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Leath damaged Iowa State plane while flying in 2015 By Alex.Hanson @iowastatedaily.com Iowa State President Steven Leath damaged a plane owned by the school while flying in July 2015 from an 11-day trip to North Carolina for both personal and university business, an Iowa State spokesperson confirmed Saturday. The school said Friday that Leath “encountered a microburst, a localized downdraft within a

thunderstorm” while he was flying, and “as a result, he experienced a hard landing at the Bloomington, Illinois airport.” John McCarroll, executive director of University Relations, said Saturday that the trip from July 3 to 14, 2015, was to North Carolina and “involved donor contacts [and] some personal business.” Due to a tight travel schedule, Leath used the school’s singleengine Cirrus SR22 to travel, McCarroll said. Leath holds FAA pilot certifica-

tion for single-engine aircraft, according to the school. Leath has flown the single-engine plane several times, including for both personal and university purposes. The hard landing in Illinois, which was to refuel the plane, caused about $12,000 in damage, which was paid for by the university using discretionary funds — money earned through university investments, not state appropriations or tuition, McCarroll said. McCarroll said the school decided it was “best” to just pay for

the damage instead of filing an insurance claim. Leath reimbursed the school $1,100 in November, 2015, for his trip that resulted in damage. He also reimbursed the school for three other trips, all to North Carolina, in 2015 and 2016. In all, the four trips resulted in Leath paying the school $4,637.50. Reimbursements: • March 25-29, 2015, trip: Leath reimbursed $1,212.50 (invoice sent April 7, Leath paid April 8.) • May 12-17, 2015, trip: Leath

reimbursed $1,162.50 (invoice sent Sept. 23, Leath paid Nov. 19.) • July 3-14, 2015, trip: Leath reimbursed $1,100.00 (invoice sent Nov. 18, Leath paid Nov. 19.) • Aug. 26-30, 2016, trip: Leath reimbursed $1,162.50 (invoice sent Sept. 2, Leath paid Sept. 9.) Leath and his wife own property in Ashe County, North Carolina, and his family owns and manages a Christmas tree farm in the

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Trump, Clinton go head-to-head for first debate By Alex.Connor @iowastatedaily.com Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton will debate face-to-face in an unscripted match Monday night, in what political strategists believe could be one of the most watched events of the year — nearing Super Bowl territory. The two candidates, who are often divided on the issues, whether it be national security, foreign policy, infrastructure or immigration, will give it their all to tear down their opponent while still maintaining and upheaving a positive image in the eyes of the people. The two candidates will step into the metaphorical ring at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, to discuss issues during their first presidential debate, with topics consisting of America’s direction, achieving prosperity and securing the United States. Both Trump and Clinton, however, appear to agree on at least one thing — the safety, preservation and success of America and its people is a top priority. Richard Crosby, associate professor of English specializing in speech communication, said Monday’s presidential debate might be a unique moment in history. “Think of a debate that has two people together who are more opposite from one another,” Crosby said. Crosby said that with two completely different paradigms clashing, the paradigms being Clinton and Trump, it will be hard to know what to expect. Crosby said Trump tends to speak from the gut, which riles audiences and throws them “red meat issues,” while Clinton leans on the safer side, being less lenient in how and what she chooses to communicate to her audience. Crosby added that Clinton is very deliberate and moderate in the ideas she presents, but also “used to going head to head with a ‘bully’ or a personality like Trump’s.” No matter what, the two candidates will have much at stake during the debate. Clinton and Trump are closing in on each other, with Clinton leading by a mere margin of 3 percent, according to The New York Times. “They both have a lot to gain and a lot to lose,” Crosby said. “For Trump, he needs to show that he has some sense of direction as a policy maker and a world leader. Clinton has to show that she has the strength and

a post-electric play

ISU Theatre brings post-apocalyptic story of ‘The Simpsons’ to life By Maggie.Curry @iowastatedaily.com

SU Theatre representatives joined us on the Daily Lounge last Thursday night in preparation for their first main stage production of the season. “Mr. Burns, a post-electric play” opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Fisher Theater. Assistant director Taylor Sklenar and cast member and choreographer Mumbi Kasumba, senior in journalism, sat down with us in the lounge to discuss the show and their roles. The show balances between the philosophical look at how one civilization’s pop culture becomes another civilization’s myths and legends and a humorous look at our own current pop culture and the power of Bart Simpson. In the first act, a group of survivors meet over a fire and piece together from memory the “Camp Fear” episode of hit TV show “The Simpsons.” “It’s just after ‘The Grid’ has gone out, there’s no electricity, and they’ve only been with each other a few days,” Sklenar said. Flash forward seven years and the same group is now performing the episode as live entertainment for a post-apocalyptic society, along with other sitcom

Maddie Leopardo/Iowa State Daily

Mumbi Kasumba of ISU Theatre’s production “Mr. Burns, a post-electric play” rehearses Friday.

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Memorial Union celebrates 88th birthday By Danielle.Gehr @iowastatedaily.com You only turn 88 once and that is why the Memorial Union filled its Great Hall with guests Friday, ready to make this birthday special. The Memorial Union was given a birthday celebration where students and staff could come eat free chili and cake and spend their evening enjoying the company of friends. Guests also were given bags of goodies with their free meal. “The Memorial Union is 88 years old, so she’s like a granny and like someone’s grandmother; she just wants to feed everyone,” said Kristin Erdman, marketing coordinator at the Memorial Union. Through the Memorial Union’s many years of standing strong, it

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has provided many services to its students. Whether that’s feeding the student body or offering a quiet place to study, many students have found use in at least one of the Memorial Union’s many resources. “I personally like The Workspace because I like going on the pottery wheel,” said Alison Fenske, freshman in pre-diet and exercise. “Down in The Workspace, they have [about] eight wheels that you can throw on.” The Memorial Union also has been a hub of student activity and has housed many large campus events, including vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine’s rally Sept. 19. “I like the Memorial Union a lot,” said Jacob Benner, senior in mechanical engineering. “It’s very versatile. There’s a lot of events in here. I’ve had research presentations in here before and interviews and all

kinds of stuff.” The Memorial Union opened on Sept. 23, 1928, a time when Iowa State enrollment was only about 4,000 students. It took eight years for the building to add an elevator and nearly 40 years to add a parking ramp. It took 11 additions for the building to become what it is today. With its 11th and most recent addition, the Memorial Union added the MU Market & Café and the Soults Family Visitor Center, as well as renovations throughout the building. The addition was completed in 2008. The building, since it is 88 years old, needs repairs every so often in order to stay in pristine condition. The building is currently getting a new roof, and the former hotel has changed into student living for at least this semester.

Iowa State Daily

The Memorial Union celebrated its 88th birthday Friday by providing chili and cake to guests as they socialized in the Great Hall.