Kadin Luhmann

Welcome to my portfolio! I am a senior at Iowa State University, who is looking for opportunities to become a full-time reporter for a print/online publication. 

My Recent Work

Iowa State Daily •

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 •

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 •

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 •

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...
Iowa State Daily •

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 •

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 •

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...
Iowa State Daily •

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 •

Students line up for free caricatures at ISU AfterDark

Caricature drawings took place at the Memorial Union on Friday night as a part of ISU AfterDark. Many students waited in line for the opportunity to receive a free cartoon portrait of themselves.
Ryan Millennior, a senior in mechanical engineering, said he was impressed by the speed and details of the caricatures.
“The artists really capture the emotions and the essence of a person in under three minutes,” Millennior said.
Kira Moore, an Iowa State graduate, has worked as a caricature artist for...
Iowa State Daily •

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...
messengernews.net •

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 •

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...
Iowa State Daily •

ISU club members look for new recruits at ClubFest

ClubFest drew many Iowa State students to the Memorial Union on Wednesday. 
The annual event featured a large number of student organizations and clubs, where members displayed presentations and other pitches in order to recruit new members.
Bryan Kurpiewski, a senior in marketing, represented the Iowa State Men’s Hockey Club as a board member and assistant coach for the team.
“There’s a big Cyclone community and that’s something we’ve been lacking the past couple years, so we’re just trying to...
Iowa State Daily •

Parking 101: How to avoid tickets

For many Iowa State students, the start of the new semester comes with unfamiliarity about parking rules and how to get to campus without a ticket.
Ryan Lane, a sophomore in environmental engineering, said that many of his roommates received tickets during their first year on campus.
“During the first couple of months, they got a lot of tickets because the signs were confusing and they had to park on the side streets,” Lane said. “I lived in Buchanan and got a parking pass, but my roommates were...
Iowa State Daily •

ISU students share favorite campus dining spots

Choosing a place to eat can be challenging for first-year Iowa State students, especially during their first week on campus.
Trevor Peterson, a freshman in industrial engineering, said Union Drive Marketplace’s proximity to his residence hall made finding a place to eat simple.
“It’s super easy and convenient,” Peterson said. “Their tacos are awesome. I love the chicken, and the steak is also pretty good, but the chicken is where it’s at.”
The buffet-style food choices at Union Drive Marketplace...
messengernews.net •

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...
messengernews.net •

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...
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