T H E M A G A Z I N E F O R M E M B E R S O F T H E I O WA S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N |
Fall 2015
An
EXTRAORDINARY
gift has created at Iowa State the first known endowed alumni leadership position at a college or university anywhere in the U.S. And what may be the most
REMARKABLE
element of the newly created endowment is this: The donors are not alumni of Iowa State University.
››
Where the heart is: “It just hit me that this is why I’m supposed to be here.”
G E TTI NG START ED
by Carole Gieseke
CGIESEKE@IASTATE.EDU
Seasons of Iowa State
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t’s been more than a year since the VISIONS Across America project was finalized. Everyone keeps asking, gee, what are you doing with all your spare time? Life HAS been different since photographer Jim Heemstra (A) and I ended our cross-country travels. Going back to a “regular” schedule has allowed me to take on new projects – most importantly the creation of a book of campus photography, another collaboration with Jim. We had been talking about doing a new “coffee-table” book for several years. The last time the Association published a book like this was in 2000. Jeff Johnson (L)(PhD ’14), Talbot Endowed 2
ISUAA President and CEO, wanted to tell key Iowa State stories and showcase the beauty of this wonderful campus. So last fall, Jim and I started working through a mountain of beautiful campus images – some of which had been used in the popular Iowa State wall calendar we produce each summer, some of which had been featured as online “photos of the week,” and many others that had never been seen by the public. We started with literally thousands of images, organizing them in giant piles by season. The process took many hours. It was hard to let some of the images go – they were all so beautiful. But eventually, we got down to a manageable number. Our
VISIONS designer, Scott Thornton (A) (’84 art & design), became a key part of the process at that point. He helped us refine our choices, and we began to craft a flow of photographs that would take the reader through the school year, starting with images of fall. I pulled together a bit of prose about the seasons on campus and compiled a number of vignettes about campus architecture, history, and current student life. We put out a call to alumni requesting their memories of the seasons on campus, some of which made it into the book. Seasons of Iowa State University went to press in Hiawatha, Iowa, in July, and it’s on track to be bound and delivered FALL 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS
by early September. We’re planning an unveiling reception for Sept. 10, at which we’ll recognize Jim and Scott for their work on the book as well as introduce project donors Charles “Charlie” Ricketts (L) and Phyllis Poppen Ricketts (L) and Charles “Chuck” Schmidt (L)(’58 ag ed) and Darlene Schmidt (L), without whom this project would not have been possible. We’ll have the books available for purchase at each Cyclone Central this fall. If you can’t make it back to campus, you can order online at www.isualum. org/store.
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COVER STORY
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Extraordinary gift creates first-in-the-nation endowed alumni position
FEATURES
24 26 32 42
This image of Morrill Hall is featured in the new ISUAA book Seasons of Iowa State University. PHOTO BY JIM HEEMSTRA
Lori Jacobson: On the right path Samantha Edwards: ‘We’re doing amazing things’ Jamie Pollard: Where the heart is Closing the gap between information and impact
DEPARTMENTS
2 4 6 22 38
Getting Started Letters to the Editor Around Campus Diversions Honors & Awards
40 44 50 54
Newsmakers Association News Sports Calendar
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2015-2016 ISU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Letters
WE’D LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU Let us know what you think about
stories in this issue – or about other topics of interest to VISIONS readers. Email your letters to: CGIESEKE@IASTATE.EDU. Kari A. (Ditsworth) Hensen* ’96 Sociology, MS ’98 Higher Ed., PhD ’05 Ankeny, Iowa
OFFICERS Alan E. Krysan** Chair ’87 Ag. Business Lakeville, Minn.
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Erin Herbold-Swalwell* ’03 Liberal Studies Altoona, Iowa
Melanie J. Reichenberger** Chair-elect ’00 Indust. Engr. Mequon, Wis.
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Ana McCracken** ’84 Fashion Merch. San Fransciso, Calif. #
Thea “Ted” H. Oberlander** Immediate Past Chair ’77 Industrial Admin. Des Moines, Iowa
Trent L. Preszler** ’98 Interdisc. Studies Cutchogue, N.Y.
#
Kenneth R. Bonus** Vice Chair of Finance ’85 Const. Engr. West Des Moines, Iowa Joy Wiegman Boruff** Vice Chair of Records ’76 Home Ec. Journ. Moline, Ill.
#
Warren R. Madden** University Treasurer ’61 Industrial Engr. Ex-officio/voting Ames, Iowa
Darryl V. Samuels** ’88 Pol. Sci., MPA ’90 Comm. & Reg. Plan. / Public Admin. Pearland, Texas Nicole M. (Bell) Schmidt** ’09 Const. Engr., MS ’13 Ankeny, Iowa #
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Jeffery W. Johnson** Talbot Endowed President & CEO Ex-officio/non-voting Ames, Iowa
#
Deborah Renee (Verschoor) Stearns** ’81 Journ. & Mass Comm. Altoona, Iowa
ELECTED DIRECTORS
Kurt Alan Tjaden** ’85 Accounting Bettendorf, Iowa
Mark D. Aljets** ’79 Indust. Admin. West Des Moines, Iowa
Ryan M. York** ’95 Marketing, MBA ’03 Urbandale, Iowa
Timothy C. Becker** ’94 Const. Engr. Glenwood, Iowa
APPOINTED DIRECTORS
#
#
#
Miles Lackey* Chief of staff to the ISU President Office of the President Representative Ames, Iowa
Eric Burrough** ’97 DVM, PhD ’11 Vet. Path. Ames, Iowa #
Lawrence Cunningham** ’02 Liberal Studies Ames, Iowa
Kim McDonough** ’02 Jlsm. & Mass Comm., MS ’04 College Representative Ames, Iowa
#
Wendell L. Davis** ’75 DVM Overland Park, Kan.
Lora L. Talbot** Non-alumni Representative Belmond, Iowa
#
Craig K. Denny** ’71 Civil Engr., MS ’73 Lenexa, Kan. #
Evan Fritz*** Senior, Kinesiology/ Health Student Alumni Leadership Council Representative Northwood, Iowa
Geoffrey C. Grimes** ’69 Architecture Waterloo, Iowa
#
Katherine E. Hallenbeck** ’02 Finance / MIS Ankeny, Iowa #
Duane A. Halverson** ’67 Ag. Business, MS ’69 New Brighton, Minn. #
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Julie Rodgers Rosin** ’78 Home Ec. Ed., MS ’81 Ankeny, Iowa
Membership Key: *Annual member **Life member # 2015 Sustaining Life donor ***Student member
THE SCIENCE OF WEATHER
Thank you for your recent article in VISIONS (“The Science of Weather,” summer 2015). I remain middle of the road on global warming. Here’s why: I’m looking at a chart within an article from NOAA National Weather Service. It shows we’ve had four distinct warming events over the past 400,000 years. My question is: What caused the previous three episodes when not a barrel of fossil fuel was burned? I’ve sent this chart to numerous scientists and authors of global warming articles and only one has ever responded over the years. He admitted there were “cycles” but would not hear of any potential cause other than “human impact.” No one has ever denied the chart given it comes from NOAA, the very place most scientists get their stats, which poses an interesting dilemma for them. The most reasonable explanation for warming that I’ve seen is related to sun spot activity. And interestingly, we’ve just completed another long cycle, which is coming to an end.
When did Al Gore’s Alchemy cult take over at Iowa State University? Not everyone buys into greenhouse jargon magic gas climatology. That sort of left-wing junk science was never taught when I was in school. What are the students going to do once they discover they have been lied to? What are the employers going to do once they discover they have been lied to? David R. Wright**
’71 electrical engineering, ’76 physics Woodridge, Ill.
Gene Takle, Professor of Agronomy
Dave Halfpap**
’74 accounting Cedar Rapids, Iowa Here is a different idea on the cause of global warming than that given in the summer issue of VISIONS: According to a UN panel, there is a 95% chance that global warming and cooling is the result of human activity, but according to a report by the highly regarded Cern Institute in Zurich, Switzerland, there is a 100% certainty that global warming and cooling is the result of increases and decreases in the amount of energy from the sun in a cyclical manner. Right now we are in a long-term warming period. Greenland is green again as it was when the Vikings lived there 1,000 years ago. Ice from the Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau, Alaska, has receded, exposing trees that grew there 1,000 years ago. There was global warming and cooling before there were humans on earth. As for CO2, it is not a problem but is necessary for life to exist on the planet. All plant life depends on CO2 to grow. According to experts, more CO2 in the 1930s would have prevented the Dust Bowl. Richard B. Winchester*
’42 chemical engineering Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Feedback from the summer 2015 issue of VISIONS from our online survey: •
“The Science of Weather” was very interesting, especially about how global warming affects farming.
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The unequivocal support for the IPCC reports is not good science; it is political.
•
Because I am a firm believer in climate control and the environment, I was very interested in the articles in this issue of VISIONS.
•
Really enjoyed “The Science of Weather.” ISU is doing impressive things! Makes me proud and curious.
Carole Gieseke Kate Bruns PHOTOGRAPHY: Jim Heemstra DESIGN: Scott Thornton / www.designgrid.com EDITOR:
ASSOCIATE EDITOR:
FALL 2015 / VOLUME 28 / NO. 3
294-6525 1-877-ISU-ALUM (478-2586) www.isualum.org
LOCAL PHONE TOLL-FREE WEBSITE
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•
Very enlightening; enjoyed reading about the science that goes into the research.
•
Living in the Plains (Kansas, to be exact, and before that Nebraska and Iowa), and having been a former newspaper guy, I am very interested in the weather. It is great to see just how much of an impact Iowa State has in the weather field and how it’s helping to understand changes that are affecting us all.
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I am really pleased that VISIONS focused much of the coverage on climate change and its devastating global effects to our environment, health, economy, national security, etc. I am pleased that the lead article makes clear that this is man made, and that we all need to work together to combat this. Iowa State’s role as educator to Iowans is vital to changing the minds of the non-believers because all of us must do our parts.
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I thought the in-depth report on “The Science of Weather” was well-written and was a good example of the broad spectrum of studies and research at ISU. I was also delighted with the newly endowed chair for the Alumni Association president and Jeff Johnson as recipient.
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Sick of hearing about man-made climate change. I do not believe there is scientific proof of this.
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“The Science of Weather” series was disappointing, from both a science perspective and a journalism perspective. There are many unknowns in climate science. The tone of your stories was omniscient. Your layout reinforced that tone with the fact lists. Don’t attempt to cover a complex subject with a few short fluff stories. It makes the magazine and the university look careless, at best, and trivial at worst.
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The weather quiz was fun to do.
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Thought it was biased toward climate change. It is not settled science – only a theory.
•
As a geologist, I found the articles informative and interesting.
*Annual member, **Life member Iowa State University values communication with alumni and other audiences, and VISIONS welcomes letters from readers about topics in the magazine. Letters must be signed and include address and daytime phone number. Letters chosen for publication may be edited for length and clarity. The editor may decide to publish a representative sample of letters on a subject or limit the number of issues devoted to a particular topic. While universities are places of open discussion, letters deemed potentially libelous or that malign a person or group will not be published.
Upgrade to a LIFE membership today!
On May 29, 2015, the ISUAA Board of Directors voted to increase Life membership dues, effective Jan. 1, 2016. That means that you still have time to become a Life member before the new Life rates go into effect! A Life membership is the best way to show your loyalty to Iowa State. It’s our most popular membership option, as it means no more paying of annual dues and no longer receiving reminder notices. With just a single payment, you can be an ISUAA member for Life! Upgrade your membership today online at www.isualum.org/join or through our new member app (available for both Apple and Android users – search for “Iowa State Alumni”) and join 24,882 Iowa Staters who have already made the commitment.
Letters express the views of the readers and not Iowa State University nor the ISU Alumni Association. Send letters to VISIONS Editor, ISU Alumni Center, 420 Beach Ave., Ames, IA 50011-1430.
VISIONS (ISSN 1071-5886) is published quarterly for members of the Iowa State University Alumni Association by the ISU Alumni Association, 420 Beach Avenue, Ames, IA 50011-1430, (515) 2946525, FAX (515) 294-9402. Periodicals postage paid at Ames, Iowa, and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to VISIONS, ISU Alumni Center, 420 Beach Avenue, Ames, IA 50011-1430. For ad rates please call 515-294-6560. Copyright 2015 by the ISU Alumni Association, Jeffery W. Johnson, Talbot Endowed President and CEO and publisher.
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Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance, 3280 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.
The ISU Alumni Association mission: To facilitate the lifetime connection of alumni, students, and friends with the university and each other.
Printed with soy ink on recycled and recyclable paper.
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A class for the masses MOOC. The course is, by definition, free and open to all. The Iowa Caucus process is somewhat confusing, especially to people outside the state of Iowa. Throughout the course of the class, Schmidt will aim to make the process understandable and accessible, covering the topics of “History of Caucuses,” “Digging into Caucuses,” “Role of Media and Technology,” and “Future of Caucuses” throughout the fall and winter. A native of Colombia, South America who earned his Ph.D. from Columbia University in New York, Schmidt has published six books about U.S government and politics. He is a frequent political correspondent on a number of state and national media outlets. In 2008, he taught a for-credit course on the Iowa Caucuses with more than 300 online students.
DAVE GIESEKE
Around Campus
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owa State’s much-anticipated first-ever massive open online course (MOOC) gets underway this month, just as the 2016 presidential campaign has begun dominating news headlines – especially in Iowa. For all you’ve ever wanted to know about the Iowa Caucuses, University Professor of Political Science Steffen Schmidt, one of the nation’s most quoted experts on the topic, will present sessions Sept. 1-29, Oct. 13-Nov. 10, Nov. 17-Dec. 15, and Jan. 5-Feb. 2 as part of the “Iowa Presidential Caucuses” MOOC. Participants can enroll in one, two, three, or all four sessions and participate as much as they wish in videos, readings, practice quizzes, and interactive discussion forums. “The time commitment is entirely up to the individual,” Schmidt said. “Some will want to watch every interview, read every article, and post every day to the discussion. Others may just want to graze the materials they’re interested in or skip materials they’re already familiar with.” Participants include everyone from current ISU students to national media personalities; no college credit is given for the
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Now, eight years later, he is sharing his knowledge of the Caucuses on the largest scale possible. “Iowa State is uniquely positioned to offer this MOOC given our location and expertise,” senior vice president and provost Jonathan Wickert (A) said of the effort. “We have a front-row seat for the Caucuses, and participants will gain a better understanding of the process. It is an opportunity to reach thousands of people who want to learn more or are just curious about the caucus process.” Are you one of those people? Learn more about the MOOC and enroll online at www. iowacaucusesmooc.org/. The MOOC is also on Twitter at @ IowaCaucusMOOC. For even more information, Schmidt blogs at iowapolitical caucus.blogspot.com/ and tweets at @DrPolitics.
