The animal science department and members of the Iowa State community will gather today to honor the achievements of their friend and co-worker, Solon Ewing, at a retirement reception.

Ewing, professor of animal science, will retire this month. From 1973-1992, he served as the department head for the animal science department. It was the longest tenure of a department head at Iowa State.

His reception will be held today from 2-4 p.m. in the Campanile Room of the Memorial Union.

Ewing began his career at ISU as an assistant professor in animal science in 1958. He returned to his alma mater, Oklahoma State University, in 1964. Returning to ISU four years later, he served as the assistant director of the Iowa Agricultural and Home Economics Experiment Station and professor of animal science.

In his time at ISU, Ewing has seen major changes in the animal science department. Personal computers have developed into valuable tools for farmers to utilize for decision making. With the emergence of biotechnology, the department has needed to build more relationships with the fundamental science departments. The animal science department also has taken a systems interdisciplinary approach involving economics and biological sciences.

Over the years, Ewing has seen an increased emphasis on final products, which led to the development of the centers such as the ISU Meat Lab, Meat Export Research Center and the Linear Accelerator Facility for Meat Preservation and Safety. Ewing also helped to plan the current expansion of Kildee Hall.

The department has strong interactions with the livestock groups which, Ewing said, help to set priorities in the department. He served as a member of the board of directors of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and the Iowa Pork Producer’s Association.

Ewing said he has many pleasant memories from his career. He especially appreciates the awards given to him by the various livestock producers.

Ewing developed and has taught a course on animal well-being that involves looking at stress physiology, environment design and behavior. During retirement, he looks forward to finishing his book for the farm animal well-being class.

Richard Willham, a professor in animal science, has worked with Ewing for several years and admires his leadership skills.

“He took the time to deal with faculty and staff and helped them to innovate new things,” Willham said. “He has a real rapport with the livestock industry.”

Willham said Ewing hired an administrative assistant to deal with the paperwork of the department after he became the head so he would have more time to work with faculty and staff.

Ewing had the ability to anticipate things that would happen, Willham said. An example of this was when he hired faculty to put together computer programs for the department and industry.

Ewing’s last official day will be Jan. 31, but he plans to stay in Ames and pursue his hobbies which include woodworking, fishing and traveling.

“I’ll miss the close interactions with faculty and the day to day interactions with students,” Ewing said. “I always enjoyed the special projects with students.”

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Solon Ewing

Retirement Reception

Campanile Rm. Memorial Union

Today, Thur. Jan. 23

2:00-4:00 p.m.