What's Happening in CoSE

You might have noticed a longtime friend is back in the geosciences department!

Professor Emeritus Charlie Blount is helping to create datasets and lab modules for the department’s mineral, volcanology, and critical minerals exploration courses, while also pursuing some of his own research interests.

An expert in geochemistry, he started his career at ISU in 1975 and was granted emeritus status in 1990. He's also a World War II veteran, serving as Pharmacist's Mate Third Class in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1946, who used the GI Bill to earn his bachelor’s in geology from UCLA.

Charlie also recently celebrated his 98th birthday. Happy belated birthday!

Sweetcrete was the topic of a recent episode of KISU’s Sustainable Idaho.

Mustafa Mashal, professor of civil engineering, chatted with host Madison Long about its potential after field testing, how AI can help optimize the concrete blend, and more.

CMI Annual Meeting Scheduled for August 26-28 in Idaho Falls

The Critical Materials Innovation Hub will host the 2025 CMI Annual Meeting from Tuesday, August 26, to Thursday, August 28, at the INL Meeting Center in Idaho Falls. The meeting will include plenary talks, poster sessions, and technical discussions. The Office for Research will cover the registration fees for faculty. If you are interested in attending, please contact Mustafa Masha l.

Save the Date: INL Workshop Scheduled for October 27

Idaho National Laboratory will host a full-day workshop on Idaho State University's Pocatello campus on Monday, October 27.

INL representatives will discuss topics related to the recently signed ISU-INL SUPER Agreement, as well as other areas of collaboration and ongoing projects, including workforce development and training. Sessions will also highlight opportunities for students and faculty to engage with INL on research and academic initiatives.

This is an in-person event only and no remote attendance option will be available. Faculty and researchers based outside of Pocatello who are interested in attending may contact the Office for Research for potential travel assistance.

A detailed schedule will be released closer to the workshop. All faculty, students, staff, and managers are encouraged to attend.

If you have questions about the event, please contact Mustafa Mashal or Amy Wuest in the Office for Research.

Dean's Excellence Fund Accepting Requests from Students

The College of Science and Engineering Dean's Excellence Fund is intended to support students in their journey through ISU. The Dean's Office is particularly interested in providing financial assistance to students who might not be able to enroll in or complete the semester because of short-term financial hardships. Students seeking such support should be in good academic standing.

If you know of a student who is in need of short-term support, please have them complete this form.

CoSE Chairs and Directors Meeting Minutes

From Around ISU

ISU Bands: The Soundtrack of Campus Life

Luke Strother is “very excited to be the new guy in town.”

As a kid, Strother, who only ever considered a career in music, imagined himself as a rock star before turning his interest toward orchestral trombone. Later, he experimented with arranging, producing, and film scoring.

Now, Strother joins Idaho State University as visiting assistant professor and director of the Concert and Athletic Bands, as well as applied trombone instructor. He will lead the marching band, wind ensemble, and pep band while also teaching trombone, his principal instrument.

Leadership Transition in Testing Services

After 15 years of dedicated service, Jamie Howerton, Director of Testing Services, has accepted a new position with the Albion Center.

During her time in the Testing Center, Howerton provided steady, thoughtful leadership and played a key role in maintaining a high standard of service for students, faculty, and staff across campus. We sincerely thank Jamie for her many contributions and wish her the very best in this new chapter of her career.

Beginning July 21, Tawna Brockett will assume the position of Director of Testing Services. We look forward to welcoming Brockett and continuing the strong foundation built under Howerton's leadership.

Learning in Motion: College of Education Sports Management Professor, Students and ISU Campus Recreation Launch New Exercise Facilities on Campus

Thanks to a $160,000 grant through the Dean’s Excellence Fund, Idaho State University’s College of Education, in collaboration with ISU Campus Recreation, finalized an exciting project that brought new recreational facilities to campus, which included brand-new pickleball courts and a fleet of exercise bikes at Reed Gym.

Dates to Remember

July 28	Full term, Late-8, Late-6 and Late-4 final grading opens
August 8	Summer 2025 classes end
August 12	Full term, Late-8, Late-6 and Late-4 final grading closes at 4:00pm
August 25	Fall classes begin
September 1	Labor Day Holiday (no classes)
October 6	Early 8-week course grading opens
October 13	Mid-term week
October 20	Late 8-week courses begin
October 21	Early 8-week course grading closes at 5:00 pm

Upcoming Events in the College of Science and Engineering

For a complete list of CoSE events, check out the College Event Calendar. Updates can also be found on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Bluesky, and Instagram. To add events to the calendar, please contact the Administrative Assistants in your department. The university-wide calendar of events is available here.

Help Us Share Your Accomplishments!

Our College’s outstanding faculty, staff, and students achieve many notable research and professional accomplishments. In addition, our departments regularly have newsworthy advancements. We want to make sure those stories are shared publicly. Here are a few ways you can provide a news tip to help get the word out:

Use this Story Submission Form to send your news tip to the Office of Marketing and Communications.

Send an email to Logan McDougall (loganmcdougall@isu.edu) with a brief description of the news to be shared.

You are always welcome to create a draft story, submit it via the Story Submission Form, or send it to Logan. The Office of Marketing and Communications and Logan will coordinate to get the story finalized and distributed to the media outlets/platforms that best tell the story.

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