Steffen Schmidt speaks to CNN political analyst Paul Begala on central campus during the 2008 Iowa Caucuses.
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Two new books celebrate campus beauty Iowa State’s campus has been widely recognized as one of the most beautiful places to earn a college degree, and now two new books being released this fall are celebrating the aesthetic appeal of ISU. Campus Beautiful: Shaping the Aesthetic Identity of Iowa State University delves into the origins of Iowa State’s splendor, explaining that aesthetics were a founding focus of Iowa State and have been a part of the campus identity ever since. The book offers an overview of Iowa State’s campus, landscape, architecture, and public art from their origins in 1858 to the present. Essays authored by landscape, architecture, and art historians trace the transforma-
tion of campus over the decades; more than 400 historical and contemporary photographs and maps provide an additional visual history of Iowa State. “This book has been in the making for more than 30 years,” director of University Museums Lynette Pohlman (L)(’72 interior design, MA ’78 art and architecture) said. “Campus Beautiful includes 160 years of history, but it also explains how the beauty of Iowa State’s campus has shaped the university’s identity. The founders of Iowa State believed that aesthetics are important to a learning institution.” Campus Beautiful will be released on Sept. 19 as Iowa State University Museums celebrates its 40th anniversary; the book can be purchased through University Museums. Seasons of Iowa State University also tells the story of Iowa State – its history, beauty, and uniqueness – and showcases the work of photographer Jim Heemstra (A). The photographs featured in Seasons tell the visual story of the campus through an academic school year, beginning with splashes of fall colors and following nature’s course back to summer. Captions and text provide additional information about campus, ranging from reminiscences
Number one in the sun Iowa State’s Team PrISUm solar car raced to an overall victory at the 2015 Formula Sun Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, in July. It was a dominating performance: No other competitor was within 30 laps after three days of racing. “We did it,” said Matt Goode, a junior from Coggon who’s studying mechanical and materials engineering and is Team PrISUm’s project director. “We broke the fastest lap of the race and we also got the win.” That win is the first overall victory in Team PrISUm’s 25 years of solar racing.
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of alumni to histories of buildings and cherished traditions. Editing Seasons proved no easy task for Alumni Association chief communications officer Carole Gieseke (L) and Heemstra. They whittled the selections down from thousands of photos by seasons and areas of campus, setting aside personal attachments to some shots along the way to carve out the final collection. “I’ve been photographing campus for years, and I still find it a beautiful place,” Heemstra said. “I am constantly discovering new nuances of beauty. It’s a beautiful park disguised as a campus.” Seasons is available beginning Sept. 10 through the ISU Alumni Association and can be purchased at the ISU Alumni Center or online at www.isualum.org/shop. — COREEN ROBINSON
“Personally, I think this is not only the greatest mission in the history of agriculture. I think it’s the greatest challenge in human history.” ISU President Steven Leath (L), delivering this summer’s Charles Valentine Riley Memorial Lecture for the American Association for the Advancement of Science, where Leath advocated for the U.S. to double its agricultural research investment over the next 10 years in order to meet the challenges associated with the world population’s climb toward 9 billion
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Around Campus
Making it without faking it?
5 cool things you should know and share about ISU
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Food giants Kraft and General Mills have announced plans to remove all artificial ingredients, including colors and flavors, from their products within the next few years. While the news has been mostly received favorably by consumers clamoring for healthier food options, Iowa State University Professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition Lester Wilson wonders if people will truly be satisfied with the change as it hits people’s palates…not to mention their pocketbooks. “It’s going to take time for some of these companies to find all the replacement ingredients that fit,” Wilson said. “In doing this, companies want to be viewed as good citizens. They want to provide a healthy product, something that tastes good and something that they can make a profit with. They’re juggling a lot of components in this issue.”
One component, for example, is the cost of natural flavorings. Lester says the artificial product vanillin is a stronger and less expensive product than vanilla extract for flavoring vanilla ice cream – so not only will makers of vanilla products have to use a more expensive flavoring, but more of it as well. And artificial colors, he adds, are more heat stable. Switching to natural pigments may make products more vulnerable to environmental conditions that will alter flavor, taste, color, and texture. “If a brand name is the gold standard leader and they start messing with it, often that can create problems,” Wilson says, “unless their product development people are really good and can keep the same color, taste, texture, viscosity, whatever the sensory characteristics are for the consumer.”
1: Iowa State has patents down-pat: Iowa State University ranked 70th in the world among universities granted U.S. utility patents in 2014, according to the National Academy of Inventors and the Intellectual Property Owners Association. ISU researchers earned 31 U.S. patents in 2014. “The same intellectual property that earns patents also leads to student and faculty startup companies that generate economic development and embody our land-grant mission,” said ISU President Steven Leath (L). 2: Iowa State is developing the state’s first
historic preservation degree program: Longtime preservation expert Ted Grevstad-Nordbrock, who became an ISU faculty member in January, is working to start a multidisciplinary program in historic preservation within the College of Design. It would be the first program of its kind in the state of Iowa. “One of the great pleasures of this discipline is that it has both classroom and applied components,” Grevstad-Nordbrock says. “In preservation, there’s no shortage of opportunities for students and faculty to work in communities.
I hope we’ll be doing a lot of outreach around the state.” 3: Iowa State loves its basketball teams: Iowa State is one of eight schools with men’s and women’s basketball programs that both rank in the nation’s top 20 for attendance. The men came in at No. 11, and the 2014-2015 Cyclone women ranked in the nation’s top five for the eighth-straight year. 4: Iowa State is home of one of the nation’s
top middle distance runners: Cyclone senior Edward Kemboi didn’t stop at winning the 800-meter indoor track title this year; he repeated that performance and also won the outdoor title June 12 in Eugene, Ore., making him the first Cyclone man to win an NCAA outdoor title since 1996. 5: Iowa State is a great place for STEM
grads to stay put: NerdWallet, a consumer advocacy website, has rated Ames as one of the top 25 places for STEM (science, tech, engineering, and math) graduates. Learn more at www.nerdwallet.com/cities.
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Iowa State Center inks new management contract Iowa State University has selected a new management company to oversee events, conferences, catering, and concessions at Stephens Auditorium, Fisher Theater, and the Scheman Building. VenuWorks, an Ames-based company, assumed management of the Iowa State Center facilities Aug. 1. VenuWorks has signed a five-year agreement and replaces Philadelphia-based SMG, which has held the contract since 2001. “VenuWorks was selected based on the financial terms, its vision for the future, and expanded opportunities for ISU students,” said ISU senior vice president for business and finance Warren Madden (L)(’61 indus engr), noting that VenuWorks plans to expand internship opportunities for hospitality management students and performance opportunities for campus theatre and music ensembles, with long-term goals of renovating and expanding the Iowa State Center.
Iowa State attracts record external funding for fiscal year 2015
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owa State University broke its external funding record this past fiscal year, attracting $424.9 million during the year ending June 30, 2015 – an increase of $44 million over the previous year. Of the total funding, $226 million supported research projects across campus. External funding includes grants, contracts, gifts, and cooperative agreements from federal, state, and local governments as well as from
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corporations, foundations, and other universities. “This record funding is testimony to the confidence that government agencies, industry, foundations, and individuals have in the expertise of our faculty and staff,” ISU President Steven Leath (L) said. “More than half of this money is dedicated to research projects that are addressing issues affecting Iowans as well as people throughout the world.”
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Russ and Lora Talbot spend much of their time on campus involved in volunteer positions at the Iowa State University Alumni Center. “The ISU Alumni Center is like a second home to us,� Russ says.
Extraordinary Gift creates first-in-the-nation endowed alumni position
JIM HEEMSTRA
I
“Simply stated, we wanted our n a move that’s been described the country, and Iowa State is no excontribution to make a difference,” as both extraordinary and ception. The ISU Foundation currently Lora explained. “We wanted to increase unprecedented, Iowa State manages funds that support 207 named the visibility of the Alumni Association. University in April became faculty positions, including endowed We are dedicated to the goal of ensuring the recipient of a gift to deanships for four of Iowa State’s seven that the Alumni Association is the orgaestablish an endowed alumni colleges. In many cases, an endowed nization that makes a positive difference association president and position is the highest academic award for alumni, students, and friends for CEO’s position. that a college or university can bestow many years to come.” on a faculty member, and it’s an enduring Lora and Russ Talbot’s $2.5 million tribute to the donor who establishes it. gift created the Lora and Russ Talbot ISU Alumni Association Funding Johnson’s vision Endowed President and Talbots’ relationship “We wanted to make a difference. We are ded- The Chief Executive Officer with the Alumni Associaicated to the goal of ensuring that the Alumni tion began in 2008 when position – the first known endowed alumni leadership Association is the organization that makes a they heard Jeffery W. position at a college or (L)(PhD ’14), positive difference for alumni, students, and Johnson university anywhere in the president and CEO of the friends for many years to come.” –Lora Talbot country as well as the first organization, speak at a non-academic endowed Foundation campaign position of any kind at Iowa State. The Talbots, who live in Belmond, meeting on campus. Johnson made And what may be the most reIowa, have been long-time supporters a point to emphasize that non-ISU markable element of the newly created of Iowa State. Their gifts to the College alumni in the audience could join the endowed alumni leadership position of Veterinary Medicine, the Alumni ISU Alumni Association. is this: Lora and Russ Talbot are not Association, and the College of Human “We did not know we could be alumni of Iowa State University. Sciences’ annual student fashion show members of the Alumni Association, have made an immeasurable mark because we were not alumni,” Russ said. on the campus and its students. But “After that meeting, we immediately A lifelong commitment their most recent gift to endow the became not only members, but life Endowed chairs, professors, and deans Alumni Association’s president and members.” are becoming increasingly common on CEO position is truly unique. And the relationship grew from college and university campuses across
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Jeff Johnson is the first holder of the new Lora and Russ Talbot ISU Alumni Association Endowed President and Chief Executive Officer position, the first of its kind at a college or university in the nation.
JIM HEEMSTRA
– now with nearly 53,000 memAssociation to more visibly connect there. Johnson later invited both bers – and in 2008 the Association with and engage Iowa State alumni, Russ and Lora to become involved in moved into a new $13.6 million, students, and friends. Funds will volunteer positions with the organi34,500-square-foot alumni center. specifically support Johnson’s profeszation. Lora took on a five-year term “The Talbots’ endowment is the sional development and a portion of as the sole non-alumni member of the second major impact on the longhis salary and travel expenses, as well Board of Directors, and Russ began term positioning of the Alumni as expanded programming initiatives serving as a board associate on the Association,” Johnson said. “The first within the Alumni Association. It will Awards Review and Selection Comwas Roy (’57 ag journalism) and also establish a new Talbot Student mittee. They then became sustaining Bobbi (’06 honorary) life donors and gave Reiman’s (L) gift that generously to a variety “When I think about Lora and Russ, I think allowed us to construct of Alumni Association projects. less about their financial gifts and more about the ISU Alumni Center.” Johnson said the “When I think about the kind of people they are.” –Jeff Johnson Association’s work is Lora and Russ,” Johnson not yet finished. said, “I think less about “As our alumni base continues to Intern position for the organization. their financial gifts and more about expand, our third goal is to endow Johnson was named the ISU the kind of people they are. They don’t some of our key programs to allow us Alumni Association’s chief executive just write a check and disappear. They to better serve alumni, students, and in September 1999. He has a contaare the ultimate statement of partnerfriends and to engage a greater numgious passion for Iowa State and a ship. They don’t just invest in you; ber of alumni leaders and supporters they believe in you and work with strong vision for the Association’s future. for Iowa State.” you. They become part of the team.” Under Johnson’s leadership, the Johnson is the first holder of the Association has grown to be the ISUAA Talbot Endowed President Making history second-largest dues-paying alumni and CEO position. He says the new The historic gift announcement was association in the Big 12 Conference endowment will allow the ISU Alumni made at the April 10 Cardinal & Gold 12
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Gala, an ISU Alumni Association fundraising event in Des Moines. ISU President Steven Leath (L) introduced the Talbots and Johnson at the annual dinner and dance. “We are very grateful to Lora and Russ Talbot for their generous gift to establish this endowed position,” Leath told the gathered crowd. “The Iowa State University Alumni Association is a vital organization that ensures our alumni, students, and friends are connected, involved, and
endowed position at Iowa State. It also initiated the first endowed alumni association president and CEO position at a college or university anywhere in the country. As donors, it doesn’t get any better than that!”
informed. Jeff Johnson is a tremendous and enthusiastic leader, and this gift will bolster his already successful efforts to move the Association forward.” The Talbots say their contribution is a “wonderful opportunity” to demonstrate how they feel about the Alumni Association. “We are extremely proud of the historic nature of our commitment to the Alumni Association,” Lora and Russ said. “Our contribution has created the first non-academic
The Talbot endowment was established by a gift made through the Iowa State University Foundation, a private, nonprofit corporation dedicated to securing and managing gifts and grants that benefit Iowa State University.
Lora and Russ Talbot’s Iowa State contributions ISU Alumni Association support • Lora & Russ Talbot ISU Alumni Association Endowed President & CEO position • Life members and 12-year Sustaining Life Donors • Talbot Hall of Alumni Association Leadership and History, ISU Alumni Center • Lora & Russ Talbot ISU Alumni Association Cardinal & Gold College of Veterinary Medicine Scholarship • Gifts toward the VISIONS Across America project, exhibit, and opening reception • Benefactors for four Cardinal & Gold Galas • Two named offices in the Alumni Center • Gifts toward the Alumni Center Endowment Fund • ISUAA Gift Fund donations: Automation of Alumni Center doors, canvas art prints for the Alumni Center, Apple iPod and iPads • Alumni Center Wall of Alumni and Friends
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College of Veterinary Medicine support • Endowed Talbot Scholars in Veterinary Medicine scholarship program (four-year scholarships for seven students annually) • Lead gift for the $1 million Kresge Foundation Challenge Grant • Gift toward the construction of the Lloyd Veterinary Medical Center • Gift toward the construction of the Hixson Lied Small Animal Hospital • Endowed Lora and Russ Talbot Graduate Fellowship in Veterinary Medicine • 3-year benefactors and sole sponsors for College of Veterinary Medicine Scholarship Awards Program at the Alumni Center College of Human Sciences support • Endowed Lora and Russ Talbot ISU Fashion Show “Best in Show” Scholarship • Lora and Russ Talbot Merchandising Scholarship for The Fashion Show • Annual gifts for The Fashion Show scholarship awards in various categories
Iowa State involvement • Volunteers for ISU Alumni Association Cyclone Central Tailgates, Homecoming Pep Rally, and other events • ISU Alumni Association Board of Directors (Lora) • ISU Alumni Association Board Associate (Russ) • ISU Foundation Governors • ISU Foundation Order of the Knoll Cardinal and Gold Award • ISU Foundation Women & Philanthropy Committee (Lora) • 8-year sponsors for Women & Philanthropy Annual Workshop • ISU Foundation Awards Committee (Russ) • National Campaign Committee and Vet Med Campaign Committee for Campaign Iowa State: With Pride & Purpose • Dean’s Fundraising Advisory Council for College of Veterinary Medicine • Order of the Knoll William M. Beardshear Society and the Campanile Society • Cyclone Club
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A philanthropic journey
The Belmond, Iowa, Public Library is named for benefactors Lora and Russ Talbot. The couple’s volunteer and philanthropic spirits are well known in Belmond.
