VISIONS Fall 2021

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 |

THANKS A BILLION+ ($1.542B TO BE EXACT)

TOGETHER, MORE THAN 96,000 CYCLONES SURPASSED THE GOAL OF CAMPAIGN FOREVER TRUE, FOR IOWA STATE

Fall 2021

G E TTI NG START ED

by Melea Reicks Licht** ('00 public service and admin in agriculture, MS '05 agricultural education) MREICKS @iastate IASTATE.EDU mreicks@ .edu

G ETTING STARTED W ITH A GIFT

I

n this issue, we celebrate the cumulative power of Cyclone generosity inspired by the historic campaign Forever True, For Iowa State. Many of us can share a philanthropy story. We’ve all been a giver, and a receiver. As you spend time with this issue, I hope you’ll think about how philanthropy has made a difference in your life. I welcome you to share your stories by emailing: Letter_to_the_Editor-Visions@ iastate.edu.

I’ll share a page of my own story with you. My tuition at Iowa State was covered by a patchwork of small scholarships, a Pell Grant, a Farm Aid Scholarship, and loans. I worked for ISU Dining to cover my room and board. When my father died over Thanksgiving break of my freshman year, I considered dropping out of Iowa State. I figured community college would be cheaper, plus I’d be closer to family.

But after my dad’s funeral, each of my four brothers sat me down and encouraged me to return to Iowa State — not just because it’s what dad would have wanted, but because they knew it was what I always wanted. They reminded me that, while life may be tough, I was tough, too.

Fueled by my family's encouragement, supported by generous 2

donors, and a lot of hard work spent in ISU Dining kitchens, I graduated three years later.

Telling the stories of Iowa State University and Cyclones everywhere has become a big part of my life’s work through communications positions in the ISU Office of Admissions, the Department of Agronomy, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and now with the ISU Alumni Association.

Some gifts are readily given and others you uncover, like buried treasure. Carole Gieseke** left me such a gift. Before her last day at the alumni association, after serving more than 20 years as VISIONS editor, Carole spent hours with me, pouring over past correspondence, notes, background information, invoices and other important files she knew I would need. The status of the external hard drive I found upon my arrival was an impressive wealth of information and, well … a gift.

But, it was this note I found tucked into her meticulous electronic files that really was the treasure – a stand-alone document with one sentence: The pages of VISIONS magazine should sing with the spirit and values of Iowa State University in such a way that friends are reminded of their experiences here and strangers feel as though they know us well.

I thank Carole for welcoming me into this position as well as her careful organization of a deep and rich catalog of Iowa State history. And, thanks to our wonderful staff who are making me feel right at home.

The legacy of this editor’s position is one I take on enthusiastically, with reverence, and with you – our readers – in focus. I look forward to working with our talented ISU Alumni Association team – especially our designer Jenny Witte** ('02 management), and photographer Matt Van Winkle* ('13 journalism and mass communications) – to showcase the many ways Iowa State University and Cyclones everywhere are making a difference in our world.

Now, let’s make these pages sing.



CON T E N TS COVER STORY

FEATURES

12

20

Thanks a Billion+

Forever True, For Iowa State On the cover: The success of Forever True, For Iowa State, is celebrated in this cover illustration by Jenny Witte**('02 management). Each individual icon represents 100 of the total 96,064 donors who provided support as part of this historic campaign.

DEPARTMENTS

Bringing legends to life via LEGOs

Featuring Chris Ihle**

('98 exercise & sport

science) and Chris Rau ('19 interdisciplin ary design, industrial

design)

24

Faculty Staff Inspiration Award Winners

28 30

Honors & Awards

ISU Alumni Association Annual Report

2 Getting Started 5 Letters to the Editor 6 Around Campus 32 From the ISUAA President 35 Cyclones Everywhere

Featuring Cyclone stories,

newsmakers, and more 43 Sports 46 Calendar

Campaign volunteer Dee Vandeventer** ('75 psychology, human development & family studies) shares her enthusiasm for Forever True, For Iowa State with visitors at the Iowa State Fair in 2017.

FALL 2021 / VOLUME 34 / NO. 3 EDITOR: Melea Reicks Licht PHOTOGRAPHY: Matt Van Winkle DESIGN: Jenny Witte EDITORIAL SUPPORT: Kate Tindall LOCAL PHONE 515-294-6525 TOLL-FREE 1-877-ISU-ALUM (478-2586) WEBSITE isualum.org

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to VISIONS, ISU Alumni Center, 429 Alumni Lane, Ames, IA 50011-1403.

Copyright 2021 by the ISU Alumni Association, Jeffery W. Johnson, Lora and Russ Talbot Endowed President and CEO and publisher.

Printed with soy ink on recycled and recyclable paper.

The ISU Alumni Association mission: To facilitate the lifetime connection of alumni, students, and friends with Iowa State University and each other.

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.

A DV E R T I S I N G O P P O R T U N I T I E S : SH A N N O N F OO T E , sfoote@iastate.edu 3

2021-2022 ISU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Timothy R. Quick**# Chair '01 marketing, international business Clive, Iowa Marc S. Mores**# Chair-Elect '95 exercise & sport science Johnston, Iowa Kathy A. (Sullivan) Peterson**^# Immediate Past Chair '95 speech communication Aurelia, Iowa Gregory Smith**# Vice Chair of Finance '91 occupational safety, MPA '10 Cedar Rapids, Iowa Cathy Schmidt**# Vice Chair of Records ‘88 marketing Plymouth, Minnesota Bonnie Whalen* ISUAA Board Treasurer ‘92 BBA finance, MPA ‘12 Ex-officio/voting Pilot Mound, Iowa Jeffery W. Johnson**# Lora and Russ Talbot ISUAA Endowed President & CEO PhD ‘14 education Ex-officio/non-voting Ames, Iowa ELECTED DIRECTORS Scott Bauer** ‘85 business management Ames, Iowa Dan Bumblauskas** ‘03 industrial engineering, economics, MS ‘06, PhD ‘10 Cedar Falls, Iowa Kelli Ann Cameron**# ‘02 agricultural and life sciences education Janesville, Wisconsin Taylor Davis** ‘17 supply chain management Las Vegas, Nevada Marvin DeJear** ‘00 business management, MBA ‘03, PhD ‘16 educational leadership Des Moines, Iowa Allison Flinn* ‘10 animal science, DVM ‘14 Cheverly, Maryland Chad Harris** ‘01 political science Kansas City, Missouri

Trey Hemmingsen** '11 advertising Denver, Colorado Anthony Jones* '98 exercise & sport science, PhD ‘10 educational leadership Ames, Iowa Amanda Matchett** '08 marketing, international business Blaine, Minnesota Larry Pithan** '73 mechanical engineering Andalusia, Illinois Darius Potts* '89 telecommunication arts Ankeny, Iowa Dawn Refsell** '01 agronomy, MS '03 crop production & physiology Runnells, Iowa Melissa Schnurr* ‘04 psychology, MS ‘06 human development & family studies, PhD ‘09 Ankeny, Iowa Martha Smith**# ‘04 agricultural business St. Louis, Missouri Amy Burrough Tetmeyer**# ‘91 accounting Johnston, Iowa Eric Wittrock**# ‘92 mechanical engineering Urbandale, Iowa APPOINTED DIRECTORS Sophia Ann Magill** ISU President’s Designee ‘05 political science Ames, Iowa Michele Appelgate* College Representative ‘88 journalism and mass communication Ames, Iowa Brad Lewis** Non-alumni Representative Bondurant, Iowa Hunter Crawford*** Student Alumni Leadership Council Representative Senior, agricultural business Clarinda, Iowa To meet the board or apply go to www.isualum.org/board (deadline is Sept. 15 annually). # 2020 Sustaining Donor

Dear ISU alumni and friends, Looking back, my guiding quote for the 2020-2021 ISU Alumni Association Board of Directors team was perfect for the unique challenges we all faced throughout the year, “instead of thinking outside of the box, think like there is no box,” by Ziad Abdelnour.

The challenge throughout the year was not just to survive, but to thrive in spite of the overwhelming number of unknowns. I’m pleased to share that your ISU Alumni Association thrived in a number of meaningful ways throughout the past year.

• The association and board pivoted quickly to hybrid meeting formats, taking events virtual, and trying new engagement tactics. A few examples include a virtual Cardinal and Gold Gala, Live from Cy’s Lounge interviews, tea/wine tastings online, STATE Day, and virtual honors and awards ceremonies, to name a few. (Check out our annual report on page 30 for details.)

• Through the efforts of Jeff Johnson** ('14 PhD education), Lora and Russ Talbot Endowed President and CEO, and Jamie Stowe, director of development, over $3M was raised during the pandemic year despite not being able to meet with donors in person. The association’s Forever True campaign goal of $12.5M was exceeded.

• Good conversations occurred about the ISU Alumni Association's future via a Vision Traction Organizer tool. Discussions lead to a better understanding and restatement of the association’s vision: To be the best alumni association in the U.S. at engaging diverse partners to help showcase how Iowa State University and Cyclones everywhere are making communities, Iowa, and the world a better place.

I chose to share my time and talents volunteering with the Iowa State University Alumni Association because I believe in the mission and vision of this organization.

The Iowa State University Alumni Association is the hub that brings our alumni, students, and friends together by continuing to build relationships (personal and professional) and by offering innovative benefits, discounts, activities, travel, events, and programs. Membership is important so that the association can continue to be our lifelong conduit to Iowa State and to the 279,000 Cyclones everywhere.

Through this experience, I’ve met many amazing Cyclones and friends, and I have grown both personally and professionally. Thank you for this opportunity and all you do to support Cyclones everywhere!

Kathy A. (Sullivan) Peterson**^# ISU Alumni Association Board of Directors 2016 – 2022, immediate past chair '95 speech communication President, PeopleWorks Inc. Aurelia, Iowa Membership key throughout this magazine: * Annual member

4

** Life member *** Student member ^ Business member

Only Iowa State University degrees are listed, all alumni names are listed in bold.

WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

Letters  LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY The Iowa State University Alumni Association welcomes letters to the editor addressing stories in VISIONS or topics of interest to Iowa Staters. All submissions must be signed and clearly marked “Letter to the Editor.” They must include the writer’s address and daytime phone number. The editor makes all final decisions on selecting letters to publish, and reserves the right to edit letters for length and clarity. The editor may follow up with a letter writer to request any clarification. Letters selected to be published

I was saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Crom which was noted in the summer issue of VISIONS. He was a mentor to me through the years.

He and his late wife, Lucy, helped me in so many ways through the early BOB CROM years of my career.

I graduated in the summer of July 1962. I was the last of my senior class in technical journalism to get a job. There was an opening at North Dakota State University as a communications assistant. Most of that job description was as a sports information director. While a student at ISU, I interned with The Des Moines Register and The Ames Tribune and had a game day presence in the press box at Clyde Williams Field. Wellknown sports writers were Maury White and Bill Bryson of the DRT. Bob helped me in getting that internship. It gave me a lot of insight in what that job entailed.

After two years at NDSU I was able to begin graduate studies at Michigan State University, another of Bob’s alma maters. He guided me in that opportunity as well. I was able to help the SID at MSU covering Spartan football. It was a golden era for football there going through an undefeated season in 1964 and ending the year tying Notre Dame.

I returned to Iowa State in 1968 as an assistant dean of students and remained there until 1973. I was able to earn my Ph.D. while on staff.

I am most grateful to Bob for all he did for me through the years.

Tom Goodale*

('62 technical journalism, PhD '71 education administration) Lexington, Virginia

will appear either in a subsequent issue of the magazine or online on the ISUAA website. The views and opinions expressed in letters are solely those of the writers, and do not necessarily reflect those of ISUAA and Iowa State University.

Letters containing potentially libelous statements or personal attacks will not be published. Send letters to VISIONS editor, ISU Alumni Center, 429 Alumni Lane, Ames, IA 50011-1403 or email Letter_to_the_Editor-Visions@iastate.edu.

CONNECT WITH US on social media

@isualum

Luke Davis ('19 marketing) I love this post because it captures the amazing everyday activity of ISU. Smiles, conversation, and walking to class on a beautiful campus. Make every opportunity count here, even those that seem simple in the moment.

Craig Laue ('79 art and design) Oh, to be on the campus lawn studying on a fall day between Beardshear and Curtiss Hall once again!!! Among the most beautiful campuses in the world. Go Cyclones!!

Fran Eck ('73 forestry) Fond memories of a phenomenal campus ... return to school excitement each fall (1969 - 1972). Students: look to your future and contributing to our world. Time passes quickly ... grab it with enthusiasm and clear vision.

Thomas Acuff ('61 industrial engineering)

PHOTOS BY MATT VAN WINKLE

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG

At my wonderful alma mater, ISU ... one learns not only to make a living, but learns to live a life! Grateful!

5

Among the best

S

everal national publications have ranked or recognized Iowa State University for its academic programs, value, commitment to public good, and entrepreneurial spirit.

