provided, the College of Human Sciences offers a multi-faceted Start Something platform. One that ensures each student’s pursuit of a unique adventure (and triumph) in innovation and entrepreneurship. Adventure avenues are offered through three main pathways: immersive innovation, hands-on experiences and core offerings.

 

Start Something College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (February 2023)

In the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, students with a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship can get involved with the LAS Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I+E) Academy; a two-year experience available to students in all LAS majors. Key features of the program include academic opportunities including project-oriented courses, student incubators, product development assistance and internships. This month, the Start Something Program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is celebrated.

 

Start Something College of Design (March 2023)

Bringing out the innovator in every Cyclone, the Start Something Network goes above and beyond to provide students with endless academic opportunities and experiences to students in each of Iowa State University’s colleges. This month, we commemorate the Start Something Program in the College of Design, where the program specifically focuses on interdisciplinary innovation, with emphasis on empowering students to be leaders in social and civic change.

 

Start Something Ivy College of Business (April 2023)

Entrepreneurship has been a major theme at Iowa State for over 25 years. Much of it revolves around the Ivy College of Business Start Something Program, where supporting entrepreneurs is at the heart of their work. The Ivy College of Business prides itself on innovative experiences and opportunities for students to start their own businesses, hire employees and become the engine of our economy. This month, the Start Something Program in the Ivy College of Business is celebrated.

 

Start Something College of Veterinary Medicine (May 2023)

Iowa State’s College of Veterinary Medicine is ranked as the 14th best veterinary program in the country and is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. There are four options available in the program: small animal, equine, mixed animal and food animal. Each program consists of core courses to ensure a strong foundational knowledge and additional courses specific to each option. There are a variety of ways for students to get involved with research through on-campus opportunities and summer internships, and a wide range of research centers, institutes and initiatives that allow students to get involved in areas of interest.

ISU Student Government Sustainability Committee and ISU Zero Waste Team (March 2022)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reducing waste can be accomplished in many ways. This month’s contribution to Students Living Cardinal, Gold and Green highlights some unique opportunities offered to students, faculty and staff, through two student-empowered organizations: the Student Government Sustainability Committee and the Zero Waste Team.

 

City of Ames Smart Business Challenge Interns (February 2022)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A committed student effort has been in place since 2014, related to educating, engaging and empowering the business community in opportunities toward a sustainable future. The City of Ames Smart Business Challenge celebrates its eight year in 2022 and the dedicated teams of interns that have increased and enhanced its relevancy, applicability and impact to a diversity of community businesses.

 

Best Buddies and Pay-It-Forward (December 2021 / January 2022)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In this season so closely connected to gratitude and giving, this month’s contribution to Students Living Cardinal, Gold and Green celebrates the commitment and dedication by student organizations at Iowa State University in giving back and paying forward. Two organizations, Best Buddies and Pay it Forward, are highlighted this month – each offering a unique and signifcant approach to nurturing support and cultivating gratitude.

 

Sustainable Agriculture Student Association (SASA), ISU National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Students Helping Our Peers (SHOP) and Cardinal Eats (November 2021)

Nourishment is defned as the substances needed for growth, health, and good condition. A large part of our nourishment comes from our food, but taking care of ourselves goes beyond what we eat. Mental and emotional health is just as important to our well-being as the food we eat - and luckily, there are several clubs and organizations on campus supporting our campus and community nourishment! From fghting food insecurity by providing nutritious food to those in need, to providing resources to connect with others and take care of ourselves - a few organizations committed to our campus and community fourishing are highlighted!

College of Engineering (May 2021)

Students within the College of Engineering at Iowa State University are gaining relevant professional experience through extracurricular clubs and organizations, as well as coursework. This month’s feature article highlights students taking especially unique strides to intersect sustainability and engineering at the forefront of solving some of today’s most pressing challenges.

 

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (April 2021)

Iowa State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, offering the most academically diverse options for students, supports and provides a diversity of co-curricular opportunities. Through student organizations and leadership roles, offer networking, connections and experiences students leave Iowa State as citizens benefiting Iowa, the nation and the world. To showcase the variety of awareness, engagement and empowerment offered to LAS students, Live Green! interviewed four student organizations this month.

 

College of Human Sciences (March 2021)

The College of Human Sciences provides students the opportunity to develop their human potential through a multitude of organizations, clubs and extracurricular activities. The opportunities to get involved are just as diverse, unique and relevant as the curriculum from which students can choose. Whether pursuing degrees in health, education, fashion or food, College of Human Sciences students are making a sustainable difference in and out of the classroom, locally, nationally and internationally. A few of the many are highlighted in this month’s issue.

