Jenn Riggs’ business teaches skills, confidence to empower women in the outdoors
Grant and Spencer Hilbert make the jump from virtual farming to the real thing
Readers share their favorite Iowa State keepsake
The ISU Alumni Association’s 2024-25 wall calendar is making its debut, bundled with this Iowa Stater summer issue to association members and available to purchase by all at the ISU Book Store. In the calendar and in this magazine, you may spot a new name in the photography credits: Isaac Farner. Farner, an entrepreneurship major from Omaha, Nebraska, is entering his second year at Iowa State next month; he joined the alumni association last fall as our Lora and Russ Talbot Visual Content Intern.
“I love this job,” Farner says (that’s a direct quote, I promise). “It gets me into the action of events on campus that I might not otherwise go to. I’ve met a lot of great people and learned so much about so many different ways of doing photography and videography.”
Farner’s passion is car photography; at the alumni association, he’s had the chance to learn more about shooting portraits and in-action shots, like at Homecoming’s Yell Like Hell (covering the pep rally has been his favorite event so far).
And like many of our readers, Farner appreciates getting to see his photos come to life in a magazine, in print. “I love to look at them and know how those photos came to be and the backstory behind them, something most people don’t get to see,” he says.
August marks one year since I joined Iowa State. I’m still processing the whirlwind of the last year, but two attributes that were clear from day one and continue to shine today, are how talented our students, faculty, and staff are, and how community-centric the university and
alumni association is. I see that firsthand every day at the Alumni Center, whether it’s welcoming a new colleague, mentoring a student worker, helping a visitor, or connecting Cyclones everywhere. The folks at Iowa State deeply believe in going the extra step to support this community.
Here’s one example: While talking to Randy Shaver for a Cyclone Story (p. 32), ISUAA’s visual content specialist Matt Van Winkle noted that Shaver spoke highly of his advisor and mentor from Iowa State, Dennis Hart. After the conversation, Matt tracked down Hart’s contact information and provided it to Shaver, who reconnected with his advisor for the first time in 40 years. Shaver wrote to Matt in an email: “It was such a wonderful thing to be able to thank him for all he did for me. You made that happen.”
This is just one story of many. Cyclones like you help us to continue supporting and expanding our community, thank you. If you received this magazine from a friend or family member and want to become a member to receive future issues of Iowa Stater magazine, along with other member benefits, visit www.ISUalum.org/Join.
KIRSTEN
Editor Kirsten Kraklio
Assistant Editor Caleb Grizzle
Designer Jenny Witte
Photographers Christopher Gannon, Matt Van Winkle, Isaac Farner, Ryan Riley
Creative Consultant
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Editorial Board
Kirsten Kraklio, Director of Communications, ISU Alumni Association
Brian Meyer, Associate Director for Strategic Communications, Iowa State University
Sherry Speikers, Director of Editorial Services, ISU Foundation
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Copyright 2024 by the ISU Alumni Association, Jeffery W. Johnson, Lora and Russ Talbot Endowed President and CEO
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GET IN TOUCH WITH US! ISU Alumni Association ISU Alumni Center 429 Alumni Lane Ames, IA 50011-1403 iowastater@iastate.edu 1-877-ISU-ALUM (478-2586)
M-SHOP THEN AND NOW
“This deserves a feature story! Not a mere mention.”
LISA CLARKE-KOEHRSEN (’84)
EAST PEORIA, IL
Editor’s Note: For alumni like Lisa who want to read more about the M-Shop, Iowa State published a full feature that can be read online at go.iastate.edu/mshop50. The M-Shop also curated a playlist, available on Spotify, that includes artists who have previously performed at the venue. Visit go.iastate.edu/mshop50playlist to listen.
FOLLOW AND CONNECT WITH US: @ISUALUM
A new Iowa State University tradition began this year, as graduating seniors of the Mascot Squad are encouraged to wear Cy’s feet with their commencement regalia. That’s just what happened in May, as President Wendy Wintersteen greeted Crayton Mitchell (’24) as he Cy-walked across the stage. Mitchell was the first to take advantage of the new tradition, which is a special recognition as names of students are kept secret throughout the duration of their time appearing as Cy. “Being Cy has been one of the greatest college experiences,” Mitchell says. “From running the football team out at home games, traveling to BYU, Las Vegas, and March Madness, to going to weddings as Cy, it has all been so much fun!”
Image by Ryan Riley
IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY CELEBRATED a significant milestone in the advancement of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s long-standing commitment to providing stateof-the-art diagnostic services in support of Iowa’s $32.5 billion animal agriculture industry. In April, the university marked the dedication of the first phase of the new Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) and the start of the second phase of the building’s construction project.
“This new facility will further strengthen the VDL as a national leader in advancing animal health, food safety, and public health,” says Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen. “The VDL’s world-class expertise and innovative solutions provide essential support for our livestock and poultry producers and benefit all Iowans. We are deeply grateful for the extraordinary investments made by the state, our industry and commodity partners, and donors who made this new facility possible.”
Iowa State’s VDL has been a national leader in protecting animal and human health since it was established in 1947. The facility has the largest food animal caseload in the United States while serving the most advanced livestock and poultry producers in the world. The facility annually sees more than 120,000 cases and conducts 1.6 million tests.
Construction of phase 2 is expected to be complete in 2026.
HEARD ...
“Butterflies are a great gateway insect into the invertebrate world because they are something people don’t even consider insects.”
— NATHAN BROCKMAN (’00), DIRECTOR OF ENTOMOLOGY AT REIMAN GARDENS
After years of focusing primarily on butterflies, Reiman Gardens is now home to more than 30 species of insects, including beetles, millipedes, isopods, and tarantulas.
(Based on students’ first major, as of spring 2024.)
AT A BIOTECHNOLOGY COUNCIL event a few years ago, Nicole Valenzuela’s ears perked up when she heard what a group of researchers in Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine had in the works: a method for creating a lab-grown, simplified mimic of dog intestines.
“I told them, ‘Oh! I want to do that but with turtles. Is it doable?’” says Valenzuela, professor of ecology, evolution, and organismal biology at Iowa State.
The U.S. Department of Energy is supporting an Iowa State-led project to build the first “microgrid” in Iowa. The project will create a utility-scale microgrid –– a small-scale electricity network that can operate as an independent system or can be connected to the larger grid –– in Montezuma to provide reliable, resilient, and affordable electricity. The new system will feature power generation from solar panels, a battery storage system, and two chargers for electric vehicles.
The proposal submitted by Iowa State researchers and Montezuma Municipal Light & Power called for a federal investment of roughly $9.5 million and a local cost-share of $2.4 million from university and Montezuma sources. That $11.9 million investment will create a microgrid that is expected to produce 3 megawatts of renewable energy, reduce energy purchases by 3.5 gigawatt hours, and reduce transmission costs by 34%. The project is expected to take about four years to complete.
It is indeed doable, new research from a team led by Valenzuela shows. The three-dimensional clusters grown from adult stem cells are called organoids and are designed to assist in research. In a paper published in Communications Biology, Valenzuela and her colleagues describe their creation of organoids that mimic a liver from three species of turtles. It’s the first set of organoids developed for turtles and only the second for any reptile.
Studying turtle genetics with a liver organoid should speed up research to uncover the cause of turtle traits that could potentially have medical applications for humans – the ability of painted turtles to survive weeks without oxygen and withstand extreme cold, for instance.
“Some of their unique adaptations make painted turtles an interesting model for biomedicine,” Valenzuela says. “But they remain understudied because it’s difficult work to do. The idea here is to eliminate that bottleneck.”
THE PLANET BY DAVE ROEPKE IMAGE BY CHRISTOPHER GANNON
KEITH VORST WISHES he could shout it from the stage at a Taylor Swift concert so people would care: Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, the class of compounds known collectively as PFAS and informally as forever chemicals, are a health risk that’s never, ever, ever going away naturally.
The synthetic chemicals became ubiquitous after their invention in the late 1930s.
Capable of repelling water and oil, PFAS have been widely used in products as disparate as nonstick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics and firefighting foam. Scientists thought because PFAS are inert, they would pass through humans harmlessly. They were wrong.
says. “The coating wrappers: PFAS. Your carpet: PFAS. We polluted the entire world, and now we’re stuck with them.”
An associate professor of food science and human nutrition, Vorst is also the director of Iowa State’s Polymer and Food Protection Consortium, one of the leading U.S. laboratories working on the pervasive problem. Improving methods for PFAS detection and destruction is a focal point of the 18-person research team funded by public grants and 22 member companies, a trusted resource for both regulators and industry.
“They were so good at what they did that we used them for everything. The coatings on your pants: PFAS. Your hamburger and French fry wrappers: PFAS. Your carpet: PFAS. We polluted the entire world, and now we’re stuck with them.”