In the 2022 U.S. News and World Report rankings released in September, Iowa State tied for 58th among top public schools and tied for 122nd in the overall national rankings. The university also was recognized as one of the Best Colleges for Veterans, Best Value Schools and multiple academic programs were ranked:  Undergraduate engineering programs (with a doctorate program): 45th (tied)  Agricultural and biosystems: 2nd (tied)  Civil, construction and environmental: 22nd (tied)  Industrial and manufacturing systems: 20th  Undergraduate computer science programs: 60th (tied)

 Undergraduate business programs: 74th (tied)  Supply chain management: 20th (tied)  Entrepreneurship: 32nd (tied) Princeton Review also recently released its 2022 college guide, “The Best 387 Colleges,” and Iowa State makes the list. While the college guide is not a ranking, it does include other rankings by the Princeton Review which slot Iowa State:  11 in entrepreneurship among the top 50  15 in the top 20 Best Schools for Financial Aid (public schools) and the only Iowa university listed  37 in the top 50 Green Colleges

Therkildsens donate new industrial engineering building C.G. “Turk” ('60 industrial engineering) and Joyce ('60 zoology) McEwen Therkildsen** have provided a $42 million gift commitment to Iowa State University’s Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering for a new facility that will provide technologically enhanced learning and research laboratory spaces where industrial engineering students can gain the knowledge to design tomorrow’s innovative, nimble, and intelligent processes needed now more than ever across all industrial sectors.

This won't hurt a bit Justin Brown (right), assistant teaching professor in veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine, was among the College of Veterinary Medicine faculty, residents, and fourth-year professional students who were trained to give COVID-19 vaccines to humans. The College of Veterinary Medicine personnel joined other medical staff who administered vaccines at Iowa State University's mass vaccination clinics.

6

FALL 2019 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

Big fish: Faculty-student team creates immersive art A leaping largemouth bass has landed in the new Johnston Town Center.

Weighing 2 tons and measuring 20 feet long, 13 1/2 feet high and 10 feet wide, the stainless-steel sculpture shimmers with nearly 2,000 kinetic “scales” that capture the light and breeze to heighten the sense of movement created by the curving frame. The “Ripples” (aka “Big Fish”) installation in Johnston, Iowa, was designed by Reinaldo Correa Studio. Artist Reinaldo Correa ('08 architecture, MID ’20), an Iowa State assistant teaching professor of architecture and industrial design, invited architecture students Brenna Fransen, Dai “Bill” Le and Tarun Bhatia ('20 architecture), and industrial design students Joe Fentress and Ryan Fransen to collaborate with him on the proposal.

ONLINE EXTRAS: Visit isualum.org/visions or scan this QR code to access online extras. See this impressive install in an online photo gallery by the College of Design.

“We all gain from moving forward with these efforts. It’s not only the right thing to do, but it makes for better marketplaces to be listening to all voices, recruiting diverse workforces, and developing products and services for a range of people.”

$16M NSF grant drives innovation in rural broadband Iowa State University and its partners are joining a diverse portfolio of large-scale research platforms with a focus on enabling high-throughput, universal, and affordable broadband. The new regional testbed is part of Platforms for Advanced Wireless Research and is funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation, a consortium of industry partners, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture. As part of the project, Hongwei Zhang (below) and other researchers installed hardware at the Iowa State University Research Park for CyNet, an advanced wireless networking system that's a predecessor to the new ARA rural broadband project.



– Samantha Cross, an associate professor of marketing in Iowa State University’s Ivy College of Business

Cross is a member of an international team of researchers examining the role of marketing in fostering diversity and inclusion in the marketplace. The team’s findings published in The Journal of Public Policy & Marketing indicate a holistic and systematic approach is needed to ensure practitioners, educators, and researchers are all working from the same playbook.

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG FALL 2019

7

Around Campus

National Pan-Hellenic Council plaza takes shape On the northwest lawn of the Memorial Union, poured foundations await nine columns at a plaza that will promote the historically Black fraternities and sororities of the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). On the current timeline, the plaza should be completed by Dec. 1.

Not to be confused with a similarly named umbrella organization for women's sororities (National Panhellenic Conference), the NPHC supports and promotes collaboration among chapters of nine African-American Greekletter sororities and fraternities. Eight of the nine have chapters at Iowa State, and conversations with the ninth are in progress.

The completed plaza will be a gathering spot, an events and celebrations place, and a space for personal reflection. The plaza also is designed to teach. Each of the pillars will contain information about that organization's letters, purpose, and ISU chapter charter date. At the two sidewalk entries to the plaza, visitors can read about the NPHC's history and purpose and the

council's history at Iowa State.

The NPHC has a long history at Iowa State. George Washington Carver (1894 botany, MS 1896) and Jack Trice (expected ’26 animal science) were members of NPHC fraternities Phi Beta Sigma and Alpha Phi Alpha, respectively. Iowa State chapters for two of the organizations, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, are single letter

chapters – among each group's earliest. Former and current leaders in student affairs also are NPHC sorority or fraternity members, including Tom Hill, Martino Harmon**, Vernon Hurte, Pamela Anthony, Sharron Evans, and Toyia Younger*.

Fundraising continues to support the project through FundISU, the Iowa State University Foundation's crowdfunding tool.

Team PrISUm unveils newest solar car Eliana is the fifteenth iteration of a solar-powered vehicle the student club has developed since its founding in 1989. Typically, the team develops a new model every other year. The name for the newest car was inspired in part by the Latin family name Aeliānus, meaning “Of the sun.” Planning and design for this premier student project began in early 2018. The team assembled and painted the aeroshell, designed the electrical boards, and began to do some testing before the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the team had to adapt its operations, which included limiting those in the workshop to five students at a given time. During the development of Eliana, the team moved into a state-of-the-art shop inside the Student Innovation Center. The new facility includes an industry-standard clean room, machine shop, storage space, shared student organization office, and assembly bay.

ONLINE EXTRAS: Visit isualum.org/visions or scan this QR code to access online extras. Hear from Team PrISUm and watch Eliana hit the road.

8

FALL/WINTER 2021 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

LegaCY Activity Corner

As the holiday season approaches, get involved with meal preparations. Kids - you're in charge of dessert! Try this simple mini pie recipe. Your friends and family will love it!

CY'S MINI PIES INGREDIENTS: 1 package pre-made pie dough Pie filling of choice DIRECTIONS: 1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. Roll out pie dough and cut 4 in. wide circles using a bowl.

Set scraps aside.

3. Press the circles into muffin tins. Press up the sides.

4. Fill with your favorite pie filling - we, of course, recommend cherry!

5. Place strips on top if desired. What fun pattern can you make?

6. Bake for 18 minutes. Make sure to ask an adult for help using the oven.

You’re invited to email us a photo of you and your Cy’s Mini Pies to legacyclub@iastate.edu. You could be featured in future ISU Alumni Association print or digital communications!

As a member of the LegaCY Club, your child, grandchild, niece, or nephew will receive age-appropriate gifts from time of enrollment until age 18. Parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles who are members of the ISUAA can enroll their little Cyclone in the LegaCY Club for a one-time fee of $35. Email legacyclub@iastate.edu for details or visit us online at isualum.org/legacy.

Juneteenth holiday is a testament to my

Around Campus

cousin Opal, the "Grandmother of Juneteenth"

10

The following essay by Toyia K. Younger*, senior vice president for student affairs at Iowa State, appeared in the Des Moines Register in June. Younger honored her cousin Opal Lee, who has been on a mission to lift up Juneteenth as a historic date worthy of a national holiday. When legislation to do so was signed into law on June 17, 2021, Opal Lee was present and recognized with a standing ovation as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.”

Let me tell you about my 94-year-old cousin Opal Lee. On Saturday, June 19, Cousin Opal will once again set out on her annual twoand-a-half-mile walk across Fort Worth, Texas. Opal will walk and talk at her own speed, accompanied by hundreds of family, friends, community members, and supporters.

My Cousin Opal is a legend in Texas who has become the face and force behind making Juneteenth a national holiday. Short in stature but mighty in spirit, she is known as the “Grandmother of Juneteenth.”

This year, her annual walk will feel more like a victory lap. This week, Cousin Opal achieved her goal — Congress made it official, passing legislation for the Juneteenth holiday.

She was often asked what she would do if the national legislation passed. She

said she just might burst out dancing like she was in church. Maybe we’ll see some of that dancing Saturday.

The distance she walks is symbolic.

For two-and-a-half-years after the Emancipation Proclamation, Black men and women in Texas remained in slavery.

On June 19, 1865, the news of freedom finally arrived. A public declaration proclaimed that Texas slaves were, in fact, free. “Juneteenth” became cause for great joy and celebration in the Black community.

For decades, Cousin Opal kept the spirit of Juneteenth alive as a leader and organizer of events in Texas. But in 2016, at age 89, she stepped up her game to advocate for a national holiday. She led a FALL/WINTER 2021 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

CHRISTOPHER GANNON

predominantly white neighborhood in Fort Worth. Hundreds yelled and screamed that they didn’t belong there. Her father stood at the front door with a shotgun, but was told in no uncertain terms what would happen if they didn’t leave.

He gathered his family and, under cloak of darkness, left.

Soon after, the mob burned the house to the ground.

The date of this violent act?

June 19, 1939.

No small wonder that Juneteenth is so meaningful for her — a date literally burned into her memory. After a trauma like that, a different person might have then grown up filled with hatred, bitterness, fear, or despair.

Not my Opal.

She earned her bachelor’s degree from Wiley College and her master’s from North Texas State University at a time when a Black woman earning any kind of degree was unheard of.

She served for years as a school teacher and counselor. She raised a family.

Throughout her life, she’s been honored many times, not just about Juneteenth, but also for the many ways she serves Fort Worth’s poor, hungry, and disenfranchised.

She truly has worked to erase disparities between people and groups, always grounded in her lifelong belief in where education can take you.

Her example was a motivator of my own drive and commitment to a career

walking campaign to Washington, D.C. She corresponded with the president.

She spoke at the National Press Club. She wrote a children’s book and a play, both about Juneteenth. I’ve shaken my head in amazement seeing Opal on national TV, sharing the screen with A-list celebrities like Sean “Diddy” Combs and Common.

Awareness of the historic date grew over the years. Forty-seven states officially recognize Juneteenth. Iowa was the seventh state, with legislation in 2002 that established Juneteenth National Freedom Day. Let me tell you something else about Cousin Opal.

When she was 12 years old, a mob showed up at her family’s home in a VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG FALL/WINTER 2021

in higher education. I arrived at Iowa State University last year to begin my job as a university administrator in student affairs. I see my role as helping students navigate the college experience and how to be successful. It’s especially important for a first-generation student — like my Cousin Opal was and like many of our students of color are. Like Opal, I work to address disparities that exist. We explore what more we can do to support and challenge all students who want to do more, to make a difference in the world — but also to do more to ensure our students of color feel welcomed and included, and not lagging behind in opportunity or graduation rates.

I see a bit of Cousin Opal reflected in many of our students today. They’re passionate about new ideas and innovative thinking. They take action when they recognize something needs improving or something isn’t right or fair. You’re never too young or too old to make a difference.

This week, Cousin Opal proved just that. A descendant of slaves, a survivor of a mob-destroyed home, a lifelong educator — she is still truckin’. On Juneteenth, she’ll be out on that road again, celebrating. It brings tears to my eyes, envisioning her out in front, leading the way.

What has sustained her? Faith. We’re a family grounded in faith. Cousin Opal’s faith has seen her through tumultuous times. She’s a testament to the power of education, determination, and faith. To know I come from the same lineage as this amazing woman is a great privilege and fills me with pride.

11

Thanks a Billion+ Forever True, For Iowa State Alumni and friends of Iowa State University once again proved to be a community of doers dedicated to the university’s future by giving $1.542 billion to Iowa State through the Forever True, For Iowa State campaign, exceeding the goal of $1.5 billion.

Iowa State donors exceeded the campaign’s goal twice. In 2019, the campaign reached its initial goal of $1.1 billion two years ahead of schedule. Donors stepped up to the challenge of an increased target of $1.5 billion

by June 30, 2021.

This historic generosity made immediate impact across campus and will continue to provide support for students, faculty, staff, programs, and facilities for generations.

Total gifts: 532,377  Average gift: $2,897  449,876 gifts of $500 or less  483,707 gifts of $1,000 or less

Total donors: 96,064

”

The campaign’s extraordinary achievement directly shows the generosity of Iowans and people from across the world and the dedication they have to Iowa State, especially during challenging times. ” – Jon Fleming** ('75 meteorology), Forever True, For Iowa State campaign chair. The campaign’s momentum was fueled by the leadership of many dedicated volunteers whose belief in, and passion for, Iowa State was reflected in the hundreds of hours they gave to ensure the campaign’s success.

58,231 ISU alumni

35,508 first-time donors

Donors are from all 50 states and 49 countries

DONORS TO THE ISU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 9,500+ donors gave more than

$13.1 million

to support the ISU Alumni Association as part of Forever True, For Iowa State, surpassing the goal of $12.5 million 12

17%

of the ISU Alumni Association’s campaign goal came from sustaining donor gifts FALL 2021 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

$1.5 Billion Goal

$1,542,356,968 1,163 new scholarship ACCOUNTS

were created, and more than 56,000 donor-funded scholarships have been awarded to students during the campaign.

PAUL GATES

Ra i sed

Kelsey Hrubes ('17 computer science), center, was able to pursue her degree free from financial worry thanks to the support of scholarships, some of which were established by generous donors during the historic $1.5 billion Forever True, For Iowa State campaign. Hrubes founded the nonprofit Iowa Girls Code, a website coding workshop for young girls. 

”

The historic success of the campaign is a testament to Iowa State University’s powerful impact – providing access to an excellent education, conducting innovative and impactful research, and ensuring science-based resources and programs are widely available through extension and outreach. We are deeply grateful for the generous investments made by tens of thousands of individuals, businesses and organizations who recognize Iowa State’s unique value to the state, nation, and world.”

– Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen** (PhD ‘88 entomology)

LEARN MORE about the lasting impact of Forever True, For Iowa State at www.forevertrueisu.com or use your smart phone’s camera to take a photo of this QR code to connect.