 

College of Design (February 2021)

Iowa State University is one of few comprehensive schools that offer a design program in the midwest. ISU’s College of Design is dedicated to providing students hands-on learning experiences to better prepare them for their future careers. Clubs within the College of Design allow students to exercise their skills and grow an appreciation and understanding for the sustainability of the physical and cultural environment around them.

 

College of Veterinary Medicine and Ivy College of Business (Nov./Dec./Jan. 2020/2021)

In College of Veterinary Medicine and Ivy College of Business, students are taking the initiative to promote innovation and diversity within their respective industries and among their peers. Campus organizations give these students resources, support and leadership opportunities to create a more sustainable campus, industry and future.

 

College of Agriculture (October 2020)

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) houses and supports a diversity of organizations that support students in pursuing sustainability opportunities, connections and professions. Two, of the many, organizations are highlighted in this month’s Students Living Cardinal, Gold and Green.

International Association of Students in Agriculture and Related Sciences and The Landscape Club - Striving for Sustainable Landscapes (May 2020)

Plants, animals, goods, homes, energy, air quality, water purity, recreation, exploration. All facets of life depend on healthy land and the completion of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 15, “Life on Land.” The target of this goal, to take care of the land that takes care of people, has been progressing through the missions of organizations throughout the world, including two student organizations at Iowa State University. The International Association of Students of Agriculture and Related Sciences at Iowa State University and the Landscape Club at Iowa State University are providing Cyclones opportunities to support and further the vision of Goal 15, through unique consideration and approaches to sustainable land use.

 

Iowa Women in Natural Resources and Students Helping Rescue Animals - Envisioning a Sustainable Community and World (April 2020)

Iowa State currently offers 850+ student and campus organizations for students to join. Of those, more than 200 are related to economic, environmental and social sustainability, all with the vision of a more sustainable campus, community and world. Two organizations featured in this month’s newsletter that put a lot of effort into achieving this vision are Iowa Women in Natural Resources Collegiate Chapter and Students Helping Rescue Animals. Both organizations prioritize volunteerism and community engagement to achieve their goals.

 

Soil & Water Conservation Club and Water Environment Federation - Ensuring Good Hydration Through Clean Water Systems (March 2020)

Clean water accessibility for all living beings often comes down to two major factors, location and quality, which are influenced by natural and anthropogenic (human caused) processes. Naturally, only .5% of the water on Earth is fresh (drinkable) and physically accessible, according to USBR.gov. Humans influence water accessibility with societal processes; how we clean and pollute water resources and structure societies to make clean water affordable. The United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and 14 (Life Below Water) aim to address these water accessibility issues. Two student organizations at Iowa State University supporting these goals are the Soil and Water Conservation club and the Water Environment Federation club.

 

Margaret Sloss Center and Students for Open Discussion - Uniting Students, Uniting Campus, Uniting Community (February 2020)

Of 850 student and campus organizations at Iowa State, over 40 fall within the category of “Political & Activism,” many with a common goal of uniting campus and community members through discussion and action. Two on-campus organizations that believe in creating peace and unity specifically through advocacy and discussion are the Margaret Sloss Center for Women & Gender Equity and Students for Open Discussion – the Center embodying U.N. Sustainable Development Goal 5 and 10 both embracing Goal 16.

 

ISU Recreation Services and Engineers Without Borders - Elevating Others Through Action (December 2019)

Action is a key ingredient when working to elevate sustainable communities and good health and well-being. In this month's SLCGG, three student fitness instructors and two student engineers in the ISU chapter of Engineers Without Borders share their thoughts on how people can act to elevate and sustain themselves and others in local and international communities.

 

Student Dietetics Association and Food Recovery Network -  Nourishing the Mind and Body Through Food (November 2019)

Students within the College of Engineering at Iowa State University are gaining relevant professional experience through extracurricular clubs and organizations, as well as coursework. This month’s feature article highlights students taking especially unique strides to intersect sustainability and engineering at the forefront of solving some of today’s most pressing challenges.