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The story of Lora and Russ Talbot is a classic success story about the significant attraction of Iowa State – not only to students and alumni but also to friends of the university. Neither of them ever attended Iowa State, yet here they are today: extremely proud to be Cardinal and Gold!
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or Lora Howell, going on a blind date being a waitress at their Mello Maid Café, a popular on New Year’s Eve was a new low. gathering place on Main Street. Lora also worked at But her friends Jane and Ed, who her parents’ laundry and dry cleaning business and were dating, insisted she meet this guy helped with the bookkeeping for her father’s jukebox from Wartburg College, Russ Talbot. locations. In her free time, Lora enjoyed riding her They were sure Lora and Russ would unicycle around town. be a great match. So she agreed to Russ grew up in Streator, Illinois. He has an older meet him. It was Dec. 31, 1966. brother and two younger sisters. As a teenager, Russ Of course, the evening was a huge success. Lora worked detasseling corn, as a carhop and crew leader and Russ began to date. Russ transferred from Wartat a local drive-in, and as an usher and doorman at burg to the University of Iowa to convince Lora that the movie theater. he was the one she should marry. Both Lora and Russ had parents who taught them And then, one evening in the fall of 1967, when the importance of hard work. Lora decided to help Russ improve his laundry skills, “At a fairly young age, we formed the beginnings Russ popped the of a solid work question. which “We were walking to a laundromat in Iowa ethic, “We were walkstayed with us City to have a lesson in laundry protocol. I was throughout our ing to a laundromat in Iowa City going to teach Russ to separate clothes by color lives,” Lora said. to have a lesson in Their parents so that he didn’t end up with pink underwear. were laundry protocol. also giving Instead, I ended up with a fiancé.” –Lora Talbot in nature and I was going to teach Russ to septaught their arate clothes by color so that he didn’t end up with children to save and plan for their future. pink underwear,” Lora remembers. “Instead, I ended “Over time, this grew and developed into a hallup with a fiancé.” mark of who we are and how we have conducted our The couple married in February 1968. Ed and Jane personal, professional, and financial lives,” Russ said. were in the wedding party. After the academic year Early in their highly successful professional ended, they both transferred to Wartburg College in careers, Russ worked in the executive management Waverly, Iowa, where they received bachelor’s degrees, training program of S.S. Kresge/Kmart Corporation Lora in elementary education and Russ in business in Waterloo while Lora taught first grade in the Wapsie administration / economics. Valley School District. In 1972, Russ was hired as a special agent for the Criminal Investigation Division A solid work ethic of the Internal Revenue Service in Des Moines, a Lora was born and raised in Belmond, Iowa. She has position he held for nearly 25 years. Lora worked two older sisters. Lora started working at the age of for the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System 9 as a carhop at one of her parents’ businesses, Gov’s for more than 30 years as a retirement benefits Drive-In. At the age of 12, she was promoted to counselor and as an executive officer. During that
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JIM HEEMSTRA
Left: Lora rides her unicycle, circa 1965; it was her way of relaxing and having fun while not at work. Below, Russ and Lora in the early years of their marriage. Right: Wedding portrait, February 1968.
ED PHOTOS
CONTRIBUT
In Belmond, their volunteer and philanthropic spirits are well known. They’ve served on boards and donated A philanthropic spirit artwork. They’ve led, been involved In the 1980s and ’90s, the Talbots bewith, and been major donors to highly came committed and active donors successful capital campaigns for the and volunteers with local organizations public library, a scholarship and activities. foundation, school building “Our philanthropic spir“Throughout our lives, we have worked hard. project, and the local hospiit was energized, developed, We started early in our marriage to plan and tal. Two libraries are named cultivated, and put to good use,” Lora says. systematically save for the future. We have in their honor. Lora and Russ have The couple became invested wisely over the years.” –Russ Talbot demonstrated creative involved in, among other philanthropy. They are also organizations, the Friends not afraid to get their hands dirty when of Iowa Public Television, the Iowa By then, the Talbots were deeply volunteering. They purchased a downState Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation, involved in the Belmond community. town property and donated it to the the Very Special Arts Iowa, and the They purchased Lora’s family’s property Library Foundation. Along with other Animal Rescue League of Iowa. Their as well as two adjacent houses, which volunteers, they salvaged and restored contributions were multi-faceted: they later donated. In 2008 they decided to sell their house in Ankeny and make the property to be used as a temporary they volunteered as well as making Belmond their retirement home. library and to later be sold by the Founfinancial contributions. time, the Talbots lived in Ankeny, Iowa.
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Russ retired from the IRS in 1996. In 1998, Lora’s father suffered a stroke, and Russ volunteered to move to Belmond to help care for him. He continued to stay in Belmond to care for Lora’s mother until Lora retired in 2004.
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Lora and Russ Talbot enjoy the great variety of trees, evergreens, and shrubs that currently make up their garden in the park-like space across the street from their home.
for the future. We have invested wisely before making a joint decision.” dation. In addition, they purchased Before the age of 40, the Talbots over the years,” Russ says. and donated a house to the Iowa River established endowed scholarships at “Our focus has been on thinking Players, a multi-community theatre in Wartburg College, their alma mater. and acting long term, not for immedinearby Rowan, for them to sell as a fundTheir contributions to Iowa State, a ate rewards,” Lora says. “As we reflect raiser. For their longtime community university they first “discovered” in on our lives and see how we have been support and extensive volunteer work, 1998, are many, as documented on richly blessed with success, wonderful the Talbots were presented Belmond’s health, and good fortune, Outstanding Community Service Award in 2007. “At a fairly young age, we formed the begin- we understand that we have a responsibility to The Talbots are a team but, nings of a solid work ethic, which stayed with share and give back, to help surprisingly, they don’t always us throughout our lives.” –Lora Talbot others, and do what we can agree on where their time to make the world a better and money should be spent. page 13. In fact, they say, Iowa State place in which to live. All of this gives us “Some people think we’re completely has become their main philanthropic great happiness. We have experienced alike, that we’re joined at the hip,” focus. Between trips to Ames and their the joy of giving time and time again.” Lora said. “It helps that we are at our best working as a team, but we’re quite involvement in Belmond activities, the Lora and Russ emphasize, “We have different, especially when it comes to couple stays busy – but flexible. tried to live in the same way we now risk or determining the projects we “Throughout our lives, we have advise young people at Iowa State and want to support. We’ll weigh the worked hard. We started early in our in our community to emulate: ‘Think pros and cons and talk things through marriage to plan and systematically save big! Set goals! Work hard!” VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG FALL 2015
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Jeff Johnson, the Lora and Russ Talbot Iowa State University Alumni Association Endowed President and Chief Executive Officer, stands in the Tubbs Cyclone Garden at the ISU Alumni Center.
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Leo’s boy
JIM HEEMSTRA
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rowing up in rural worked in her yard to earn extra money. at a clothing store. He became a part of Collins, Miss., the When he graduated from high Southern Miss’s student ambassadors, youngest of Leo school, Johnson wanted to earn a Southern Style. He impressed enough and Odell Johncollege degree. He would be the first visiting dignitaries with his knowlson’s 10 children, in his family to do so. edge and friendliness that the USM Jeff Johnson was “I wanted a college degree for my president, Dr. Aubrey K. Lucas, hired taught the imporfamily, my church, and for my comJohnson to help the university recruit tance of three things: church, school, munity,” he says. He enrolled at Jones high-ability students. For this, he was and work. County Junior College in Ellisville, paid $1,000 a month and given free Though Johnson – called Wayne, Miss. room, board, tuition, and access to a his middle name, by his family – lived And then he made a big mistake. university vehicle. on a farm in a home with no running Well, it was a big mistake in the eyes Thus began Johnson’s higher educawater or electricity, his parents and of his daddy. He ran for student body tion pilgrimage. grandparents taught him and his sibpresident the second semester of his lings to carry themselves with pride. A career in alumni relations freshman year. “I got my first job at age 8,” Johnson Johnson married Peggy, a USM junior, “The college’s dean of students, says. “I was mowing lawns and gardenon Aug. 3, 1985, the last semester of Mr. Tim Waldrup, convinced me to run, ing. All of us kids were peddling our his senior year. After graduation from so I ran,” Johnson says. “My campaign vegetables in town – people Southern Miss in 1986 he was knew that the Johnson children hired as an admissions coun“People knew that the Johnson children selor. The young couple lived would be on Main Street every Saturday morning.” would be on Main Street every Saturday in faculty housing. In October Johnson was born in 1963, 1986 they had their first child, morning.” –Jeff Johnson just as the Civil Rights moveKrystal. In May 1989 a son, ment was beginning to take Kristopher, was born. shape. He attended a community school Johnson’s career path expanded. slogan was ‘Keep the JJ in JCJC.’” for blacks during his elementary grades, He became involved in government He won the election. But then he but Collins Middle School was integrated. relations, served as an adviser to the learned that the student body president His teachers made sure he and his university’s student alumni program, had to live on campus. He was living classmates were ready for the change. and was named an assistant to the at home and riding the bus or with a Mrs. Evelyn McCann, his English teachexecutive director of alumni relations. friend to get to school each day. His er, saw that Johnson and his classmates He saw his future: a future in higher family couldn’t afford room and board. had value. “She told us to go out and education that he didn’t even know “Mrs. Allred went to my defense,” was possible. make a difference,” he says. he remembers. “Daddy struggled, but When he was attending a national Johnson met his wife, Peggy, when he had to let me be who I was. I had to student alumni conference in Kansas, he was in the eighth grade. Peggy was in promise him that I would come home then-alumni director for the University sixth grade. In high school, Johnson was on weekends to get my chores done.” of Kansas Fred Williams took a shine a drum major for the band and played Johnson thrived in the college to the young man from Mississippi. the baritone. atmosphere. After completing junior Six months later, Johnson was working Another influence in his life was college, he enrolled at the University for Williams as director of alumni Mrs. Jessie Allred, a former teacher of of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, membership. He spent five-plus years white students who encouraged Johnwhere he became a resident assistant, in Lawrence, moving up as the alumni son to go to college. His mother cleaned for which he was given free room and association’s director of external affairs Mrs. Allred’s house, and Johnson board. He got a scholarship. He worked
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“I already knew the people of Iowa and the Alumni Association’s quality, so it was a no-brainer. But I hadn’t seen the central part of campus. It was the most gorgeous place I’d ever seen.” –Jeff Johnson
and then a vice president. He earned a master’s degree at the same time. He moved his family again, this time to the University of Illinois, where he became the alumni director for the UrbanaChampaign campus. And then, following Jim Hopson’s retirement in 1999, Johnson was recruited to work for Iowa State. Hopson (’69 education) had been executive director of the ISU Alumni Association for 20 years. Johnson, and all of his Midwestern alumni relations colleagues, knew and respected Hopson. Johnson also knew about Iowa State. “We [national colleagues] all knew
It was love at first sight – for everyone. “I already knew the people of Iowa and the Alumni Association’s quality, so it was a no-brainer. But I hadn’t seen the central part of campus. It was the most gorgeous place I’d ever seen.” While Johnson was back in Illinois completing the transition process after accepting the position, Peggy and the kids moved to Ames early. Within a week, Kristopher had already invited a newfound friend over for a slumber
daddy’s playbook; he and Peggy have raised their children using the “rule of 21.” “From zero to age 7, parents need to get in their kids’ heads,” Johnson explained. “You teach them right from wrong, yes from no. You help them build their character. From age 8-14 you get in their face. This is where you help them build their communication skills by allowing them to express why they are making the decisions they are making. From age 15-21 you get out of the way. This is when they learn that their decisions have consequences. At the end of this process, parents have hopefully achieved the most important thing – they have instilled in their children a conscience.” The Johnsons have implanted a strong work ethic in their kids; they’ve made faith and education key priorities in their lives. Krystal has a 2014 child, adult, and family services degree from Iowa State, and Kristopher graduated from the University of Kansas in 2013 with a degree in sociology. The apple, it seems, doesn’t fall far from the tree. Reaping the harvest
Young Jeff Johnson with his parents and siblings in 1969. Top row, from left: Leo (Jeff’s father), Jerry, Odell (Jeff’s mother), Shirley Ann, Bobby Ray. Bottom Row: Jeffery Wayne (age 6), Curtis, Lora Ann, Lee Otis. Not pictured: Dyanne, Calvin, and a stillborn infant.
Iowa Staters and about Iowa State,” he said. “I had never seen a nicer, more pride-laden, good crop of people.” But the kids were in fifth and seventh grade, and Johnson didn’t want to uproot them. And after having been at Illinois for just three years, Johnson felt strongly that they were in a good situation there. Still, he agreed to an interview in Ames. After he was offered the job, he asked the committee if he could bring his family to Ames first before giving them an answer. The committee and campus leadership granted Johnson his request. 20
party. He was also loaned a bike, and the family was invited to attend the Iowa State Fair. The kids felt safe in Iowa. They even approached Johnson with a list of all the reasons they were happy they moved to Ames. It was unanimous. In September 1999, Johnson started his duties with the ISU Alumni Association, and the Johnson family officially became a Cyclone family. Iowa has lived up to their expectations, he says. It fits their values. It’s been a great place to work and to raise their kids. Johnson has taken a page from his
It’s been 16 years now. Johnson has achieved much of what he set out to do at Iowa State. He’s strengthened the Alumni Association’s visibility. He’s achieved Jim Hopson’s dream of building an alumni center. He’s launched new programs. He’s become the face and voice of the Alumni Association and a central figure in Iowa State’s outreach and engagement arsenal. “There’s always plowing and planting and harvesting in everything you do,” Johnson says. “Jim did a damn good job of plowing and planting at the ISU Alumni Association. I got to come in and tend those plantings and ultimately do some harvesting.” At Iowa State, Johnson has fulfilled another of his lifelong goals: He earned a PhD in 2014. Even though he admits he didn’t have time for classes or the grueling work of writing a dissertation, it was important to him to do it. He really wanted a degree from Iowa State FALL 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS
Johnson, at work in his ISU Alumni Center office, says he still has goals he’d like to accomplish.
