Iowa State Daily • 17th November 2025

ISU Parking makes $5 million: Here’s where the money goes

Parking costs at Iowa State have steadily climbed in recent years, and so has the department’s revenue.
The ISU Parking Division reported a revenue of nearly $5.1 million in fiscal year 2024, an increase from nearly $4.8 million in 2023. 
During the same period, permit fees increased by nearly 3.1% on average, while the parking division’s revenue increased by 6.7%. The increase in revenue outperformed rising fees, in part because the price of violations rose by an average of more than 5.4% durin...

messengernews.net • 19th July 2025

Daniel Pharmacy: 62 years in business

-Messenger photo by Kadin Luhmann

Daniel Pharmacy has been open at the corner of Central Avenue and 12th Street since 1963 and has been a family-owned business since it debuted.John Daniel II had to make a difficult decision as a college student attending the University of Iowa.Daniel originally wanted to be an engineering major, but switched to pharmacy after a conversation with his father.
After struggling early in his college career, Daniel said he considered going back to engineering, but d...

Iowa State Daily • 4th May 2025

Moving forward: How The Pride Alliance adjusted after Iowa prohibited DEI

The Pride Alliance at Iowa State has undergone some changes after Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Senate File 2435 (SF 2435) into law on May 9, 2024. The bill prohibits public universities in Iowa from funding, maintaining and creating DEI offices. 
Before SF 2435, employees at The Center, a space in the Memorial Union formerly known as The Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success, planned for Lavender Graduation, an event where graduating students are recognized for their academic and personal achievements...

Iowa State Daily • 10th December 2025

MU parking prices continue to rise: Here’s why

The Memorial Union Parking Ramp has seen a steady rise in annual revenue in recent years. 
In fiscal year 2024, the MU made more than $794,000 from its parking ramp, an increase from 2023, when the amount was more than $788,000. 
Despite the increase in revenue, the MU has raised permit prices over the past three years. The most significant increase occurred from FY 2023 to FY 2024, where permit fees were increased by an average of 7%.
Permit fees over the past two years saw an increase of 3%. A...

Iowa State Daily • 13th November 2025

The inventions of Iowa State

From a lead-free solder used in technology worldwide to the first electronic computer, research at Iowa State continues to produce inventions that shape everyday life.
Lead-free solder, a metal mixture used to connect parts in electronic devices, ranks as Iowa State’s highest-earning invention. It generated nearly $60 million in royalties before the patent expired in 2013, according to Patrick Klepcyk, director of the ISU Office of Innovation Commercialization (OIC). The solder is widely used in...

Iowa State Daily • 25th September 2025

Overcoming adversity: ISU international students share their experiences

Krisha Sta Maria, a junior in psychology, moved to Ames as a 13-year-old immigrant from the Philippines. Sta Maria said she faced discrimination as a middle school student due to her accent and the food she would bring for lunch.
Seven years later, Sta Maria has found a sense of belonging at Iowa State.
“I see a lot more acceptance here, more diversity and more people that are willing to learn about you and your culture,” Sta Maria said.
Sta Maria is a domestic student because she recently becam...

Iowa State Daily • 30th October 2025

Caffeine craze: ISU students turn to coffee and energy drinks

As Iowa State students begin the second half of the fall semester, the scent of coffee and the crack of energy drink tabs fill campus hallways.
Brayden Meints, a junior in anthropology, said caffeine helps him stay focused on academics and other daily tasks.
“It just helps me focus a little bit more,” Meints said. “My brain feels clearer.”
Meints is not the only student who drinks caffeine to help with academics. According to Kristi Patel, the associate retail director for ISU Dining, caffeine s...

Iowa State Daily • 8th December 2025

Behind the scenes: ISU Meat Laboratory

As the hum of machinery blends with the grinding of pork trim and bacon, employees inside the Iowa State University Meats Laboratory work steadily to produce the lab’s popular sweet bacon sticks.
Making products for retail is just one of the many functions of the Meat Lab. The lab hosts several undergraduate animal science classes and other short courses.
Assistant Teaching Professor Caroline Downey said that the Meat Lab gives animal science students an opportunity to gain hands-on experience....

Iowa State Daily • 24th October 2025

Amazon Web Services executive gives seminar, receives ISU award

Iowa State graduate and Amazon Web Services (AWS) executive Dr. Swami Sivasubramanian returned to campus Friday to deliver a seminar and accept the Professional Achievement Citation in Engineering (PACE) Award.
Sivasubramanian graduated from Iowa State in 2002 with an M.S. in computer engineering. He has been awarded 250 patents and has authored 40 scientific papers and journals.
Sivasubramanian said that Friday marked his first trip back to Iowa State since his graduation.
“It’s very nostalgic...

messengernews.net • 16th June 2025

Celebrating hope

-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla

Sherry Washington, president of the Pleasant Valley Awareness Committee, holds part of the ribbon from the ribbon cutting for the new basketball courts at H.C. Meriwether Park Saturday during Juneteenth in Pleasant Valley.Fort Dodge residents gathered at Meriwether Park in Pleasant Valley on Saturday to celebrate the Juneteenth holiday.The event featured a car show, local vendors and a basketball tournament on the newly renovated courts.
Murphy Washington, a memb...