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG FALL 2021

13

Q&A:

FREEDOM TO LEAD THROUGH THE ‘‘CY OF THE STORM’’ Story by Melea Reicks Licht

How have you been involved in student leadership programming offered by the ISU Alumni Association?

What have you learned about leadership through your involvement in SALC and Homecoming?

When I first came to Iowa State, I joined the Future Alumni Network at orientation. From there, I heard about the different things offered by the ISU Alumni Association. It took seeing some of my friends' involvement to know that I wanted to get involved myself. Last year, I served in public relations for the Homecoming Central Committee. The year got cut short because of COVID-19, so I wanted to continue on with homecoming to finish what we started this year.

That’s what prompted me to apply for co-director of the Homecoming Central Committee, and I have loved every minute since. – Carly Rahn

I think the biggest takeaway has been my resiliency.

Being a leader during a worldwide pandemic has necessitated many changes in how we do things.

Throughout my involvement with Student Alumni Leadership Council, I have learned to adapt to many unpredictable scenarios and situations. Additionally, in my capacity as homecoming co-director I have had the opportunity to work with so many different organizations both through Iowa State and those not affiliated with Iowa State, such as those within the Ames community. It has been a tremendous experience to continue to build relationships and rapport with individuals and groups that aren’t directly affiliated with Iowa State. – Caroline Franciskato

I currently serve as one of the 2021 Iowa State Homecoming co-directors! Within this role, I assist our Homecoming Central Committee in planning their event. I served as one of the parade co-chairs for homecoming in 2020, but unfortunately that got cancelled due to COVID-19. In 2019, I was a part of CySquad for Iowa State’s Homecoming and had the opportunity to assist the parade co-chairs with the planning of the homecoming parade! – Caroline Franciskato

M

embers of the Student Alumni Leadership Council (SALC) Carly Rahn,*** senior in event management from Clarinda, Iowa (left), and Caroline Franciskato,*** senior in chemical engineering from Lees Summit, Missouri, share their thoughts about student leadership and the impact of donor support. As Iowa State University Homecoming 2021 co-chairs, they each earn a Mary Ann and Jim Black Homecoming Co-Directors Scholarship.

CY OFTHE STORM

How has involvement in SALC and homecoming in particular made a difference in your Iowa State experience?

Being involved in SALC has given me an opportunity to become more involved with the Iowa State community, reaching beyond just campus involvement. I get to interact with community members and university faculty more than any other role I’ve held. Homecoming is really important to me in particular because, as a freshman, that was one of the first times I truly knew how special it was to be a Cyclone. I have been a lifelong Iowa State fan, but my involvement in homecoming was the first time I saw how important this university is to current students and alumni. I love being able to give back and give others that same experience. – Carly Rahn

How does receiving a scholarship impact your student experience?

Receiving a scholarship impacts my student experience by allowing me to focus less on the cost of my education and instead turn that focus to making the most of my short time on campus. If it weren’t for the generous contributions of scholarship donors, I wouldn’t have the time to serve in these leadership positions or to get these irreplaceable experiences.

– Carly Rahn I am deeply humbled that Iowa State recognizes the contribution of its student leaders through the gift of this scholarship. I appreciate the generosity of the donors that make this scholarship possible. It is a tremendous honor to represent Iowa State as a student leader and share my love and passion for Iowa State University with all students and alumni.

– Caroline Franciskato

™

Presented by the Iowa State University™ Alumni Association

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY HOMECOMING 2021 ™

14

CATCH THE CY OF THE STORM: Visit www.isualum.org/homecoming or scan this QR code to access online extras including homecoming digital downloads. You can enjoy the excitement of Homecoming 2021: CY of the Storm from anywhere!

FALL 2021 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

Professorships power INNOVATIVE TEACHING, RESEARCH Story by Dave Gieseke

H

is mom is an educator. So are his sisters.

Yet Locke Karriker never considered teaching as a profession.

“Teaching was the furthest thing from my mind,” said Karriker. “I was a pig vet.”

How things have changed. Karriker is still a pig vet, but he has become a teacher. And a pretty good one at that.

He is the initial recipient of the Dr. Douglas and Ann Gustafson Professorship for Teaching Excellence in Veterinary Medicine. He was also recently named a Morrill Professor at Iowa State, which recognizes outstanding teaching faculty.

“Now, I think I’m always teaching,” Karriker said.

As director of Iowa State’s Swine Medicine Education Center, the nation’s only national center devoted to swine education, Karriker is not only educating Iowa State veterinary students. He’s also teaching students and veterinary professionals from throughout the world on the most progressive, evidence-based practices in pork production and health assurance.

To fund many of those projects he relies on the Gustafson Professorship.

Endowed professorships such as this are among the most esteemed positions in academia. They help recruit and retain exceptional scholars by acknowledging their professional leadership and ensuring appropriate compensation. Earnings from endowed positions further research, provide students valuable opportunities, and expand academic programs.

“The best way I can describe how I use the Gustafson funds is that they fuel the critical last mile to getting projects started,” he said.

Over the past several years, Karriker has used the Gustafson funding to help pay As director of the Swine Medicine Education Center, Locke Karriker teaches not only in classrooms but in swine facilities throughout Iowa.

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG FALL 2021

a post-doctoral student in swine medicine. The center’s faculty, staff, and students traveled to seminars and conferences they otherwise would not have been able to attend.

When the COVID pandemic descended upon the nation, Karriker dipped into the Gustafson fund to explore new teaching ideas.

“COVID hit swine students hard,” Karriker said. “Traveling to swine facilities was off the table for those students, which was an important component in our instruction.”

In a matter of days, the center’s team had to move its courses online.

“Teaching clinical swine medicine to fourth-year veterinary students is challenging in normal times,” Karriker said. “Livestock producers and their veterinarians are increasingly worried about biosecurity and are more and more reluctant about allowing us to bring students to their farms.”

COVID provided ample opportunity for Karriker and his team to become a leader in perfecting remote instruction for clinical teaching by testing ideas they had been considering. The team quickly created an online learning platform and digital library through a Moodle resource shared with Iowa State’s Center for Food Security and Public Health.

The resource is offered to students and veterinarians and houses swine specific resources, training materials, and educational videos on nearly every medical technique that would be required for swine practice.

“The Gustafson funds and the flexibility they provide to do such projects are invaluable,” Karriker said.

“I like to invest these in new ideas. That’s the real value of these funds.”

MARY BREUER

15

setting the stage FOR INNOVATION

Story by Melea Reicks Licht

Advanced and vibrant facilities are a keystone in carrying out collaborative and hands-on learning, cutting-edge research, and outreach at Iowa State.

Gifts and commitments provided for new or revitalized facilities, including research laboratories, classrooms, collaboration spaces, and more. A few such facilities are highlighted below.

SMALL PARTICLES, BIG IMPACT Nanovaccine Institute researchers are designing nanoparticles for many uses – delivering chemotherapy, treating diseases like Parkinson’s, or building powerful and long-lasting immunity to influenza, to name just a few. The institute is a consortium of 70 researchers at 20 universities, research institutes, national laboratories, and companies, coordinated by Iowa State. Its centralized home is the state-of-the-art research space on the fifth floor of the Advanced Teaching and Research Building (right). The $7 million project within the $57.5 million facility was funded by the university and donor support, including gifts from Jim Balloun** ('60 industrial engineering), Mike Steffenson** ('59 chemical engineering) and the late Jean Steffenson ('60 zoology), and Bob Lane** ('68 chemical engineering). The fully-integrated facility positions the institute to be more competitive in pursuing grants and to accelerate commercialization of research. This invaluable synergy empowers Iowa State to take innovation to new heights.

MODERN FARMS FOR MODERN EDUCATION Stocked with 8,000 birds in less than four hours during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Robert T. Hamilton Poultry Teaching and Research Farm (left) wasted no time in making an impact. The $7 million facility was funded entirely through private gifts. The facility has dedicated areas for poultry housing and egg processing featuring the latest technology, flexible research space, and enhanced levels of biosecurity, sanitation, and air-handling.

Education and research on poultry housing systems, nutrition, food safety and microbiology, flock behavior, genetics, health and welfare, and environmental issues including waste management are underway. A lead gift from Arlene Hamilton and the Robert and Arlene Hamilton Charitable Foundation was given in honor of the couple who built a successful poultry and hog operation near Iowa Falls.

A GRAND WELCOME Guests to the Brunnier Art Museum within the second floor of the Scheman Building at the Iowa State Center are met with a sleek, new entry facade composed of a 26-foot-long, floor to ceiling glass wall (right). This single point of entry acts as a beacon, drawing visitors into the Brunnier and welcoming them to the new Lori A. Jacobson Gallery. The Jacobson Gallery expanded exhibit space by 1,800 square feet, allowing University Museums to showcase additional objects from permanent and loaned collections.

Jason Kogan made a gift to name the entrance gallery for his late wife, who was one of the first students to begin her museum career through an internship with University Museums. Lori Jacobson ('80 history, advertising and design) provided numerous professional and personal contributions for the betterment of Iowa State University and University Museums throughout her 30-year career. The renovation also included major upgrades to permanent collection storage and HVAC systems allowing for greater environmental integrity and preservation of valuable University Museums assets.

16

PHOTOS BY ISU FOUNDATION

FALL 2021 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

RUNWAY READY

ALUMNI, INDUSTRY SUPPORT FUEL HIGH FASHION, STUDENT DEVELOPMENT

I

Story by Melea Reicks Licht

n 1982, The Fashion Show at Iowa State University began as a simple runway show held in a MacKay Hall classroom with only a few Iowa State students in attendance.

Over the past 39 years, The Fashion Show has grown into one of the largest student-run fashion shows in the nation, drawing in more than 2,300 guests annually.

“It is incredible how much The Fashion Show has grown over the years, and the fuel for that is really the passion and dedication of the students. They are so innovative every year in building upon what came before, while also pushing the show to new heights year after year,” said show advisor Sarah BennettGeorge** ('06 art and design, '11 psychology, MFS '11), associate teaching professor of apparel, events, and hospitality management.

The Fashion Show is produced by nearly 150 students on various committees, features 50 student models, and showcases designs from more than 75 students majoring in apparel, merchandising, and design. Four student producers take the lead in planning, with hands-on learning extending far beyond fashion.

“The show is primarily run by the four student producers, who oversee the entire production. They guide the director teams and committee members, lead the FundISU campaign, invite the industry guest designers, and problem solve everything that comes their way,” said Bennett-George. “They’re leading students from all over campus. Not just apparel students, but also students from event management, graphic design, architecture, journalism, and countless other programs.”

The show is typically held in C.Y. Stephens Auditorium, but due to COVID-19, The Fashion Show was held at Reiman Gardens on April 16-17, 2021. The outdoor runway provided an open-air setting for showing off Cyclone fashion. The event was livestreamed and archived online, ultimately reaching 3,000 online viewers with 1,000 total in-person audience members, between the two nights.

“What the students accomplished last year was nothing short of miraculous,” said Bennett-George.

“They reinvented every single aspect of The Fashion Show to hold a safe event that followed all CDC guidelines in the middle of a global pandemic! It was really an amazing achievement, and I could not be more proud of them.”

Generous support of alumni and friends fuel operational expenses and awards provided by The Fashion Show. Annual expenses for the show can top $75,000.

Students chosen to showcase their designs compete for first, second, and third place scholarships in 21 categories. Last year, The Fashion Show awarded more than $10,000 in scholarships to support higher education expenses and facilitate the creation of future designs.

Through the crowd-sourcing online giving platform FundISU, 334 alumni and friends donated more than $34,000 in gifts ranging from $25 - $1,000 during the month of February. These funds are used for the operational expenses of the show, including everything from building the set to livestreaming.

Four main endowments support student design awards.

• The Ana Hays McCracken Fashion Show Producers Scholarship, created in 2017, provides monetary awards to each of the four lead student producers.

• The Lora and Russ Talbot ISU Fashion Show Best in Show Scholarship, created in 2014, provides an award to the designer with the best of show entry.

• The Lora and Russ Talbot ISU Fashion Show Merchandising Scholarship, created in 2015, is presented to the student winner of a case study competition.

• The Evelyn and Richard Shibles Senior Collection Scholarship, created in 2019, awards first, second, and third place scholarships to senior design students submitting their collections in the apparel, merchandising, and design senior design studio.

“The Ana Hays McCracken Fashion Show Producers Scholarship has truly shaped my time at Iowa State,” said co-outreach producer, Tammie Melton ('20 apparel, merchandising, and design and marketing).

“Rather than focusing on financial burdens, this scholarship allowed me the opportunity to pour into academics and The Fashion Show 2020. I have grown so much being a producer – how to serve others, be a leader in times of adversity, and be a better version of myself. I am so thankful for Ana McCracken’s generosity in supporting my education and my involvement in The Fashion Show that continues to shape me and my career.”

PHOTOS BY RYAN RILEY

ONLINE EXTRA: Visit www.isualum.org/ visions or scan this QR code to access online extras. Enjoy scenes from the 2021 Fashion Show at Reiman Gardens.

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG FALL 2021

17

 C A M PA I G N P R O F I L E S

‘‘Why I give’’ ISU launched its $1.1 billion campaign, Forever True, For Iowa State, in fall 2016. Meet these donors who are contributing to the campaign's priorities.

King (’82 architecture, MArch '85) and Ann (’81 craft design) Au established the Design United Award, a College of Design scholarship that celebrates students’ contributions to diversity, inclusion, and social justice within the college, university, and greater design community. The Aus, co-founders of 2AU Limited jewelry design studio and art gallery in West Des Moines, Iowa, have provided significant philanthropic support to University Museums and the College of Design. They regularly share their insight and expertise with students interested in similar careers.

