Latest news with #WendyWintersteen
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa State University president signs statement calling for national investment in R&D
Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen joined other university and business leaders in calling for national investment in research and development. (Photo by Robin Opsahl/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowa State University leadership has joined universities, companies and other organizations across the U.S. in calling for the Trump administration to further invest in national research and development and ensure the country's future as a talent pipeline and innovation powerhouse. ISU President Wendy Wintersteen last week signed a written statement penned by the Council on Competitiveness, a nonprofit organization with the mission of enhancing U.S. competitiveness in the global marketplace, asking President Donald Trump and Congress to support a 'renewed call to action' to strengthen domestic innovation and production capabilities. The statement includes recommendations for transforming American innovation by investing in research and new technologies, strengthening partnerships and attracting global talent. ISU spokesperson Angie Hunt said Wintersteen decided to sign the statement to support investment in research and development. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX 'Investing in innovation is vital for developing new cutting-edge technologies that fuel our economy and keep our state and country competitive,' Hunt said. 'Iowa State is a trusted partner for innovative and proactive solutions, and President Wintersteen understands the value of working collaboratively with industry and government to meet societal needs.' Other universities whose leaders signed onto the statement include the University of South Carolina, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of California Davis and San Diego, the University of Arizona, the University at Buffalo, Boston University, Boise State University, the University of Nebraska and Illinois systems, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Idaho State University, Ohio State University, the University of Maryland, the University of Memphis, the University of Colorado Boulder, Vanderbilt University and the University of Wyoming. Gallup and PepsiCo were also featured on the list of 50 Council on Competitiveness members who signed the statement, as well as the American Federation of Teachers. The statement named China as the U.S.'s biggest competitor in its nearly 250-year history, and said the country 'aims to rewrite the rules of the global economy, control emerging 'dual-use' technologies, and dominate the strategic industries of the future.' One of the recommendations included in the statement is for the U.S. to 'invest at scale' in dual-use technologies like advanced materials, AI, biotechnology, precision agriculture, semiconductors and more. It also recommends enhancing statecraft for critical technologies and implementing a new National Defense Education Act to grow the number of Americans with some level of STEM degree. 'To achieve President Trump's vision of a Golden Age of American Innovation, we must strengthen our innovation system by reinvesting in the research partnerships and innovation infrastructure that have made the United States the global leader in turning knowledge and ideas into commercial value and societal impact,' the statement said. Increased and expanded partnerships are also recommended in the statement, from those between research universities, the business sector and the government to international allies, as well as bringing research and development investment up to 2% of the U.S. GDP and maintaining efforts to recruit and retain global talent while following research security protocols. R&D funding at the federal level as a part of the total GDP used to sit at more than 2% in the 1960s, according to the statement, but has dropped to the current .7%. Actions taken by Trump and his administration have gone against what the organization is recommending, including revoking international student SEVIS statuses and visas and, most recently, halting the scheduling of new visa interviews for international students until new guidelines relating to social media are available, the Associated Press reported. Cutting funding to science agency budgets and research funding, as well as reducing staff in federal offices, were mentioned in the statement as moves that 'threaten the research infrastructure that underpins America's innovation capacity and capability.' The U.S. has been a global leader of science and technology advancements since World War II, the statement said, driven by a model of partnerships and collaboration between academia, industries and the government. A renewed investment in R&D on a national scale, driven by commitments on both sides of the aisle, to continue this trend and keep the U.S. innovating. 'We must accelerate the policy drivers and investments required to increase national productivity and improve the living standards for all Americans,' the statement said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
ISU President Wintersteen retires after 40 years with the school
AMES, Iowa — Word broke Friday morning of Wendy Wintersteen's retirement as the President of Iowa State University. On campus, families and graduates were scurrying on a graduation weekend schedule. Many had to have time for the picture with the ISU Campanile, with cap and gown. Most did not know of this change at Iowa State. 'It's been a fascinating journey, I am truly proud of Iowa State's extraordinary faculty and staff for their remarkable performance these past years,' said Wintersteen in a news release. 'Perhaps most of all, I will miss the amazing energy, talent and potential of our Iowa State students.' Students and alums learning of her decision were surprised. One student getting his PhD was thankful she supported efforts to launch new businesses. 'And as a result of the pitches that I've done and the experience of my classmates and I, we've had Wendy's full throat support for this,' said Bradley Swan, PhD Graduate from Minnesota. 'I know she's actually reached out, and they've had conversations about how they can support that program.' Wakonda Club prepares for Principal Charity Classic 'But it was a really big deal to have like the first female president of Iowa State,' said Meredith Lehman, an ISU alum from Gilbert. 'It kinda definitely brought change to issues that might not have been considered.' 'I think she did a really great job being the first woman president of Iowa State,' said Sadee Lynch, an ISU graduate from Boone. 'Such an example of, that women can do powerful things and lead the university and yeah, she's going to be missed.' Meghan Gillette, is President of the ISU Faculty Senate. 'From the faculty perspective, ultimately I just hope that the next president loves Iowa State, and Ames, and the state of Iowa as much as Wendy does,' said Gillette. 'I hope that the next president will continue working in the spirit of shared governance, and will continue to be student centric.' Gillette said as a teaching faculty member, her focus is on the students, and she said Wintersteen also shared that focus. 'I think, you know, as faculty first and foremost we are very invested in the students, we care deeply about the students,' said Gillette. 'President Wintersteen set a great example of what it's like to be student-centric' Wintersteen will retire in January of 2026. Iowa News: Regional Water issues mandatory water rationing, water sources below capacity ISU President Wintersteen retires after 40 years with the school Why has it been so windy in Iowa? Get ready for a cool down this weekend in Iowa Judge OKs Iowa limits on K-6 gender identity, sexual orientation teaching but not elective programs Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iowa State President Wendy Wintersteen to retire
DES MOINES, Iowa — The president of Iowa State University, Wendy Wintersteen, is planning to retire at the beginning of next year. The announcement was made on Friday morning. Wintersteen will retire in January of 2026. Her latest contract had been set to expire at the end of June in 2026. In the news release posted to Iowa State's website, Wintersteen said, 'I am fortunate to have served Iowa State University in many roles over the past 46 years, and it's been a fascinating journey. I am truly proud of Iowa State's extraordinary faculty and staff for their remarkable performance these past years. Perhaps most of all, I will miss the amazing energy, talent and potential of our Iowa State students.' Iowa Board of Regents President Sherry Bates praised President Wintersteen's steady guidance over the years. 'Under President Wintersteen's leadership, Iowa State's reputation has soared, particularly in research growth, student outcomes and an emphasis on innovation. With her steady guidance, Iowa State has met and overcome many external challenges, including a derecho, an international pandemic and more. The state of Iowa has been blessed to have an accomplished leader like Wendy Wintersteen leading this great land-grant university,' said Bates. Wintersteen was named president of the university in October of 2017 after a six-month nationwide search. She was the first woman named to head Iowa State when she became the university's 16th president. She succeeded Steven Leath, who was Iowa State's president from 2012 to 2017 and left to take the same job at Auburn University. Wintersteen was the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State before taking on the job of president. She has a Ph. D. in Entomology from Iowa State and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in crop protection at Kansas State University. Judge OKs Iowa limits on K-6 gender identity, sexual orientation teaching but not elective programs Iowa State President Wendy Wintersteen to retire Bacoon Ride to go on with slight detour due to trail bridge fire Can you create 166,000 outfits out of 50 items? Iowan shares how he did it in new 'anti-fashion' magazine Governor's bill tackling doctor shortage passes House and Senate Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
