connections magazine — fall 2009

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FOR FRIENDS OF THE IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION FALL 2009 THE RISING NEED FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

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For Friends of the Iowa State University Foundation

TRANSCRIPT

F O R F R I E N D S O F T H E I O W A S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y F O U N D A T I O N

F A L L 2 0 0 9

THE RISING NEED FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

It seems that every few weeks Campaign Iowa State: With Pride and Purpose eclipses another milestone thanks to generous benefactors such as yourselves.

In just this fiscal year alone, the campaign has sur-passed the $200 million mark in both student support and programmatic support. Other recent milestones in-clude creating 60 additional endowed faculty positions and the establishment of 600 new scholarships for Iowa State University undergraduate and graduate students.

And since Campaign Iowa State began we have raised more than $700 million and have exceeded the support Iowa State generated in its previous two fantastic fund-raising efforts — “Partnership for Prominence” and “Campaign Destiny”.

Perhaps this past year best exemplifies the confi-dence and loyalty Iowa Staters have in and for their university. Despite an almost crippling recession, more than 48,000 benefactors provided nearly $128 mil-

lion in gifts and commitments — more than the $125 million tar-get and the second most successful fundraising year in Iowa State history.

On behalf of all who benefit from your continuing gen-erosity, I extend my greatest thanks to you. While there is plenty more to accomplish by the conclusion of Campaign Iowa State in December 2010, I know we can count on your continuing support to reach even more milestones.

Roger C. UnderwoodCampaign Iowa State Chair

A let t er f rom

roger Underwood

Connections is published two times per year by the Iowa State

University Foundation — a private, non-profit corporation

dedicated to securing and stewarding private gifts and grants

that benefit Iowa State University. This magazine serves as a link

between Iowa State and benefactors who support the university.

Please send your comments, suggestions and questions to:

Iowa State University Foundation2505 University Boulevard | P.O. Box 2230Ames, Iowa 50010-2230Phone: 515.294.4607Toll-free: 866.419.6768www.withprideandpurpose.orgE-mail: [email protected]

ISU Foundation Board of Directors 2009–10Steven T. Schuler, chairUrbandale, Iowa

Sheryl K. Sunderman, vice chairDallas, Texas

Marla Franklin, treasurerDes Moines, Iowa

James P. Stein, secretaryMuscatine, Iowa

Lloyd BettisGlenview, Illinois

Lyle P. CampbellParadise Valley, Arizona

Mike DubesEden Prairie, Minnesota

Gregory L. GeoffroyAmes, Iowa

Cara K. HeidenUrbandale, Iowa

Rudolf HerrmannTulsa, Oklahoma

Sharon L. JuonWaterloo, Iowa

Daniel KriegerAmes, Iowa

Frankee OlesonAmes, Iowa

Len RodmanOlatha, Kansas

Roger C. UnderwoodAmes, Iowa

David W. Van WertSun City West, Arizona

Stephen L. WatsonSouth Natick, Massachusetts

Senior Management TeamDaniel P. SaftigPresident

Rich BundyVice President for Development

Lisa EslingerVice President for Finance

Larissa Holtmyer JonesVice President for Development

Kevin StowAssistant Vice President of Human Relations and Governance

Editorial StaffEditor: Dave Gieseke

Design: Katy Hammer

Additional photography has been provided by Jim Heemstra

F A L L 2 0 0 9

The Iowa State University Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, national origin, actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Any persons having inquiries concerning this may contact human resources, Iowa State Foundation, 515.294.4607.

FOR FRIENDS OF THE IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

Departments2 Campus Tour6 On Campus20 Profiles

ContentsOn the CoverThe rising need for scholarships – 14Campaign Iowa State has created nearly 600 additional scholarships for Iowa State University undergraduate and graduate students. But it’s not nearly enough as tuition costs rise and student debt levels skyrocket.

Attracting and retaining the very best – 8A university is only as good as the people in it. Endowed faculty positions created during Campaign Iowa State allow Iowa State University to not only recognize current faculty but also to attract star professors to Ames.

0 200 400 600 800

Campaign Iowa State StretcheS to $700 MillionDespite uncertain economic conditions, more than 48,000 benefactors made gifts and future commitments totaling $127.7 million to the Iowa State University Foundation between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009.

The fundraising total is the second highest amount in Iowa State’s history, behind the previous year’s total of $135 million.

“This is tremendous news, especially given the state of our nation’s economy, and we are extremely grateful to our alumni and friends for their generous sup-port of Iowa State University” said Gregory L. Geoffroy, Iowa State president. “Private support is very important to this university, and the positive impact of Campaign Iowa State is being felt all across the campus, by our students, faculty and staff members, and many users of Iowa State’s programs and services.”

Giving during the year also pushes the university’s comprehensive campaign — Campaign Iowa State: With Pride and Purpose — over $700 million. The seven-and-half year campaign was publicly launched in October 2007 when an $800 million goal was announced. The campaign will conclude December 31, 2010.