— KEITH VORST
PFAS accumulate in the body and can decrease fertility, increase cancer risk, interfere with hormones and immune systems, and cause developmental and behavioral issues in children. They are found in food, soil, air, and water across the planet, including in many drinking water supplies. Nearly everyone has some level of PFAS in their body.
“They were so good at what they did that we used them for everything,” Vorst
Here’s what Vorst and two colleagues — assistant professor of food science and human nutrition Greg Curtzwiler and research scientist Mark Early, who manages day-to-day work at the group’s 11 campus lab spaces — want consumers to know.
What are PFAS?
PFAS are lab-made compounds with a carbon-fluorine bond, one of the strongest possible chemical pairings. That’s why they’re called forever chemicals. Carbon-fluorine bonds don’t degrade over time. Despite being a human
creation, they can be found everywhere from the bloodstreams of polar bears to the lowest depths of oceans, Vorst says.
Why are PFAS in the news so often?
Science, policies, and practices concerning forever chemicals are still emerging and make frequent headlines.
For instance, the Environmental Protection Agency in April announced new regulations that included drinking-water limits for six types of well-studied PFAS.
But there are more than 15,000 types of PFAS, and manufacturers still using them shifted years ago to shorter-chain forms that aren’t as well-understood,
says Vorst, who is often quoted in PFAS news stories as an expert source.
“Which ones are more toxic is an argument happening right now,” he says. “But I don’t believe it matters. They’re all bad.”
What are ISU researchers doing to help?
The consortium provides corporate members with research and development services and testing, including nontargeted detection that can measure levels of all PFAS compounds in a sample. When products test positive, companies are eager to respond, Early says.
“They are aiming to drive it out of their supply chains as fast as they can,” he says.
Consortium researchers are studying three technologies for eliminating PFAS, Curtzwiler says. An injection of tiny water bubbles turns long-chain PFAS into a foam to skim away, while electricity or sound waves can create radicals to destroy small-chain varieties. The methods work but need to be faster, cheaper, and real-world functional.
“It can’t take 10 hours to treat a gallon of water. It needs to take 35 seconds,” Curtzwiler says.
What should I do to protect myself?
Curtzwiler and Vorst both say they’ve made some changes to reduce their exposure. For Curtzwiler, that includes homemade soap and favoring glass over plastic whenever possible. There’s no nonstick cookware in Vorst’s home, and unlike many fellow motorcycle riders, he doesn’t spray a coating on his bike to keep it from getting caked with mud.
Consumers need to grasp that removing PFAS from products will have impacts, Early says.
“Be prepared for increasing costs and decreasing convenience because those are the solutions,” he says.
BY RACHEL CRAMER IMAGE BY RYAN RILEY
AN ICON OF TRADITION, the Iowa State University campanile comes alive every time a musician ascends its spiral staircase to play 50 scientifically tuned bells, some of which have been ringing for 125 years.
The story of the campanile and carillon begins with Edgar William Stanton. He was part of the first graduating class in 1872 and later became head of the mathematics department, dean of the junior college, vice president, acting president, and a founder of the alumni association. His wife, Margaret Price MacDonald Stanton, was the university’s first dean of women.
After Margaret’s death in 1895, Edgar gave a “gift of love” to Iowa State in her memory. He purchased 10 bells from John Taylor Bell Foundry in Loughborough, England, and with university President William M. Beardshear, selected a site for a free-standing bell tower on central campus. Funds appropriated by the state legislature propelled the tower’s completion in 1897; the bells were installed in 1899.
In the following decades, a playing console and more bells were added, and the instrument in the bell tower was renamed the Edgar W. and Margaret MacDonald Stanton Memorial Carillon.
Tin-Shi Tam, the Charles T. and Ivadelle Cobb Cownie Professor of Music, has served as university carillonneur for 30 years. She says each bell is played from a keyboard by depressing a foot pedal or striking a wood baton with a half-closed hand. Along with noon performances each weekday, Tam arranges music for the carillon and teaches Iowa State students.
“The bells and the building are the fruit of creativity, but it is always about
the people at Iowa State,” Tam says. “I am the keeper of what was passed on to me, and I will pass it on to the next generation.”
To honor the history of the Stanton Carillon and tell the stories of people who have worked to ensure the ancient art of bell-playing lives on, the Stanton Memorial Carillon Foundation published “The Bells of Iowa State: An Enduring Love Story” in April.
“It is the only book focused on the carillon, and more specifically, those who have dedicated much of their lives to preserving it,” says Jennie Gromoll, president of the Stanton Memorial Carillon Foundation.
As part of the 125th anniversary of the bells of Iowa State, the foundation is also sponsoring a carillon composition competition for Iowa State students. The winning composition will be played on Sept. 15, during a celebration on central campus.
Brad Dell, chair of the department of music and theatre, says the event will include remarks from President Wendy Wintersteen, carillon performances accompanied by the ISU Wind Ensemble and the Iowa State choirs, and stories of the campanile’s founding.
“The campanile/carillon is truly the sound of Iowa State,” Dell says. “We are so very excited to celebrate the rich history and tradition of this ISU landmark.”
Proceeds from the sale of “The Bells of Iowa State: An Enduring Love Story,” will support the university carillonneur and carillon students. To purchase, visit the ISU Book Store in person or online at www.isubookstore.com.
“WITH A LITTLE BIT OF PLANNING, you can do a lot of things.”
Akshali Gandhi (’12) has been putting those words into practice since her first days as a Cyclone. A George Washington Carver Scholar from Naperville, Illinois, Gandhi double majored in community and regional planning and international studies. She also managed to complete two semesters abroad in New Zealand and Turkey, which sparked her interest in urban planning issues on a global level.
After earning her Master of Regional Planning from Cornell University, Gandhi worked as a transportation planner in several cities, most recently in Seattle, Washington.
“As a transportation planner, I’ve always been interested in examining the street as public space,” Gandhi says. “During COVID, I saw how cities around the world were redesigning streets to be more pedestrian and people friendly.”
Last year, Gandhi received the prestigious Fulbright Nehru Research grant to study street design and road safety in Pune, India. Knowing that traffic fatalities are a leading cause of death among young people in India, Gandhi sought to research the role street design and public space interventions play in road safety for infants, children, and caregivers.
“The idea is that if you make things safer and more enjoyable for the most vulnerable users, then it automatically becomes a better experience for all people,” she says.
Over the next eight months, she supported the Institute for Transportation Development and Policy India (ITDP India) to conduct a biking and walking assessment, and partnered with Urban95 and the Global Designing Cities Initiative (GDCI) to plan a tactical urbanism intervention for two school zones.
Describing the experience as gratifying, she says one highlight was when she was able to go for a ride on newly implemented bike infrastructure and attend the inauguration of a redesigned school zone and children’s plaza.
Part of her grant also gave her funding to learn Marathi, the local language in Pune. Having stronger language skills helped Gandhi not only to navigate daily life in India, but also to reconnect with her heritage as an Indian American.
Now back in Seattle, she hopes to leverage her Fulbright experience in pursuit of a more internationally oriented career in road safety and transportation planning.
“The way we plan our streets needs to be reflective of the people using it,” she says. “I hope that I can spend my career advocating for safer, more sustainable, and livelier cities.”
BY LAURA STERNWEIS
NUTRITION INSECURITY IS INCREASING in Iowa and across the nation. Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization, reports that one in 13 Iowans face hunger every day. Iowa food pantries experience this situation firsthand as pantry facilities continue to set records for the number of clients served each month.
“Food insecurity isn’t just a statistic or a distant issue; it’s a harsh reality faced by our neighbors, friends, and families,” says Evan Vannausdle, coordinator of the Elliott Community Food Pantry in Montgomery County. “It’s a call to action.”
That call to action has been heard statewide, with gardeners, food pantries, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach collaborating to help provide low-income families with access to fresh produce and nutrition education through Growing Together Iowa.
Extension Master Gardeners and other volunteers in about one-third of Iowa’s 99 counties grow and harvest these community gardens, funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. More than 2,300 adults and youth contributed their time to Growing Together Iowa projects in 2023. Since 2016, Growing Together Iowa has distributed over 751,000 pounds of fresh produce. In 2023, the 100 partnering food pantries served more than 82,000 people each month.
“That’s more than 2.2 million servings of fresh fruits and vegetables for Iowans, combined with increased skills and knowledge related to nutrition, food safety, food resource management, and physical activity,” says Katie Sorrell (’00), a Growing Together Iowa coordinator.
Each garden starts with collaboration. An extension staff member, Master Gardener, and food pantry director garner community support, enlist volunteers, and obtain a garden
location with a sustainable water source. From apples to zucchini, they decide what to grow based on the needs of local food pantry clients.
