Daily Staff Writers

Plant-breeding center named after Baker

A center for plant breeding located in the new Plant Sciences building has been named in honor of the late Raymond F. Baker, who was instrumental in the growth of the company Pioneer Hi-Bred.

Baker, who died in 1999 at the age of 92, was Pioneer Hi-Bred’s second employee in 1928 and was its lead plant breeder for 43 years. He served on the Board of Directors from 1935 to 1985 and retired in 1971 as a corporate vice president and head of the Corn Division.

He graduated from Iowa State in 1935. In 1991, the university awarded Baker with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters.

Last fall, it was reported by The Des Moines Register in a copyrighted article that the $80 million donation to the ISU College of Agriculture was given by Raymond Baker and his late wife Mary.

ISU officials never confirmed the rumors.

The Raymond F. Baker Center for Plant Breeding scientists conduct long-term research designed to further enhance plant-breeding programs.

—Tara Payne

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Ames transit awarded $686,767 to expand

The Ames Transit Agency has been awarded $686,767 in Federal Transportation Administration funds for an expansion of the current transit facility.

The funds will be used for the first phase of a four-part expansion plan.

The first phase concerns converting the wash bay into two maintenance bays and adding a new wash bay and fueling area.

The financing also will provide for the installation of a new fuel dispensing system and for repairs. The project includes expansion of the shop area and office space.

— Tara Payne

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New vice provost for research named

Iowa State has named James R. Bloedel as vice provost for Research and Graduate Studies.

Currently, Bloedel is the chairman of the Division of Neurobiology at the Barrow Neurological Institute, Phoenix, Ariz., and a research professor in the Department of Physiology at the University of Arizona.

Bloedel also has held various administrative, teaching and research positions at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.

He is a graduate of St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., and he received a Ph.D and his M.D. from the University of Minnesota.

William Lord, professor of electrical and computer engineering, is acting as interim vice provost for Research and Graduate Studies until Bloedel arrives. He will begin his new job Sept. 1.

Bloedel’s responsibilities will include the coordination and administration of research, graduate programs, technology transfer and research services.

— Brent West