JIM HEEMSTRA
Coming full circle – his newfound alma mater. Russ and Lora Talbot ISU Alumni A lot of years have gone by since young “No one in my family has a terminal Association Endowed President and Wayne tended yards and pumped gas degree,” he said. “I’m on a college Chief Executive Officer – and he’s as with his grandpa at a local gas station. campus. The only thing standing in proud as he can be to have earned this Johnson watched and learned from his my way was time. I just had to figure first-in-the-nation status – he doesn’t father and his father’s father. Back then, out a way to do it.” feel a sense of completion yet. He still he says, everyone in town knew whose The completion of his degree was has goals he’d like to accomplish. He’d kid you were. sidelined twice: once because of his like to expand the Alumni Center. They’d say, “That’s Leo’s boy.” own health scare, the other because See the Association’s membership of Peggy’s. Life takes crazy hit 60,000 paid members. turns, he says. the organization’s “I wanted a college degree for my family, my Improve The Johnsons were financial health. Have the church, and for my community.” –Jeff Johnson Alumni Association become on vacation in southern California in 2012 when Peggy a bigger player in Iowa “Daddy wanted these little black began to experience severe headaches State’s future. children growing up in the South to and alarming changes in her vision. She And, personally, he thinks he’d know that there are things you can was rushed to the hospital while they someday like to become president control. He wanted to craft a lifestyle were visiting a colleague on the UCLA of a community college or work on for his children. Being Leo and Odell’s campus, and she underwent emergency the campus of a historically black son…their standards were so high.” surgery for a brain aneurysm. She spent university. He’d like to give back to Johnson is a grandfather himself 32 days in intensive care. students what he was given so many now. Tony Wayne Martin was born Today, Peggy’s health is excellent. years ago: self-confidence. July 12 to daughter Krystal and her But Johnson was diagnosed with pros“My work is not yet done.” husband, Cole, a 2010 industrial tate cancer in 2013, and although the engineering graduate of Iowa State. surgery was successful, the cancer has Johnson says that while it may seem returned. He’s currently preparing to like he’s settled in his new role as the undergo radiation treatment. VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG FALL 2015
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Diversions A GUIDE TO ISU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION EVENTS
Homecoming 2015: Make a STATEment!
Homecoming weekend is Oct. 30-31
Homecoming is a great time to make a STATEment that you’re a proud ISU alum! We hope you’ll come back to campus Oct. 30-31 to reunite with college friends, do some fancy tailgatin’, cheer on the Cyclones, and revel in your other favorite Homecoming activities. Here are a few highlights of the biggest alumni weekend of the year: Friday: 84th Annual Honors & Awards Ceremony • 1:30 p.m., Benton Auditorium, Scheman Building • Dessert reception follows the ceremony New this year! Homecoming Hub • ISU Alumni Center, 1-8:30 p.m. • When you’re back in Ames on Friday, stop by the ISU Alumni Center to get a campus map, a comprehensive weekend schedule of events, yummy treats, and some ISU giveaways! Friday evening: Homecoming Celebration & Pep Rally • 5-8:30 p.m., ISU Alumni Center • Do your trick-or-treating here! There’ll be food (yes, we’ll have candy, too), cash bar, giveaways, games, merchandise for sale, photo opportunities, and more! The pep rally is a can’t-miss ISU tradition featuring the marching band and spirit squad, coaches,
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student-athletes, YellLike-Hell finals, and Cardinal Court introduction. Sponsored by the Iowa State University Bookstore ExCYtement in the Streets • 8-10 p.m., Greek Community Sponsored by Campustown Spirit Pancake Feed • 10 p.m.-midnight, Central Campus Sponsored by University Book Store Mass Campaniling and Fireworks • Midnight, Central Campus Saturday: Homecoming Cyclone Central Tailgate • 3 hours prior to game kickoff, ISU Alumni Center • With games and prizes, football action on the big screens, a step show performance by the marching band (80 minutes prior to kickoff), and a cash bar from Olde Main Brewing Company. Catered by Hickory Park (for pre-ordered meals) and pizza by the slice from Valentino’s. Sponsored by the University Book Store and Green Hills Retirement Community; Step Show sponsored by Northcrest Community Silent auction • Benefits SALC Sponsored by the University Book Store Homecoming football game • Cyclones vs. Texas Longhorns • Time TBA For Homecoming details, go to www.isualum.org/homecoming
Celebrate Cyclone football this fall at the ISU Alumni Center
Cyclone Central is the official pregame tailgate held at the ISU Alumni Center; the 2015 season kicked off Sept. 5 for the first of six home games. Each Cyclone Central tailgate offers fun for the whole family, regardless of the weather outside, and features games and prizes, football action on the big screens, a performance by the marching band (80 minutes prior to kickoff), and a cash bar from Olde Main Brewing Company. Cyclone Centrals begin three hours before each home football game. FOOD OPTIONS Full meals are available at every Cyclone Central. Pre-registration is required for each; Alumni Association members get a discount. Don’t want to plan that far ahead? Take advantage of a new addition this season and purchase pizza by the slice from Valentino’s on the Newlin Terrace. Registration is now open for ALL tailgate meals, so go online to www.isualum. org/cyclone central to view the complete schedule, menus, and registration links. Even if you don’t pre-register for a meal, we hope to see you there!
REMAINING 2015 CYCLONE CENTRAL TAILGATES: • Sept. 12 Iowa 12:30 p.m. (kickoff 3:30 p.m.) Caterer: Hickory Park Sponsors: Iowa State University Book Store (UBS) and Green Hills Retirement Community • Oct. 3 Kansas Caterer: West Ames Hy-Vee Sponsor: UBS • Oct. 17 TCU Caterer: Valentino’s Sponsors: Green Hills Retirement Community and Campustown Spirit • Oct. 31 Texas (Homecoming) Caterer: Hickory Park Sponsors: UBS and Green Hills • Nov. 14 Oklahoma State Caterer: Gateway Market Sponsor: Campustown Spirit Thank you to our Cyclone Central sponsors! • Northcrest Community is the exclusive sponsor for the Marching Band Step Show • Olde Main provides Cyclone Central bar service • Valentino’s offers pizza by the slice on the Alumni Center’s Newlin Terrace Support our sponsors and enjoy their business discounts!
Gamewatch Cytes Can’t make it to all the 2015 Cyclone football games to watch in person? There’s a good chance you can find a Cyclone gamewatch cyte near you. Every televised ISU game will be shown at the establishments listed online at www.isualum.org/ clubs. So come out in your cardinal and gold and watch the games in good company! Questions? Contact the gamewatch coordinator listed for each location or email Brandon Maske at the Alumni Association at bmaske@iastate.edu. Make sure your email address is up-to-date with the ISU Alumni Association at www.isualum.org/update to receive individual email invitations to events in your area, too. The national gamewatch guide is sponsored by Green Hills Retirement Community.
EASTERN IOWA ALUMNI AND FRIENDS: Save the date for an evening of fun, friends, and food at the second annual
Quad Cities Cylebration To celebrate and support Iowa State University Saturday, Nov. 7 at Crow Valley Golf Club in Davenport, Iowa Cylebration co-chairs: Kristyn (Cassidy) ’85 and Kurt ’85 Tjaden (L) and Joy (Wiegman) ’76 and Chet ’76 Boruff (L) Register at www.isualum.org/cylebration
Bringing You ISU Join us for this free opportunity to learn about some of the really interesting and very cool things happening in the Iowa State community. Des Moines alumni and friends: Let us bring your university to you through this event series, which will showcase engaging speakers on a variety of topics. “Exciting Things Happening at ISU Research Park” • Come hear how this expanded area will impact Ames! • Presented by Alison Doyle, ISU Research Park marketing manager • Sept. 29, 5:15-6:45 p.m. • Google Bullpen, Gravitate, 206 6th Ave. (Third Floor), Des Moines • Admission is free; register online at www.isualum.org/ bringing youisu
Tailgate on the road at Baylor The ISU Alumni Association is taking the tailgating show on the road Oct. 24 with a special event planned for ISU’s road football game at Baylor’s new stadium. Our tailgate at the ISU Fan Zone in George’s Party Zone at McLane Stadium will include a buffet meal with a cash bar available. Register before Oct. 9 and make plans to join us in Waco for some Cyclone-friendly fun. Members of the Alumni Association, Cyclone Club, Letterwinners Club, and/or Cyclone Gridiron Club receive a $10 discount ($20) off the meal price ($30). To learn more and to register online, visit www.isualum.org/baylor2015.
Big 4 Classic Dec. 19
Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines
YOU’RE INVITED!
Greek Alumni Reception Sponsored by the Greek Alumni Alliance Friday, Oct. 30 ISU Alumni Center 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m. Hickory Park and cash bar
The ISU Alumni Association and the Cyclone Club will co-sponsor a spirit rally prior to the start of the Hy-Vee Big 4 Classic on Dec. 19. We’ll offer a cash bar with snacks and giveaways while supplies last. All four schools – ISU, Drake, UNI, and U of I – will be located together, offering a spirit of camaraderie and friendly competition. This double header will see the Iowa Hawkeyes take on the Drake Bulldogs in game 1; game 2 will feature the Cyclones vs. the UNI Panthers.
KEEP UP WITH ALUMNI EVENTS AT WWW.ISUALUM.ORG/CALENDAR AND FOLLOW US ON isualum.org/blog VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG FALL 2015
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Alumni Profile
On the right path BY CAROLE GIESEKE
s a student at Iowa State in the late 1970s, Lori Jacobson (A) was not thinking about a career in museum management. In fact, she didn’t even know that an art museum existed on campus until she met Nancy Gillespie, then director of the Brunnier Gallery (as it was known then), at the Ames clothing store where she was working part time. Once she learned of the museum’s existence, she was intrigued. Once she met Lynette Pohlman, she was hooked. Pohlman (L)(’72 interior design, MA ’76) – who is now the longtime director and chief curator of University Museums – hired Jacobson to help install and catalog collections for the Brunnier. Jacobson immediately knew she was in the right place. “The first day I showed up at the Brunnier and worked with other students installing a permanent collection of glass, I was in awe and smitten,” she says. “I had no idea that the profession existed. From day one, I knew I was on my path.” Jacobson was then at the end of her sophomore year. She had struggled with choosing her major; she knew she wanted to go into an area of the arts, but she had shifted from art education to interior design to advertising design and still didn’t feel like she was in the right niche. Once she discovered museums, 24
she added history to her alreadydeclared art major. She graduated with a double major in 1980 and stayed on for a year to work with Pohlman on a project that would help build a case for using the museum’s collection in classrooms across campus. The experience at University Museums, she says, boosted her selfconfidence and pushed her out of her comfort zone. She became curator of collections at the McAllen International Museum in McAllen, Texas, traveling in Mexico to collect folk art and textiles. She became the assistant museum educator at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and then executive director for the Western Museums Association. “One thing just led to another,” she said. “I learned the design and construction side of exhibitions. I always felt excited to be part of something bigger that had an educational mission.” Eventually Jacobson co-founded THINK Jacobson & Roth, an exhibition development and management firm. For 15 years she managed designs, installations, fabrications, and other projects for natural history, history, paleontology, and art museums. Two years ago she decided to “push the edge of the envelope” a bit more by launching Lori Jacobson Consulting, her own Los Angeles-based planning
“I always felt excited to be part of something bigger that had an educational mission.” –– LORI JACOBSON
and project management firm, working with educational exhibits and interpretive materials. One of her first clients was Lynette Pohlman. Pohlman was looking for a project manager to curate the content for a major University Museums publication. In just two years, Jacobson helped FALL 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS
JAMIE PHAM
Pohlman and her team organize documents, photographs, and notes that had been collected over the past 30 years. The result is the comprehensive Campus Beautiful, a 480-page book with 450 images, nine primary authors, and 25 secondary authors. “It came together surprisingly fast and without as much anguish as you’d VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG FALL 2015
expect,” Jacobson says. “If we had done this at [another museum], it would have taken five years. Being part of a smaller, can-do team makes all the difference.” The book will be revealed at the Sept. 19 University Museums 40th anniversary celebration in the Brunnier Art Museum.