“Fresh fruits and vegetables are often the most requested item at food pantries,” Sorrell says. “Growing Together Iowa directly meets this need while creating opportunities for extension nutrition education and community volunteerism.”
The initiative is funding 32 county donation garden projects in 2024. This is the fifth year Montgomery County has received a grant. The grant supports donation gardens in the communities of Red Oak, Stanton, and Elliott.
“We have been able to start so many important conversations around food insecurity in our community … and the reach is only continuing to grow,” says Laura Kloewer, board chair of Live Well Montgomery County, a nonprofit organization. “The Growing Together Iowa grant has helped to jumpstart so many other initiatives.”
Through Growing Together Iowa, food pantry clients are able to get nutrient-rich foods for their tables and make informed choices for their families’ health as they stretch limited funds. The garden projects are catalysts for local coalitions to strengthen Iowa’s emergency food system and combat nutrition insecurity statewide.
Iowa’s initiative has been recognized nationally and adopted in eight other states.
To get involved in Growing Together Iowa, email ksorrell@iastate.edu or visit www.Extension.iastate.edu/MasterGardener/growing-together-iowa.
DARRELL BOWIE ARRIVED TO IOWA STATE in the summer of 2016 with two goals: provide support for an already talented Cyclone men’s basketball team, and complete coursework for his master’s degree.
Bowie’s (’23) stint with the Cyclones finished in 2017 with two NCAA Tournament games in Milwaukee, his hometown. Soon after, he signed to play professionally abroad, which he did for a few years before the COVID-19 pandemic changed everything.
Isolated and feeling stranded in a foreign country, reality set in. He missed his daughter, Malia, and knew basketball wasn’t going to last forever.
“COVID was a rough time, but it was kind of a blessing in disguise,” Bowie says. “I needed to come up with a plan off the court. I came home and told my mom I was going to finish my degree. She was so happy, and I always like making my mom happy. It’s the best thing I could have done.”
Bowie returned to ISU academics and earned his master’s degree in youth development through Iowa State Online. Pursuing his degree fully online offered the flexibility he needed to balance his commitments to playing basketball overseas while reconnecting with the university he had strong ties to.
“The community and fan base make this place special,” Bowie says of Iowa State.
Relationships are important to Bowie, and he uses what he learned during his graduate studies to connect with and mentor others on and off the court.
Bowie continued to play basketball professionally after graduation, and during the offseason, trained, mentored, and coached students at a high school in Chicago. After returning from China last fall, Bowie received an offer to join the high school full time as a student supervisor.
“I’m progressing and moving forward,” he says. “Working as a student supervisor is allowing me to use my degree in youth development more. I love it so far; I enjoy going to work every day.”
Bowie is seeing more athletes open up about their mental health, and wants to be a resource for his players and students if they need one.
“I want them to know they can reach out anytime, about anything,” he says.
Former coach Steve Prohm once advised him about “leaving your jersey in a better place.” It’s a principle he’s held close to his heart. For Bowie, it’s about creating a lasting impact and representing more than just oneself.
“I constantly think about my daughter and strive to be the best example for her and others,” he says.
SYDNEY WILLITS WAS CROWNED NCAA long jump champion in record fashion, becoming both the first to leap past 22 feet and the first long jump national champion in Iowa State history. The Iowa State track and field tradition runs deep in her family: Willits’ mother, uncle, and grandfather all competed for the Cyclones in track and field. “Iowa State just felt like home after growing up going to the football and basketball games, so deciding to come here just felt right,” Willits says. She has made her own mark on Cyclone athletics, having been named an All-American, Big 12 champion, and now, an NCAA champion during her junior campaign.
After leading the Iowa State women’s swimming and diving team for the last 27 years, Duane Sorenson, the program’s winningest coach and the second-longest tenured head coach ever in an ISU women’s sport, announced his retirement. The dean of Big 12 women’s swimming and diving coaches, Sorenson has led Iowa State to 141 of its 240 all-time dual meet victories and is the only coach in program history to top the century mark in dual meet wins. “Duane has poured his heart and soul into the swimming and diving program, always leading with purpose toward developing young women into the best people they can be,” says Calli Sanders, ISU senior associate athletics director. “He has been a great teacher of the sport but, more importantly, has steadfastly supported his student-athletes in their academic and career pursuits.”
Iowa State will play its first-ever football game outside of the United States when it opens the 2025 season against Kansas State in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, Aug. 23, 2025, at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland.
has been named the Big 12 Wrestling Coach of the Year for the second time in his seven-year tenure. Dresser led Iowa State to its first Big 12 team title since 2009 and a fourth-place finish at the NCAA Championships, its highest placement since 2010. At nationals, four Cyclones reached All-American status, as Iowa State tallied 68.5 team points — its most since 2009. Dresser has led the resurgence of a program that finished tied for 57th at the 2017 NCAA Championships. With Dresser at the helm, and Cyclone legend David Carr on the mat, the Cyclone wrestling revival is reflected in its passionate, loyal fan attendance. Iowa State averaged 6,690 fans per dual in Hilton during 2023-24, its highest average home attendance in the Big 12 era.
Jenn Riggs says spring is her favorite time of year in Iowa, largely because of the ephemerals. Blooms of Dutchman’s breeches, trout lilies, bluebells, and others mark the arrival of spring; the short-lived wildflowers serve as some of the season’s first nectar for pollinators.
“I love them because they’re small, and so important,” Riggs (’05) says.
Small, and important. Some could have said the same about Riggs’ business, Wander Women, when it launched with a free community hike on a cold December day in 2018, advertised only by word of mouth and a Facebook post.
“It was like that cold, sleety rain, not even snow,” she recalls. “In my head I thought, ‘no one’s going to show up to this.’”
But 20-plus women did show up that day, and hundreds have continued showing up for free and paid-for adventures and informative events with Wander Women in the years since.
Wander Women’s mission is to empower and connect folks through nature. It’s a goal that’s personal to Riggs. After leaving the workforce to raise her children, Riggs says she found comfort in outdoor community events.
“Nature was just very healing to me during that time; postpartum was really hard,” she says. “I found going outside
or taking the kids outdoors was how I made myself feel better. At that same time, I had a really amazing community of women who I leaned on quite a bit. We all leaned on one another.”
In the early days of Wander Women, trips were often focused on the basics: camping 101 participants would learn how to set up a tent and how to start a fire, for example.
“We wanted to show women that they’re just as capable of doing these things outdoors, if that’s what they want to do,” Riggs says.
In 2020, then-guide Kerri Sorrell, joined Riggs as a co-owner of Wander Women. The organization now employs 15 guides and has expanded events to engage folks of all skill levels — multi-day adventures still cover topics like camping 101, as well as backpacking, foraging, fly fishing, paddling,
and more. This past spring, the group hosted its first international trip, an eight-day journey to Mexico to experience the monarch migration with Iowa Department of Natural Resources Interpretive Naturalist and Educator Anne Riordan (’81).
“Bite-sized” single-day events feature bike maintenance classes, yoga and mindfulness, hikes, and more. “Pikes,” a fan-favorite hike that ends with a slice of pie, is a result of a collaboration with Des Moines-based Pie Bird Pies, owned by Kristen Daily (’13, ’17) and Andrea Piekarczyk.
In addition to the wide range of outdoor activities, Wander Women also focuses on inclusivity of ages: “sprouts” are beginner outdoor adventures designed for young girls and boys, and the group also offers trips designed for women ages 55-plus, which have been popular.
“There’s been times we’ve been
sitting in a fire circle and I’m looking around and realize how multi-generational it is,” Riggs says. “We might have a woman in her 20s, and then we have a woman over here in her late 60s and we’re all sharing stories, we’re all sharing that common womanhood bond, and it’s awesome.”
Wander Women is growing with intention, but also by demand. Riggs recalls one participant, Alice, who joined the group’s first multi-day trip at Whiterock Conservancy in 2019.
“Last year Alice, who is in her mid-60s, joined us on a weeklong backpacking trip in Isle Royale,” Riggs says. “This is why we’ve had to expand our offerings because we’re seeing these women become so confident in their skills that they want to keep doing the next thing. We’ve had to grow with our participants.”
Wander Women adventurer Kayleigh Koester came to the group with some
“There’s been times we’ve been sitting in a fire circle and I’m looking around and realize how multi-generational it is. We might have a woman in her 20s, and then we have a woman over here in her late 60s and we’re all sharing stories, we’re all sharing that common womanhood bond, and it’s awesome.”
camping and outdoor experience. The growth she sees in her skills and confidence is what keeps her returning.
“I come out of every Wander Women trip with a tremendous appreciation for my own body,” Koester says. “I keep signing up for longer, harder hikes to see what I am capable of. Each time I finish a trip I’m so proud of myself for trying something new, doing hard things, and having a ton of fun in the process.”