At the end of fiscal year 09, Campaign Iowa State had raised more than $226.1 million for programmatic support, $209.8 million for student support including scholarships, $145.5 for faculty support and $117.2 for new and renovated facilities on campus.

Since the fundraising effort was started Iowa State benefactors have sup-ported a number of projects, including new facilities such as the Alumni Center, Hach Hall (chemistry building), and the Dr. W. Eugene and Linda Lloyd Veteri-nary Medical Center. An additional 60 endowed faculty positions and nearly 600 new student scholarships have also been created.

“While many non-profits are struggling with the down economy, it’s exciting to see that our alumni and friends are continuing to support Iowa State Univer-sity,” said Dan Saftig, president of the ISU Foundation. “The impact is being felt throughout the university and will continue to be felt for years to come, thanks to the generosity of our loyal benefactors.”

Fiscal year sees second largest fundraising totals in university history

Another milestoneThe ISU Foundation also

surpassed another landmark in

university fundraising history

when Campaign Iowa State totals

eclipsed $673.1 million earlier in

FY09. This milestone exceeds the

private support generated during

the previous two fundraising

efforts combined at Iowa State.

“Campaign Destiny: To Become

the Best,” which concluded in

June 2000, raised $458.6 million

in outright and deferred gifts. The

previous campaign, “Partnership

for Prominence,” raised $214.5

million and concluded in 1993.

The combined total of those two

campaigns was $673.1 million.

$214.5million

$458.6 million

$700 million

2

How does 36,000 equal $1 million? If you’re Dustin Bueltel, that’s the number of phone

calls you have to make to raise $1 million in gifts and pledges for Iowa State University.

Bueltel has been a student caller for the ISU Founda-tion PhoneCenter since his freshman year. In his years at the PhoneCenter, the senior agricultural studies major from Fremont, Iowa has become a prolific caller, and was the first student caller to raise more than $1 million.

He estimates he has contacted more than 3,000 Iowa State alumni, and received numerous gifts of several thousand dollars. His largest gift stands at $20,000.

So what’s his secret?“Most of it is how I look at each call — what can I

bring to their attention that will encourage them to give to Iowa State,” he said. “I’m always trying to maximize what an alumnus can give. I tell them that every dollar we get is important and does make a difference.”

$1 Million and Counting

Almost 4,000 current and retired Iowa State University faculty and staff

members have contributed $26.5 million to Campaign Iowa State.

knowDID yOU?

A Decade of PhilanthropyThe Iowa State University Foundation’s Women and Philanthropy celebrated a decade of programming with “Creating a Philanthropic Footprint” May 13, 2009. The daylong event in Iowa State University’s Scheman Building featured breakout sessions on philanthropic topics.

In the ten years of the Women and Philanthropy program at Iowa State, the total number of women donors has increased 34 percent while the total amount of dollars committed from women has risen 198 percent.

3FALL 2009

SCIENCE

PRACTICEwith

IOW

A STATE UNIVERSITY

OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLO

GY

Cardinal and Gold Award — recognizes long-term service to the university and the ISU FoundationKelley Bergstrom (B.S. ’65 industrial administration), Kenilworth, Ill.

Campanile Award — recognizes leadership-level gifts to Iowa State and significant service to the universityErben (B.S. ’43 architectural engineering) and Margaret Hunziker, AmesSteve (B.S. ’79 industrial administration) and Debora Bergstrom, Montgomery, Texas

Corporate and Foundation Award — recognizes outstanding generosity to the university by a corporation or foundationWells Fargo & Company

Faculty-Staff Award — presented to individuals who are employed by or retired from Iowa State who have brought distinction to the university through their workMark Engelbrecht (B.A.R. ’63 architecture), Des MoinesWarren (B.S. ’61 industrial engineering) and Beverly (B.S. ’60 home economics education,

M.S. ’70 family environment) Madden, Ames

hOnORS AnD AWARDSThe Iowa State University Foundation recognized alumni, friends and a corporation with its most prestigious honors during the annual Distinguished Awards Celebration Friday, April 17. The honorees included:

Campaign Iowa State Impacts CampusAt the kickoff ceremony for Campaign Iowa State: With Pride and Purpose, Iowa State University President Gregory Geoffroy spoke of the future promise of the fundraising endeavor.

“The achievements of this campaign will transform our university for many years to come,” Geoffroy said. “With the support of committed alumni and friends through Campaign Iowa State, there is no limit to the possibilities our future holds.”

For many Iowa State students, faculty, facilities and programs, the future is now thanks to Campaign Iowa State.

Through the end of the last fiscal year (June 30, 2009), approximately 70 percent of the funds raised during Campaign Iowa State are already being put to use on campus. Campaign receipts total $468 million of the $675 million raised during the campaign.