Pohlman credits Jacobson with having the time commitment, organization, follow-through, vision, and ability to keep people moving in the same direction. “The book would not be done if not for Lori,” Pohlman said. “I would still be muddling around. She brings energy to everything she does.” 25
Alumni Profile ‘We’re doing amazing things’ BY ANGIE HAGERTY
JIM HEEMSTRA
Samantha Edwards proudly displays her Ms. Wheelchair Iowa crown and sash at her Marshalltown home.
hreaded through the tapestry of Samantha Edwards’ (’12 journalism & mass communication) life is an abundance of inspiration. Whether she is inspiring others or soaking up inspiration from her mentors and friends, Edwards has demonstrated that people with disabil26
ities can thrive and positively impact their communities. Born with cerebral palsy, Edwards has used a motorized chair for mobility since she was four years old. “Regardless of your situation, you can use your life to inspire people,” Edwards said. “Challenges don’t have
to stop you from making meaningful contributions to the world.” As a determined young student, Edwards developed a passion for writing, which sparked dreams of attending college away from her home in Marshalltown, Iowa. “With support and encouragement from friends and family, I was able to earn my degree from Iowa State while living on campus,” she said. While attending ISU, Edwards served as president of the ISU Alliance for Disability Awareness. She also managed numerous events for ISU Disability Awareness Week. Edwards describes the many friendships she forged while at Iowa State as key to her success in college and beyond. “Inspiration goes both ways,” she said. “People have told me that I have inspired them. This makes me happy because I gained so much from my fellow ISU students. Everyone was so helpful and kind.” Beyond her ISU achievements, Edwards was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Iowa in 2011. Dedicated to honoring Iowa women who use wheelchairs for mobility, the pageant helped Edwards to advance her platform: promoting positive perceptions of the disabled. “People with disabilities are more than their disabilities. They also have abilities,” said Edwards. “We’re doing amazing things.” Edwards has volunteered at the Central Iowa Art Association, the Marshalltown library, and the Iowa Veterans Home. Her involvement with Ms. Wheelchair Iowa has continued with writing and developing content for the pageant’s website. She hopes to pursue additional freelance writing opportunities. “My primary goal is to be an example for disabled people by inspiring others to find their passions and to reach their goals,” Edwards said. Angie Hagerty (’96 journalism and mass communication) is a freelance writer who lives in Ankeny, Iowa. FALL 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS
ALUMNI COLLECTION 2015 Adjustable Hat A sporty new adjustable hat from Donegal Bay. #DB155 $18 Member price $16
Deluxe Framed Panorama 18X14 with 1 1/4" frame features the 2011 Cy-Hawk trophy winners and the 56,085 fans that packed the stadium #BW100 $199 Member price $169
Pewter Ornament The 2015 ornament is the 27th edition of Iowa State University’s pewter holiday collection. Limited quantity. Includes free gift box. Previous ornaments still available. #AA2015 $23.50 Member price $22.50
ISU Wall Calendar The 2015-2016 (August-July) calendar features striking full-color photos of Iowa State. 12 3/4" x 9 3/4" #AC060 $17 Member price $12
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Varsity Blanket A large sweatshirt blanket featuring Cy and various ISU logos. Snuggle up and watch the Clones with one of these! #UB505 $124 Member price $106
ISU Cloth Bracelet This is the perfect accessory for any ISU athletic event! #EL121 $15 Member price $13
More selections online: www.isualum.org/store Port Authority Color-block Jacket Stay warm at Jack Trice or on your walk into Hilton Coliseum with this heavyweight jacket. Zip-out interior allows you to wear through many seasons. Men’s #SG188M Women’s #SG188L $148 Member price $135
Football Cy tee Tailgate football tee is 100% vintage blended jersey. S-3XL #TG076 $30 Member price $25
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Sticks Ornament An ornament for all seasons that will adorn your holidays. Each piece is handcrafted. Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. #ST115 $103 Member price $94
Women’s V-neck Football tee Tailgate V-neck in cardinal soft blend jersey. XS-XL #TG068 $30 Member price $25
Magnolia Lane Mug Drink your coffee in style with this ceramic mug. #UB506 $15 Member price $13
Rugby Hoodie Sweatshirt You don’t have to play rugby to sport this stylish I-State hoodie. S-2XL #DB140 $85 Member price $75 Men’s Baseball Raglan Tailgate raglan shirt is 100% vintage blended jersey. S-3XL #TG063 $46 Member price $40
District made V-neck tee Women’s V-neck with I-State embroidery. S-3XL #SG189 $24 Member price $20
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Tone-on-Tone tie An ISUAA Exclusive collection tie for 2016! Tone-on-tone silk features the I State logo. #DB154 $40 Member price $35
Church Hill Classics Diploma Frame Showcase your Iowa State pride and achievements in a Church Hill Classics Diploma Frame! Visit www.diplomaframe.com/ Iowaa/store.aspx to order your custom ISU frame today! The cost will vary depending on the frame style you choose.
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Don’t forget to shop Alumni Collection merchandise at Cyclone Centrals before every home game at the ISU Alumni Center! ISU Campus Card Set Mix and match 4 cards and 4 greeting inserts #WB200 $30 Member price $25
Picnic Table Sport Everything folds up into an easy carrying case. Features a field table and 2 benches. #PT106 $152 Member price $136
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Burlap Pillow 18X18 burlap pillowcase featuring Leaning Cy screen print. #PS410 $38 Member price $28
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31
BY CAROLE GIESEKE PHOTOS BY JIM HEEMSTRA
WHERE THE HEART IS This is a story about a man who woke up one day as Jamie Pollard, the well-known Iowa State University athletics director, and through the course of that day became Jamie Pollard, a human being with a broken heart. All of Cyclone Nation knows this story by now, of course: that Jamie Pollard suffered a heart attack while watching his daughters at a track meet at the University of Northern Iowa. Everyone knows he had openheart surgery. Everyone knows that he survived. But peel back the layers, and this is a story about a man who is at peace with himself, a man who is a loving father and husband, a man who now, more than ever, feels at the epicenter of a warm, Cyclone embrace. But let’s start at the beginning.
Pollard had an “off ” day on Sunday, March 8. It was the beginning of the week of the Big 12 men’s basketball tournament. He’d been training for the Big 12 5K run in Kansas City all winter, and he’d been training hard. In fact, he says, he was in the best shape he’d been in in 15 years. But Sunday’s training session wasn’t
right. Pollard didn’t feel well. It was one of the worst runs of his life, he now says. He didn’t even finish. At the time, he chalked it up to a timing problem – he usually ran in the morning, but on Sunday he ran after dinner. So that was it. Monday morning, March 9, dawned clear and cool. After a long, cold winter, it was finally starting to feel like spring in Iowa. Pollard had planned to work out this morning, but he still didn’t feel right. So he slept in. He thought maybe he was coming down with something. Before heading to work, he spoke at an assembly at Gilbert High School – the school three of his four kids attended. Then he spent some time at his office in the Jacobson Building. He felt okay…not bad, but not great. On his way out of town to watch daughters Annie and Maggie run in a track meet at UNI, he went through the drive-through of a fast-food restaurant in Ames: B-Bop’s. Pollard loves B-Bop’s, but he knows it isn’t the healthiest choice. He bought a double cheese-
burger, French fries, and a chocolate malt and drove toward Cedar Falls.
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y now it’s 4 o’clock, and Pollard arrives at Annie and Maggie’s track meet. He takes a seat in the front row on the back straight-away. He’s sitting by himself at the UNI-Dome; his wife, Ellen, is tied up with parent-teacher conferences back home. Annie competes first: a 3,000-meter run. She finishes with a time of 11:57.67. Pollard calls Ellen and reports on Annie’s finish. Annie joins him in the bleachers. They begin to talk about how her race went and about her upcoming mission trip in Nicaragua. She was going to be leaving that week. “We had just started talking,” Pollard says. “I remember saying, ‘When you’re in Nicaragua you’re not going to able to run, but here are things you can…’ and I never finished the sentence. Because it HIT me and I told her,
ISU athletics director Jamie Pollard is back to work in the Jacobson Building.
‘I don’t feel good. Let me just sit here. I just need to sit here for a second.’ I thought it was indigestion. Somewhere in there, I said, ‘Oh, Mom’s going to be upset with me because I had a cheeseburger for lunch.’” Before he could say another word, Pollard started getting cold sweats. He removed his sweatshirt and lay down on the bleachers. He asked Annie to get him some water. When she returned with water, Pollard sat up and took a drink. But he still had cold sweats and was becoming nauseated. He lay back down, and that’s when he knew something was really wrong. When he lay down the second time, it felt like the bleachers were vibrating. Pollard was tingling from head to toe. That’s when Annie said, “Are you
board because the stretcher couldn’t go down the steps. Pollard refused – he didn’t want to be carried out on a board. He was embarrassed. What if people saw him? The paramedics insisted that they needed to get him to the ambulance so they could perform an EKG. “I remember telling them, ‘If I get in the ambulance, can I get out of the ambulance? Because my car’s here, and I want to watch my daughter run.’ Because I’m still thinking that this is going to go away. I promised them I’d go see my doctor when I got home next week.” The paramedic said, sure, you can get out of the ambulance. Pollard still refused to go out on a body board. He was determined to walk up the stairs. His chief reason for not
and saw him carted away on a gurney,” Maggie remembers. “I ran my relay, but I didn’t do that well.” When Pollard arrived at the ambulance, the paramedics performed an EKG and immediately said, “We have to take you to the hospital.” At that point, Pollard called Ellen (L). She, of course, asked if she should meet him at the hospital, but he assured her that he was fine. Stay at the parentteacher conferences, he said. “My biggest concern at that point was, well, now they’re taking me to the hospital. How am I going to get my car? I guess that’s a guy thing.” Pollard had never ridden in an ambulance before. The siren was screaming, heading for the emergency room at Allen Hospital in Waterloo.
having a heart attack?” Her dad responded, “I don’t know, but go get somebody.” She said, “Where do I go?” And right then, Pollard remembered that when he walked in to the UNI-Dome he had noticed where the training room was set up. He pointed: “The training room’s right over there.” So Annie ran to the training room, and told the trainer that was on duty, “I think my dad’s having a heart attack.” The trainer called for the paramedics, and then went to Pollard and started asking him questions. The paramedics arrived within minutes.
wanting to be placed on the board was that he didn’t want to call attention to his situation. He was convinced at that point that he was still “incognito” in the front row. But, in fact, Pollard was already surrounded by three paramedics, two police officers, and various hangers-on. Everyone in that section – and probably in the entire UNI-Dome – already knew what was happening. “I can laugh about that now,” Pollard says. “What was I thinking?” He tried to walk up the stairs, but he couldn’t make it on his own. The paramedics helped him up to a stretcher at the top of the bleachers and wheeled him past the student-athletes and fans and out to the waiting ambulance. By now, Pollard’s daughter Maggie knew the paramedics were tending to her dad. “I was warming up to do my race
By now, Pollard was aware that he’d had a heart attack, but he didn’t know any details. Doctors told him that he needed to stay overnight. They told him they’d do an angiogram in the morning. Maybe, they told him, they’d need to implant a cardiac stent.
In the midst of this life-or-death situation, Jamie Pollard (L) remembers the goofiest things. The paramedics wanted to carry Pollard out of the stands on a body 34
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ack home, Ellen is worried, but her husband has assured her that she should stay in Ames. “Part of it was the way Jamie was handing it,” Ellen says. “I asked him if I should come, but he was nonchalant. He said they were just running tests. “About an hour later, after I came out of the parent-teacher conferences, he told me they confirmed that he had a heart attack. He said they were going to make him spend the night, but he said I should stay with the kids and FALL 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS
come in the morning.” But their friends Connie (’84) and Roger (’80) Underwood (L), who live just down the street from the Pollards, called Ellen and offered to drive her to Waterloo. They arrived about 10:30 that night. Roger had recently experienced a heart attack himself. In the emergency room, Roger walked Pollard through the procedure. Pollard was still thinking he’d probably get a stent and, instead of going to Kansas City for the Big 12 tournament on Wednesday, he’d go down on Thursday. Roger didn’t want to be the one to tell his friend that he probably wouldn’t be traveling any time soon. Pollard’s condition worsened during the night. Early the next morning (Tuesday, March 10) they took him in for the angiogram. During the procedure, Pollard was foggy but awake. He clearly remembers the experience. “I will remember for the rest of my life the doctor saying, ‘I can’t help him. He needs triple bypass surgery.’ As soon as he said that, wow, I knew what that meant. That meant you’re getting cut open.” The procedure would not be a simple one, as Pollard had hoped. The doctor performing the angiogram showed Pollard on the monitor where the interior of his artery had torn, causing the blockage. The condition is called an aortic dissection, and it’s serious business. In an aortic dissection, blood seeps between the inner walls of the aorta, forcing a tear. “I didn’t have a heart attack because I had heart disease like most people think of,” Pollard says. The condition may be hereditary. Pollard’s father had a heart attack at age 57. Most likely, the disorder is aggravated by stress. According to the American Heart Association, the condition in men can be caused by extreme exertion such as isometric exercises, by heavy lifting, or by getting hit in the chest. In Pollard’s case, it may have been aggravated by his strenuous training for the Big 12 5K. Surgeons at Allen Hospital were prepared to perform Pollard’s triple bypass VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG FALL 2015
surgery, but because of the doctors’ schedules, and because Pollard felt isolated being so far from home, he was uneasy about staying in Waterloo. He and Ellen conferred with a friend, David Stark (L)(’94 management), who is president and CEO of Blank Children’s Hospital and executive vice president of UnityPoint Health in Des Moines. “We just wanted to get his opinion,” Pollard said. “David said, ‘If it were me, I’d be here [in Des Moines] in a heartbeat.’ He said he could get a helicopter here in an hour. “And here’s the end of that story,” Pollard continues. “David’s a great Iowa Stater. [My staff] brought me back a Big 12 championship hat and a piece of the net, and I gave it to David. Because he basically, from that point on, quarterbacked everything.” So Pollard transferred to Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, riding in a helicopter for the first time in his life. Which brings up another funny story. Well, funny now, but not so funny back in March. One of the technicians overheard the Pollards’ discussion about transferring and told them that insurance probably wouldn’t cover the cost of the medevac helicopter. Pollard said he was “oblivious” to the cost, and Ellen’s response was, well, this is life or death and we don’t really care how much it costs. Days later, when the bill came and it was $54,999 – “Why don’t they round it off?” he jokes – Pollard thought, thank heavens somebody didn’t tell me that on the front end, because Cheap Jamie would have said no, it’s not worth it! Once in the helicopter, Pollard jokingly asked the pilot to swing by Jack Trice Stadium to see how the construction project was coming along. But all he got to see, he says, was the ceiling of the helicopter. When they landed at Iowa Methodist, David Stark was waiting on the heliport with the surgeon. The surgeon said, “We’re going in right away. This is an emergency. If we wait, your heart could be damaged.” Pollard was surprised. He was expecting the surgery to take place on Thursday or Friday. Today was Tuesday. Ellen wasn’t here yet. Pollard had suggested that she stop at home and check
on the kids because there wasn’t any need to rush. Stark took control. He said to get Pollard ready for surgery; he would call Ellen and tell her to come to the hospital immediately. Pollard had about a 15-minute window after he was prepped for surgery but waiting for Ellen to arrive.