 

Grayson Burgess, Lauren Gifford, and Dillon Jensen – Innovating Green Through Entrepreneurship (October 2019) 

Creating a healthy, successful planet, with thriving economies, environments and societies depend heavily on “green” thinking. Green thinking can mean a lot of things, like being more mindful about one’s waste, or paying attention to how one’s actions impact the people and environments around them. However, green thinking also means green innovating; creating real change by thinking outside the box for ways to sustain life and wellness. In this first issue of the Live Green! Monthly for the 2019-2020 academic year, Live Green! wants to introduce readers to Cardinal & Gold students that are thinking and innovating Green through their passions for entrepreneurship.

Julian Neely, Courtney Beringer, Colin Welk, and Zoey Mauck–"Green" Graduating Senior Leaders (May 2019)

Highlighting a few "green" graduating student leaders that are committed to continuing to envisioning "green" and a sustainable future beyond Iowa State University.  "You can't do this by yourself, you have to have a team alongside you," Neely said. "Sustainability is about creating less waste using the three Rs and about putting in place programs that will help people in a situation not for a week or a day, but for their whole lives." Beringer "Sustainability ties to every single possible career and every aspect of life. No matter what you care about, you can incorporate sustainability into your life. Take action now to make sure that the world we live in is inclusive, equitable, healthy and safe for everyone." Welk "Understand why you are doing what you do and how actions impact the environment will help you move forward in sustainability." Mauck

 

National Electrical Contractors Association, Engineers for a Sustainable World (April 2019)

Two student organizations committed to ongoing dedication to sustainability and a sustainable future and whose efforts are celebrated through many achievements and initiatives, locally, nationally and internationally, these two groups are National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and Engineers for a Sustainable World (ESW). 

"[We] look at current energy plans, make a new energy design and determine the cost and payback period for it. It's a real-world design challenge," Blachfrod said. "If you're looking for a place where you can apply sustainability and your innovation skills while still in college, this club is the perfect place. Everyone can contribute because there's so many aspects to the projects – more than engineering," Moyna said. 

Consistent innovation, teamwork, vision, and passion demonstrated by student organizations like NECA and ESW that promotes, builds and cultivates awareness, engagement, accomplishment, and success...and is always something to celebrate. 

 

ETHOS Magazine and SIR Magazine (March 2019)

Emphasizing the beauty of exploring green at Iowa State University as we feature two of the many semesterly student publications on campus that take readers on unique and diverse journeys exploring ideas touching on all aspects of life: Social, economic and/or environmental.

ETHOS covers the culture of Iowa State University. Sometimes that means a challenge in pursuing cutting edge stories, O'Brien noted, but ETHOS staff is persistent as they aim to share community voices. The value of persisting with stories touching on sensitive topics people may not want to think about, O'Brien explains, involves such stories'abilities to sustain and encourage a community of understanding. The mission of empowering community voices, articulating ideas and engaging audiences in discussions, is also a focus on SIR Magazine. SIR is a publication that appeals to the sharing of expression and voice primarily through art and article-based content; covering topics involving style, food, culture, music, technology, and health. "We offer an opportunity for people to develop their skills and push limits, we say some stuff that people don't like to hear, but need to comprehend. We make you think."

Be it discovering new viewpoints or finding the motivation to express oneself, SIR And ETHOS offer unique opportunities for diverse exploration. 

 

The Green Umbrella and Peer Wellness Educators (February 2019)

Many times when sustainability is discussed, environmental sustainability topics such as composting, recycling and food systems are brought up. Gomez and Pingel, however, believe sustainability looks different for everyone. The Green Umbrella spends time helping people find different ways to be sustainable (environmentally, economically and socially) that fit where they are in life. 

Peer Wellness Educators, the student's a part of the Peer Wellness Education Program, was envisioned in 2016 and was officially offered to ISU students in 2018. They served as another student-led initiative that promotes different ways people can practice sustainability. "One of the things about being a Peer Wellness Educator is that if your peers know you're a Peer Wellness Educator, [they] feel more comfortable talking to you about a problem than staff," Pingel said. 

"It's all interconnected. They're important because they're all connected in one way or another. We're social beings, so we need one another." Williams said. Through embracing difference in all aspects of life, one empowers a legacy of understanding among the community that strengthens us all. 

 

Pay It Forward and Student Society of Landscape Architecture (December 2018)

During our month-long recognition and celebration of creating green, two student organizations are highlighted this month that serve as platforms for ISU students to learn more about how the can sustainably impact communities and environments through projects and social networks–Student Architects (SSLA and Pay It Forward (PIF). 