“We greatly benefitted from our education in the College of Design. I’ve always felt if you see someone in need of help and you have the capability to do so, you should do so. We hope these funds inspire the next generation to serve humanity through design, and we hope our gift is the spark that inspires others to help as well.”

Terry (’79 economics & political science) and Maureen Tobin** created a scholarship to facilitate a more diverse Student Alumni Leadership Council within the ISU Alumni Association. Terry, chief operating officer of Partners Enterprise Capital LLC in Chicago, Illinois, is a member of the ISU Foundation Board of Governors and Board of Directors. Maureen also is a member of the ISU Foundation Board of Governors and serves on the foundation’s Audit and the Women and Philanthropy Committees.

“We support a number of causes across campus, including 4-H, study abroad, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Our relationship with ISU Alumni Association leadership and passion for expanding diversity and inclusion efforts within the Iowa State community inspired us to create this fund.”

Jen Scharff** (’98 physics), lead medical physicist at the John Stoddard Cancer Center in Des Moines, Iowa, fondly remembers marching band friends, the rigors of studying physics, cheering for the Cyclones at Jack Trice Stadium – and a college journey that was made easier by a generous scholarship. She created two student scholarships – one for a physics major and one for a trumpet player in the Cyclone Football "Varsity" Marching Band.

“I continue to be extremely grateful for everything that scholarship provided. It was an incredible gift, and I’m still feeling its effects years after graduating. I want to make sure that other students have a good experience at Iowa State and enjoy their time there like I did. I like knowing that I can help students get ahead by easing some of their financial burdens.”

Dan (’84 business administration) and Joanie (’83 physical education) Houston** funded the Houston Professional Sales Suite in the freshly opened Gerdin Business Building expansion. Dan is chairman, president, and CEO of Principal Financial Group.

“The Houston Professional Sales Suite will equip students with skills that companies around the world are looking for today and into the future… Companies will always have a pressing need for students with written and verbal communication skills, interpersonal skills, and an understanding of how to create customer value, strong commitment to ethics – all of the areas that students can develop by studying professional sales.”

18

FALL 2021 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

Madisyn Rostro in the Iowa State University Farm House Museum

The future of history Iowa State University has long been known for learning by doing and for connecting campus to community. But how does the land-grant mission, which runs deep at Iowa State, translate to a student majoring in history?

“When I visited campus, I knew Iowa State is what I wanted. The history faculty were so engaging and involved,” Madisyn says.

“Once I got here, I learned Iowa State also has a very strong museum program. That was really fortunate for me.”

Thanks to Iowa State donors, the university has a distinctive complement of museums and art, including one of the largest public art collections in the nation.

“Donor support has been transformational in our ability to acquire art, mount exhibitions, conserve our collection and use it to educate students and the public,” says Lynette Pohlman, director and chief curator of University Museums.

“

I’m a first-generation student, and without the donors who support internships and my scholarships, I wouldn’t be here.

And I wouldn’t have been able to pursue my dreams.

“

Ask Madisyn Rostro. A senior from small-town Iowa, Madisyn has “always loved” history and has her sights set on a museum career.

Beautifying the campus and enhancing cultural and hands-on learning opportunities were key priorities of the Forever True, For Iowa State campaign. “We’re so grateful to donors who understand the educational role University Museums plays on campus and in extending Iowa State’s impact into the community,” Pohlman says.

Read more stories about the tremendous impact of the Forever True, For Iowa State campaign at ForeverTrueISU.com.

“I like helping visitors learn something at the museum that will be with them the rest of their lives,” says Madisyn, who interned with University Museums.

As the Ostendorf Farm House Museum Undergraduate Assistant, Madisyn led tours at the Farm House, curated two exhibits and completed condition reports at Brunnier Museum. When she graduates next spring, she plans to attend graduate school and someday become a museum director or curator.

“I’m a first-generation student, and without the donors who support internships and my scholarships, I wouldn’t be here,” Madisyn says. “And I wouldn’t have been able to pursue my dreams.”

Iowa State grad Chris Ihle and his team from We Build U created a lifesized LEGO sculpture of one of the university’s most widely-recognized innovative graduates – George Washington Carver – at the 2021 Iowa State Fair. The statue of Carver is now on display in Sukup Hall.

“Technology is how we build them.

Creativity is how we sell them.”

20

WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

BRICK BY BRICK Bringing legends to life via LEGOs Story by Melea Reicks Licht  Images by Matt Van Winkle Chris Ihle’s path to the art world was far from direct.

In 2013, he pushed a stalled car containing two elderly travelers from Slater, Iowa, out of the way of an oncoming train. He came within inches of being hit, feeling the rush of air and the earth vibrate as the train roared behind him. The experience changed him.

“I reevaluated how I spent my time. It changed my thinking about the world. I knew I could take chances other people couldn’t, and that gave me the confidence to speak my mind and take the risks I do,” he said. “Thankfully in the art business, people love crazy big ideas.”

Ihle** ('98 exercise and sport science) runs We Build U, a business creating custom, life-size LEGO sculptures.

His first job after graduation was working for the Iowa State University Foundation. He worked with Jeff Johnson** ('14 PhD education), the Lora and Russ Talbot ISUAA Endowed President and CEO, to raise support for the ISU Alumni Center. Then, Ihle accepted a banking position to put down roots and raise a family in Story City, Iowa.

After his heroic actions along the tracks in Ames, he was emboldened to set out on his own following a number of different entrepreneurial pursuits. Thanks to inspiration from the television show “How I Met Your Mother,” Ihle envisioned a lifesized Star Wars stormtrooper made of LEGOs. He says the idea consumed him. Ihle had a hunch others would be interested in purchasing similar, tailor-made creations.

Turns out, he was right.

Building demand Ihle said his business is a testament to the skills he learned at Iowa State.

“I had to be creative about how to position this product in people’s lives. No one wakes up in the morning and says ‘I need to go out and buy a life-sized LEGO sculpture’, ” he said. “I relied on my banking and fundraising experiences to create demand.”

He first approached potential clients directly via email – some he knew and some he aspired to know. Then, people started VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG

talking. Word spread.

Since launching We Build U three years ago, Ihle has built LEGO sculptures for the reality TV show “Million Dollar Listing Los Angeles,” the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, musician and DJ Steve Aoki, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and more – not to mention his projects in Iowa, including a build of internationally-renowned opera singer Simon Estes ('07 honorary) for Des Moines Area Community College.

Earlier this year, Ihle held an eight-month residency at a gallery inside the Circa Resort & Casino in Las Vegas – taking commissions for custom work.

“We combined the magic of Madame Tussauds and LEGOLAND. Our gallery was the only place in the world you could walk in and order a custom-built, life-sized sculpture of your loved one,” he said.

Showcasing innovation This summer, Ihle created a LEGO likeness of George Washington Carver (1894 botany, MS 1896) for Iowa State as part of the university’s exhibit celebrating innovation at the Iowa State Fair.

The sculpture was created during the fair’s eleven days, over eleven hours per day, using 44,000 LEGO bricks.

One of the university’s most celebrated innovators, Carver was the first Black student and faculty member at Iowa State.

2021 commemorates the 125th anniversary of Carver earning his master’s degree from Iowa State. His innovative research resulted in the creation of more than 300 products from peanuts, more than 100 products from sweet potatoes, and hundreds more from a dozen other plants native to the South.

“I’m more proud of this than of any piece we’ve done,” said Ihle. “Using our vehicle of LEGOs we’re able to capture the spirit of a guy who hasn’t been with us for years. We’re building an African American icon recognizing his science and education contributions. As Carver said, ‘When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you command the attention of the world.’”

21

CYCLONE STORIES: BRICK BY BRICK

Chris Rau, a College of Design grad, is part of the We Build U team that uses computer aided design (CAD) software to make the company’s LEGO likenesses a reality.

Behind the scenes Ihle didn’t play with LEGOs as a kid. But Chris Rau did.

Rau ('19 interdisciplinary design, industrial design) joined Ihle’s team thanks to a flyer Ihle posted in the ISU Armory looking for industrial design grads – someone with experience creating likenesses digitally using computer aided design (CAD) software.

“I played with LEGOs a ton as a kid … I think they are partially a reason I ended up in industrial design – kind of like how the kid who takes things apart to see how they work becomes an engineer,” Rau said. “I had the similar take apart mentality, but with the creative twist of re-combining parts for something else entirely.”

The process to make a life-sized LEGO statue starts with a picture.

“I digitally create a model using a combination of digital sculpting and moving points,” Rau said.

From Rau’s digital files, the team uses a software program to approximate the bricks needed to create the sculpture. It predicts the sizes, numbers, and colors of the LEGOs they’ll need. If they don’t have exactly what the program recommends, they get

22

creative.

“Each model gets its own unique touches to really bring about just who – or what – we're trying to make,” Rau said.

“Occasionally we'll get requests for crazy poses. For those more extreme statues, I'll go in and figure out lengths for a metal skeleton to help support the bricks.”

Their life-size sculptures take four to 12 weeks to complete.

“What I like about this work is the creative opportunity,” Rau said. “Only a few people outside of those who work for LEGO can claim to have built on the same scale we have. The builds themselves look pretty straightforward, but the path to get them done comes with all sorts of twists and turns. Sometimes you really have to get creative in how you fit parts together – it can be pretty challenging.”

WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

“As Carver said, ‘When you do the common things in life in an uncommon way, you command the attention of the world.’

”

Accessible art For Ihle, LEGOs are simply a medium to portray feelings. The bonus, he said is, “LEGOs are 100% forgiving. If you don’t like how something turned out, you can take it apart and redo it. Technology is how we build them. Creativity is how we sell them.”

Ihle believes that, like education, art should be accessible to all.

It’s a concept he was introduced to early. A third-generation Iowa Stater, Ihle didn’t have the grades to gain admittance. “Let’s just say school wasn’t my strong point,” he said.

Ihle found his way to Vern Hawkins’ desk in enrollment services, and Hawkins helped him gain temporary enrollment so he could work on his grades and create his own path to Iowa State.

Following graduation, while working for the ISU Foundation, Ihle was introduced to art during a tour of the University Museums with Director Lynette Pohlman** ('76 interior design).

He said that experience opened an entirely new world to him and helped pave the way for his current endeavors.

“Central to our character is creating pieces accessible to all,” Ihle said. “And it really strikes me that Iowa State University was and is accessible, too. George Washington Carver applied to ISU and was accepted because he was worthy of acceptance. They weren’t trying to make a statement. They weren’t trying to set the world on fire. He deserved acceptance, and he got it.”

Ihle encourages youth to express what’s important to them and to their communities through LEGOs, or any other means available.

“Don’t make the Millennium Falcon, everybody’s doing that, Ihle said, “Take those 20,000 pieces and celebrate your hometown hero, something significant in your life, maybe a family member – build what you want. Use those LEGOs as a vehicle to touch somebody.”

The LEGO build of Carver is housed on Iowa State’s campus in Sukup Hall. For now, Ihle has shifted his operations center to a workspace provided by Sukup Manufacturing in the ISU Research Park. He’ll be working with a number of big-name clients in the coming months and looking for fresh opportunities in 2022.

BEHIND THE SCENES: Visit www.isualum.org/ visions or scan this QR code to access online extras.

Hear about Chris Ihle's journey in his own words and catch some behind-the-scenes footage of his Iowa State Fair build of George Washington Carver.

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG

23

BE INSPIRED Three Iowa State University faculty and staff were honored with 2021 Faculty-Staff Inspiration Awards during a virtual celebration this spring. Their former students credit them with making a lasting, positive difference in their lives. Learn how in the following excerpts from nominators' essays.

JEN MCCLUNG

Meet the 2021 Faculty-Staff Inspiration Awardees

COMPILED BY MELEA REICKS LICHT

Brianna Burke  ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH AMES, IOWA

“She taught us research and writing skills, but also how to see inequity in our lives and how to do the difficult and uncomfortable work of discovering how we can become better people … This is the true brilliance of Dr. Burke: no matter the path her student takes, her classes taught us to notice injustice, to think critically, to work hard, to acknowledge our privilege, to dig deeper through the research for the evidence and truth, and to look forward as humans working together to change the world.”

– Elisabeth (Libby) Boer ('15 English) 24

WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

IMAGE CONTRIBUTED

Giles Fowler  ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR, GREENLEE SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION, HONORED POSTHUMOUSLY AMES, IOWA

“He showed us the importance of being citizens of the world – globally and locally.

That meant caring for the people we wrote about … Giles reminded us that stories we would write meant more than just words on paper – our work would touch lives.

Good or bad, the people we wrote about were human, with family and friends and lives beyond what we put on the page. That’s why it is crucial to be accurate, concise, and careful to weigh each word, thought, and idea. Giles made sure his classroom was a 'safe' zone where we could experiment with our writing. Though he maintained a genial exterior, Giles was no pushover. We had to work hard to earn high marks in his class – and we considered it a badge of honor when we won his approval.”