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his is the first time Pollard becomes emotional in the retelling of this story. He has to take a brief break to regain his composure. “It’s a lot to digest,” he says after a few moments. “If you’d given me those facts ahead of time: heart attack, you’re lying on the operating table, you’re going to have 15 minutes waiting for your wife to get there, and you don’t know what’s going to happen – I would have bet anything that I would have been scared beyond belief. And ironically, I wasn’t. I was in a really good place. I remember thinking I may never see my kids again. I’m going to see Ellen. And I remember looking at the people above me, thinking this nurse may be the last person I see. I remember her asking me, ‘Do you have any last wishes before you go into surgery?’ And this has become a standing joke, because I said, ‘I really fancy orange Gatorade.’ She said she’d make sure there would be an orange Gatorade waiting for me when I got out of surgery.” Ellen arrived at the hospital and rushed to her husband’s side. She said goodbye before Pollard was wheeled into the operating room. It was 6 o’clock on Tuesday evening. The surgery lasted six hours. But Pollard doesn’t remember anything until 1 o’clock on Wednesday afternoon when he woke up in the intensive care unit. He stayed in ICU until Thursday, when he was moved into a regular room. On Thursday night, a heavily medicated Pollard watched the Cyclone men’s basketball team beat Texas 69-67 in the Big 12 tournament, a comeback game that nearly gave the Cyclone faithful heart attacks of their own. At one point, with the Cyclones down by as many as 16 points, Pollard told Ellen, who was pacing the hospital room floor in frustration, “Hon, sometimes 35
Ellen (left) and Jamie Pollard with their four children, from left: James, Annie, Maggie, and Thomas.
it’s just not meant to be.” And she looked at him incredulously and said, “Who ARE you??” On Saturday morning, senior associate athletics director for communications Steve Malchow (A) and an ISU athletics video crew came to the hospital and filmed a message from Pollard. The message was played on the big screen Saturday afternoon at the KC Power & Light District, where thousands of Cyclone fans had gathered. In the video, Pollard is wearing an Iowa State baseball cap and a hospital gown that clearly reveals his surgical scar. In a weak voice, he says, “Hey, Cyclone fans. I really wish I could be at the Power and Light District this afternoon and the Sprint Center tonight. Although I can’t be there physically, I will be there emotionally. Thank you so much for all your thoughts and prayers. I will be back. Go, Cyclones.” The fans went crazy. Later that night, the Cyclones won the championship with another heart-stopping comeback victory against Kansas, 70-66. Then-head coach Fred Hoiberg (L) (’95 finance) spoke to the media after the game. “This was a great week for us, for Jamie Pollard. This is a win for him, and I know it was a stressful three days, but the end result I think was great for Jamie and his therapy,” Hoiberg said. “He’s the best; he’s a great guy to 36
work for, a great boss. And to win this one for him is really a special moment.” Pollard has seen the footage of his video being played on the big screen. He’s seen the crowd’s reaction. And he’s seen footage that shows that, at one point during the championship game, the crowd begins to spontaneously chant: JAMIE! POLLARD! CLAP/ CLAP/CLAP/CLAP/CLAP/CLAP It’s emotional for him to talk about it. “It was really cool when they were chanting my name,” he says, pausing to regain his composure. “It reinforced why I love being here.”
P
ollard is released from the hospital on Sunday, March 15. For a week, he recovers at home and then begins cardiac rehabilitation. The rehab is three times a week, consisting of walking, then running, plus educational sessions on stress management, diet, and the biomechanics of the heart. He progressed from walking tenuously for six minutes, carefully holding his chest out of fear of additional trauma, to carefully running on the treadmill. Four weeks after his heart attack, Pollard returned to work a little bit at a time. His return to work was gradual to ensure he didn’t over-do things. Coming in to the office wasn’t for
the staff, he says; it was for him to have something to do. David Harris (A), senior associate athletics director for student services, was serving as interim athletics director, and Pollard said he did a wonderful job, as did all the senior staff and the entire department during what was a very busy time for Athletics. “I always say, ‘Judge an organization’s strength not in good times but during adversity.’ And that proved our organization was pretty solid, because they didn’t miss a heartbeat, no pun intended.” At the six-week mark, Pollard was able to drive a car again, which gave him tremendous freedom. He returned to full-time work on April 27. The month of May was hectic, with Big 12 meetings and Cyclone Tailgate Tour stops to attend and the ongoing facilities construction to oversee. By the end of the month, he’d lose Hoiberg as head men’s basketball coach and work to replace him by eventual new head coach Steve Prohm. But he made it through all of that, and his life slowly settled back to normal.
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ow that Pollard can view his experience in the rear-view mirror, everything becomes clear. We’re talking in his large, sunny Jacobson Building office that overlooks Jack Trice Stadium. It’s a bright day in early July, and the stadium’s south end zone construction is nearly completed. Pollard’s office was gutted during the time he was sick; his things are still in boxes, and nothing is up on the walls. “I’m an anal person, so not having the stuff up in my office is not good. But I just had to let that go,” he says, looking around his colorful but barren office. “Maybe I’ll get to it this weekend.” Pollard’s health crisis changed his life in so many ways, but two things stand out above the rest: his love for his family and his loyalty to Iowa State. “I think the Iowa State piece is, you pour your heart into it. You’re in a public position that comes with a ton of criticism and a ton of, you know, everybody can do your job better than you, and they don’t have a problem telling you that every single day. And so everything we do is so public, and it can FALL 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS
be hard. So you think about having to deal with a health issue like this: It’s in the public.” In the days following his heart attack, Pollard received 682 texts and 824 emails. Those are key numbers when you think about the support he received from his friends, Cyclone fans, and colleagues. “Those texts and emails were just a reminder of why it’s pretty neat to work at Iowa State and live in this community. And maybe it takes moments like this to really appreciate it. There were many days [before the heart attack] when you’d go, ‘You know what? These people just don’t understand.’ So it was just good to know that people care. We love living here. I’m glad I live here. It just hit me that this is why I’m supposed to be here.” And then there’s Ellen and their four kids: Thomas (an all-American track athlete and recent Gilbert High School grad who’s enrolled at Iowa State this fall), Annie (a high-school senior), Maggie (a high-school sophomore), and James (a seventh grader). Pollard asks himself: What if I didn’t make it? What if I wasn’t there for them? “I’ve had emotional times,” he says. “At Thomas’s baccalaureate at Gilbert… it just hit me: Wow, I wouldn’t have been here. This would have been so different for our family. Now, I joke about it…but yeah, there are times when you just kind of go, ‘What would it have been like for our family?’ Because I wouldn’t be here.” If there’s one person Pollard gets choked up about, it’s his daughter Annie. Annie, who was by his side when he had the heart attack. Annie, who ran for help. Annie, who spent a week in Nicaragua with no cell-phone service and no wi-fi, unable to get information about her dad’s condition in the days after his surgery. Annie is the one, her dad says, that you want by your side during a crisis. She never lost her composure. An article in the Ames Tribune calls Annie a hero. But she is clearly uncomfortable with all the attention she’s received. “I just did what I was told to do,” she says, shrugging her shoulders. “I could tell he didn’t look well. I knew something wasn’t right.” Pollard says it’s become a standing VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG FALL 2015
joke: “I call Annie ‘The Rock’ now, and she absolutely HATES it. But it’s a bond she and I are always going to have.” Pollard looks back on the day he had the heart attack and is so grateful that the sequence of events played out the way they did. “The teachers at Gilbert say, ‘Thank heaven it didn’t happen when you were speaking to the students. Or worse, if it happened when you were in the car [on the way to Cedar Falls].’ Knowing me, I would have probably laid down in the back of the car. I was thinking if I’d just lay down it would get better. The thought of calling 911 wouldn’t have even been on my radar screen.” Pollard thinks about the stress of his job, and how it could have contributed to his heart condition. “People tell me I have a stressful job. My job’s no more stressful than other people’s; it’s more of how you process your stress,” he says. “I’m type AAA – triple A. That’s something I need to change…well, you can’t really change, but at least I’m more aware of it. I’ve acknowledged it, and I think that’s healthy.” Here’s one last thing that’s really important to Jamie Pollard: his faith. It’s that faith, he says, that got him through the 15 minutes when he was waiting for Ellen to come to the hospital before he went into surgery. For two years, Pollard has been a part of a men’s group at Cornerstone Church in Ames. The group meets at 6 o’clock on Thursday mornings. He goes every Thursday, even in the winter when it’s dark and cold. Even when he wants to sleep in. He’s always glad that he goes. “When I think back to that 15 minutes when I was waiting and had to collect my thoughts, I was at peace,” he says. “And I was at peace because I’d already done my work. I’d put in my time with my faith so that when I needed my faith it was there for me without me having to worry. And I owe that to that men’s group, because it better prepared me for the fact that we’re all mortal.”
Heart attack symptoms: Know what’s a medical emergency Typical heart attack symptoms • Chest discomfort or pain: This discomfort or pain can feel like a tight ache, pressure, fullness, or squeezing in your chest lasting more than a few minutes. This discomfort may come and go. • Upper body pain: Pain or discomfort may spread beyond your chest to your shoulders, arms, back, neck, teeth, or jaw. You may have upper body pain with no chest discomfort. • Stomach pain: Pain may extend downward into your abdominal area and may feel like heartburn. • Shortness of breath: You may pant for breath or try to take in deep breaths. This often occurs before you develop chest discomfort, or you may not experience any chest discomfort. • Anxiety: You may feel a sense of doom or feel as if you’re having a panic attack for no apparent reason. • Lightheadedness: In addition to chest pressure, you may feel dizzy or feel like you might pass out. • Sweating: You may suddenly break into a sweat with cold, clammy skin. • Nausea and vomiting: You may feel sick to your stomach or vomit. Most heart attacks begin with subtle symptoms – with only discomfort that often is not described as pain. The chest discomfort may come and go. Don’t be tempted to downplay your symptoms or brush them off as indigestion or anxiety. Don’t “tough out” heart attack symptoms for more than five minutes. Call 911 or other emergency medical services for help. If you don’t have access to emergency medical services, have someone drive you to the nearest hospital. Drive yourself only as a last resort, if there are absolutely no other options. Heart attack symptoms vary widely. For instance, you may have only minor chest discomfort while someone else has excruciating pain. One thing applies to everyone, though: If you suspect you’re having a heart attack, call for emergency medical help immediately. Source: Reprinted from the MayoClinic.com article “Heart attack symptoms: Know what’s a medical emergency.” © Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. All rights reserved. 37
Honors&Awards Please join us in honoring these extraordinary alumni and friends Awards will be presented at the 84th Annual Honors & Awards Ceremony 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, 2015, Benton Auditorium, Scheman Building Dessert reception to follow the awards ceremony. The event is sponsored by the ISU Alumni Association and is open to the public. To nominate alumni and friends for 2016 homecoming awards, go to www.isualum.org/honorsandawards. Nomination deadline is Feb. 1, 2016.
For information, go to www.isualum.org/honorsandawards ISU A LUMNI ASSOCI ATION
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Alumni Medal Emily R. Kinser** 2004 political science & materials engr., MS 2005 materials science & engr. Development & patent engineer, IBM New Haven, Conn.
Diane Patton** 1968 home ec. ed. Retired executive director, Harvest Acres Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Center James Patton** 1966 ag. & life sciences ed., MS 1971 Retired, ISU Extension Ames, Iowa
Outstanding Young Alumni Award Juan R. Guardia* PhD 2006 education Miami. Fla.
Alumni Merit Award Jane Halliburton* 1965 family & consumer sciences Retired Story County supervisor Ames, Iowa
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Alumni Merit Award Robert D. Bullard PhD 1976 sociology (CALS) Dean, BJ-ML School of Public Affairs, Texas Southern Univ. Houston, Texas
COLLEGE AWA R DS AGR ICU LTU R E A ND LIFE SCIENCE S Henry A. Wallace Award James Tobin** 1978 ag. & life sciences ed. Retired Channel engagement lead, Monsanto St. Louis, Mo.
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Suzanne Hutchinson Verma* 1999 biological/ pre-medical illustration Anaplastologist, Texas A&M Univ. Plano, Texas
Floyd Andre Award Harold H. Hodson, Jr.* 1961 animal science, PhD 1965 Retired CEO/president, Swine Genetics Intl., Ltd. Ankeny, Iowa
Impact Award Fred Hoiberg** 1995 finance Head coach, Chicago Bulls Chicago, Ill. Impact Award Iowa State University Research Park Ames, Iowa Alumni Service Award Angie Handorf Lookingbill** 1993 marketing Leadership development, Wright Lookingbill Urbandale, Iowa James A. Hopson Alumni Volunteer Award Trey Hemmingsen** 2011 advertising Sr. extended services specialist, ServiceSource Intl. Brighton, Mass.
Outstanding Young Professional Award Lisa Wasko DeVetter 2007 biology & hort., MS 2010 hort., agronomy & soil science Asst. prof. of small fruit hort., Washington State Univ. Anacortes, Wash.
George Washington Carver Distinguished Service Award Don Koo Lee MS 1975 forestry, PhD 1978 Professor, Department of Forest Services, Seoul National Univ. Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea FALL 201 5 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS
BUSINE SS Citation of Achievement Paul Dostart** 1973 indust. admin. Lawyer/partner, Dostart, Clapp & Coveney, LLP La Jolla, Calif.
Professional Achievement Citation in Engineering Robert Lane** 1968 chemical engr. Retired VP, Shell E&P International Ventures, Inc. Houston, Texas HUM A N SCIENCE S
Balan Nair** 1989 elect. engr., MBA 1994 business admin. Senior VP / chief technology officer, Liberty Global, Inc. Denver, Colo. John D. DeVries Service Award Bill Kalm** 1973 indust. admin. Retired partner, Accenture Phoenix, Ariz. Russ and Ann Gerdin Award Mike McBreen** 1988 chemical engr. Senior VP, global sourcing / product dev., Payless Shoe Source Lawrence, Kan. Wells Fargo Des Moines, Iowa DE SIGN Christian Petersen Design Award Debi Durham Director, Iowa Economic Development Authority Sioux City, Iowa Design Achievement Award Jeremy Caniglia 1993 art & design (drawing, painting, printmaking) Artist/illustrator; fine arts teacher, Creighton Preparatory School Omaha, Neb. Prem Sundharam MArch 2004 architecture Senior associate to principal, DLR Group Phoenix, Ariz. ENGINEER ING Anson Marston Medal Mary Jane Hagenson** 1974 physics & math., MS 1976 biomedical engr., PhD 1980 Retired VP for research & tech., Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. Research & Tech. Center The Woodlands, Texas
Alumni Achievement Award Richard L. Mahoney** PhD 2011 hospitality management Vice chairman, The Wine Group Bainbridge Island, Wash. Outstanding Young Professional Award Lindsey Litchfield Shirley** 2001 family & consumer sciences ed., PhD 2007 Assoc. prof. / Extension specialist, Utah State Univ. Logan, Utah Douglas D. Wheeler MEd 2006 ed. admin. Superintendent, Saydel Community School District Des Moines, Iowa Helen LeBaron Hilton Award Carolee Stucker Samuels 1965 home ec. ed. Author; retired editorial director, Goodheart-Willcox Publisher Frankfort, Ill. Virgil S. Lagomarcino Laureate Award Carlie Collins Tartakov** PhD 1995, professional studies in ed. Professor emerita, ISU College of Human Sciences Amherst, Mass. LIBER A L A RTS & SCIENCE S Carrie Chapman Catt Public Engagement Award Joanne Seymour Kuster** 1976 home ec. journalism Owner, Kuster Ltd./Dynaminds Publishing Johnston, Iowa. Citation of Merit Award Alice P. Hudson** 1963 chemistry President/CEO, Surface Chemists of Florida Jupiter, Fla.