An additional $130 million in deferred gifts and $77 million in pledges have also been committed during the campaign.

“Thanks to the generosity of our benefactors, Campaign Iowa State will not only transform our future but it is immediately impacting our present,” Geoffroy said. “Students are receiving scholarships, we are able to retain and recruit faculty members, and facilities have been built — all thanks to our alumni and friends.”

CAMPAIGn rECEIPTS: $468 MIllIOn

$142 million in outright gifts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$110 million in paid pledges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$58 million in realized testamentary gifts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$149 million for gifts-in-kind. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

$9 million in gifts to the university

As of June 20, 2009

4 CONNECTIONS

Duane Acker of Atlantic, Iowa, served as the president of Kansas State University and then as assistant Secretary of Agriculture in the U.S. Department of Agriculture before retiring. He has served in various roles at five state universities, including Iowa State. He earned bachelor’s (’52) and master’s (’53) degrees in animal science from Iowa State.

rose Boughton of Bloomington, Minn., is the retired administrative director for nutrition at Fairview Health Services in Minneapolis. She has served on the advisory board for the Institute of Food Safety and Security at Iowa State, and is a 1958 dietetics graduate of Iowa State.

Jon Hamann of Las Vegas, Nev., served as the world-wide business director for 3M Library Systems. Hamann and his wife Myrna have created an endowment furthering the mission of the Iowa State University Library. Hamann is a 1966 chemical engineering graduate of Iowa State.

Gene lange of Alexandria, Va., is an attorney and partner with Lange, Thomas & McMullen, LLP, in Washington, D.C. He is a member of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean’s Advisory Council and earned bachelor’s degrees in government, history and modern languages in 1969 from Iowa State.

Dana robes of Boca Grande, Fla., is the president of Dana Robes Wood Craftsmen. He and his wife Martha have focused on student and faculty support and on marketing and recruitment strategies to position Iowa State as a world leader in agriculture and life sciences. He is a 1967 graduate in dairy science at Iowa State.

Thomas Smith of Houston, Texas, is the retired president/owner of Seismic Micro-Technology. He and his wife, Evonne, have established the Smith Family Foundation Departmental Chair in Geology and have supported the Carl F. Vondra Geology Field Camp. Smith holds bachelor’s (’69) and master’s (’71) degrees in geology from Iowa State.

James Waters of Naperville, Ill., is vice president of worldwide production systems for Caterpillar, Inc. He has served on the College of Engineering’s Industrial Advisory Council and was instrumental in establishing a strategic partner school relationship between Iowa State and Caterpillar. He is a 1981 electrical engineering graduate of Iowa State.

The ISU Foundation Board of Directors has elected new officers for 2009-2010.

Steve Schuler of Urbandale, will serve as chair of the ISU Founda-tion Board of Directors. Schuler is the executive vice president and chief financial officer of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. He is a 1973 graduate of Iowa State with majors in indus-trial administration and accounting

and has been a ISU Foundation governor since 2000.

In addition, two new members have been elected the ISU Foundation Board of Directors.

Mike Dubes of Eden Prairie, Minn., is the retired president of Conseco Insurance Company in Indianapolis, Ind. Prior to that position, Dubes worked for several other leading insurance companies. He has been an ISU Foundation governor since 1999 and is a 1966 physical education graduate of Iowa State.

Frankee Oleson of Ames is the executive director of United Way of Story County and a former employee of the ISU Alumni Association. She has been an ISU Foundation governor since 2006 and earned a music degree from the University of Northern Iowa.

New Governors NamedSeven individuals with strong ties to Iowa State University were recently elected governors of the ISU Foundation. ISU Foundation governors serve as ambassadors and advocates for Iowa State and the ISU Foundation, providing volunteer and financial support to benefit the university. This group meets semi-annually and many serve on a standing committee, including audit, awards, governance, communications, finance and investment. The following individuals were elected:

5FALL 2009

A CONTINUING LOVE FOR THE ARTSIf there was one thIng Iowa State University lacked while

Doris Riehm was a student on campus in the 1940s, it was a

focus on the arts.

In the years since, the current Tucson resident has attempt-

ed to put more focus on the arts through her philanthropy.

“The arts keep your interest going in things other than what

you’re studying,” said Riehm.

Since graduating from Iowa State in 1942 with a bach-

elor’s degree in child development, Riehm has been an active

contributor to Iowa State. She has supported a multitude of

programs, but one fund in particular has been a favorite for

the past 35 years.

The Alvin Edgar Fund for the Performing Arts not only fo-

cuses on Riehm’s desire to elevate the arts at Iowa State, it also

has roots from her days on campus as an undergraduate.

“I worked for Dr. Edgar while I was in college,” Riehm says,

“and when a fund was established in his name, I knew I

wanted to help support the performing arts.”