– Lisa Fung** ('84 journalism and mass communication)

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG FALL/WINTER 2021

25

MATT VAN WINKLE

Be Inspired

Manju Reddy  DORIS A. ADAMS ENDOWED CHAIR AND PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF FOOD SCIENCE AND HUMAN NUTRITION AMES, IOWA

“I have never met a professor with the level of passion that Dr. Reddy has for her students and research. Her life has been dedicated to the field of iron deficiency anemia, toxicity, and focusing on the direct impact of nutrition in nations with severe malnutrition … Dr. Reddy always maintains a benevolent mentorship style that allows her students to carry out their research with integrity, grit, and excitement … The three words that come to mind when I think of Dr. Reddy are: 1) devoted; 2) respected; and 3) loyal. I believe every life she has touched would attest to these characteristics … Dr. Reddy is very much interested in her students’ careers, and she is committed to ensuring that we all succeed for the remainder of our lives.”

– Amanda Bries ('16 dietetics, MS '17 nutritional sciences, PhD '20) Online ISU degrees are listed 26

WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

Honor an Iowa Stater

NOMINATE THE SPECIAL CYCLONE IN YOUR LIFE FOR AN ISU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AWARD

FACULTY-STAFF INSPIRATION AWARD Faculty-Staff Inspiration Awards present a way for former ISU students to recognize current or former ISU faculty or staff members who had a significant influence in their lives as students at ISU. The Faculty-Staff Inspiration Award Program is funded by the Nancy and Richard Degner ISU Alumni Association Endowment. Nancy** ('72 food science) and Rich** ('72 agricultural & life sciences education, MS '77) are sustaining donors to the ISU Alumni Association.

Nominations are due Dec. 1 annually.

WALLACE E. BARRON ALL-UNIVERSITY SENIOR AWARD Named for Wallace E. "Red" Barron (Class of '28), who served as director of alumni affairs at Iowa State from 1937 to 1968, this award recognizes outstanding seniors who display high character, outstanding achievement in academics and activities, and promise for continuing these qualities. Nomination deadline is Dec. 1 annually.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARD The Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor given to alumni by Iowa State University through the ISU Alumni Association, honors alumni who are nationally or internationally recognized for preeminent contributions to their professions or life's work.

Nomination deadline is Aug. 1 annually.

HONORS & AWARDS The following ISU Alumni Association awards are conferred at the Honors & Awards Ceremony at homecoming each fall. Nominations are due Feb. 15 annually.  The Alumni Medal recognizes long loyal service to the university through alumni-related activities. It is the premier award given to alumni by the ISU Alumni Association.  The Alumni Humanitarian Award recognizes outstanding humanitarian efforts that transcend purely professional accomplishments and bring honor to the university.  The Outstanding Young Alumni Award recognizes those age 40 and under who have excelled in their professions and provided service to their communities.

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG

IOWA STATEMENT MAKERS Iowa STATEment Makers is an honor that recognizes the early personal and professional accomplishments and contributions to society of Iowa State University's young alumni (graduates 34 years of age and under). Nomination deadline is Dec. 1 annually.

 The James A. Hopson Award recognizes members age 40 and under who demonstrate early volunteer leadership in association or alumni-related activities.  The Impact Award recognizes individuals, businesses, organizations, or units whose programs or accomplishments brought broad recognition to the university and increased the involvement of ISU constituents in the life of the university during the year prior to being nominated.  The Alumni Service Award recognizes ISU alumni and friends whose self-initiated activities and service consistently support the daily work of the association in further connecting alumni, students, and friends to the university.

NOMINATE: Find nomination details and submit nominations online at www.isualum.org/HonorsAndAwards.

27

These extraordinary alumni and friends were presented with the following awards at the 90th Annual Honors & Awards Ceremony on

Oct. 22, 2021, in Benton Auditorium, Scheman Building, Iowa State University.

A dessert reception sponsored by the Tahira and Labh Hira** ISUAA Honors & Awards Fund followed the awards ceremony. Visit www.isualum.org/honorsandawards for details.

ISU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Alumni Medal Martha Krone** ‘78 family environment Workers’ compensation adjuster Great West Casualty Co. Sioux City, Iowa

Becky Stadlman** ‘74 journalism & mass communication Retired, global HR manager Danfoss Ankeny, Iowa

Outstanding Young Alumni Award Chris Deal** ‘08 mechanical engineering Principal MODUS Engineering Jefferson, Iowa

Alumni Humanitarian Award (formerly Alumni Merit Award) Katherine Polak DVM ‘10 Head of stray animal care – Southeast Asia FOUR PAWS International Lombard, Illinois

Dustin Loy* ‘05 animal science, DVM ‘09, PhD ’11 veterinary microbiology Associate professor of veterinary microbiology University of Nebraska-Lincoln Lincoln, Nebraska

COLLEGE AWARDS AGRICULTURE & LIFE SCIENCES Henry A. Wallace Award Deland Myers** MS ‘81 food technology, ‘PhD 84 Professor emeritus, College of Agriculture & Human Sciences, Prairie View A&M University Statesville, North Carolina Floyd Andre Award Cornelius B. Conover** ‘69 animal science Co-founder, Northwest Financial Corporation Arnolds Park, Iowa 28

Impact Award William Rhoden and Cameron Moon

Dwight K. Conover** ‘74 agricultural business Co-founder, Northwest Financial Corporation Arnolds Park, Iowa George Washington Carver Distinguished Service Award Rachel Chikwamba PhD ‘02 genetics Group executive: chemicals, agriculture, food & health, Council for Scientific & Industrial Research Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

James A. Hopson Alumni Volunteer Award Patrick Mueller** ‘07 finance & marketing Senior consultant Slalom Chicago, Illinois

Alumni Service Award Don Beitz* Distinguished professor College of Agriculture & Life Sciences Iowa State University Ames, Iowa

NOMINATE: To nominate alumni and friends for 2022 homecoming awards, go to www.isualum.org/HonorsAndAwards.

Nomination deadline is Feb. 15, 2022.

Outstanding Young Professional Award Kevin Ross* ‘03 ag studies, MBA ’21 Farmer National Corn Growers Association chair Underwood, Iowa

IVY BUSINESS Ivy Award Cara Heiden** ‘78 accounting & industrial administration Retired co-president, Wells Fargo Home Mortgage Urbandale, Iowa

FALL 2021 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

Citation of Achievement Award Todd Rognes** ‘85 accounting CEO, Kingland Systems Clear Lake, Iowa Outstanding Young Alumni Award Emily Schmitt ‘08 management CAO & general counsel, Sukup Manufacturing Clear Lake, Iowa Russ & Ann Gerdin Award Land O’ Lakes Arden Hills, Minnesota

DESIGN Design Achievement Award Brian Hurd MCRP ‘97 community & regional planning Director of community planning & implementation, Rise Community Development, Inc. Adjunct professor, Washington University in St. Louis St. Louis, Missouri Ruki Neuhold-Ravikumar MFA ‘03 graphic design Acting director, Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum Washington, DC Outstanding Young Alumni Award Mariah Bakke ‘15 landscape architecture Lead landscape architect & owner, Viva Landscapes Fort Myers, Florida Lana Fox ‘14 industrial design President/CEO, ClinicNote Urbandale, Iowa

ENGINEERING Anson Marston Medal Rao Surampalli* PhD ‘85 environmental engineering CEO & CTO, Global Institute for Energy, Environment & Sustainability Lenexa, Kansas Gerald Olson** MS ‘58 civil engineering Retired founder, president, CEO & chair, Terracon Phoenix, Arizona Professional Achievement Citation in Engineering Gopichand Katragadda MS ’92 electrical engineering, PhD ’96 Founder & CEO, Myelin Foundry Bangalore, India VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG FALL 2021

Srikanth Padmanabhan** PhD ‘91 mechanical engineering President, engine business, Cummins Columbus, Indiana Young Alumni Award Benazir Fateh PhD ‘13 computer engineering Machine learning specialist, Google Fremont, California

HUMAN SCIENCES Alumni Achievement Award Susan Maxwell* ‘73 textiles & clothing CEO, Max Merchandising, Inc. Oro Valley, Arizona Lori Arnold Myers* PhD ‘07 family & consumer sciences education Senior director, credentialing, education & research, American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences Ruston, Louisiana Outstanding Young Alumni Award Audrey Kennis* MS ‘15 higher education Director of diversity, equity, and inclusion, City of West Des Moines Ames, Iowa Helen LeBaron Hilton Award Pamela J. White*

PhD ‘81 food technology Dean emerita, College of Human Sciences, Iowa State University Ames, Iowa Virgil Lagomarcino Laureate Award Steve Schulz PhD ‘09 educational leadership & policy studies President, North Iowa Area Community College Mason City, Iowa

LIBERAL ARTS & SCIENCES Citation of Merit Award Kate Henderson ‘97 biology President, regional hospitals & strategic community partnerships, Ascension Texas Austin, Texas Distinguished Service Award Jeff White** ‘92 journalism & mass communication Vice president, business development & strategy, Flynn Wright Ankeny, Iowa

John V. Atanasoff Discovery Award Kenneth J. Sufka** ‘86 psychology, MS ’88, PhD ’90 Professor of psychology, pharmacology & philosophy, The University of Mississippi Oxford, Mississippi Carrie Chapman Catt Public Engagement Award Evelio Otero Jr.* ‘82 journalism & mass communication & political science Colonel, USAF (ret), national security consultant, Gemini Industries Lutz, Florida Distinguished Young Alumni Award Jessica Maves Braithwaite ‘08 political science & international studies Associate professor of political science, University of Arizona Tucson, Arizona

VE TERINARY MEDICINE Stange Award for Meritorious Service Paul W. Snyder ‘80 animal science, DVM ’85 Manager and senior pathologist, Experimental Pathology Laboratories, Inc. Fort Myers Beach, Florida Norman Cheville** DVM ’59 Dean emeritus, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University Ames, Iowa Joel Leininger** DVM ’72 Toxicologic pathologist, JRL Consulting, LLC Chapel Hill, North Carolina Outstanding Young Alumni Award Molly Lee DVM ’14 Associate directory, Center for Food Security & Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University Ames, Iowa Lorraine J. Hoffman Graduate Alumni Award Richard E. Hill, Jr.* MS ‘90 veterinary microbiology & preventive medicine Retired, executive director, USDA Veterinary Services National Import Export Services Ames, Iowa

*ISU Alumni Association Annual Member **ISU Alumni Association Life Member Only ISU degrees are listed 29

2020-2021 Year in review 299 171 284

4,130 592 2,039 816

342

523

19,538

718

7,622

11,283 4,771

861

2,464

2,706

5,666

886

1,441

6,610

1,836

120,050

4,122 1,007

9,490

17,964 2,439 5,844 887 499

2,599

744 1,588 271

711

2,020

143

2,884

138 722 1,297 241 1,933 324

2,853 1,073

2,282 5,321

324

ISU ALUMNI ARE MORE THAN 279,000 STRONG WE ARE IN ALL 50 STATES AND 151 COUNTRIES 43,561 Members*

388

Total ISU alumni living in the U.S.: 278,164 ISU alumni living outside the U.S.: 7,588 July 2021

• 4,144 student members • 14,781 annual members • 24,636 life members *as of September 2021

Forever True, For Iowa State The ISU Alumni Association raised more than $3.1 million in FY21.

This is a 341% increase over FY20 and resulted in the largest fundraising year of the campaign Forever True, For Iowa State for the ISUAA.

Engaging virtually 17 virtual events (events with registration) between August 2020 - April 2021

The ISUAA staff, board of directors, and board associates, August 2021.

OUR VISION DRIVES US

“To be the best alumni association in the U.S. at engaging diverse partners to help showcase how Iowa State University and Cyclones everywhere are making communities, Iowa, and the world a better place.”

30

• Engaged participants from every county in Iowa, nearly every state, and multiple countries • Homecoming 2020 – 35,000+ views • Big 12 Championship Power Hour – 4,736 views, 41 states represented  $5,800+ in donations • Cardinal & Gold Gala and Class for a Cause – 2,500+ views, 36 states represented  $85,000+ in donations • Virtual STATE Day – 2,190 views  31 states represented and six countries in addition to the U.S. (Malaysia, India, Russia, Puerto Rico, Brazil, and Iran)  $4,000+ in donations WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

 IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ANNUAL REPORT JULY 1, 2020 – JUNE 30, 2021

2017 - 2022 STRATEGIC PLAN Goals and key accomplishments from FY21 Goal 1: Constituent Engagement

• Exceeded FY21 virtual engagement expectations (see left for details).

• Surpassed goal of 200,000 engagements (likes, comments, shares) among social channels, finishing with 202,171 engagements.

Gained 2,162 new followers to social channels.

Goal 2: Collaborative Partnerships

Goal 3: Internal Organization

• Established regular diversity, equity, and inclusion marketing and communication meetings which led to more consistent coverage and greater collaboration with campus partners.

• Established Alumni Relations Council subcommittee for marketing and communications, improving collaboration with university partners.

Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

• Implemented Vision Traction Organizer process with quarterly staff input to establish a framework for future visioning.

• Established and implemented a crisis communications plan, including integration into leadership meetings and quarterly reviews.

Goal 4: Financial Health

• Exceeded campaign goal by approximately $1.5M and added more than $1M to the overall endowment balance.

• Membership revenue exceeded FY20 and completed the year with a budget surplus.

ILLUSTRATION BY TARA GARTIN

LegaCY Club

• 2,656 LegaCY enrollees • Surpassed enrollment goal of 400 new LegaCYies with 559 new enrollments in FY21

FOCUS ON INCLUSIVITY As the ISU Alumni Association continues to make strides toward building and maintaining a culture of diversity and inclusion, we are working hard to increase the percentage of alumni of color participating in our organization's programs and activities. Specifically, we have set measurable goals to increase the cumulative average percentage of participation by alumni of color (for which we have this demographic data) from 7% in FY19 to 15% – see progress below.

Young Alumni Council Filled a record number of seats in FY21.