In this field, Riggs has found there’s two common misconceptions that often come up: the concept of what it means to be “outdoorsy,” and the idea that there isn’t a lot to do or explore in Iowa.
“Many times, people will say, ‘Well, I’m not very outdoorsy,’” Riggs says. “And I ask, ‘Do you like being outside?’ And they say, ‘Well, yeah.’” To which I
respond: Then you’re outdoorsy! You like being outside; you’re outdoorsy.”
For Gabrielle Smithman, she considered herself outdoorsy, but didn’t always feel accepted in the community.
“Due to being plus-sized, I haven’t always felt welcomed in ‘outdoorsy’ settings and events,” Smithman (’15, ’20) says. “I finally took the plunge and started attending Wander Women events this year, and I have loved them. I now go regularly, usually once a month.”
Riggs says she was lucky to grow up in a family that experienced many of the state and county parks that Iowa has to offer.
“I feel really strongly that our wild places are worth protecting and preserving and expanding upon,” Riggs say. “There’s a part of me that, when I was forming this business, really wanted to take that messaging to folks, too.”
While Iowa’s landscapes may not
compare with places like the Pacific Northwest or Southwest, Riggs feels strongly about showcasing the gems that Iowa can offer, places like the Loess Hills and the Driftless Area.
“There’s so much in Iowa, and when we’re taking people to these places, we’re building a sense of place,” she says. “They’re going to go to a county park that we recommend, or they’re going to come to a park that we’re on a camping trip at, and they’re going to fall in love with it, and they’re going to go tell their circle of friends and family about it.”
Riggs’ vision for the future of Wander Women is continued growth. They’ve added to the quantity of trips, as well as increased their radius –– trips earlier this year took participants to Minnesota for dog sledding, and to Nebraska for
the Sandhill Crane migration. Currently, most single-day events take place in central Iowa, and Riggs hopes to continue building relationships with guides across Iowa and into nearby Midwest states to eventually reach more women looking to build their confidence in the outdoor space.
Riggs says she gets emails and notes from past participants that share success stories of applying the skills they learned through Wander Women events.
“They tell me, ‘I took a group of my friends camping.’ Or ‘I took my kids camping by myself and it went so well because of what I learned through the guides at Wander Women. I was able to get the meal planned out, everyone was safe, I felt really confident in my skills.’
“Getting these types of stories, that’s our goal,” Riggs says. “To see that happen and get more women in the outdoors.”
STORY BY STEVE SULLIVAN IMAGES BY CHRISTOPHER GANNON
Grant and Spencer Hilbert are farmers who game.
Wait, no, actually, they’re gamers who farm.
Well, that doesn’t sound quite right either. It doesn’t really capture everything these brothers have accomplished.
Let’s try this: Grant and Spencer Hilbert are farmers, gamers, risktakers, builders, entrepreneurs, and dreamers.
That’s a lot, but in the case of these two young Iowa Staters, it pretty much covers it.
Here’s why: Grant (’20) and Spencer (’21) have burgeoning farm operations made possible with revenue generated from their successful YouTube video channels, which focus on farming.
The Hilberts are city boys, having grown up in Ankeny, just south of Ames. Their dad works in agribusiness and their mother in banking, which partially explains their predispositions to agriculture and finance.
While other young men may worship athletes, rock stars, and movie celebrities, Grant’s heroes have always been farmers. What really sparked the Hilberts’ interest in farming, especially with Grant, was the few weeks a year they spent as kids in northern Iowa helping at their grandparents’ farm.
“I don’t know if it’s in my blood or something I adopted from that experience, but I fell in love with farming,” Grant says. “It had appeal for me as a young kid — the big tractors, farrowing hogs and cattle, it was always fun being around there. It’s my passion.”
In 2014, Grant and a friend began creating YouTube videos featuring them playing popular video games like Grand Theft Auto and Call of Duty. They dubbed their channel The Squad just because it sounded cool. The channel took off and soon had more than 2,000 subscribers.
In a move that would change his life, Grant decided to mix his gaming hobby with his farm fandom and started creating videos of him playing a Farm Simulation game. His FarmSim gaming seemed to fill a niche, quickly finding an audience of viewers who were just as intrigued by tractors and swine as car chases and gun fights. He took over The Squad and the subscriber base exploded, currently hovering around 1.5 million.
Grant’s channel reached a level of viewership on YouTube that was generating steady income. At Iowa State, he realized that his lucrative hobby “could be a business, rather than just for fun.” He created what he calls a “four-year stride” plan and basically “locked myself down in my dorm room with the idea of grinding away and building something in my free time,” he says. He cranked out FarmSim videos, sacrificing the typical social life of a college student.
As his viewership and income grew in 2018, 2019, and 2020, he realized he needed to learn how to allocate that capital better. He soaked up financial advice from podcasts and books and began realizing bitcoin was an underestimated asset in the depths of bear markets.
He once imagined buying a farm in middle age but his virtual success meant his dream could become reality a lot sooner. Between his YouTube-generated capital and bank financing, in 2020, he eventually bought three farms located in Poweshiek and Mahaska counties, totaling 250 acres of tillable land and 40 acres of timber. He ultimately sold two tracts and used the proceeds to buy 125 acres in Story County, which is home to Ames and Iowa State. He aims to sell the last Poweshiek County farm with plans to expand his Story
County holdings.
So how does virtual farming compare to doing it for real? There is no comparison, Grant says. He admits, though, that playing FarmSim fed his farming passion and “kept my mind in the farming world.”
While he spends a lot of time working his land, he still has a foothold in the virtual world. His YouTube videos have followed his farming adventures through 2021 when he was just getting started through 2022 when beans did better than corn, and then to 2023 when yields were fantastic.
“2022 was really rough on corn,” he says. “We patterntiled and that really improved the crop. I’m learning how to improve my farm through experience, through trial and error, and through talking to my neighbors and, of course, learning from the internet.”
Following his brother’s lead, Spencer got into FarmSim YouTube videos as well.
He also has built his own path, demonstrating his own financial skills and risk-taking. Spencer bought a house in Ames during his freshman year. He lived in it, rented it, and then sold it at a profit when the post-COVID market was stronger.
He now works alongside his brother at the farm, and recently bought his own 50 acres in Story County.
Spencer’s YouTube channel has nearly 120,000 subscribers. His videos track his farming experience, with particular focus on the financial ups and downs of the profession.
“I talk about exactly what I paid for the land and what the loan looks like,” he says. “What happened with corn and
soybeans after the first full year. I own the land and want to be as transparent as possible. Am I making or losing money?”
While the business of farming remains an attraction, he did get more than 100,000 views for a video about a tractor rolling over.
Iowa State places a strong emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship. The Hilberts were entrepreneurs when they arrived on campus, but their Iowa State experiences have contributed to their success.
Grant found great value in his favorite class on farmland appraisal. He also took entrepreneurship classes that “made you think of ideas and about how you need to think when starting a business.”
His business-thinking goes beyond farming and related videos, too. He is now overseeing a software company that recently launched a game called American Farming. Gamers get to create their own farmer character; virtually plant and harvest crops; raise livestock; and buy equipment by brands like Case IH, Versatile, Unverferth, and many more that will be instantly familiar to anyone with an ag background.
“I saw a need in the mobile space for a game with a focus on American farming, so I started one,” Grant says. “It was one of the hardest things I have ever done, business-wise. I didn’t know anything about coding/development, so I hired eight artists and developers, some full time and some part time. It took us about three years to build.”
As they look to the future, the Hilbert brothers see more — buying more farms, harvesting more crops, creating more videos, and chasing more dreams.
DEAR ASSOCIATION MEMBERS:
There are several anniversaries at Iowa State University this year — Jack Trice Stadium, University Museums, and the Maintenance Shop are all celebrating 50 years. While not quite as long, I too, am approaching a special milestone with Iowa State and the alumni association. As this date approaches, I’m reminded of the popular sentiment credited to Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Twenty-five years ago — on Sept. 7, 1999, to be exact — I became the eighth individual in the association’s then 121year history to serve as the chief alumni officer for ISU. You gave me, as an outsider, the chance to help lift your university and its body of excellent alumni. While at the time I was not a graduate, you made me feel welcomed and accepted.
As I reflect on 25 years of friendships, achievements, and celebrating Cyclones everywhere, I have to stop and simply say these two words: thank you!
Thank you for accepting me, as well as my wife, Peggy, and our two children, Krystal (’14) and Kristopher. A quarter of a century later, we’re all still here. My daughter and I now carry Iowa State degrees, making this officially our alma mater, too! This community has made us feel at home in Ames, Iowa,
and the broader Midwest.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege to connect with Cyclones spanning generations –– from alumni celebrating 50-plus years of Cyclone spirit to new-to-the-world future Cyclones. In fact, I’m starting to see a second-generation arrive on campus; Cyclones I once held as babies are now following in their parents’ footsteps to Iowa State.