The Alvin Edgar Fund for the Performing Arts was estab-

lished in 1973 by friends and associates of the longtime Iowa

State music faculty member to assure that his name would con-

tinue to be identified with the campus’ cultural life. Edgar was

the head of the department of music for 13 years and a faculty

member for 38. During his tenure he served as director for the

Symphony Orchestra and director of concerts.

Edgar was actively involved in a number of Ames cultural

events including the Town and Gown Concert Series, the

Ames International Orchestra Festival Association and the

Celebrity Concert Series. He was the president of the Iowa

Bandmasters Association, Iowa Music Teachers Association

and the College Band Directors National Association.

The Edgar Fund continues to enhance the performing arts to

this day by providing support for the department of music and

the Iowa State theatre and dance programs above and beyond

As a student at Iowa State University, Doris Riehm (’42 child development) worked with music’s Alvin Edgar. She continues to support the performing arts on campus by contributing to the Alvin Edgar Fund for the Performing Arts.

6 CONNECTIONS

that which is available from department budgets, student fees

and ticket sales. The program annually supports 15 different

performances.

“The fund brings in world-class artists and working profes-

sionals,” said Michael Golemo, chair of the department of

music. “These interactions are a wonderful opportunity for

our students to get a perspective other than what they get in a

classroom.

“For example, when the National Symphony Orchestra was

on campus a few years ago, four principal players from that

ensemble worked with our students. That experience wouldn’t

have been possible for the students without the Edgar Fund.”

The department of music works collaboratively with other

Ames arts organizations to bring in special artists while

utilizing Edgar Fund resources. So a guest conductor for the

Central Iowa Symphony may also stop by the Music Hall to

meet and work with Iowa State music students.

“Without this fund and the cooperation of other arts orga-

nizations in the community, many of these events absolutely

wouldn’t happen. We just don’t have the budget to bring in

these types of world-class artists without private support like

the Edgar Fund,” Golemo said.

Riehm didn’t have that same opportunity to partake in the

arts while she was a student at Iowa State. A trombone player

in the Iowa State band, she says she had been interested in

music from her high school days. “When you grow up in a

little town in Iowa, music in high school is one of the few

activities that inspire people to think about broader issues.”

She expanded her interest in music by working as Edgar’s

assistant during her four years on campus. She even babysat

for his daughter on a number of occasions and was able to

observe Edgar’s love of teaching and interest in his students.

“I soon became aware of the relationship Dr. Edgar had with

his students,” she said. “He was so interested in his students.

He seemed to inspire many of us to be our best — not only as

musicians, but also in life in general.

“How does a professor inspire his students? They become in-

terested in them as a person and get to know their professional

desires. I think he was unusual in that respect.”

Edgar and Riehm remained friends long after she graduated

from Iowa State. He would visit Riehm and her husband in

New York City. She remains close to Edgar’s daughter, Marga-

ret McWilliams.

So it was natural that when a fund was established in Edgar’s

name at Iowa State, Riehm would take a leading role.

“Dr. Edgar taught me a lot and he cared about me and other

students,” she said. “Giving back and allowing his name to be

carried forward to future generations of musicians and per-

forming artists is a small way we can honor him.”

The Alvin Edgar Fund for the Performing Arts annually supports the performing arts at Iowa State — including Richard MacDowell of the University of Texas — who gave a master class at the Big 12 Clarinet Day last spring on campus.

7FALL 2009

Jonathan wIckert was fIrmly entrenched at Carnegie Mellon

University. During his 17 years on that campus, the mechani-

cal engineering professor had led his department’s undergradu-

ate program and was nationally acclaimed for his research in

mechanical vibration and applied mechanics.

He was the author of the textbook, “An Introduction to

Mechanical Engineering,” and Carnegie Mellon had recog-

nized him with a bevy of awards for his teaching and research

efforts there.

So when Iowa State University came calling in 2007, Wickert

faced a tough choice.

At the same time, Larry and Pam Pithan were discussing es-

tablishing a named professorship in the College of Engineering.

“We were told that Jon was a great candidate, but it probably

would take a named position to entice him to come to Iowa

State,” Larry Pithan said.

The newly established endowed position, the Larry and Pam

Pithan Professor of Mechanical Engineering, made it a whole

lot easier for Wickert to make a move.

“The opportunity afforded by the Pithan professorship was

the deciding factor that made it easy and natural for me to

come to Iowa State,” said Wickert.

An invaluable toolDuring the planning for Campaign Iowa State: With Pride and

Purpose, particular focus was given to increasing the number

of endowed faculty positions at the university from 75 to 150,

with a goal of raising $215 million in faculty support.

Currently, 60 new endowed faculty positions have been

created during the campaign, with more than $147 million

committed for those positions.

“Competition for the best scholars is intense,” said Iowa State

President Gregory L. Geoffroy. “One of the most effective ways

to attract and retain world-class faculty is to offer endowed

chairs, professorships and fellowships.