One goal of SSLA is to connect people to the landscapes. Connecting people with landscapes that create a fun and socially sustainable environment is a goal that extends not only to their parklet project but also to club meetings. The job goes beyond backyards, Rueb, Brayton, and Murtle said, and can bring a landscape architect into a situation where they may be creating a space in a rural or urban, large or small scale area. In any location, the goal is always to support the health and functionality of environments, Rueb said. 

Pay It Forward, previously known as "Students Today, Leaders Forever," also focuses on creating healthy and sustainable communities by giving their time to "green" projects. Most notably through a spring break trip. "One of my favorite parts [about the service trip|] is seeing people get comfortable and come out of their shell," Vos said. "When someone does something nice for you, it's a great feeling...it's nice to be able to pay that forward," said Maria Daubenberger.  

 

The SHOP and ARD Corujo (November 2018)

Community residents buying green through shopping local can intern invest in their community, and offers a direct correlation. 73% of all purchases made locally are reinvested locally-offering  the opportunity to directly support the future you envision for your community. 

"A lot of the time people forget you can do a lot to help your neighbor by just giving them food or being their friend," said Paige Ahldrichs.

A unique opportunity for students to help their peers involves them spending their extra dining dollars each semester to purchase non-perishable food items at campus C-stores, that they can then donate to The SHOP. 

Buying used, thrifted clothes and upcycling them into a new style also is beneficial in keeping money in the community while empowering people to have affordable and confidence-boosting clothes, Corujo said. In the last four years, Corujo has upcycled 100+ items, all sourced from thrift stores. Each of which takes her 2-3 days to finish. "At the end of the day, there is happiness and simplicity. If it makes you happy, it is not a mistake," Corjuo said. 

 

The Environmental Education Club and The Go Green Group (Formally Greeks Go Green) (October 2019)

When it comes to student organizations supporting and promoting the Three Pillars of Sustainability, The Environmental Education Club and The Greeks Go Green Club are two examples of student-run organizations at Iowa State that strive to educate and engage the community on the benefits of learning green or learning to live sustainably. Both clubs support lifestyles that enable people to optimize resource opportunities today while ensuring there are systems in place that support equal, if not better, resources for future generations.

“We encourage all majors to join us…anyone on this planet can make their career more sustainable. It doesn’t just have to be the people in animal science or ecology. You can become a doctor and still be involved–you can reduce medical waste. You can go into cosmetics and make your products more environmentally friendly. My biggest goal is to inspire as many people as possible to participate in a sustainable lifestyle. Passing on the passion to others enables us to do many things.” Kurovski said.

Bilawal Khoso (May 2018)

We have all experienced moments and emotions of feeling left out, out of place and more of a stranger than being welcomed. Whether moving to a new city, diving into a new challenge or taking on a new responsibility, we can all relate to those moments, likely on multiple occasions.

Now imagine experiencing these moments and not speaking the language as your first language, not having easy access to your favorite comfort foods and not being able to visit your family for months, if not years. This is a daily reality for many ISU students, like Muhammad Bilawal Khoso (BK).

The Fashion Show (April 2018)

Iowa State University offers many hands-on sustainable experiences through clubs and organizations -- one of which is the Iowa State Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management’s (AESHM) Fashion Show. From its humble beginning as a simple runway show in a MacKay Hall classroom, it has grown to be one of the largest student-run fashion shows in the nation, now being held in C.Y. Stephens Auditorium in Ames, Iowa.

The 36th annual Fashion Show accommodates more than 75 Apparel, Merchandising, and Design (AMD) students to display their garments on the runway, promoting durable and creative fashion, opposed to wasteful, fast fashion. The show is also produced, designed and marketed entirely by the 150 students chosen to be a part of the planning committee. Even 100 percent of the models are Iowa State students.

Live Yoga Live Green (March 2018)

Our daily chores, activities and tasks fill our mind to the brim.The psychology paper due next week, the big project at work and the growing to do list as the week goes on removes us from being mindful of and engaged in the present. As one ISU student knows well, through purposeful mindfulness we enable ourselves to dismiss all the mind clutter and thrive in our present moments.

Growing up in Jaipur, India, Ankur Sharma (graduate student in computer engineering) practiced mantra meditation and strived to live a life focused on yoga principles, taught and guided by his family’s values. By seeing the improvement in his own mindfulness he was inspired to share this knowledge and practice as an ISU student. His inspiration led to the founding of a uniquely-focused student organization — Live Yoga Live Green (LYLG).