Conducted virtually.

• Winter 829 seats filled (332 more than winter 2020); Spring 1,120 seats filled (320 more seats filled than in spring 2019).

• OLLI online classes reached OLLI members in 34 Iowa counties, 56 Iowa cities and towns, and 20 states (including Iowa).

• FY20 OLLI members were from 18 Iowa counties, 49 Iowa cities and towns, and 6 states (including Iowa).

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG

Board of Directors Board Associates Student Alumni Leadership Council Award Winners Board Nominees Award Nominees Event Attendees Alumni Members Donors Cumulative Average

13% 25% 20% 6% 19% 16% 17% 7% 3% 1% 13% 31

 FROM THE PRESIDENT

With confident hope Dear Members, My wife Peggy and I had the honor of attending the memorial service for former Iowa State University AlumniAssociation Executive Director Bob Crom ('50 animal science) in Geneva, Illinois, on Aug. 28, 2021. Bob served the association from 1968 – 1971. Alumni remember him and his late wife Lucy as kind, helpful listeners. I remember them as wise, accepting, and loyal.

The memorial service included scripture from Romans 5:1-5. As I reflect on these verses, all we’ve experienced this past year, and the future we hope for, the message that surfaced for me was that our problems and trials help us develop endurance.

Endurance develops strength of character.

Character strengthens our confident hope.

Three areas that feed my confident hopes for the future are: 1. We have incredible staff at the ISU Alumni Association. Both new and seasoned staff are committed to serving Iowa State University and Cyclones everywhere. They bring our new vision statement to life: The ISU Alumni Association will be the best alumni association in the U.S. at engaging diverse partners to help showcase how Iowa State University and Cyclones everywhere are making communities, Iowa, and the world a better place. We build on this vision every day as we tell the stories of Iowa State and Iowa Staters. Our staff showed grace, professionalism, and innovation during COVID, social unrest, and uncertainty.

They doubled down and created new programming, collaborated with campus partners, enhanced existing offerings, 32

and pivoted when necessary. They did not allow the unprecedented times to define them. Today, we are stronger, better, and ready to keep moving forward. Thank you, colleagues! Members, please join me in thanking our staff — they are listed online at www.isualum.org. They’d love to hear from you, and I’d be honored by your act of gratitude.

2. We have incredible members who continually speak up and lean in. Thank you for making us think and telling us what you think. Thank you for sending us letters to the editor and allowing us to publish them. Thank you for sharing your thoughts during virtual programs by commenting in the chat boxes. Thank you for connecting with us via social media.

Thanks to those of you who still believe in penning or typing your thoughts to us, placing them in an envelope, and mailing them to us. And thank you for your in-person visits, walk-in or scheduled — they are treasured. We appreciate that you are true to your convictions and open to our perspectives. We may not always agree, but we hear each other out. You make us hopeful — you make us better! You make me proud to be a Cyclone! Let’s keep our two-way communications going!

3. We have incredible donors — more than 9,500 — who elected to give $13.1 million toward the priorities the association set as part of the $1.5 billion Forever True, For Iowa State campaign. Thank you, Cyclones! The association had a goal to raise $12.5 million during this campaign. You provided us almost an additional $1 million over our goal. These endowed dollars, once fully realized, have the potential of providing more than $600,000 of annual revenue to the association that will support staff, technology, programming, outreach,

engagement, services, communications, marketing, scholarships, and leadership development. This generosity did not and will not go unnoticed. We will share impact stories as in past issues, and we encourage you to keep the association in mind as we continue to build our endowments to ensure current and future Cyclones are served, their stories are told, and Iowa State is advanced. Thanks for your trust in our effort, and the hope your gifts have set ablaze in us.

Like Bob and Lucy Crom, you, our staff, members, donors, and volunteers are kind, helpful listeners. I’ll always remember you, too, as wise, accepting, and loyal.

Yours for Iowa State,

P.S. – When Carole Gieseke** signed off as the editor of VISIONS back on June 30, 2021, we said thank you to a talented writer, incredible colleague, and dear friend. Her work to showcase all that was great and good about Iowa State was pure artistry. We wish you well, Carole. Thanks for the legacy you left to this organization.

We now welcome Melea Reicks Licht** ('00 public service and admin in agriculture, MS '05 agricultural education) to the communications ranks of this organization in partnership with Iowa State University and the ISU Foundation.

This talented communicator has been with Iowa State since 2000, most recently as director of alumni relations for the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and editor of STORIES magazine. We’re excited to get to work with Melea — you’re going to enjoy her bringing stories of Iowa State, Iowa Staters, and the association to your mailbox now and into the future!

WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

ISUAA Campaign Goal: $12.5 Million

 I S U A A C A M PA I G N P R I O R I T I E S

Raised: $13.1 Million

ISU launched its $1.1 billion campaign, Forever True, For Iowa State, in fall 2016. For the ISU Alumni Association, the campaign will help position the association to better serve and showcase Iowa State and Cyclones Everywhere. The association identified 10 campaign priorities: student leadership, VISIONS magazine, awards, staff development, LegaCY programs, young alumni, clubs, technology, diversity and inclusion, and a CEO endowment.

“Bev and I were pleased to serve as co-chairs for the ISU Alumni Association’s campaign cabinet. We’ve been involved in all the Iowa State University campaigns and believe the alumni association is a key component of building meaningful relationships with Cyclones everywhere. What’s interesting about this campaign is the sheer number of donors and the number of first-time donors – it’s impressive to see the collective power of gifts of every size. The fact that we surpassed our fundraising goals despite the global pandemic further speaks to the steadfast commitment of our alumni and friends, and to the leadership of our Lora and Russ Talbot Endowed President and CEO Jeff Johnson.

Thanks to the support of loyal friends like the Talbots and donors of every sum, I’m optimistic that we are on an upward slope to continue advancing key priorities for the association and the university.”

– Warren Madden** ('61 industrial engineering)

Bev and Warren Madden** Campaign Cabinet co-chairs for the ISU Alumni Association

ISU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ADDITIONAL CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

ISUAA Campaign Progress Toward $12.5M Goal 2021 was the most successful fundraising year during the Forever True, For Iowa State campaign for the ISU Alumni Association.

Over $3.1 million was raised in FY21 and over $13.1 million was raised during the campaign.

The Lora and Russ Talbot Matching Challenge achieved its $500,000 goal and culminated into over $2 million in giving during the final months of the Forever True, For Iowa State campaign.

The following three priorities were fully funded as the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021: • Lora and Russ Talbot ISUAA CEO President Endowment (Goal: $2.5 million) - $2,753,757 • Donald and Glenda Eggerling ISUAA Staff Development Endowment (Goal: $250,000) $263,287 • Warren and Beverly Madden ISUAA Technology Endowment (Goal: $250,000) $256,530 • In addition to the progress with the priority endowments, there were 10 additional named funds established during the campaign.

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG

Alumni Programs Endowment Student Leadership Program Endowment LegaCY Program Endowment Diversity & Inclusion Initiatives Endowment Alumni Clubs Endowment VISIONS Magazine Endowment Young Alumni Programs Endowment Awards Program Endowment

GOAL RAISED*

-- $1 million $1.5 million $1 million $2 million $2 million $1 million $1 million

$2,163,760 $737,638 $261,035 $182,913 $162,238 $167,488 $71,984 $66,273

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION CAMPAIGN CABINET  Beverly (‘60 home econ education, MS ‘70) and Warren (‘61 industrial engr) Madden,** co-chairs  Lora (‘17 honorary) and Russ (‘17 honorary) Talbot,** honorary co-chairs  Jan and Jeff Breitman**

 Jeanne and Kevin (‘83 agricultural business) Drury**  Glenda (‘60 home econ journalism) and Don (‘59 agronomy) Eggerling**  Julie (‘00 marketing) and Ben (‘01 construction engr) Golding**

 Judy (‘68 home econ education) and Mick (‘69 farm op.) Guttau**  Pam (‘71 textiles and clothing) and Ron (‘71 industrial admin) Hallenbeck**  Lauren (‘02 psychology) and Shane (‘03 comm studies, MS ‘08 education) Jacobson**

 Bonnie (‘88 biochemistry) and David (‘87 journalism and mass comm) Orth**  Ruby (BBA ‘87) and Ramon Trice**  Lori (‘93 mathematics) and Dwayne (‘BBA ‘93) Vande Krol**

LOOKING FORWARD The ISU Alumni Association will continue to focus on thanking donors and sharing the impact of gifts while building on the momentum gained during the final months of the campaign.

To learn how you can support Iowa State University or the ISU Alumni Association, contact Jamie Stowe, ISU Foundation director of development for the ISU Alumni Association at 877-ISU-ALUM (toll-free), 294-7441 (locally), or jstowe@foundation.iastate.edu.

33

DES MOINES, IOWA

THIS MUST BE THE PLACE. Top 10 Best Places to Live in the U.S. — U.S. News & World Report, 2021 #8 Most Resilient Tech Hub — LinkedIn, 2021 #4 Best Place to Raise Kids — SmartAsset, 2021 #11 Most Affordable City to Buy a Home — Forbes Advisor, 2021

#DSMUSA

liveDSMUSA.com

Greater Des Moines (DSM) is the place where finding your dream career and a high quality of life is within reach. It’s a place filled with vibrant Downtown amenities, welcoming communities and world-class educational and professional opportunities.

DSM is the place where culture flourishes and opportunities abound.

See what it’s like to live in DSM and take a virtual tour at liveDSMUSA.com.

 NEWSMAKERS & CYCLONE STORIES

ALUMNI HONORS Christopher Baker ('08 management and marketing) qualified for his first U.S. Open, which took place at Torrey Pines this summer. Baker is currently a rookie professional golfer and previously golfed as part of the Iowa State men's golf team.

Tamara Flarup** ('75 physical education for women) was inducted into the University of Wisconsin-Madison Athletics Hall of Fame. Flarup worked for UW Athletics for 40 years promoting female sports journalistic coverage. During her time at Iowa State, Flarup was a golf letter-winner.

Colin Hansen** ('93 mechanical engineering) has accepted the position of chairman for the board of directors for the American Public Power Association (APPA). Previously, Hansen served as the executive director for Kansas Municipal Utilities.

Bradshaw Law attorney Blake Hanson ('12 pol sci) is among the American Bar Association’s Class of 2021 On the Rise – Top 40 Young Lawyers. The annual honor recognizes young lawyer members who exemplify a broad range of high achievement, innovation, vision, leadership, and legal and community service.

Curtis Madsen* ('81 fisheries and wildlife biology) was honored with the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal from the Department of the Army. Before his retirement, Madsen spent 34 years in the Iowa Army National Guard as the environmental program supervisor.

Luke Martz ('15 political science) joined the U.S. Department of State and the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights as part of an international election observation mission. In this role, Martz traveled to Moldova in July to observe elections.

Kristen Obbink ('06 zoology, DVM '11) was elected vice president of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association. Obbink serves as the lead public health veterinarian in the Center for Food Security and Public Health.

Clair Peterson ('75 journalism and mass communications) was promoted to director of the John Deere Classic golf tournament, right before its 50th anniversary. Peterson has worked for John Deere in various roles since his graduation from Iowa State.

Wendy Wintersteen** (PhD '88 entomology) was a 2020 inductee to the Iowa Business Hall of Fame for her work at Iowa State University as dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and president of the university. Through the campaign Innovate at Iowa State and the opening of the Student Innovation Center, Iowa State has become a national leader in entrepreneurship and innovation in higher education.

BELANGE MUTUNDA LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA DAN MCCLANAHAN

FASHION WITH PURPOSE This story begins with a handbag, crafted from an old dress in the back of Belange Mutunda’s closet.

“I went to school with it, and my friends wanted me to make purses for them,” Mutunda (‘20 apparel, merchandising, and design) said.

Soon, Mutunda was running a small business – what would become Belange Handmade – out of her bedroom in Kolwezi in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). She had found her passion – a passion that brought her to Des Moines, Iowa.

“Des Moines is French, French is my first language, and I thought that maybe someone would speak French in Des Moines,” she said.

Mutunda didn’t find many Francophones, but she did find opportunities. After earning an associate degree in fashion design and merchandising from the Des Moines Area Community College Fashion Institute, she came to Iowa State University.

Her break came during the 2019 Standing INNovation Pitch Off, hosted by the university at the Iowa State Fair. Mutunda pitched her foundation idea – Eve Reusable Menstrual Pads.

“People started gathering around, women were listening,” Mutunda said. “Women came up to me afterward, saying, ‘We need this. I would use this now, myself.’”

Mutunda paired her company, Belange Handmade, with her foundation, the BHM Foundation. The BHM Foundation is headquartered in the DRC. Its sole purpose is to provide reusable menstrual supplies to women and young girls affected by period poverty - the lack of access to menstrual supplies due to economic inequality.

A portion of the proceeds from Belange Handmade sales supports the BHM Foundation. In turn, customers buy unique, eco-friendly pieces made from vibrant African wax fabrics. Each fabric is sourced from cities across Africa and purchased in local markets in the DRC, the Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, and Côte d'Ivoire.

Mutunda has been asked, “Can I wear your clothing? I’m not Black, and I’m not from Africa.” As an answer, Mutunda invites people to learn about her design choices on her website and through social media. She welcomes partners to enjoy the beauty.

“I use African prints, but my clothing is for everybody,” Mutunda said.

“People worry about cultural appropriation. They see someone wearing African prints and say, ‘Oh my gosh, why is she doing that?’ But my clients aren’t claiming my culture. They are just wearing something that is beautiful. There’s a difference.”