“It is critical that Iowa State University has these types of

positions to remain competitive in our faculty hires and reten-

tions.”

Wickert agrees. He comes with a unique perspective, as not

only the holder of an endowed faculty position, but also as

chair of the department of mechanical engineering, and as of

July 1, dean of the College of Engineering.

“Endowed positions are an invaluable tool to deans and

department chairs,” Wickert said. “The College of Engineering

is only as good as the people in it, and these positions enable

us to attract and retain elite faculty members.”

While Iowa State is looking to recruit top faculty members to

campus, other universities are looking to Ames to recruit away

our best and brightest.

“The national marketplace for faculty talent is remarkably

competitive,” Wickert said. “We don’t want to be defenseless

when another university attempts to hire away one of our top

performing faculty members. By having a portfolio of en-

dowed faculty positions, not only can we proactively recognize

our current faculty, but on a good day, we can attract a star to

Iowa State from another university.”

“This is crucial in attracting top-notch graduate students and

giving undergraduate students the opportunity to study and

work with world-class scholars,” added Michael Whiteford,

dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Wickert, Whiteford and Iowa State’s other deans are

taking this proactive approach with the endowed faculty

positions established during and before Campaign Iowa

State — positions like the John D. Corbett Professor in

Chemistry. That endowed position, which was cre-

ated during the campaign, was used to recognize rising

academic star Mei Hong, whose research on antimicrobial

peptides may one day lead to vaccines or to more effectively

fight a variety of diseases. (continued on page 11)

ATTRACTING AND RETAINING THE veRy beSt

8 CONNECTIONS

“By having a portfolio of endowed faculty positions, not only can we proactively recognize our current faculty, but on a good day, we can attract a star to Iowa State from another university.”JONATHAN WICKERTDEAN, COllEGE OF ENGINEERING

9FALL 2009

first-in-the-nation faculty Position

Honors Dr. Carver

As the first George Washington Carver Chair at Iowa State University, Andrew Manu will conduct an academic program in sciences related to agronomy and the bioeconomy.

George Washington Carver had a long history in higher education.

An Iowa State University alumnus — he earned bach-elor’s and master’s degrees in 1894 and 1896 — Carver was Iowa State’s first African-American student and faculty member.

After leaving Iowa State, Carver joined Tuskegee Uni-versity in 1897 where he gained an international reputa-tion for his plant research and creation of more than 30 products from peanuts.

Despite Carver’s legacy, no endowed faculty position bearing his name had been established at either Iowa State, Tuskegee or any other college or university in the nation. That changed this past spring when Iowa State, in conjunction with the state of Iowa, established the first endowed faculty position honoring Carver.

A trust established by Raymond Baker prior to his death in 1999 is providing $1 million for the endowed chair. State support consists of $250,000 each in fiscal years 2008 and 2009.

“It is fitting that my grandfather, Raymond Baker, is involved in helping fund the George Washington Carver Chair at Iowa State since he was a longtime admirer of Dr. Carver,” said Joe Baker. “Iowa State means a great deal to my family, and we are delighted that my grandfa-ther’s gifts will continue to support Iowa State in such a meaningful way.”

Andrew Manu, Iowa State associate professor of agronomy, has been named the first George Washington Carver Chair.

“As George Washington Carver rightfully said, ‘No individual has any right to come into the world and go out of it without leaving something behind.’ Dr. Carver left a legacy for humanity through his impact on the scientific community, farmers, policy makers and the entire world. It is a pleasure for me to honor this legacy as the inaugu-ral George Washington Carver Chair,” said Manu.

“My vision is to work collaboratively with faculty, staff and students, and the community as a whole, to use this generous endowment in pursuit of Carver’s dream through diversity enhancement at Iowa State, promotion of excellence in teaching and research in natural resource management, and commitment to service to humanity,” he added.

As holder of the Carver Chair, Manu will conduct an academic program in sciences related to agronomy and the bioeconomy and will teach both undergraduate and graduate courses.

Manu also is an Iowa State alumnus. He earned master’s and doctoral degrees in soil morphology and genesis from Iowa State in 1979 and 1984.

10 CONNECTIONS

(continued from page 8)

“This professorship was designed to reward outstanding

faculty members like Mei Hong,” said John Corbett, distin-

guished professor of chemistry, who established the professor-

ship. “As a former department chair, I’m very familiar with the

trouble the department of chemistry has had keeping faculty.

“People who do well here get national recognition and are

very attractive to other colleges and universities. I’m hopeful

this will help in rewarding and retaining those current and

future faculty members.”

Benefits to the facultyEndowed faculty positions have a multi-pronged effect.

Not only do they provide Iowa State with an advantage in

attracting and retaining the very best faculty members, but

they create opportunities for current faculty members as well.