Distinguished Service Award Carl E. Jacobson Professor, ISU Department of Geological & Atmospheric Sciences Ames, Iowa John V. Atanasoff Discovery Award Oden L. Warren* PhD 1993 physical chemistry President / chief technology officer, Hysitron Corporation New Brighton, Minn. Young Alumnus Award Lt. Cmdr. Matthew D. Gleason 2002 political science Commanding officer, USS DEXTROUS, Bahrain, U.S. Navy Portsmouth, R.I. V ETER INA RY MEDICINE Stange Award for Meritorious Service Dr. Marion W. Anders* DVM 1960 veterinary medicine Prof. & chair emeritus, Univ. of Rochester Medical Center Pittsford, N.Y Dr. Kenneth R. Harkin DVM 1989 veterinary medicine Prof. / small animal medicine section head, Kansas State Univ. Manhattan, Kan. Dr. Howard Raymond Moore* DVM 1974 veterinary medicine Owner/senior partner, Tucson Small Animal Hospital, Ltd. Tucson, Ariz. William P. Switzer Award in Veterinary Medicine Dr. Ronald L. Grier* DVM 1965 veterinary medicine Prof. emeritus, ISU College of Veterinary Medicine Ames, Iowa IOWA STATE U NI V ERSIT Y MEMOR I A L U NION Harold Pride Service Medallion Roger K. Ferris 1971 family & consumer sciences / interior design Retired assoc. director, Memorial Union (deceased)
*ISU Alumni Association Annual Member **ISU Alumni Association Life Member Only ISU degrees are listed
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Newsmakers I O WA S TAT E A L U M N I I N T H E N E W S
Unlocking the power of crowdfunding The tale of an invention born in an Iowa State economics class has landed Brandon Adams (A)(’12 management) on the cover of the July issue of Inventors Digest – even though his product, ArcticStick, has not yet made it to market. Adams has become an expert in entrepreneurship and crowdfunding strategies, and now his mission is not just to get his bottled-beverage-cooling device into production, but to share his stories of success and failure with others. Adams, who recently wrote a book called Keys to the Crowd: Unlocking the Power of Crowdfunding, is also the creator of the “University of Young Entrepreneurs,” a series of online courses, consultation sessions, and marketing packages – along with a podcast and blog – aimed at helping entrepreneurially-minded students learn how to get a product to market and maximize crowdfunding opportunities along the way. He also appears in a weekly television series on crowdfunding campaigns. “I loved everything I did about developing ArcticStick,” Adams told the magazine. “It was exhilarating to see it come alive. I liked people seeing me standing up for what I believed in. It was like a movement, and I thought, you know what, I want to help people like me.”
Missouri Courage Scholarship
Speaking of crowdfunding, Jacob Wilson (’11 women’s studies / political science) was recently featured on MTV.com after he created a scholarship for LGBT students and their allies through a crowdfunding effort. Wilson, a former regional director with the Civic Election Engagement Project based in Seattle, created the Missouri Courage Scholarship; scholarships will be available to students in Wilson’s home state. “LGBT teens in rural America have many hurdles to overcome in order to live happy, healthy lives,” Wilson told MTV. “This is about sending a message of love and acceptance 40
to drown out hate. And, most importantly, it’s about making life better for LGBT youth today – not just telling them that, someday, things will get better.” He reports that the scholarship goal of $12,000 was reached in just 12 days. Wilson is currently a PhD student in higher education at the University of Arizona. ALUMNI HONORS
• Chang-Jin “CJ” Kim (MS ’85), professor at the University of California in Los Angeles, has received the 2015 Ho-Am Prize for Engineering. Established in 1990 in memory of the founder of Samsung, this award is Korea’s highest honor for science, engineering, medicine, the arts, and community service. The prize covers the entire field of basic engineering and applied technol-
ogy and is presented to people of Korean heritage whose accomplishments have contributed to the development of industry for greater prosperity for humanity. Kim is best known for pioneering work in micro- and nanotechnologies to control the transport of minute amount of liquids. His research breakthroughs are now used in inkjet printing and biological sample preparation. • Barbara Kegerreis Lunde (PhD ’70 physics) recently received the Minnesota Federation of Engineering, Science and Technology Societies’ highest honor, the Richard S. Alberg Distinguished Science and Technology Professional Award, for outstanding lifetime achievements in and service to the practice of science and technology. • Cheryl (McClure) Beaver (A)(’81 home ec ed) was honored with the Iowa Family and Consumer Sciences Educator of the Year Award in June. Beaver has taught high school family consumer science classes in the Clarinda (Iowa) Community School District for the past 34 years. Four years ago she added middle school classes. A native of Algona, Iowa, Beaver shares her passion for sewing and pie baking – skills taught to her by her mother – with her students. • Chris Rosburg (’99 advertising) has been named Big Brother of the Year by Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Rosburg, a resident of Kansas City, Mo., has been matched with his Little Brother, Darrion, for four years. Darrion and his mother credit Rosburg for helping Darrion avoid negative influences. Together, they participate in activities such as bowling and go-karts. More importantly, Darrion now has someone to confide in about life, college, careers, politics, and family. • Carl Kirpes (A)(’12 indust engr, MS ’14 systems engr) recently received the Outstanding Early Career IE in Business/ Industry Award at the Institute of Industrial Engineering Conference. The award recognizes individuals who have shown outstanding characteristics FALL 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS
in leadership, professionalism, and potential in the industrial engineering field. Kirpes is vice president of operations for Genesys Systems Integrator. He is a 2011 Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior recipient and former ISUAA STATEment Maker. ALUMNI BOOKSHELF
• Sarasota, Fla., resident and international designer Deeia Topp (L)(’90 interior design) has taken a break after 25 years of designing for “real housewives” to pen her first novel. Complicated … by Design is a witty, fast-paced novel that is a “delightfully dishy peek behind the draperies of Greenwich’s Botoxed elite.” Topp is the recipient of the ISU Foundation’s Order of the Knoll Young Alumni Award. She is the owner and president of Deeia M. Topp Interiors. • Most Iowa State fans have taken in a game at Jack Trice Stadium or Hilton Coliseum. But only real fans know how the team name came to be, know the location and story behind the “Honor Before Victory” plaque, and were in the stands when the basketball team made an Elite 8 run in 2000. 100 Things Iowa State Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die is the ultimate resource guide for true fans of Iowa State athletics. Whether they are die-hard boosters from the days of Earle Bruce on the gridiron or new supporters of Iowa State hoops, fans VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG FALL 2015
will value these essential pieces of Cyclones football and basketball knowledge and trivia – and all of the must-do activities in their lifetimes. The 320-page book was authored by ISU alumni Alex Halsted (’14 JlMC) and Dylan Montz (’14 JlMC), both former Iowa State Daily sports writers and Larch Hall roommates. Previously, as a 19-year-old freshman at ISU, Halsted published 100 Things Twins Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die. • A memoir by Clayton Anderson (L) (MS ’83 aerospace engr), a former NASA astronaut and current senior lecturer in Iowa State’s aerospace engineering program, was released in June. The Ordinary Spaceman: From Boyhood Dreams to Astronaut chronicles Anderson’s adventures, from watching the Apollo 8 astronauts as a boy in Nebraska to twice traveling to the International Space Station and performing 40 hours of space walks. Anderson retired from NASA in 2013. He received Iowa State’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2008.
150 nations. Until July 2015, Muilenburg served as vice chairman and chief operating officer of Boeing. Before that, he served as president and chief executive officer of Boeing Defense, Space & Security. Muilenburg joined Boeing in 1985. He is a 2012 recipient of Iowa State’s Distinguished Alumni Award. • John Bosley (’03 art & design) has started his own business, Bozz Prints. Bosley sells posters, prints, and T-shirts designed with his own artwork, which he describes as “graphic, colorful, and playful illustrations that focus on geographic icons and landmarks.” Bosley is a former designer for Raygun, the popular Des Moinesbased T-shirt maker, and also worked for Sticks, a Des Moines company that makes folk art furniture and home accessories. Bosley is a former ISUAA STATEment Maker. • Kyle Beaird (’97 mgmt information systems) has been named chief operating officer/chief financial officer for Hillerich & Bradsby Co., a sporting goods manufacturer in Louisville, Ky. Beaird joined H&B in 2012 as director of financial planning and analysis. He was promoted
TOP JOBS
• Dennis Muilenburg (L)(’86 aerospace engineering) has been named president and chief executive officer of The Boeing Company. In his new role, Muilenburg oversees the strategic direction of the Chicago-based, $90.8 billion aerospace company – the world’s largest aerospace company and top U.S. exporter. Boeing is the leading manufacturer of commercial airplanes; military aircraft; and defense, space, and security systems. The company supports airlines and U.S. and allied government customers in more than
to VP for finance in September 2014 and now becomes COO/CFO in the newly reorganized H&B structure after the company’s sale of the Louisville Slugger brand to Wilson Sporting Goods in April. Beaird is a die-hard baseball fan. He’s also an avid mountaineer, having summited Mount Everest in Tibetan China, Denali in Alaska, and a number of other significant peaks in the U.S., South America, and Europe. Beaird is also a distance runner and triathlete. (A) = ISU Alumni Association annual member (L) = ISU Alumni Association life member 41
Closing the gap between information and impact By Avery Amensen
I
f we think of philanthropy in its purest definition as ‘the love of humanity,’ then truly our society depends on how we engage in caring for each other and the world we occupy,” said Pat Long, this year’s featured Women & Philanthropy workshop speaker. “I believe most people really want to do good, but sometimes they just aren’t aware of how to get involved,” she continued. “Increasing awareness about what can be accomplished through philanthropic acts allows for participation and engagement and so much good that can be done!” Women & Philanthropy at the Iowa State University Foundation seeks to close the gap between the desire to make an impact and possessing the knowledge to make it happen. Founded in 2000 by a group of volunteers, its mission was to educate and encourage women to be philanthropic leaders at Iowa State University and in their communities. Women & Philanthropy has since evolved to include an annual workshop featuring national speakers and local content experts, as well as new regional events. 42
Known as a great storyteller, Long truly understands the importance of philanthropy and is skilled in inspiring philanthropic goals in others, making her a perfect fit for this year’s events. “On a personal level, my life was changed forever because someone gave to a scholarship fund that allowed me to attend college and eventually have a wonderful career in education,” she said. In July 2014, Long retired from Baker University after a successful eight years as Baker’s first female president. “Philanthropy – giving, caring, and doing good – impacts both the giver and the receiver, and it changes lives.” The Women & Philanthropy workshop has covered a wide range of topics within the realm of philanthropy and finance, including investment, working with advisors, family philanthropy, and heritage planning. “The workshop is open to anyone of all ages and levels of knowledge – we even have the occasional male participant! This is an opportunity for anyone interested in learning about philanthropy, networking, or about
the different opportunities to get involved at Iowa State or your local community,” said Mel Rowan, staff contact for the Women & Philanthropy program. Today, philanthropy is seen not so much as giving but as investing: investing in change, investing in the future, and investing in causes that are personally meaningful. “Most people I know who are true philanthropists give because they truly care, not because they want special attention or recognition, and that really inspires me,” said Long. “Who isn’t inspired by people who are willing to sacrifice and give out of the goodness of their hearts?”
The 16th annual Women & Philanthropy workshop is on Friday, Oct. 16, 2015. To learn more about the speakers, subjects, and to register, please visit www.foundation.iastate.edu/wpames.
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ASSO C I ATI O N N EWS
Family is important Dear Iowa Staters: Family is important to me. Very important. As my parents grow older, I am reminded on a daily basis how lucky I am to have them in my life. They did an awesome job raising 10 children on an income of less than $10,000, by relying on their spiritual beliefs and a work ethic that is second to none. I then reflect on our two children, Krystal and Kristopher. While they have experienced some growing pains, I remain proud of them as they work to find their footing and life’s calling. Kristopher finished his degree at the University of Kansas in May of 2013 and has recently returned to Ames to seek employment in sales or the hospitality-related fields. Krystal (’14 child, adult & family services) is married to a wonderful Iowa State engineer, Mr. Cole Martin (’10 industrial engr) of Villisca, Iowa. She is employed at the Lily Pad Learning Center in Huxley, Iowa, and Cole works at Mechdyne in Marshalltown, Iowa. They honored us with our first grandchild, Tony Wayne Martin, born July 12 at 1:51 p.m. at Mary Greeley Medical Center here in Ames. He’s already a special member of our family, and we are loving our new title: Tony’s grandparents! You see, I’m fully aware that families have struggles. Mine sure has. And I am also aware that nothing good ever comes from taking shortcuts, fostering deception, or making half-commitments. That’s why I also believe in, stand up for, and encourage all Cyclones to advocate for Iowa State and other Iowa Staters. This is our family – the Cyclone family – warts and all. When one of us 44
succeeds, we all succeed. When one of us is hurting, we all hurt. When one of us has a need, one or any number of us are in a position to help meet that need. That’s why I am so proud of my biological family, my extended family, and my higher education family. From
This is our family – the Cyclone family – warts and all. When one of us succeeds, we all succeed. When one of us is hurting, we all hurt. the staff family I work with here at the Association to my family of colleagues – here on campus, in the Big 12, in the profession, and across the globe – I know we have each other’s back. I know we will provide tough love to each other if we put ourselves or the reputation of our family, school, or profession at risk. I also know the true value of an Iowa State degree is not based solely on the university’s past but the current reputation of the institution. It is further enhanced by those who choose to partner with it because of the institution’s obligation to integrity, commitment to excellence, and willingness to serve. Those three things are no different than the values my parents reared me with and that Peggy and I have worked to impart to Krystal and Kristopher. We also hope to live those values through Tony. As we begin a new academic year, please take a moment to read about the investment Lora and Russ Talbot made in the Iowa State family (beginning on page 10) by endowing my position. They, too, deeply believe in the Iowa State family. Their gift highlights that even though we are a university…yes, we are
also family. We care for each other. We welcome all – graduates, attendees, and friends. We serve each other. And we truly are committed to excellence. With that said, thank you also for showing that you are proud to be a part of this family by being a dues-paying member of this Association. Over the next year, I ask you to help us sign up each Iowa Stater in your family and among your cohorts, co-workers, and community as members of the ISU Alumni Association Family. You see, family is important to me… very important! Yours for Iowa State –
Jeff Johnson Talbot Endowed President and CEO PhD ’14 Education
P.S. In the Summer 2015 issue of VISIONS, we inadvertently failed to recognize the wonderful contribution of auctioneer Bob Wells to the fourth-annual Cardinal and Gold Gala. Due to the wonderful teamwork of Bob and emcee Dan Winters, more than $75,000 was raised to support first-generation student scholarships and alumni and student programming. Thanks, Bob, for a job well done!