Sustainability, inclusion, community – Belange Handmade’s core values demonstrate the founder’s belief that each person’s fashion has real power.

– Story by Kate Tindall, director of marketing and communications

READ MORE CYCLONE STORIES AT WWW.ISUALUM.ORG/CYCLONESEVERYWHERE VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG

35

 NEWSMAKERS & CYCLONE STORIES

TOP JOBS Ethan Andress (DVM '97) has been appointed North Dakota's new state veterinarian. Andress is a long-time veterinarian in Hettinger, North Dakota.

Nick Joos* ('87 journalism and mass communication) has accepted the position of senior associate athletics advisor within the Iowa State Athletic Department. Joos previously worked in the athletic departments for the University of Missouri, Baylor University, and the University of Nebraska.

Alan Krysan** ('87 agricultural business) has accepted the position of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital area executive director. Krysan has previously served on the ISUAA Board of Directors, including a term as chair.

Kimberly Ryan ('89 accounting) has accepted the position of CEO and board member of Hillenbrand.

Hillenbrand is a global diversified industrial company based out of Indiana. Previously, Ryan served as the president of Coperion.

Natalie Williams ('15 public relations) recently joined Dentons Davis Brown as an associate in the firm’s real estate department. Natalie provides guidance on all aspects of commercial real estate, including leasing, purchases, sales, and financing.

ALUMNI BOOKSHELF Sondra Ashmore* ('99 speech comm, PhD '12 human comp interaction) published and co-authored Owl's Head - A Hidden Gem, which tells the stories of a historic Des Moines neighborhood.

Janis Bennington Van Buren** ('62 home economics education, MS '79, PhD '81) has completed the biography Susan Angeline Collins: With

a Hallelujah Heart. This biography follows the life of Susan Collins, a Black missionary from Fayette, Iowa, who spent 33 years teaching in West Africa.

Helen Gunderson** ('67 physical education for women) has published her two-volume anthology The Road I Grew Up On. Gunderson's books on her rural heritage contain regional history, personal memoirs, and photography.

Kris Kesterson (’87 finance) has published a book Coach: Maury John's Journey to the Pinnacle of College Hoops. The story of Maury John, a coaching legend who guided Drake University to basketball's Final Four. John also coached at Iowa State in the 1970s.

Joel Lorentzen* ('80 electrical engineering) has published his first book Proles, set in 2084. It is a cautionary utopian tale that pays tribute to Orwell’s 1984, with some twists.

NICK HOLLAND HOUSTON, TEXAS IMAGE CONTRIBUTED

DESIGN THAT ROCKS Nick Holland ('15 industrial design) is using design to bring the wonders of space to kids (of all ages) on Earth.

Holland is an acting exhibit supervisor for NASA’s Johnson Space Center COMIT contract. He creates exhibits of space artifacts – like space suits and moon rocks. Some of these displays are stationary, others are transported across the country as educational tools and museum displays.

“I love working at NASA,” Holland said. “It’s an organization that does a great deal of good in our society. My team focuses on engaging the public to champion the fields of science, technology, and aerospace.

Hopefully, we’ll inspire people to join NASA one day.”

Working for NASA, Holland interacts with quite a few interesting clients … most recently, the White House. Holland received a request from NASA HQ for a moon rock display and coordinated with his colleagues to create a design for the lunar sample, which was delivered on President Joe Biden’s Inauguration Day. It now sits to the side of the Resolute Desk.

“I knew it was for the White House, but didn’t know it would be put in the Oval Office when we designed it,” Holland said. “My colleague sent me a Washington Post article showing the new decor of the Oval Office with the moon rock in it, and my jaw dropped.”

When Holland was a student at ISU, he didn’t know he was on his way to NASA.

“I started as a pre-architecture student and – while taking my general design courses – I learned about industrial design,” Holland said. “I ended up being in one of the first few classes at Iowa State to graduate in industrial design. It was a very new program, so I felt like I was on the cutting edge of design.”

Iowa State is a leader in design, partially due to the high standards for innovation and the thorough courses.

“In industrial design, most of your classes are three-hour studios sessions where you’re either designing or presenting,” Holland said. “It’s expected for your presentations to get torn apart. Then you build yourself up, and the next time, you don’t make the same mistakes. After doing hundreds and hundreds of presentations, you learn what works and what doesn’t, which helps you be nimble when you have important clients like the White House.”

– Lydia Wede, senior majoring in public relations international studies, Talbot communications and public relations intern

READ MORE CYCLONE STORIES AT WWW.ISUALUM.ORG/CYCLONESEVERYWHERE

36

WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

Premier Senior Living at Northcrest Community

Northcrest is cheering for you to be a part of the Best Senior Living Community in Ames!

One bedroom units available now, call for a tour!

515-232-6700 www.northcrestcommunity.org

 NEWSMAKERS, CYCLONE STORIES & CARDINAL & GOLD GALA

ALUMNI BOOKSHELF CONT. James Scott** (PhD '97 professional studies in education) is the 2020 recipient of the American Book Fest's Best Thriller Award for his novel The President's Dossier.

Gregory Whitis* ('80 zoology) recently published his second novel, Nighthope. The novel follows Stuart Baron, a humble Los Angeles trucking executive, who moves his family from an affluent suburb to an Alabama catfish farm with hopes of quenching a midlife crisis.

Felicia Zamora ('01 comm studies) has published her sixth book of poetry, I Always Carry My Bones.

Zamora's book won the 2020 Iowa Poetry Prize from the University of Iowa Press. I Always Carry My Bones is a collection of poems about heritage, abuse, poverty, and belonging.

John Walters* – voice of the Iowa State Cyclones – has published a children's book, Cy’s Perfect Day, the Iowa State Way. It brings to life Walters' vision of what being a Cyclone fan is all about.

DARIAN LU NEW YORK, NEW YORK IMAGE CONTRIBUTED

SKYSCRAPER’S THE LIMIT For architect Darian Lu (’12 architecture), the open-ended possibility of a blank page is exciting.

Lu has worked on major architectural spaces, both contemporary and historical. Some of her favorite projects are the Edge Park and the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, and the Tampa River Center at Julian B. Lane Park in Tampa, Florida.

“Creating a unique user experience through the use of material, light, and sound remains key in my professional practice,” Lu said. “For example, The Edge Park in New York brings community to the river and links the ecosystem with the city fabric, blurring the boundaries between land, water, and the city grid. The road turns into a pedestrian greenway, piers reach gently into the water from deep within the park, and a stone-lined riverbank contrasts with a concrete bulkhead.”

This strategy stemmed from Lu’s time as an Iowa State student, when she developed her eye for design, practicality, and ingenuity.

“The curriculum at ISU gave me a platform to define the key architectural design elements in my creative process,” Lu said. “My peers and my professors challenged me to keep an open mind to different ideas and creative methods,

as well as criticisms.”

One of her major projects during her studies took place in Waverly, Iowa.

The award-winning Shades of Rhythm Amphitheater combines practicality with art and has become a major tourist attraction for the town.

Her Iowa State adventure still affects how Lu sees her work. Good architectural design can completely change how effective and enjoyable a space is for individuals, and Lu considers the end result throughout the entire design process.

“My experience at ISU and the education I received reminds me to prioritize public benefits and to challenge myself to continue to create unique experiences for the community, whether working in the public or private sector,” Lu said.

Ames is a long way from Lu’s hometown of Shanghai, China. But for the best adventure, Lu knew she wanted to study at Iowa State University.

“I was seeking a good architecture school to attend in the U.S., and I found it,” Lu said. “ISU

stood out for its outstanding undergraduate and graduate program, which ranked top 12 at the time I was applying. The campus – with its landscaping and open spaces – was also a nice feature, especially for someone who had grown up in a mega city.”

– Lydia Wede, senior majoring in public relations international studies, Talbot communications and public relations intern

READ MORE CYCLONE STORIES AT WWW.ISUALUM.ORG/CYCLONESEVERYWHERE

38

WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

ISUAA presents

Cyclones IN THE CITY

A spotlight on

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG

39

WORK In Ames we don’t just work. We...

1,600+

job and internship opportunities listed right now. Find your dream career today!

CREATE

INSPIRE & COLLABORATE Many companies offer indoor and outdoor amenities for their employees to utilize throughout the day.

Live, work and play everyday in the home of the Cyclones! Go State!

 ASSOCIATION NEWS

ISU Alumni Association Welcomes New Staff Heather Bristow OLLI and ISU Retirees program coordinator

Melea Reicks Licht** ('00 public service and admin in agriculture, MS '05 agricultural education) Senior director of communications

Karen Forsythe Receptionist

Kaley Severn* ('21 event management) Manager of student programs

Bry Wisecup** ('17 event management, marketing, MBA '20) Alumni Center events coordinator

LAURIE MEYTHALER-MULLINS BETHEL, ALASKA IMAGE CONTRIBUTED

RUNNING ON CYCLONE POWER: An Update from Alaska In the Winter 2021 edition of VISIONS magazine, readers learned of Laurie Meythaler-Mullins ('01 animal ecology, DVM '08), an alumna who started a grade school cross-country team in the remote Alaskan village of Bethel. This team ran with whatever gear they had available.

Running shoes were not common.

Soon after the team’s story went public in VISIONS, donations started flowing in.

“The initiative came solely from VISIONS readers,” Meythaler-Mullins said. “After the article was published, Debra Wood ('77 phys ed, human development/family studies), a former track and cross-country runner for Iowa State, contacted me on behalf of her teammates. They wanted to donate shoes and t-shirts to the team.”

The word spread. More than 75 pairs of shoes and shirts made their way to rural Alaska, into the hands of the aspiring runners.

The alumni cross-country team wasn’t the only philanthropic group who read VISIONS. Philip Galiga** ('80 ad design), a teacher at South Burlington High School in Vermont, mobilized his students to raise funds for duffel bags and other running equipment.

Through the philanthropy of ISU alumni, these budding track stars now

run in proper gear – pushing themselves to their fullest potential.

“When these kids run, they are celebrating their family, their health, ISU runners, high school runners in Vermont, and everyone else cheering them on near and far,” Meythaler-Mullins said.

The generosity of Cyclones everywhere makes Meythaler-Mullins even more proud to be an Iowa State alumna.

“My time at ISU has provided lifelong friendships and connections,” Meythaler-Mullins said. “The kindness and generosity displayed by everyone involved in this project demonstrates the support ISU alumni provide to families and communities. My education and activities at ISU guided my path in life and provided security, health, and a sense of well-being and connection. It's important to share this with others.”

– Lydia Wede, senior majoring in public relations international studies, Talbot communications and public relations intern

READ MORE CYCLONE STORIES AT WWW.ISUALUM.ORG/CYCLONESEVERYWHERE

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG

41

PHOTOS BY ISU ATHLETICS

CYCLONES IN THE OLYMPICS

Bridget Carleton ('19 kinesiology & health) and the Canadian women's basketball team finished group play at 1-2, missing the knockout rounds on a point differential tiebreaker.

Carleton led Canada to a 74-53 win over Korea, with 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Hillary Bor ('11 accounting) finished sixth in the men's 3,000-meter steeplechase preliminary heat, coming up short to qualify for the race's final round. This was Bor’s second time competing in the Olympic Games.

Ariana Orrego, a current member of the Iowa State gymnastics team, became the school’s first female gymnast to qualify for the Olympic Games. Competing for Peru in her second Olympic Games, Orrego finished 74th in the all-around, which was not enough to qualify for the finals.

Candelaria Herrera, a senior with the Iowa State volleyball team, made her Olympic debut for the Argentina Women's National Team. Herrera started in each of Argentina’s first two sets against the United States, recording three kills. The team did not advance out of pool play.

SAY “I DO” AT THE

ALUMNI CENTER

www.isualum.org/weddings 42

WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

T. J. Otzelberger gets back to basics building a "Category Five Culture"

BY Matt Van Winkle

ISU ATHLETICS

COMING HOME TO HILTON

W

a key player to getting the program back hen the Iowa State men’s bason the map. In 2011-2012, he helped the “Georges Niang, Monte Morris, Matt ketball team takes the floor at Cyclones get back to the NCAA Tournament Thomas, Abdel Nader, Naz Long, and Hilton Coliseum on November 9, it will be a for the first time since 2005. And for the Deonte Burton – we’re fortunate to have familiar feeling for its new head coach. next six seasons, Iowa State six guys who all at one time Category “It’s going to be special,” said T.J. made it to the post-season. were in the NBA,” Otzelberger Five Culture: Otzelberger, who was introduced as the In 2016, Otzelberger left said. “We want to continue to gratitude, toughness, unity, embrace those guys, as we program’s 21st head coach in March of this Iowa State to become the year. “I’ll be a little choked up. A little bit of head coach at South Dakota enthusiasm, and integrity want guys in our program to chills. I love this place. Iowa State means the State – winning two regular see if you work hard and do world to me and my family, and to be able season and conference tournament chamcertain things and you win and have sucto hold that position which I hold with such pionships, along with three post-season cess, there are professional possibilities.” high regard means a lot.” appearances. For the past two seasons, he It’s the traits of those previous Cyclones That position is one that was held by a led re-building of the UNLV program and Otzelberger hopes come through in his number of Otzelberger’s coaching mentors. now takes over an Iowa State program that team on and off the court this season. With The Milwaukee native got his first big break finished 2-22 at the bottom of the Big 12 the core values he’s instilled as a Category at the Division-I level when he was hired Conference last season.