Funds from endowed faculty positions can be used in any

number of ways, including allowing the faculty member

flexibility in pursuing scholarship that isn’t directly tied to

a research contract, or unconventional new activities not yet

undertaken.

Wickert says the funds that he received as the Pithan Pro-

fessor were invaluable to him when he moved his research

program from Carnegie Mellon to Iowa State.

“I was able to start up my research in wind energy here at

Iowa State,” he said. “This was a new research area for me that

I had an interest in but hadn’t yet established external funding

streams.

“The Pithan professorship helped me not only get that

program established, but helped me reestablish my research

program from Carnegie Mellon to here.”

With economic conditions changing funding for many

schools, the additional funding supplied by an endowed

position can also be invaluable to faculty’s primary research

programs.

“There’s not enough money from typical sources to do your

work,” said Pam White, dean of the College of Human Sci-

ences. “However, if you have a chair position, that can add an

additional $70,000 a year for your research program.”

With that amount, White says, a faculty member could hire

graduate students to assist with their research program.

“The additional funding an endowed position creates is an

unbelievable opportunity for our faculty,” White said. “With

such a powerful tool a faculty member can write additional

grants, hopefully allowing their program to explode onto the

national scene.”

Prestigious postsEndowed chairs are the most esteemed positions in academia

and are awarded only to top tier faculty. Individuals with such

positions command considerable prestige within Iowa State

and their profession.

“As a faculty member who came up through the ranks and

then had the distinction to be awarded a named position, I am

truly honored,” Wickert said.

And in Wickert’s case, the Pithan Professorship was also a

boost to his career.

“It truly helped facilitate my career and helped me grow and

move into the dean’s position,” he said. “I recognize the critical

role that the Pithan professorship, as well as Larry and Pam,

have played in my career.”

“It gives Pam and me great satisfaction to think that we have

been able to help Jon’s career grow and also help Iowa State

maintain its strong position in the engineering field,” Pithan

said. “In my business career, one of my biggest satisfactions

has been to help young engineers develop their careers and

become successful.

“To see this happen at the university level is even more

rewarding.”

“The additional funding of an endowed position creates is an unbelievable opportunity for our faculty.”Pam White, dean of the College of Human Sciences

11FALL 2009

A remarkable transformation has occurred within the College

of Human Sciences. It’s a transformation that will continue for

years to come and is a direct result of the college’s generous

benefactors and Campaign Iowa State: With Pride and Purpose.

Since Campaign Iowa State began, the college has dramati-

cally increased its endowed faculty positions for full-time Iowa

State University faculty members. Since the beginning of the

campaign, the college has added eight such positions — and

counting.

“The campaign drew our focus toward the need for these

type of positions,” said Pam White, dean of the College of Hu-

mans Sciences. “With state funds dwindling, we have to come

up with other ways to support our faculty.

“Endowed faculty positions are a great way to do that.”

Three of the eight new endowed positions created are avail-

able right away for the college to use. Some, such as the Noma

Scott Lloyd Chair in Textiles and Clothing and the Virginia M.

Gladney Professorship, which supports the food science and

nutrition program, will be used to attract new faculty mem-

bers to campus.

Others, such as the Donna R. Danielson Professorship in

Textiles and Clothing, will be used to retain current faculty

members. For the current academic year, the Danielson Profes-

sorship was awarded to Sara Kadolph, who in addition to her

teaching and research responsibilities, works with the Center

for Visual Learning in Textiles and Clothing in Morrill Hall.

“Sometimes we may already have a top faculty member on

campus, such as Dr. Kadolph, whom we need to recognize

and assist with exciting and creative project ideas here at Iowa

State,” White said.

The other five endowed faculty positions created in the col-

lege since the campaign began are all deferred positions. These

will be finalized and filled at a later date including:

�� Jean Bacon Louis Professorship in Food Science and

Human Nutrition

�� Doris A. Adams Endowed Chair in Food Science and

Human Nutrition

�� Dr. Judy K. Nissen Chair in Community College

Leadership

�� Jane Armstrong Chair in Food Science and Human

Nutrition

�� Frank Randall Endowed Directorship in Athletic Training

White says the college’s goal is to have at least two endowed

faculty positions in each of the college’s six academic depart-

ments.

But for the moment White is excited to add eight such posi-

tions in a short period of time.

“I think this demonstrates the commitment and excellence

of the college to our research efforts,” she said. “But it also

shows the pride and interest our alumni have to invest back

into the college. These individuals are not only successful but

are visionaries in how they can contribute to Iowa State.”

12 CONNECTIONS

A new gift from Tom and Evonne Smith has the oppor-tunity to transform the department of geological and atmospheric sciences in Iowa State University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS).

The Houston, Texas, couple has established the Smith Family Foundation Departmental Chair in Geology to further enhance the mission of the department through a $2 million endowment.