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Order Your Copy
TODAY!
SEASONS
O F I O WA S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y A new 128-page book of campus photography by Jim Heemstra W IT H : IS U H IS T O RY • PR IDE PO INTS • A LU M NI M EM O R IES
Published by the ISU Alumni Association $39 / $33 ISUAA member price
Order online at www.isualum.org/store or call (877) 478-2586
ASSO C I ATI ON N EWS
Two new professionals join the ISUAA staff Coreen Robinson (A)(’15 journalism and mass communication) has joined the ISU Alumni Association staff as program coordinator for communications technology. In this role, she oversees electronic communications through the online alumni directory and Alumni Association broadcast email system and provides support for additional print and online communications initiatives and departmental technology. Robinson gained communications work experience as an undergraduate student employee for both the Office of Admissions and the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering. Courtney Current (A) joined the Association staff in August as adviser to the Student Alumni Leadership Council (SALC), the ISUAA’s award-winning student leadership organization. SALC students work on Homecoming, Senior Class Council, Ambassadors, and Cyclone Alley committees. Current also organizes young alumni events in Des Moines and young alumni career programming, and she oversees the STATEment Makers recognition program for young alumni. Current holds a degree in public relations from Missouri State University and a master of public affairs from the University of Missouri.
Introducing the new “Iowa State Alumni” member app The Iowa State Alumni app is the Association’s newest tool that will help connect all alumni, students, and friends to Iowa State University and enhance their Alumni Association membership experience. Find an alumni event near you and receive the latest Iowa State news! Members can also access the alumni directory, show off a mobile membership card, and conveniently link to all the great Association benefits and services (including local and national discounts). Download the app today (available for both Apple and Android users – search for “Iowa State Alumni”).
THANK YOU to Northcrest Community – this year’s exclusive Step Show sponsor
1801 20TH STREET, AMES 515-232-6760 WWW.NORTHCRESTCOMMUNITY.ORG 46
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ASSO C I ATI ON N EWS
Meet the ISU Alumni Association business members Accord Architecture Company/Henkel Construction – Ames, IA AES Corporation – Cedar Rapids, IA Ag Leader Technology – Ames, IA ALMACO – Nevada, IA Ames Chamber of Commerce – Ames, IA Ames Tribune & Story County Sun – Ames, IA Ankeny Chamber of Commerce – Ankeny, IA Bankers Trust Company – Ames, IA Bank of America Corporation – Wilmington, DE B-Bops – Ames, IA Bedell Cellars – Cutchogue, NY Best Western University Park Inn & Suites – Ames, IA businessolver – West Des Moines, IA Campustown Spirit – Ames, IA Chitty Garbage Service – Ames, IA Chocolaterie Stam – Ames, IA Ciccotti Art Glass – Ames, IA Cyclone Liquors – Ames, IA Davis Brown Law Firm – Des Moines, IA Dedicated Roof & Hydro Solutions, L.L.C. – Centreville, VA Edina Realty – Minneapolis, MN
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EFCO – Des Moines, IA Executive Auto Shippers, LLC – Monroe, IA Fenders Honda – Ames, IA First National Bank-Ames – Ames, IA Foss, Kuiken, Gookin & Cochran, P.C. – Fairfield, IA Gateway Hotel & Conference Center – Ames, IA Geisinger Construction Inc. – Ames, IA Global Reach Internet Productions, LLC – Ames, IA Golf Cars of Iowa – Pleasant Hill, IA GrandStay Residential Suites – Ames, IA Greater Iowa Credit Union – Ames, IA Green Hills Retirement Community – Ames, IA HarrisVaccines, Inc. – Ames, IA Heartland Associates – Ames, IA Heartland Finishes Inc. – Des Moines, IA Hertz Farm Management – Nevada, IA Hickory Park, Inc. – Ames, IA Homeboy Construction, Inc. – Bondurant, IA Iowa State University Book Store – Ames, IA Iowa State University Research Park – Ames, IA Josephs Jewelers – West Des Moines, IA
LMC-LaMair-Mulock-Condon Co. – West Des Moines, IA Logiclean – Ames, IA Luther Care Services – Des Moines, IA Main Street Cultural District – Ames, IA Mayfair Cleaners – Ames, IA McGladrey LLP – Des Moines, IA Merrill Lynch – Des Moines, IA Nyemaster Goode Law Firm – Des Moines, IA Olde Main – Ames, IA Party Time Special Events – Ames, IA Pioneer Seed – Greeley, IA Pyfferoen Pediatric Dentistry PLLC – Ames, IA Renewable Energy Group – Ames, IA Roseland, Mackey, Harris Architects, P.C. – Ames, IA Story Construction Co. – Ames, IA Zao525 – Ames, IA Become a business member today and showcase your products and services to ISU alumni, students, and friends! www.isualum.org/businessmembership
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COMING TOGETHER
Among the past decade’s $160 million of athletics facility projects, the completion of the Jack Trice South Endzone expansion is the most ambitious and talked-about yet
D
ean McCormick has multiple files in his office labeled “Jack Trice Stadium South Endzone.” One is dated 1997. One is from 2002. Another is from 2008. It’s a project the university’s director for design and construction services has thought about a lot during his 21 years on campus. It’s a project fans have been clamoring for for decades. It’s a job multiple athletics directors have aspired to do. It’s a video McCormick (L)(’81 construction engr) has played in his mind a few times. So when athletics director Jamie Pollard (L) came to him in 2013 and asked if the 50
south endzone of Jack Trice Stadium could be renovated between football seasons, McCormick felt fully qualified to give him an unequivocal no. No, the $60 million stadium renovation couldn’t be completed in less than a year. But, McCormick says, once he realized Pollard’s proposed club building would be located behind the former south endzone bleachers, he knew they could make something work; the job could get done in a creative way without too much disruption to the Cyclone football program and its loyal fans. “We put together project goals early on,” said senior associate athletics director for facilities Chris Jorgensen.
“One was that we didn’t want to impact the customer and fan experience for the 2014 season, and another was that we wanted to start the 2015 season with two awesome fan experiences. Those aren’t easy goals to meet. The easy thing for our construction team to say would have been, ‘Can we just relocate those fans?’ That would have been easy for everyone – except, of course, the 2,900 fans who sit in that section and bought those seats for 2014. So we just set out to make it work.” McCormick and Jorgensen say they got the green light to begin planning the project in February 2014 with a firm completion deadline of kickoff on Sept. 5, FALL 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS
JIM HEEMSTRA
Sports by Kate Bruns
Dean McCormick (left) and Chris Jorgensen say their construction teams thrived under the pressure of the south endzone’s Sept. 5 completion deadline.
2015. That’s less than 19 months to get the job done, and, as McCormick noted, “there could be no plan B.” “This isn’t an overly complicated project at its base level,” McCormick said. “But there’s no phased move-in. It’s 100 percent occupied on September 5. It’s all gotta work, and there’s no reserve parachute. I think that’s what makes it unique.” Recognizing the high profile of the project and the number of stakeholders involved in its success, McCormick and Jorgensen said they ramped up their level of collaboration and learned a few things in the process. Working with ISU Facilities Planning & Management, VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG FALL 2015
Neumann Monson Architects, and construction manager The Weitz Company, the project team identified a unique 24-hour decision-making strategy that played a key role in making sure the ambitious project got done in time. “We just said, ‘We’re going to bring the decision maker and be down here every day at 7:30 a.m. with all the people necessary,” McCormick explained. “We put the decision on the table and we’ll either make it that day or the next day. That kept the panic out of people’s eyes. We managed to keep small problems from getting to be big problems.” McCormick says the project wouldn’t have been possible without the collaborative leadership of the athletics department. Pollard has overseen $160 million worth of facilities projects during his 10-year tenure, often using unconventional tactics to make dreams into reality but always being flexible, creative, and open about the process. “I know we’re probably a challenging client,” Jorgensen said. “We will set a general vision and a hard and fast timeline, but we still want flexibility in there as we go, as additional monies are raised, as additional items are designed.” “Their approach is, ‘Here’s what we want to do; how can we accomplish it?’ Jamie outlines his vision, it is clear, and it doesn’t change,’” McCormick said. “When you start out on that basis, you can accomplish a lot. We have accomplished a lot. So we don’t mind being challenged; the most challenging projects are the most fun in the end. “Jamie has pushed, but he’s pushed within reasonable boundaries,” McCormick added. “He realizes it isn’t all about athletics – that it has to benefit the whole university. I know I have peers around the country whose athletics departments don’t think that way, but here we’ve found win-win opportunities that have been very beneficial.” The renovations to the Jack Trice
KBRUNS@IASTATE.EDU
concourses and the creation of the Cyclone Sports Complex, Hixson-Lied Academic Center, Sukup Basketball Complex, and Bergstrom Football Complex are among the major accomplishments of Pollard’s tenure, but ISU has also hung its hat on the ability to maximize efficiency in its facilities. While the excavators were clanging at Jack Trice, the athletics department quietly repurposed the Olsen Building to create a new weight room and locker rooms for several Olympic sports and transformed the old football offices in the Jacobson Building into the multiuse “Heartland Hall” facility. Jorgensen says these facilities are tremendous assets for the athletics department, even if they don’t get much publicity. But as for September 2015, all eyes are on ISU’s football stadium, which is now the third-largest in the Big 12 Conference with a capacity of 61,000. “Jack Trice Stadium has always been, in my estimation, a sensational venue,” head football coach Paul Rhoads (A) said. “It’s loud. The fans are on top of you. And now we’re bowling in the south endzone, and I think it will be even more exciting and the decibel level taken up several more notches.” McCormick and Jorgensen say the Sukup Endzone Club is a fabulous amenity, but they agree with Rhoads that the project will transform the gameday experience for all fans – and football players. “There will be the ribbon board, the new video board, additional restroom facilities, and an elevator for the mobility impaired that will reduce golf cart traffic,” Jorgensen said. “But it’s also just the overall acoustics and aesthetics of the south end.” “The project has generated so much excitement in the community,” McCormick said. “It’s a transformation of the image of the stadium.” On to the next file folder.
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Celebrate at the Iowa State University Alumni Center ~ ~ ~ ~ - - .
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FALL 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS
VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG FALL 2015
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Calendar Alumni events
Cyclone Athletics
Sept. 11-13: Black College Reunion “Right Back to ISU” Sept. 29: Bringing You ISU, “Exciting Things Happening at Research Park” by Alison Doyle, Des Moines Oct. 24: ISUAA tailgate in Waco, Texas Oct. 25-31: Homecoming Oct. 30: Greek Alumni Reunion Oct. 30-31: Alumni Band Reunion Nov. 7: Quad Cities Cylebration Dec. 19: Alumni Association spirit gathering at the Big 4 Classic Men’s Basketball, Des Moines
Sept. 12: Football vs. Iowa Sept. 19: Football at Toledo Oct. 3: Football vs. Kansas Oct. 10: Football at Texas Tech Oct. 17: Football vs. TCU Oct. 24: Football at Baylor Oct. 24: ISUAA tailgate in Waco, Texas Oct. 31: Football vs. Texas (Homecoming) Nov. 7: Football at Oklahoma Nov. 14: Football vs. Oklahoma State Nov. 21: Football at Kansas State Nov. 28: Football at West Virginia Dec. 19: Big 4 Classic Men’s Basketball, Wells Fargo Arena, Des Moines For all Cyclone sports schedules, go to www.cyclones.com
ISU Alumni Center
Career resources Sept. 29: Engineering Career Fair Sept. 30: Business, Industry & Technology Career Fair Oct. 20: Ag & Life Sciences Career Day
On campus Sept. 25-26: Cyclone Family Weekend Oct. 30: Homecoming ExCYtement in the Streets, Mass Campaniling, and fireworks Dec. 19: Commencement Jan. 22: Dance Marathon 54
Nov. 5: Beauty and the Beast Nov. 7: Bill Maher Nov. 8: Fab Four Dec. 3: Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer Jan. 22: Moscow Festival Ballet presents Sleeping Beauty
All events at Stephens Auditorium unless otherwise noted
Awards
Events in the
Sept. 10: Seasons of Iowa State University book unveiling Sept. 12: Cyclone Central Oct. 3: Cyclone Central Oct. 17: Cyclone Central Oct. 29: ISUAA Circle reception Oct. 29-30: ISUAA Board of Directors fall meeting Oct. 30: Greek Alumni Reunion Oct. 30: ISUAA Young Alumni Council fall meeting Oct. 30: Pep Rally and Homecoming Celebration Oct. 31: Homecoming Tailgate Nov. 14: Cyclone Central Dec. 19: Commencement Reception
Oct. 8: Chamber Orchestra Kremlin Oct. 9: Little Big Town Oct. 18: Hot Sardines
Oct. 30: Homecoming Honors & Awards luncheon and ceremony Dec. 1: Wallace E. Barron, Faculty/Staff Inspiration Award, and STATEment Makers nomination deadline* *For criteria and to submit a nomination for ISUAA awards: www.isualum.org/awards
Find more events online
Alumni travel Traveling Cyclones 2016 tours are here! To request a catalog or view a complete list of the 2016 Traveling Cyclones tours, go to www.isualum.org/travel
Campus Calendar: http://event.iastate.edu/ ISU Alumni Association: www.isualum.org/calendar Cyclone Athletics: www.cyclones.com Department of Music and ISU Theatre: www.las.iastate.edu/newnews/arts/isuarts. shtml Reiman Gardens: www.reimangardens.com Iowa State Center: www.center.iastate.edu University Museums: www.museums.iastate.edu Lectures: www.lectures.iastate.edu/ Homecoming: www.isualum.org/homecoming
Lifelong learning Sept. 14: OLLI at ISU fall classes begin
Arts and entertainment Sept. 19: University Museums 40th anniversary celebration, Brunnier Art Museum Sept. 30: Last Comic Standing Oct. 4: 42nd Street FALL 2015 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS
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