I have more memories and moments of gratitude than I could ever begin to cover in this letter, but as I close out this message, I’d like to leave you with a few highlights that stick with me:
Cyclone Power: When Athletics Director Jamie Pollard and Associate Athletics Director for Marketing Mary Pink asked if I could help orchestrate a new cheer that would easily engage all of Cyclone Nation, I was humbled. Students and fans embraced the new Cyclone Power chant; there was a moment when I stepped on the field and the chant started without me prompting. That’s when we knew a new Iowa State tradition had begun!
Cyclone Camaraderie: You’ve made me feel like I can really be myself at Iowa State. You’ve allowed me to get loud as a
fan, or on stage at pep rallies. And you’ve allowed me to dress in (sometimes eccentric) theme-based outfits during the annual Cardinal & Gold Gala.
Cyclone Connection: You’ve made me feel so welcomed into your families over the years. You’ve allowed me to share in your celebrations of love and successes, and cry with you during sicknesses and deaths. You’ve allowed my family and me to sleep in your homes, visit your towns, and join you on excursions. And in return, many of you have given your time to spend in our home for meals, memory-making, and more.
Most of all, you made Iowa State be more than a place — you’ve helped make it a home for my family. And what’s beautiful is you’ve done and continue to do this for so many others. That by itself deserves a hearty Cyclone Power!
Thank you, Cyclones everywhere, for 25 magical years!
JEFF JOHNSON, PHD ‘14 HIGHER EDUCATION,
LORA AND RUSS TALBOT ENDOWED PRESIDENT AND CEO
3 THINGS YOU DIDN’T KNOW ABOUT ...
(’80)
Beyond board service, how have you engaged with Iowa State and the alumni association since your retirement? We have traveled frequently with the Traveling Cyclones program. I had great fun taking two of our grandsons to LegaCY Camp last summer and we’ve attended the Cardinal and Gold Gala. My husband, Brent, and I are excited to have partnered with the ISU Foundation to set up a scholarship program for students from Iowa. Our family deeply values higher education — all four of our kids are also ISU graduates — and we know that our degrees from Iowa State University have been an important part of our success in life. We feel called to share that experience with others.
What do you enjoy about ISUAA Traveling Cyclones program? Travel feeds my sense of curiosity and desire to learn. The Traveling Cyclones trips have allowed me to fly in a fourseater plane and land on a glacier by Mount Denali; talk with Lithuanian women about life under Soviet rule; sip hot cocoa in Croatia by the Adriatic Sea; and climb the Spanish Steps in Rome. I’ve also enjoyed meeting other ISU alums on Traveling Cyclones trips and experiencing new adventures together.
What were some of your favorite theatrical productions you participated in at Iowa State?
I have wonderful memories playing Chava in “Fiddler on the Roof” in CY Stephens, being part of a Shakespeare repertory cast in Fisher Theater, and performing with the Memorial Union Resident Summer Theatre troupe in the Maintenance Shop. I had the opportunity to serve as producer and director of the Stars Over VEISHEA musicals “South Pacific” and “Sweet Charity,” in which we raised revenue to cover not only production expenses but also to help fund VEISHEA open houses on campus.
RACHEL MANS MCKENNY
Set in Ames, “The Butterfly Effect” is the tale of grumpy introvert Greta Oto, her lack of social skills, and her data-driven approach to people and relationships. Author Rachel Mans McKenny’s (’12) first novel is an unconventional tale of self-discovery, navigating relationships, and how it can take stepping outside of your comfort zone to find what is needed most. It was selected as the 2022 All-Iowa Read for Adults.
About the author
McKenny is a writer and humorist, with work published in McSweeney’s, Elle Magazine, and The New York Times. McKenny works in ISU’s Academic Success Center and also co-hosts the podcast Blind Date with a Book.
Virtual discussion date: Sept. 5, 2024, at 7 p.m. CT Register to attend at www.ISUalum.org/BookClub
New Year’s Day of 1983 will always be etched in Randy Shaver’s memory. As a young sports reporter, it was his first day on the job at WTCN-TV (now KARE 11) in Minneapolis.
“It was nerve-racking for sure,” recalls Shaver (’81). “I was on TV my very first day and honestly never stopped.”
In June, the Iowa State alum and Cedar Rapids native signed off for the final time after 41 years on the air.
“I have anchored some show — sports or news — from that day until now,” Shaver says.
His work has been recognized with regional Emmy Awards, as well as a regional and national Edward R. Murrow Award for sports reporting.
Shaver had the opportunity to cover professional teams like the Minnesota Vikings, Twins, and Timberwolves, but it’s the “Prep Sports Extra” program he started in 1984 — showcasing high school football in the Twin Cities — that he is most proud of in his career.
“I would call every high school football coach in the metro in the
summertime and talk to them,” Shaver says. “I have such great relationships with the football coaches in Minnesota, and I’ll miss that a lot.”
During his career, viewers followed along Shaver’s journey as he became a two-time cancer survivor. Through chemotherapy and radiation treatment, he stayed on TV the entire time. Shaver and his wife, Roseann, have helped raise more than $12 million for cancer research and patient aid in Minnesota through the Randy Shaver Cancer Research and Community Fund.
“We’ve been able to make a difference funding projects and funding researchers who are doing amazing work, and that won’t go away when I retire,” Shaver says. “That has been a big part of who we are and what we do here.”
Shaver credits his journalism professor, Dennis Hart, for changing the direction of his life.
“He helped me discover that I wanted to be in broadcasting,” Shaver says. “I can’t even believe the career that I’ve had. But it’s all because of my experience at Iowa State.”
1. Landon: Submitted by Melissa (’06) and Matt Heidesch
2. Lydia: Submitted by Michelle (’04) and John Schuster
3. Rooney: Submitted by Anna (’05) and Brett McConnell
4. Waylynn: Submitted by Anna (’15) and Jay Jenkins
5. Mae: Submitted by Sheila (’83) and Curtis (’81) Madsen
These little Iowa Staters are showing off their true colors!
Parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles who are members of the ISUAA can enroll their future Cyclone in the LegaCY Club to receive age-appropriate gifts, a yearly birthday card, a certificate upon signup, and activities from the time of enrollment until age 18 for a one-time fee of $35. As part of your ISUAA membership, you can shop with a 15% discount on children’s apparel and toy purchases in the ISU Book Store.
Sign up for LegaCY Club today at www.ISUalum.org/Legacy
IF YOU’RE HEADED TO ...
ISUAA TWIN CITIES GAME WATCH COORDINATOR AND HOST CAROL JENSEN (’88) (FORMERLY A PHOENIX CLUB LEADER), HIGHLIGHTS HER FAVORITE PLACES TO EAT, EXPLORE, AND CONNECT WITH FELLOW CYCLONES IN MINNESOTA.
Learn about Minneapolis history at Mill City Museum, once the largest flour mill in the world. Explore 9.5 miles of pathways connecting 80 city blocks via the Minneapolis Skyway System, or make your way to the Foshay Tower Museum and Observation Deck.
Grab a bite to eat at J.D. Hoyt’s Supper Club, the Hen House Eatery, or Keys Cafe before relaxing at neighborhood dive Knight Cap Bar & Lounge.
Enjoy live music at Bunker’s Music Bar & Grill, Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, or 318 Cafe.
Take a short trip to Taylors Falls for scenic views, hiking paths, and the St. Croix River. Or travel to Red Wing, located on the Mississippi River and famous for its clay production, shoes, and bluffs with excellent river and city views.
Cheer on the Cyclones with a stop at Jackson’s Hole Bar & Grill in downtown Minneapolis or Park Tavern in St. Louis Park, for an ISUAA game watch event.
“This cowbell is from the first football game in the ‘new’ stadium. We had already made many memories at Clyde ‘all the way to the Cave Inn’ Williams Field.”
MARIE THEOBALD (’77, ’82)
We asked, you answered:
“For over 25 years, I have had two coffee tables from the ATO fraternity. I was an Alpha Phi, and one of my best friends was an ATO. As we were graduating, the ATO house was going to be completely remodeled, and somehow, I ended up with the tables. They have moved with me across states and countries. These tables are indestructible, and I’m sure would have amazing stories if they could talk!”
KIM
DITTER (’92)
“I have a multitude of Cyclone memorabilia I have casually collected over the past 50 years. Perhaps my most prized item is an authentic team jersey worn by the men’s basketball team from 1958 to 1961. Ironic that I was born in 1958.”