“This gift will provide us with unprecedented opportuni-ties to advance the teaching and research missions of the department,” said Carl Jacobson, professor and chair of the department of geological and atmospheric sciences.

The position will provide annual earnings that will be used by the chair to support activities within the depart-ment. The Smith Family Foundation Departmental Chair in Geology is just the second such endowed departmen-tal chair at Iowa State.

The Smith gift will generate additional funding for items the department has been unable to support in previous years. The funds will be used for such items as support-ing cutting-edge research, recruiting of world-renowned faculty, and attracting top students.

“One of the great benefits of the new gift from the Smiths is that the distributions can be used broadly for faculty and student support,” Jacobson said. “We should be able to bring in distinguished scientists as part of our seminar series and expose them to our outstanding department.”

Jacobson has worked with the department’s faculty members to outline additional opportuni-ties including laboratory equipment, graduate student scholarships and matching funds for national research grants.

“During my years at Iowa State I formed lifelong friend-ships and to be in close proximity to outstanding faculty members was a wonderful, unique opportunity,” said Tom Smith. “Evonne and I hope that this gift will help es-tablish the department as a world class center of learning in the geological sciences.”

“We’re extremely grateful for Tom and Evonne’s com-mitment to create this first endowed department chair position in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences,” said LAS Dean Michael Whiteford. “Their appreciation for the education Tom received as a student at Iowa State speaks highly of the quality instruction offered then and today.”

Tom Smith holds both bachelor’s (1968) and master’s (1971) degrees in geology from Iowa State. The Smiths were the founders and former owners of Seismic Micro-Technology in Houston. The couple previously has pro-vided $370,000 for improvements at the Carl F. Vondra Geology Field Camp near Shell, Wyo. Tom Smith is an ISU Foundation governor, a member of the LAS Dean’s Advisory Council and a past recipient of the LAS Citation of Merit Award, the college’s top alumni honor.

Unprecedented opportunities for Geology Department

Carl Jacobson (right), the new Smith Family Foundation Departmental Chair in Geology, speaks with Jim Zalesky (’77 geology) at a recent geology field camp reunion in Wyoming.

13FALL 2009

the numbers are ImpressIve. During Campaign Iowa State: With

Pride and Purpose more than $205 million has been committed

for student support.

Nearly 600 additional scholarships have been established for

undergraduate and graduate students at Iowa State University,

bringing the total of privately supported scholarships at the

university to approximately 2,100.

“I continue to be very impressed and extremely grateful for

Iowa State’s many loyal and generous benefactors, especially

during these challenging times,” said Iowa State University

President Gregory L. Geoffroy. “Private support for student

scholarships is critically important to this university, our

students and the state of Iowa, and it’s especially important

as students face the additional challenges of these uncertain

economic times.”

While those figures are expected to grow during the remain-

ing months of Campaign Iowa State, it’s not nearly enough,

according to Roberta Johnson, director of financial aid at Iowa

State.

“The debt load of our students is one of the highest in the

country,” Johnson said. “That’s why raising funds for scholar-

ship support is so vitally important in this campaign.

“I can think of no better investment than a scholarship for

the next generation of students.”

rising costs and debtAs impressive as the Campaign Iowa State fundraising figures

are, the costs of a college education and the resulting debt are

increasing.

Some of the facts and figures Johnson highlighted in a

presentation to the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, show how

quickly things have turned financially for Iowa State students.

At the beginning of the millennium, the average loan indebt-

edness for Iowa State students stood at just under $22,000.

Just four years later (2005-06 academic year), that same figure

jumped to almost $31,000.

Johnson says there are a number of factors associated with

that increase including more students studying abroad;

students and parents who took advantage of low interest rates

earlier in the decade; and students taking longer to finish their

degree.

But a primary reason for a steep jump in student loan in-

debtedness is rising tuition costs. As state appropriations for

higher education have declined, the shortfalls were made up

through tuition increases, including some double-digit jumps.

And as tuition costs rose, financial aid resources from the

federal and state governments dropped.

“We’ve seen costs rise tremendously and state support

decrease dramatically,” said Johnson, who has worked in

THE RISING NEED FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

14 CONNECTIONS

financial aid for 27 years. “There are hundreds of students at

Iowa State who are eligible for financial aid but for whom we

don’t have any funding.”

Johnson and her staff have been able to hold average student

loan indebtedness at around $31,000 for the past three years.

The percentage of those students who have borrowed to fi-

nance their education, though, has increased to 72 percent (an

increase of 5 percent since the beginning of the decade).

It doesn’t appear that the 2009-10 academic year will be any

better. The uncertain economy is placing additional stress on

budgets throughout campus. Students and their families are

facing a similar meltdown. Every day Johnson and the finan-

cial aid staff come face-to-face with prospective and current

undergraduate and graduate students whose financial needs

continue to outstrip assistance available from federal, state,

local and private sources.