Adam Blake Wright (February 2018)

Although people often ask why I am living and working in New Zealand, it remains a difficult question for me to answer. After all, I can’t remember a time when traveling here wasn’t at the top of my bucket list.

As I a child, I was fascinated by my grandfather’s National Geographic magazines, and I likely stumbled upon an article or glossy photograph that sparked my fascination with New Zealand at a young age.

Flash forward to Fall 2016: my second-to-last semester at Iowa State. While working as a graduate assistant for Live Green! and completing dual masters degrees in Creative Writing and Sustainable Agriculture, I became increasingly interested in moving abroad to see how other cultures use storytelling to engage with sustainability issues.

Lindsay Mack (December 2017)

Iowa State University boasts a wide array of student leaders working toward a sustainable future. Though we normally visualize these leaders in classes, laboratories or clubs, a unique group of students is sustaining the future by working as Peer Wellness Educators in Student Wellness, a division of Health Services. This group of student leaders plan, implement and evaluate strategies and programming to address health, well-being and safety on campus in order to ensure wellness and a socially-just future. 

Lindsey Mack, an ISU junior studying environmental science and environmental studies is one of these leaders. Since her arrival at Iowa State, she has had a growing interest in holistic health and wellness. Mack wanted to find a way to enhance student success on campus through higher learning, sense of belonging and holistic wellness.

“I wanted to enable other students to find balance in all dimensions of well-being to achieve their goals in college and beyond,” Mack stated.

Food Recovery Network (November 2017)

Iowa State University offers a diversity of opportunities for students to get involved. With more than 850 student organizations available, Iowa State has much to offer in the realm of clubs and organizations. From engineering to advertising to ukulele, Iowa State ensures students can be engaged in organizations that are catered to their hobbies, majors and passions.

With Thanksgiving (Nov.23), National Philanthropy Day (Nov. 15) and Giving Tuesday (Nov. 28) right around the corner, November is a time to reflect on all we have for which to give thanks, as well as for those not having opportunities that are available to us.

In addition to being thankful, November is the opportunity to give back. One specific club that goes above and beyond to give back to Iowa State and the Ames community is the newly-formed Food Recovery Network.

Elizabeth Garzón (October 2017)

Elizabeth Garzón, a junior at Iowa State University, is taking her unique "hands-on experience" of working in Uganda to change her lifestyle in Ames. It all began when she encountered an opportunity to travel with the Iowa State University Uganda Program (ISUUP) on its annual summer service trip. She was one of eight service learners from Iowa State selected to spend six weeks in Kamuli, Uganda to teach life skills in farming and sciences through the lens of sustainability through ISUUP.

Garzón heard about this opportunity through multiple professors and eventually decided to go for the opportunity, which is housed under the Iowa State Global Resources Systems program. She said her love for travel and her dual majors of global resources systems and environmental science was a perfect fit. This Cyclone not only wanted to aid the citizens of Kamuli, but wanted to expand her knowledge of sustainability.

The Cultural Ambassador Program (May 2017)

More than 300 ISU students embark on a new adventure each semester without leaving the grounds of campus.

These students participate in the International Students and Scholars Office's (ISSO) Cultural Ambassador Program. The program pairs an international student with a domestic student, allowing the domestic student to help the international student become more immersed in the Iowa State adventure.

"American students are there to have conversations in English with international students," said Shelby Smith, senior in public relations and student assistant for the Cultural Ambassador Program. "They will answer any questions about U.S. culture, academic experience and rules and regulations of school. The international Cultural Ambassador is able to share their home culture and traditions with the American Cultural Ambassador, as well."

Two ISU students who participated this spring in the program are Maggie Jennett, senior in criminal justice from Ames, Iowa, and Yu-Wen Chen, a graduate student pursuing her doctorate in electrical and computer engineering from Taichung, Taiwan.

Kinosol (April 2017)

As student entrepreneurs, the founding members of KinoSol have not only experienced growth in their educational studies at Iowa State, but also through growing a business that is enabling communities to thrive around the world.

In 2014, Clayton Mooney, Elise Kendall, Ella Gehrke and Mikayla Sullivan (pictured in order to the right), all global resource systems majors at Iowa State, formed a team for the Thought For Food Challenge and came up with the idea of dehydration in response to the challenge of feeding the growing world population. The team took second in the competition, and KinoSol was founded.