CRAIG CALHOUN (’82)
“In 1967, I quit college and returned home for a seasonal job. After finding out I wasn’t going to be drafted, I decided to return to Iowa State and give it another chance, at which point I bought an ISU class ring (that I still wear today) as an incentive to graduate. Upon my return, I was referred to the Iowa State print shop to work in their mail room. During a break one day, I met –– and fell in love with –– Sharon Randau (’69). We were engaged under the campanile. Sharon and I were married for 53 years until her passing in 2022. A few of her ashes were sprinkled underneath the campanile with our children and grandchildren there to witness almost 54 years to the day we were engaged. Thank goodness for the Iowa State mail room!”
MIKE HILLEMAN
(’68)
“My favorite Iowa State keepsake is my mother, Ethel ‘Billie’ Wilson’s, letter sweater. She earned a letter in women’s basketball in 1921. At that time, women did not compete in intercollegiate basketball, but the four classes –– freshmen, sophomore, junior, and senior –– competed against each other. That same year, she graduated with degrees from the College of Home Economics and the College of Agriculture. Women in home economics education at that time were encouraged to also attain certification in agricultural education due to the shortage of men because of World War I.”
WILLIAM R. (BILL) YUNGCLAS (’65, ’75)
“A bookcase, a pewter pitcher, and a turned walnut candle holder still displayed in my home today will forever remind me of the craft class where I designed and created them. I didn’t know I could be creative. There had been no art classes in my small high school, but I fell in love with art at Iowa State and applied art became my major. Art has brought joy to my life ever since.”
JEWELL FOX WILLHITE (’58)
“Our house is filled with Iowa State memories, but there is one keepsake that is very special to me. The year was 1967, and my husband Gary was in his senior year in electrical engineering. I was president of the Engineering Wives Club, and at our last meeting together, we were interrupted by a knock from the Dean of Engineering, Dr. Warren B. Boast! He introduced himself and asked me to come forward, which I did. I stood beside him and he presented me with the following “degree.”
It states: ‘The Iowa State University of Science and Technology hereby confers upon Judy K. Bjornsen the degree of PHT with all the Honors and Distinctions belonging to the Degree in consideration of the satisfactory completion of Putting Hubby Through as prescribed by THE INSTITUTE OF MATRIMONY given at Ames, Iowa on this fifteenth day of April in the year of our Lord, 1967.’
It is signed by Gary L. Bjornsen (Head of Household) and Dr. W.B. Boast (Head of Department). I was absolutely shocked. It hangs in our office right next to Gary’s diploma from Iowa State. We also have our PKT: Putting Kids Through.”
“My T-shirt from Alumni Band Homecoming 1994. One of our activities was to have other alumni band members sign our shirts. I was, and still am, thrilled that Johnny Orr and his wife, Romie, signed my shirt. We always make so many incredible memories at alumni band!”
MARGUERITE BENNETT (’78, ’79)
STORY BY KATE TINDALL IMAGES BY MATT VAN WINKLE AND ISAAC FARNER
In one class, John Miller is studying the shared qualities George Washington, Ulysses S. Grant, and Dwight D. Eisenhower possessed as former Army generals and U.S. presidents; in another, he’s learning about current world events. There are no pop quizzes. No tests. But there is plenty of fun and learning.
Miller is a student in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Iowa State. At 92 years old, Miller has attended 347 classes and counting. He’s a former ISU staff member and a savvy student, the kind OLLI instructors — often current and retired ISU faculty — can count on. “One time, the teacher could not get to class and asked me to
take charge,” Miller recalls. “Attending OLLI classes gives me information, and contacts with classmates who I might not meet in other situations.”
To understand Miller’s love of learning — and the community of OLLI — you need to understand College for Seniors. Founded in 1993, College for Seniors was hosted by the ISU Retirees program of the alumni association. In 2008, a $100,000 grant from the Bernard Osher Foundation — which supports a national lifelong learning network — ushered in OLLI.
Jeff Johnson (’14), Lora and Russ Talbot Endowed President and CEO of the association, has seen the evolution firsthand alongside Jerilyn Logue (’81),
who served as director of OLLI from 2010 until her retirement this month.
“Three things have become very clear to me from the OLLI experience,” Johnson says. “Firstly, OLLI has created an expansive community, resulting in enriched socialization and learning opportunities. Secondly, it creates deepened relationships among its members. Lastly, OLLI, in some instances, bridges the gap between former students and former faculty, extending already existing relationships.”
Over the years, the program has fostered passionate instructors and volunteers. It would be impossible to share all of them, but one character stands out: Jorgen Rasmussen.
For ages 50-plus, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is community and classroom all in one
Rasmussen, who passed away in January, was the epitome of everything OLLI. He was an instructor, a past board of directors and committee member, and an ISU Political Science Distinguished Professor Emeritus.
“It had been said by one OLLI member that he would take any class taught by Jorgen, even if it was basket weaving,” Logue says. “There will never be another OLLI instructor who could present on so many topics, from politics to art, to baseball, to music, and more.”
Like Rasmussen, OLLI learners and instructors have always been adaptable. During COVID-19 uncertainty, OLLI went online. Today, classes are offered online, in-person, hybrid (participants
are divided with online and in–person options) and blended (certain class sessions are held online and some in-person).
“Encouraging lifelong learning is bigger than Iowa State or the alumni association,” Johnson says. “It’s about extending our mission to communities.”
This spring alone, Miller enrolled in six classes. “John is a curious and eager-to-learn person,” says Kathryn (’59), Miller’s wife and a former ISU faculty member.
“I’ll suggest OLLI classes for anyone,” Miller says. “Find a topic of interest, register, and go!”
While affiliation with Iowa State is not required, Cyclones looking to stay
connected to their alma mater find OLLI is the perfect portal to the excitement of campus and classroom learning, “all without the tests and pop quizzes,” as Logue likes to say.
Visit www.ISUAlum.org/OLLIAtISU to learn about membership, courses, and events. Fall courses start Sept. 9, with registration opening Aug. 9.
More than 500 Cyclone alumni and friends “played it forward” by attending the 2024 Cardinal & Gold Gala at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center in downtown Des Moines on Feb. 9. The event raised more than $115,000 for ISU Alumni Association programming and the New Graduate One Year Paid Gift Membership Program via a live and silent auction, games, raffles, and direct donations. Cardinal & Gold scholarship recipients, supported with endowed funds raised at past galas, were also honored.
2024 Cardinal & Gold Co-Chairs
Holly (’88) and Mark (’89) Chidley
Brenda and Gary (’92) Wadle
Rosalyn and Philip (’07) De Koster
Thanks
ISU President Wendy Wintersteen (PhD ’88) and Robert Waggoner
Jamie Steyer Johnson (’18) and Matt Van Winkle (’13), emcees
$5,500 Forever True Benefactors
Sally (’71, ’77, ’99) and Kim Beisser
Brad and Lesa Lewis
Nyemaster Goode
Sigler Companies
Lora (’17H) and Russ (’17H) Talbot
Cynthia Thorland (’84) and Fritz Weitz
$2,750 Bells of Iowa State Benefactors
Karen (’92) Heldt and Jay (’90, ’93) Chapman
Dentons Davis Brown
Ryan (’03) and Sara Downing
Jon Fleming (’75)
Peggy and Jeff (’14) Johnson McFarland Clinic
Markey’s
Mary (’78) and Tim (’76) Wolf (Phantom Attendee)
$1,100 Campanile Benefactors
Rueter’s
$550 Cardinal & Gold Supporters
Hallie Still-Caris (’83) and Dave Caris (’83)
Beverly (’60, ’70) and Warren (’61) Madden
Rebecca (’05) and Jose Louis Torres
Lori (’93) and Dwayne (’93) Vande Krol
Todd (’94) and Kari Van Thomme
Michael (’77) and Carrie (’77) Thrall
Photobooth and Cocktail Sponsor
First National Bank
ISUAA 2024 Cardinal & Gold Scholarship Recipients
Bree Severn, Management and Marketing, Glenwood
Jaclynn Fencl, Architecture, Cedar Falls
Katiana Arnold, Public Relations, Cedar Rapids
Hope Ogg, Kinesiology, Elliott
Lindsey Imhoff, Ag and Life Sciences Education, Keota
Craig and Terry Denny ISU Alumni
Association Cardinal & Gold College of Human Sciences Scholarship
Bianca Granados Raya, Elementary Education, Marshalltown
Terry Marie Denny ISU Alumni
Association Cardinal & Gold College of Engineering Scholarship
Asa Haub, Engineering, Dayton
ISUAA Board of Directors Cardinal & Gold Leadership/Terry Denny Memorial Scholarship
Erin Rhoads, Kinesiology, Greenfield
Lora & Russ Talbot ISU Alumni
Association Cardinal & Gold College of Veterinary Medicine Scholarship
Amber Vegter, Veterinary Medicine, Ames
Jennifer Vander Lee, Veterinary Medicine, Hartley
Iowa State University Stadlman Family
Cardinal & Gold Scholarship
Emily Trumm, Animal Science, Cascade
J. Elaine Hieber Cardinal & Gold Scholarship
Makenzie Erdahl, Human Development and Family Sciences, Britt
Come ready to sing, shout, and celebrate at the “music fest” Cardinal & Gold Gala on Feb. 14, 2025.