Iowa State Daily • 14th October 2025

Behind the scenes: ISU Bakery and Dining Support Center

When students treat themselves to a cookie from Union Drive Marketplace or a cupcake from Seasons, every bite traces back to the ISU Bakery.
Operating out of the Knapp-Storms Building, the bakery produces more than 1.6 million desserts per year.
“We produce breads, pastries, cookies, bars, cupcakes, bagels and pizza dough,” Karen Rodekamp, director of ISU Dining, said. 
The ISU Bakery, also known as the Dining Support Center, has 243 unique recipes that are still popular among former Iowa State...

Iowa State Daily • 19th November 2025

Weather the storm: How students and staff can prepare for winter

As the days grow shorter and leaves scatter across campus sidewalks, Iowa State University officials are preparing for the arrival of the winter season. 
Carrie Jacobs, assistant public safety chief of police, said that students and staff will be notified of any class delays and cancellations through email. ISUPD and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) work closely with the National Weather Service (NWS) to monitor winter storm alerts.
Jacobs said that in emergencies, ISUPD will still be avail...

Iowa State Daily • 17th September 2025

Behind the scenes: ISU Creamery

The Iowa State University Creamery staff have worked behind the scenes to meet the demand that the new school year brings. 
“There were a lot of welcome back parties on campus, so we are actually kind of low on some supplies right now,” Danielle Christofferson, the Creamery’s production manager and interim business manager, said. “We’re making a lot of cups right now.”
Employees at the Creamery are responsible for packaging, mixing and flavoring ingredients, cleaning the equipment and freezing t...

messengernews.net • 19th September 2025

Giving Back

-Messenger photo by Kadin Luhmann

Murphy washington, residential manager for the Fort Dodge Residential Correctional Facility, grew up in the Pleasant Valley neighborhood in Fort Dodge. Today, he gives back to the community through his work with the Pleasant Valley Awareness Committee. He has also worked with Athletics for Education and Success.Editor’s note: This feature first ran in a special publication called Hometown Pride, published June 28, 2025, featuring people and organizations from F...

Iowa State Daily • 8th May 2025

Beans the Owl gives ISU students a ‘hoot’ and a glimpse into nature

A barred owl piqued the interest of wildlife students after making the Iowa State campus its home in late January.
Etienne Pienaar, a graduate student in fisheries biology, first spotted the owl by the bus stop at Lagomarcino Hall.
“I had to do a double-take because at eye level, I thought it was one of those plastic owls that people put next to a barn to keep pigeons away,” Pienaar said. “Then it blinked at me, so I just sat there and looked at it and then it eventually flew away.”
A different...

Iowa State Daily • 7th April 2025

The future of Title IX at Iowa State

The Iowa State Women’s Basketball team played their first game at Hilton Coliseum on Dec. 1, 1976. Previously, the team played all of their home games at Forker Building.
Despite the Iowa State Athletic Department requiring the women to sell their own tickets, an estimated crowd of 1,500 people attended Hilton Coliseum for the team’s matchup against Drake. During this game, some spectators did not take the game seriously.
“It’s sad that now you look back and the event was treated like a sideshow...

Iowa State Daily • 21st April 2025

Stay alert: How Iowa State students and staff can prepare for dangerous weather

The last time ISUPD prepared for a severe weather event was on Aug. 10, 2020, when a derecho devastated much of central and southern Iowa, killing four people and injuring many more.
ISUPD Assistant Chief Carrie Jacobs said the department prepared for the event by putting their patrol cars in a protected location and coordinating with the City of Ames and the ISU Power Plant in case they lost power.
Although they expected a storm with high winds, the severity of the event caught ISUPD by surpris...

messengernews.net • 9th June 2025

Heritage, fun come together

-Messenger photo by Bill Shea

A member of the Many Moccasins Dance Troupe performs during Frontier Days Saturday at the Fort Museum and Frontier Village. The Native American group from Nebraska performed several shows throughout Frontier Days.Fort Dodge celebrated its 175th anniversary of settlement with Frontier Days at the Fort Museum and Frontier Village over the weekend.Frontier Days attendees experienced a variety of attractions, including concerts, historical sites, family-friendly entert...

messengernews.net • 2nd August 2025

Tuesday at 10 Hikes

Karen Hansen showcasing a black-eyed Susan flower.Karen Hansen’s passion for nature has led her to a three decade career with Webster County Conservation.Hansen, the environmental coordinator, credits her career longevity to the joy she finds in connecting with the community and creating fun experiences for others.
“I love getting people outdoors to explore, whether they’re older or little kiddos,” Hansen said. “It’s rewarding when they get excited and are learning something.”
Hansen led approxi...