During the competition, the team brainstormed the name, "KinoSol," which is a combination of the word "kinetics," symbolizing the portability of the dehydration units, and the word "sol," for its solar-powered component.

KinoSol’s company mission is “to decrease post-harvest loss in the most sustainable way possible.” The team has accomplished this by offering a mobile dehydrator for fruits, vegetables, insects and grains that increases food preservation and requires no electricity – making it usable anywhere in the world.

Kevin Garcia (March 2017)

Kevin Garcia, sophomore studying business and hospitality management, is seeking unique ways to nourish people in his pursuit of owning a farm to table restaurant.

After graduating high school in Los Angeles, Garcia followed in his sister’s footsteps to attend Iowa State University. At the time, he wanted to become an athletic trainer. Garcia soon realized that his true passion was in cooking. 

“I had been cooking for most of my life,” Garcia said. It was this realization that led him to study culinary arts at the Art Institute back home in Los Angeles. 

After finishing culinary school, Garcia (featured center in photo) got a job as a line cook for Nobu, a Japanese restaurant with more than 30 restaurants worldwide. When Nobu first opened in 1995, it won "Best New Restaurant" from the James Beard Awards, known as the "Oscars of food." Since its beginning, Nobu has continued its award winning performance. It was this position that inspired Garcia to want to open a farm to table restaurant.

Rejuvafruit (February 2017)

The journey in following a passion is one of discovery, challenge, patience and steadfast focus. Four Iowa State students have stirred passions to make a positive impact on the community.

Heidi Kalb, junior, Emily Zagula, senior, Paige Myers, senior and Katherine Cummings, senior, all studying global resource systems, turned their passion for food security into Rejuvafruit -- an organization dedicated to raising awareness about the impacts of food waste and enhancing opportunities for reducing waste and decreasing hunger.

“Nearly one third of all food produced goes to waste,” Kalb said. “That’s a lot of food, inputs, time and money that is lost in a world where not everyone has enough to eat.”

Rejuvafruit was established in 2015 when these students became a team at Iowa State to compete in the national Thought for Food Challenge. They were tasked to come up with a solution that would feed 9 billion people by 2050. Their solution was to take overripe or “ugly” fruits and dehydrate them to give them a longer shelf life. Not only did they envision a solution, they passionately pursued it.

Shelby Ullrich (December 2016)

The holiday season sparks a spirit of generosity in many individuals, whether through exchanging presents, giving an extra donation to a local charity or volunteering time to help those in need. For ISU senior majoring in sociology and active member of the Greek Community and Pi Beta Phi, Shelby Ullrich, the spirit of generosity burns brightly year-round.

In 2015, the Greek Community collectively spent more than 61,000 hours volunteering, an average of 14 hours per community member, and an overall monetary value of more than $1.3 million dollars. Ullrich's contributions to this impressive generosity went well beyond the average, totaling 450 hours — the highest individual commitment of any community member.

"My biggest motivation to donate my time is the people I get to spend time with," said Ullrich. " The reason I spend time serving people is to ensure that they know they are precious and worthwhile!"

Love Your Melon Campus Crew (November 2016)

Impact and change is often reflected in something as simple as a smile. When we reflect upon how we have contributed to the well-being of others, it often inspires a warm sense of meaning and continual action to better others' lives.

Iowa State University's Love Your Melon campus crew and volunteer network, which includes more than 200 ISU students, hopes to keep bringing happiness to families across the Midwest, motivated by the incredible number of smiles they have created in their three years on campus.

"We aren't here to better ourselves," said Nettie Sparkman, senior in genetics and event management, and co-captain of ISU's Love Your Melon campus crew. "We're here to constantly work to better others."

Sustainable Fashionista (October 2016)

When considering one’s hopes, goals and dreams, the “future” has a different meaning for everyone. For this Iowa State University student, her bright future is the passionate pursuit of becoming a leader in sustainable fashion. 

Apparel, merchandising and design senior, Caitlyn Baagoe, had the opportunity to follow her passion for sustainability and fashion. Over the summer Baagoe interned for Groceries Apparel in Los Angeles, specializing in 100 percent organic and 100 percent recyclable clothing.

In addition to their organic and recyclable content commitment, Groceries Apparel also manufactures all of their clothing locally in Los Angeles where they have their own vegetabledye studio.

By keeping manufacturing in-house, Groceries Apparel is able to maximize “quality, efficiency and employee pay” while minimizing their carbon footprint and waste, making an environmental, economic and social difference.