Six awardees were honored with Faculty-Staff Inspiration Awards on May 17, at the ISU Alumni Center. Honorees were selected based on nominator statements portraying their significant influence on their former students’ lives. The Faculty-Staff Inspiration Award Program is funded by the Nancy and Richard Degner ISU Alumni Association Endowment. Nancy (’72) and Rich (’72) are life members and sustaining donors to the ISU Alumni Association. Nominations are due Dec. 1 annually and can be submitted at www.ISUalum.org/Awards.
SARAH BENNETT-GEORGE
Teaching Professor, Apparel, Events, and Hospitality Management
“Sarah taught me the most important lessons of my college career … the best leaders are passionate, know when to compromise, and inspire others with their optimism. ... Sarah’s inspiration and lessons during my time working on The Fashion Show taught me who I was as a leader. Some lessons were big, and some were simple, like Sarah reminding me to take a step back and soak in the moment.”
— MARY KATE KNABEL
(’15)
LISA FONTAINE
Associate Professor, Graphic Design
“Lisa makes you fall in love with your field because she is a lifelong learner herself. She models how to learn. She shares what she is working on, she is always sketching and drawing, and actively practicing her field. ... When I had the chance to teach, I taught the way Lisa taught. ... I think about the teacher who has the most profound influence on my career, and its unequivocally, Lisa.”
— RUKI
NEUHOLD-RAVIKUMAR
(’03)
AHMED KAMAL
(Awarded posthumously)
LIFE IEEE Fellow, Electrical and Computer Engineering
“Dr. Kamal’s dedication to research and pursuit of knowledge was aweinspiring. He challenged his students to explore uncharted territories, think critically, and innovate. His insightful guidance and invaluable feedback propelled our research forward, pushing us to achieve new heights of academic excellence. … His impact will be felt for generations.”
— SHAKIL AHMED (’23)
Former Associate Director for Catering, ISU Dining, (’75)
“I felt special working with Karen. She took time to groom me, teach me, and care about me. She gave me the confidence to take what I learned from her and make it my own with my customers and employees. ... I would not be where I am without her supporting me as a student employee and seeing something in me that I wasn’t yet seeing myself.”
— KAREN RODEKAMP (’99)
Affiliate Professor, Physics and Astronomy
“What began with me enrolling in the wrong course resulted in my big adventure at Iowa State. Under the guidance of Massimo, I grew academically in ways I would not have thought possible, I landed the internship of a lifetime, and I gained skills that continue to help me thrive in my professional life.”
— MIKAELA LENERS (’14)
Associate Teaching Professor and Associate Graduate Faculty Member, Psychology
“Dr. Rafferty notices. She notices when you’re there, she notices when you’re gone, she notices if you’re having a difficult time, and she clearly wants her students to grow while holding them to a standard of excellence. Her priority for providing an incredible academic experience is evident, and I felt challenged to grow intellectually, academically, and personally, through her classes.”
— AMBER LOECKER (’19)
MIA KAWAMITSU
Journalism/Mass Communication, International Studies
Council Bluffs, Iowa
Mia Kawamitsu’s work to enhance the college experience for international and multicultural students at Iowa State has left an impact on the individual students she helped, as well as the broader community.
Through her work in varying roles at International Student Experience, she addressed transportation issues, advocated for better representation through Cyclone Cinema, and helped raise $4,000 for scholarships. Kawamitsu also served as a Greenlee ambassador; in addition to assisting students, she hosted the visit of Chuo University’s vice president and navigated English and Japanese to create a positive experience.
Community service isn’t the only area where Kawamitsu thrived. With a 3.95 GPA, she earned several prestigious scholarships, including the George Washington Carver and the Draper scholarships.
“Mia’s commitment and new initiatives have no doubt facilitated the creation of a more inclusive and welcoming campus environment,” says ISU Professor Daniela Dimitrova.
IAN JOHNSON
Animal Science, International Agriculture
Marysville, Ohio
As president of Alpha Gamma Rho (AGR), Ian Johnson is regarded as a dependable, respectful leader who bleeds cardinal and gold.
“Ian Johnson represents exactly what we aspire our students to be at ISU,” says ISU Associate Professor Brad Skaar. “He has been actively involved at the university, fraternity, and departmental level of our institution, and has maintained academic success at the highest level.”
Beyond AGR, Johnson’s involvement on campus included serving as co-director and central logistics coordinator tri-chair for ISU Homecoming; serving on senior class council; serving as an animal science peer mentor and scholarship chair for the ISU block and bridle club; and he initiated ISU’s inaugural “give what you can” food drive.
Johnson’s service, paired with his 3.79 GPA, has gained him recognition in the Order of Omega, the Sorority and Fraternity Engagement Honor Society, and Alpha Zeta.
Psychology Vinton, Iowa
Caroline Lang sees the world as her community and seeks to help those around her.
At ISU, Lang serves as a peer facilitator with the Program for Women in Science and Engineering, mentoring first-year women in STEM majors. She traveled to Uganda, working with community leaders on several initiatives to improve school nutrition, maternal and infant health, education, sanitation, and agriculture.
With a 3.88 GPA, Lang received a number of scholarships and honors, but one stands out: the Billie Ray Center Iowa Citizen of Character Award, which she received for working as a certified nursing assistant in New Jersey during the pandemic.
“Very few people know about this display of her character because Carli doesn’t tout her accomplishments,” says ISU Undergraduate Programs Manager Sarah DuBois. “If anything, she downplays her achievements, always making sure to acknowledge her peers, team members, or colleagues.”
The Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award recognizes outstanding seniors who display high character, outstanding achievement in academics, and university or community activities, and who show promise for continuing these qualities as alumni. The award is named for Wallace E. “Red” Barron (‘28) director of alumni affairs at Iowa State from 1937 to 1968.
Biochemistry
Johnston, Iowa
Karsten Theilen is known for being reliable, dedicated, and compassionate on and off campus.
At Iowa State, Theilen excels as the biochemistry club president, biochemistry peer mentor, and in her roles within the Stupka Undergraduate Research Symposium. Following COVID-19, Theilen restored participation and membership in the biochemistry club, as well as initiated several changes to make the club more accessible to the department. She also volunteers at Reiman Gardens.
Outside of ISU, Theilen serves in the Iowa Army National Guard and is involved in her college ministry, Salt Company. With a 3.96 GPA, Theilen was inducted into the SALUTE Veterans National Honors Society and Phi Beta Kappa.
“Theilen embodies the servant leader archetype and is dedicated and successful at bringing people together under a common purpose,” says ISU Associate Teaching Professor Claire Kruesel.
Finance, Agricultural Business Mason City, Iowa
Emily Shatek is passionate about being involved in her community.
Shatek served as director of academic affairs for Alpha Delta Pi sorority, as vice president of public relations in Cardinal Key Honor Society, as treasurer of the pre-law club, and as a committee chair for the agricultural business club. She also worked as a lead peer mentor in the Ivy College of Business. She was a winner on ISU’s 2023 Homecoming Court and is a member of the Student Alumni Leadership Senior Class Council.
Shatek also volunteers for a variety of organizations outside of ISU – including at the Des Moines Ronald McDonald House – all while maintaining a 4.0 GPA.
“Emily is intellectually curious and strives to be well-rounded, taking a myriad of courses not related to her majors,” says ISU Teaching Professor Amani Elobeid.
Chemical Engineering, Chemistry Ames, Iowa
Victoria Kyveryga is a collaborative leader with a dedication to research and a commitment to community development.
At Iowa State, Kyveryga served in a variety of leadership positions including as an undergraduate research ambassador, president of the Ukrainian club, and vice president of outreach and co-president of the Iowa State University Engineering Student Council. She also served as a student representative at the Ames City Council Climate Action Supplemental Input Committee.
Kyveryga’s community involvement, research, and 3.97 GPA led to numerous honors, including being named a Barry Goldwater and National Merit scholar, and being inducted to Phi Beta Kappa.
“She is absolutely an outstanding young woman with a rare combination of passion, strength, and intellect, which has allowed her to advance as a researcher, leader, and citizen,” says ISU Campus-Wide Undergraduate Research Program Coordinator Svitlana Zbarska.
CYCLONE STORIES: KELLIE BLAIR (‘06) / DAYTON, IOWA
Kellie Blair isn’t shy about how setbacks helped shape her agricultural career.
“I failed my first agronomy class miserably and had to drop it at midterm,” she says.
Now an award-winning farmer who is sought out to test innovative ideas in the field, Blair (’06) initially arrived on campus unprepared for academic rigor. Switching to the forestry program helped her find her footing — and forged her commitment to proactive and sustainable environmental solutions.