Five Culture – gratitude, toughness, unity, as an assistant by former Iowa State Head “We need to start with our work habits enthusiasm, and integrity – he believes Coach Greg McDermott* in 2006 and later and standards on a daily basis,” Otzelberger these pillars will keep his team grounded retained by Fred Hoiberg** ('95 finance) in said. “We’ve got to make everything we do and focused.

2010 as associate head coach. look like winning before we’ll turn it into win“You’re going to want to come out and “I’ve learned a lot from those guys,” ning. From how we stretch to how we shake support the young men in our program.

Otzelberger said. “I have so hands. From how we walk in They’re going to play to the level of the “We’re attacking much internal motivation. I the building each day to how work habits that people in Iowa have,” each day with a level of we manage and budget time want so badly for this proOtzelberger said. “We’re playing for the passion and enthusiasm to how we treat other people. gram to do well. I care about name on the front of our jersey, for all the that’s unrivaled because we We need to act as winners in this community and the fans, former players, alums, department role we can play in it. We’re everything we do.” employees, everyone that’s come before want it to be special.” attacking each day with a Otzelberger is regarded as us. Knowing how much all those folks care level of passion and enthusiasm that’s unrione of the top recruiters in the country. This when you put on that uniform there is a valed, because we want it to be special.” summer, many of the players he brought to certain responsibility and honor you carry Otzelberger has been part of some Iowa State as an assistant came back to talk out every night on the court.” special moments with Iowa State and was and work out with his current players.

VISIONS WWW.ISUALUM.ORG

43

B

rock Purdy has always wanted to give people something to smile about.

It’s how he’s been raised. The idea of self-sacrifice and making people around you better was at the core of everything his parents Shawn and Carrie taught him.

For Brock, his goal at Perry High School in Gilbert, Arizona, was simple: bring joy back to his community on the football field.

“In high school, we had barely anyone show up to the games,” said Shawn. “And when they started winning, he would come home and be like, ‘Hey Dad, were there lots of people in the stands tonight? It looked packed.’ He wanted the people at Perry to smile and have something to celebrate. And that’s how he’s approached Iowa State.”

That mission has followed Brock on his journey to Ames, pushing him to get better day by day in hopes of leading the Cyclones to a Big 12 Championship, and maybe even further than that.

‘DAD, THIS IS THE GUY’ Brock Purdy stood on his deck on the phone in the winter of 2018 for what Shawn remembered felt like forever. Iowa State ... more specifically, Matt Campbell, was on the line.

For Brock, this phone call came at a time when his recruiting process was going through a complete whiplash of interest. He had led his high school to unprecedented success in the 2017 season with a 12-2 record all the way to the 6A State Championship. Despite Perry’s close loss in the title game, schools were taking notice. Offers were coming in from Northern Arizona, UC Davis, UNLV, Boise State, Kansas, Iowa State, Illinois, Texas A&M, Alabama, and more.

So when Iowa State’s head coach came calling, Brock was trying to figure out what his next step would be.

“Brock came in and, as the call started to wind down, he muted the phone and said, ‘Dad, this is the guy,’” Shawn said.

Brock remembers Campbell talking about Kyle Kempt’s ('18 computer science) heroics down in Norman, Oklahoma, versus the Sooners in the 2017 season and how the tide was slowly but surely turning toward the Cyclones. No pitches about bling. No boasting about history or names on a wall. All he had was a vision and a culture Brock could make his own.

“In my life, I haven’t been the strongest or maybe the most talented on the field, so I’ve always treated myself like I’m the underdog,” Brock said. “I could tell Iowa State was the underdog in the Big 12, not really respected yet. I wanted to come here and earn that respect.”

Even though he visited other programs, Brock never budged from Campbell and the idea of being a part of something bigger than himself.

KEEPING IT SIMPLE October 6, 2018. Stillwater, Oklahoma. The Cyclones were facing the No. 25 Oklahoma State Cowboys, staring at an 0-2 record in the Big 12 and facing a team they’d lost to in their last four matchups. Zeb Noland would play in the opening series for the Cyclones totaling three plays. Brock knew change was coming at some point that day. He made sure not to waste the opportunity.

44

RECORD-SETTING CAREER AWARDS AND HONORS

First Team All-Big 12 (2020) PlayStation Fiesta Bowl Offensive MVP (2020) Second Team All-Big 12 – Coaches (2019) Big 12 True Freshman of the Year – ESPN (2018)

ENTERING THE 2021 SEASON

Brock entered his senior year first in touchdown passes (62) in program history, first in touchdowns responsible (80), first in quarterback wins (23), second in passing yards (8,982), second in completions (701), and second in total offense (9,921).

MAKING IT GREAT

Brock Purdy continues to build his legacy

BY Matt Belinson, ISU Daily, senior in journalism and mass communications

“That week, Coach [Campbell] told me I was going to get in, and I didn’t really overthink it. I just went with it,” Brock said reflecting on his first game as a starter.

“When my opportunity came, I just went out and played football and kept it simple.”

The true freshman had taken two collegiate snaps before entering the game in Stillwater on that October afternoon. Brock would go 18 of 23 passing for 318 yards and four touchdowns, with a more impressive 19 carries for 84 yards and a pump fake touchdown. Iowa State held on to win 48-42, marking the beginning of a new era of quarterback play for the Cyclones.

With a new starter at the helm, Iowa State would go on to win seven of the last eight games that season – setting the stage for Brock and the Cyclones to carry the momentum of 2018 into the future.

PLAYING ABOVE THE NOISE After a 7-6 season, capped by a loss to Notre Dame in the Camping World Bowl in 2019, the Cyclones were ready to prove they belonged on the national stage.

“Going into my junior year with all that hype, the human part of me listened to it. I knew it wasn’t the best, but when FALL 2021 WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

“We are who we are because of the leadership and the character and the humility of Brock Purdy.”

– Matt Campbell

ISU ATHLETICS

you’re on these draft boards, and you’re being talked about as being the best quarterback in school history, I got caught up in what I didn’t want to focus on,” he said.

Brock’s production wasn’t up to his normal standards.

Through his first six games, he had the lowest completion percentage of his career and had five touchdowns to three interceptions.

“The thing I saw last year with Brock is, man, you want to be so great so bad that you paralyze yourself because you don’t want to screw it up," Campbell said. “I think what I saw Brock really do a great job in November is say, ‘Hey, listen, I don’t have to do everything. All I got to do is do my job, my responsibilities, and do a great job with it. If I can do that, we’re going to be a really good football team.”

Brock would get his wakeup call when Iowa State played Baylor on November 7. At halftime, the Cyclones were down 21-10, he was passing for just 63 yards and threw three interceptions.

As he sat in the locker room, he made a conscious decision to change. He decided to play like he was just having fun. Campbell could see Brock was ready to respond as soon as the second half began. And what he did after left Campbell in awe.

Brock found himself again.

“You almost saw a weight lifted off his shoulders,” Campbell said. “Sometimes you got to hit rock-bottom situationally. The rock-bottom situation was there’s three turnovers in the first half of the Baylor game. How do you respond to that? I think that showed everything about who Brock Purdy is. Then really what he did from there on is borderline incredible.”

Brock would go 10 of 13 in the second half for 114 yards and three touchdowns, helping lead the Cyclones back to a 38-31 victory.

“I went back to a high school game of mine on film, and I just saw the passion, and I was like, ‘That’s Brock Purdy right there,’” Brock said. “I needed to be that guy again.”

During the final five games of his junior year, Brock was playing free again, without fear of playing like the Heisman Trophy was on the line every snap. That change in attitude and approach translated into better production to the tune of nine touchdowns and three interceptions. He closed the best season in program history with a victory in the 2021 Fiesta Bowl and was named Offensive MVP. LOOKING DOWNFIELD As Brock closes out his journey at Iowa State, is there anything left for the senior to prove? He’s got the records. He’s defied the doubters. He’s helped make Iowa State into a winner. But one question remains that he still is waiting to completely answer: What will his legacy be?

“I would just want it to be that I went to a school where people said it wasn’t going to work,'' Brock said. “I showed everybody that you can win by doing what’s right.

This school, Coach Campbell, and everybody else does it the right way."

"At Iowa State we take what we have, and we make it great.”

45

Calendar  Cyclones Everywhere

Check www.isualum.org/events for event updates.

Feb. 11: Cardinal & Gold Gala March 22: STATE Day, celebrating Founder’s Day

 At the ISU Alumni

Center

Oct. 21: ISUAA Board of Directors fall meeting Oct. 22: Homecoming pep rally Oct. 23: Cyclone Central Tailgate Nov. 6: Cyclone Central Tailgate Nov. 26: Cyclone Central Tailgate Feb. 10-11: ISUAA Board of Directors winter meeting

 On campus &

around Ames

Nov. 21-25: Thanksgiving break Dec. 16: Fall term ends Dec. 16: Graduate commencement Dec. 17: Undergraduate commencement Jan. 9: Spring semester begins March 13-17: Spring break

 Cyclone Athletics Oct. 23: Football vs. Oklahoma State Oct. 30: Football at West Virginia Nov. 6: Football vs. Texas Nov. 13: Football at Texas Tech Nov. 20: Football at Oklahoma Nov. 26: Football vs. TCU March 9-12: Men’s Big 12 basketball tournament, Kansas City March 10-13: Women’s Big 12 basketball tournament, Kansas City For all Cyclone sports schedules, go to www.cyclones.com

 Traveling Cyclones Nov. 3-13: Tanzania Safari Nov. 6-10: Civil Rights: A Journey to Freedom Nov. 30 - Dec. 4: New Orleans Holiday Dec. 4-12: Holiday Markets Jan. 7-16: United Arab Emirates 46

NOTE: All events are subject to postponement, cancellation, or format changes.

Jan. 22 - Feb. 1: Panama Potpourri Jan. 26 - Feb. 2: Cuba and its People Feb. 6-19: Tanzania Adventure March 11-20: Morocco March 20-25: Great Trains & Grand Canyons March 20-29: Southern Footprints: Civil Rights & The Blues March 29 - April 13: Portrait of Italy It’s time to start dreaming of new adventures with Traveling Cyclones! For information on upcoming trips, go to www.isualum.org/travel.

All tours are subject to change.

 Arts & Entertainment Oct. 30: Straight No Chaser, Stephens Nov. 4: Folded Forms & Twisted Figures, Christian Petersen Art Museum Nov. 5: Carillon Concert, one-fifth carillon, Sukup Hall atrium Nov. 8 - Dec. 17: Yuletide: Hearth and Home, Farm House Museum Nov. 9: Amy J. Rutenberg lecture, Great Hall, Memorial Union Nov. 11: Agustín Fuentes lecture, Great Hall, Memorial Union Nov. 21: Susan Werner, Stephens Nov. 28: Martina McBride, Stephens Dec. 1: Abraham (Avi) Loeb lecture, Great Hall, Memorial Union Dec. 3 - 4: Yuletide Evening at the Farm House Museum Dec. 9 - 11, 16 - 18, 23 - 24, 30 - 31: Winter Wonderscape holiday light show, Reiman Gardens Dec. 11- 12: The Nutcracker Ballet, Stephens Dec. 20: A Magical Cirque Christmas, Stephens Jan. 27: Yusef Salaam lecture, Great Hall, Memorial Union Jan. 29: Drumline Live, Stephens Feb. 3: Ellen Wu lecture, Great Hall, Memorial Union Feb. 4: Barjche Orchesis Dance Company, Fisher Theater Feb. 7: Fiddler on the Roof, Stephens Feb. 11: Dinosaur World Live, Stephens Feb. 17: South Pacific, Stephens Feb. 18: Russian National Orchestra, Stephens Feb. 22: Cirque Mechanics, Stephens March 3: ISU Orchestra, Stephens March 3 - 6: ISU One-act play festival, Fisher Theater March 23: Hasan Minhaj, Stephens

March 24: Velocity Irish Dance, Stephens March 26: Alton Brown, Live, Stephens March 27: Hairspray, Stephens

 Awards Dec. 1: Faculty-Staff Inspiration, Iowa STATEment Makers, Kansas City Cyclone of the Year, and Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Awards nominations due Feb. 15: Nomination deadline for Homecoming 2022 awards For criteria and to submit a nomination for ISUAA awards: www.isualum.org/awards

 Lifelong Learning All OLLI at ISU classes and events will be held virtually this fall and winter.

Nov. 10: “Rock On” in Retirement Symposium Dec. 9: Learn about OLLI winter classes Jan. 11: First day of OLLI winter classes Jan. 27: ISU Retirees Program Feb. 17: Learn about OLLI spring classes Feb. 24: ISU Retirees Program March 21: First day of OLLI spring classes March 24: ISU Retirees Program

 Careers Feb. 8: Engineering Career Fair, Scheman, Hilton TBD: People to People Spring Career Fair TBD: Spring Business, Industry & Technology Career Fair

 Find more events online Campus Calendar: http://event.iastate.edu/ ISU Alumni Association: www.isualum.org/events Cyclone Athletics: www.cyclones.com 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 Around Ames: https://web.ameschamber.com/ events

WWW.ISUALUM.ORG VISIONS

IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 429 ALUMNI LANE AMES, IOWA 50011-1403

VISIONS magazine is published three times a year by the Iowa State University Alumni Association, which serves more than 279,000 living alumni as well as ISU students and friends. VISIONS reaches nearly 44,000 ISU Alumni Association members and is just one benefit of membership; details can be found at isualum.org/join.

The tradition CONTINUES THE TRADITION

continues

WHEN LOYAL, FOREVER, TRUE RUNS IN THE FAMILY

We invite you to schedule a visit with your student and see how much has changed.

ADMISSIONS.IASTATE.EDU 515 294-5836