Conference

Opening Address: Eveadean M. Myers and Deland J. Myers

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Abstract

Eveadean M. Myers, JD, is the associate director of equal opportunity and diversity at Iowa State. She received a BA in education from Iowa State and a juris doctorate from the University of Iowa College of Law. Myers has worked for The Pillsbury Company as the litigation computer support administrator where she directed litigation support functions, investigated EEOC and Department of Human Rights complaints, and mediated employment discrimination cases. Upon leaving Pillsbury, she began a consulting firm that worked with and advised senior management and attorneys on employment matters including discrimination, affirmative action, and diversity issues. Her clients included The Pillsbury Company; Iowa State University; Medtronics, Inc.; Thompson and Lundquist law firm; and the Briggs and Morgan law firm of Minneapolis. She became the Region VII director for the American Association for Affirmative Action in April 2000.

J. Myers is a professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition and an affiliate member of the Center for Crops Utilization Research. He received his BS degree in biology from the University of Missouri–Kansas City and his master’s and PhD degrees in food science and technology from Iowa State University. His major research emphasis is the utilization of soy and corn proteins, particularly in nonfood, nonfeed applications including the utilization of soy proteins in wood adhesive applications. His efforts have led to two patents and projects with industry for the purpose of transfer and commercialization of the technology. Since 1999, Myers has led the Carver Academy Program to promote and encourage the academic success of high-ability undergraduate students of color. During the 2004–2005 academic year, he was appointed to lead an effort to improve undergraduate student recruiting in the College of Agriculture. Working along with the College Student Services office, new initiatives were implemented that resulted in a 10-percent increase in the number of students enrolling in the college for the 2005–2006 academic year and a 15-percent increase for the 2006–2007 academic year. He was recently appointed by the Provost’s Office to support the Iowa Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AGEP) program in recruiting and student development.