“I always knew I liked the conservation part of ag,” Blair says.
She spent her childhood working alongside her dad on their family’s farm in the Loess Hills of western Iowa and considers land stewardship essential. Studying soil science piqued her interest in nutrient planning and its job potential. Blair successfully added the agronomy major back in during her junior year and landed an industry role developing manure management plans after graduation.
“I had grown up with pigs and knew how to talk to and connect with farmers,” she says.
Other stakeholders were trickier. It wasn’t long before she realized she needed help communicating with community members who were wary of new facilities. So, Blair got involved in agricultural associations and began working with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to build her skills.
“Extension was huge through all of the training I had to go through when I first started out, and it’s still huge for us now,” Blair says.
She and her husband, AJ (’04), manage Blair Farm, their fourth-generation family farm in Webster County. The Blairs are busy raising two teens and growing a business centered around conservation and continuous improvement.
In 2022, Progressive Farmer named the couple among “America’s Best Young Farmers,” highlighting their twists on commodity farming. The Blairs utilize cover crops and no-till practices for growing corn and soybeans. They launched a direct-to-consumer frozen meat business during the pandemic to complement their large beef feedlot and cow-calf enterprise. They even explored a potential supplier partnership with Oatly, the Swedish plant-based milk alternative brand.
“Throughout our farming careers, we’ve tried a lot of different things and gone different ways,” Blair says. “But we’ve had people behind us to help us out.”
Relationships they’ve built with ISU faculty play a
significant role. A work-study position Blair held as an undergraduate student helping Lisa Schulte Moore, a natural resource ecology and management professor, has come full circle, as they now work together on quite a few projects. They are currently partnering with Iowa Learning Farms to tell their conservation story on their farm through blogs, webinars, and in-person field days.
The Blairs’ leadership in groups like the Iowa Soybean Association also exposes them to important issues and impactful opportunities. Blair traveled to a water quality summit in New Orleans, where she learned about flooding in the Gulf. Then, she served on a panel with a Louisiana shrimp farmer who shared how runoff impacts shrimping.
When the Blairs were later approached about participating in a grant-funded water-quality initiative that could help reduce nitrates flowing downriver, they saw a chance to be part of the solution. They created a large water retention pond designed to capture and recycle tile water through a center-pivot system that now irrigates 130 acres of crops on their property. Blair hopes the project will be both effective and economical.
“What we’re trying to do is to create resiliency on the farm,” she says.
— BRIANNE SANCHEZ
Brock Purdy, the winningest quarterback in Iowa State history, has risen to stardom in the NFL.
Purdy’s (’21) humble beginnings and exciting play on the field have captured the hearts of football fans across the country.
You’ve returned to Ames and continued to support Iowa State University since your NFL journey began. What fuels your loyalty to Iowa State?
Everything that Iowa State has done for me has been so beautiful. They’ve been so supportive. The people, the Iowa State Football program, it’s all been so unreal in terms of the support and the growth that I had while I was there. To go back and show love to everybody and my gratitude for them means a lot to me.
What is your favorite part about coming back to Ames?
My favorite part is the people, just because of how down-to-earth and real everyone is. Everyone wants to help each other out. There’s no selfishness. I don’t know what it is about the culture in Iowa, but everybody just loves one another authentically. And when you go back, you feel that every time.
What are some personal goals you have off the field?
I think one is how I can love my wife really well. I’m learning more and more about marriage and the importance of that. Then my community: how I can
serve and help the next generation of kids. And then, obviously, being intentional with my family and friends, and the relationships that I have with them. I think all those things are extremely important in terms of helping me be who I am as a person rather than just a football player.
What is something that surprised you during your rise to NFL stardom?
As you start to become more and more well known as an NFL player, people start to think that you’re on some other level in terms of not being human. And for me, I always keep it simple. I’m still a son. I’m a brother. I’m a husband. I’m a friend. I’m a teammate. I’m human, and I have flaws. I’m broken. I’m not the perfect human being that a lot of people may think. Being in the NFL now, I’ve started to think, “People really do think that we’re perfect just because we’re on TV playing for an NFL team.” But at the end of the day, we’re human. I just try to keep it simple and remember that.
What’s one thing you’ll always remember or take away from playing in the Super Bowl?
That it’s a game. There’s a lot of hype and lead up to that game just during the week, and then all the glamor and fanciness that goes on before the game, at halftime, all of it. But, as I was
dropping back and trying to convert a third down and score a touchdown, I was thinking, “This is just a game.” It’s still four quarters. Obviously, it’s the last game of the year, and it’s on one of the biggest stages, but for me, it was another football game that I was playing in my life.
Who has been the most influential and important person to your growth as an athlete on and off the field?
My dad; he played Minor League Baseball for eight to nine years and never got to the big leagues. Growing up, he gave me everything. And I’m talking time. He coached me in the backyard and in little league and football, you name it. To be able to get to where I’m at today, from college to the NFL, playing in the Super Bowl, it’s pretty cool just because my dad is the one that lit and ignited that fire in me at a young age. He supported me all the way. He showed me how to live on and off the field. I’ve always looked up to him, and I still look up to him.
What does it mean to have communities in cities across the country — from Ames, Iowa, to Gilbert, Arizona — look up to you and celebrate your success? It means a lot to me. Growing up in Arizona, all I ever wanted was some good people around me, friends, and
family, and no one ever wanted anything from me. They just loved me for who I was. And that was the same thing in Ames. As I started to play and have success and stuff in football, nobody really gravitated just to that. It was always who I was, and what I stand for is what they loved. And I appreciate that. It’s not all about me. It’s about how I can lay down my life and serve those around me both in Arizona and in Ames, Iowa. I feel like they’re very similar just in terms of the people that I’ve surrounded myself with. I am very thankful for both communities.
Is there anything else you want Iowa Staters to know?
Going to Iowa State for four years and then leaving, you realize how special the place is: the people, the campus, the college town itself, the pride of being a Cyclone, it’s real. As I look back, I’m grateful for the people who invested their time in me and for the roots and relationships that I have there. When I go back, it’ll always be the same — the same love and the same gratitude. I’m proud to be a Cyclone. I’m thankful that I was able to be a part of growth on campus. I will always love Iowa State and the people in Ames.
— CALEB GRIZZLE
“Going to Iowa State for four years and then leaving, you realize how special the place is: the people, the campus, the college town itself, the pride of being a Cyclone, it’s real.”
David Carr p.13
Heather Bristow p.37
Sara Downing p.38
Emily Trumm p.38
Emily Shatek p.43
Kim Ditter p.4
Kristyn Mostek p.4
John Mostek p.4
Lisa Clarke-Koehrsen p.4
Wendy Wintersteen p.4
Gary Rogeness p.29
Jeff Johnson p.30
Peggy Johnson p.30
Gregory Geoffroy p.30
Roy Reiman p.30
Bobbi Reiman p.30
Krystal Martin p.30
Kathy Taylor p.31
Brent Taylor p.31
Carol Jensen p.33
Melissa Heidesch p.33
Sheila Madsen p.33
Curtis Madsen p.33
Marie Theobald p.34
Craig Calhoun p.34
William (Bill) Yunglcas p.35
Jewell Fox Willhite p.35
Marguerite Bennett p.35
John Miller p.36
Jerilyn Logue p.36
Holly Chidley p.38
Mark Chidley p.38
Phillip De Koster p.38
Brenda Wadle p.38
Gary Wadle p.38
Robert Waggoner p.38
Matt Van Winkle p.38
Sally Beisser p.38
Kim Beisser p.38
Lora Talbot p.38
Russ Talbot p.38
Cynthia Thorland p.38
Fritz Weitz p.38
Karen Heldt p.38
Jay Chapman p.38
Renee Harris (’79, ’04) is our spring 2024 Iowa Stater pop quiz winner. Artist Rebecca Ekstrand completed the mosaic art installation located on the first floor of Hach Hall in 2013. Check out the back cover of this issue for your chance to play and win the summer 2024 Iowa Stater pop quiz!
Ryan Downing p.38
Jon Fleming p.38
Mary Wolf p.38
Tim Wolf p.38
Hallie Still-Caris p.38
Dave Caris p.38
Beverly Madden p.38
Warren Madden p.38
Rebecca Torres p.38
Jose Louis Torres p.38
Lori Vande Krol p.38
Dwayne Vande Krol p.38
Todd Van Thomme p.38
Kari Van Thomme p.38
Michael Thrall p.38
Carrie Thrall p.38
Nancy Degner p.40
Richard Degner p.40
Sarah Bennett-George p.40
Karen Miskell-Larson p.40
Brad Skaar p.42
Kellie Blair p.45
AJ Blair p.45
Renee Harris p.48