That became even more apparent to Johnson on March 1,

the date on which the federal government traditionally assigns

a contribution level for families.

“The percentage of families who can’t afford to pay anything

for their children’s college education is increasing substantially

this year,” Johnson said. “Our goal is to see if we can still keep

an education at Iowa State University affordable for as many of

these students as possible.” (continued on next page)

Leah Driver has wanted to be a teacher since the fourth grade. Four years later she decided to become a biology teacher.

Her goal may not have been realized without the help of scholarships provided by Iowa State University benefactors including Christina Hixson and the Lied Foundation Trust.

“I come from a small family farm,” said Driver, a senior biology education major from Linn Grove, Iowa. “There’s not a lot of extra money hanging around to attend a school like Iowa State.”

A campus visit back when she was a high school senior clinched Driver’s decision — she was going to attend Iowa State. She soon started seeking out scholarship possibili-ties and learned about the Hixson Opportunity Awards.

“Without the Hixson scholarship, I probably would have attended a community college,” Driver said.

The senior has had an opportunity to thank Hixson in person and through other communications. But if given the opportunity, after she graduates, she would like to thank her benefactor again.

“I would tell her that choosing me for this award was the right decision,” Driver said. “I’ve been successful here at Iowa State, received a great education and become an ef-fective leader.

“After graduation, because of Ms. Hixson, I will be able to teach kids and hopefully afford them opportunities like she gave me.”

the times they are a-changin’Change is inevitable — even at colleges and universities. And

that is particularly true when it comes time to pay the bill.

Johnson remembers her own experience as an Iowa State

student in the late 1970s.

“I would write a check for $515 for a quarter and that was

my whole educational expense,” she recalled.

In 2009, $515 may not even pay for a student’s books for

one semester. The financial aid office estimates that it costs an

in-state student $17,700 a year for tuition, fees and room and

board. That doesn’t include study abroad expenses or expens-

es incurred for a summer internships — programs that have

become more of a requirement for students than an option.

Some majors, such as architecture, are five-year programs.

Engineering students pay a differential tuition rate their junior

and senior years.

“Very few people have that amount of money sitting

around,” Johnson said, “and it makes it difficult for many of

our families.”

Another change — few students work their way through

college, totally paying for college through work study and

summer jobs.

GIFT GrOWS AG AMBASSADOr PrOGrAM A volunteer organization in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences has changed thanks to a new scholarship pro-gram established through a gift from Dana and Martha Robes of Round Pond, Maine.

The Fred Foreman Scholarship for Growth in Leadership Participation recognizes the top volunteers who have dem-onstrated leadership skills in the college and encourage new students to volunteer, particularly in college recruiting. The scholarship honors Fred Foreman, an emeritus professor of dairy science, whom Dana Robes had as a professor while at Iowa State.

Now in its second year, 20 sophomores and 20 juniors have been awarded the scholarship — five students receive a $5,000 award while the other students receive $1,000 scholarships. Next year the program will expand to include 60 student volunteers.

Scholarship recipients are members of the Ag Ambassadors, a student group that assists with a variety of student recruitment projects for the college, including campus tours and visits, off-campus events and “shadow days”. This

Roberta Johnson, director of financial aid, and her staff regularly meet to counsel current and incoming Iowa State students on their options for financial assistance.

16 CONNECTIONS

“We hear a lot from parents and grandparents wondering

why their student can’t work their way through college. They

say ‘I did it, why can’t they?’” Johnson said. “It would take a

college student a long time to work to earn $17,000 or $18,000

a year for four years.

“It’s just impossible for someone to be a full-time student and

earn enough to work their way through any four-year college.”

Appreciative studentsMany students do work to assist with their bills. One such stu-

dent is Stephen Miskell, who worked three different jobs while

attending Des Moines Area Community College.

“It was trying at times to get all the work in, spend time with

my family and still get in my studies,” he said.

Despite his commitments, Miskell was able to graduate with

his associate’s degree. Even with that success, he was nervous

about how he would connect all the dots when he transferred

to Iowa State as a business economics major. So when he

was encouraged to apply for a Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust

Scholarship at Iowa State, it piqued his interest.

“When the letter came in the mail saying I was a recipient, I

was bouncing off the walls I was so excited,” he remembers.

Miskell is hardly alone in his appreciation for the private

support he receives from Iowa State benefactors. Jamison

Arends had his heart set on attending Iowa State, but those

hopes seemed unrealistic because of his family’s finances. The

best he said he could hope for was coming to Ames after he

completed two years at a community college.

Then Arends heard about the Hixson Opportunity Awards.

The program provides half-tuition and fees for up to eight se-

mesters at Iowa State. The scholarship has enabled Arends not

only to attend Iowa State but also become active in a variety of

student organizations.

“Without this program I would have a completely different

world now,” he said. “How do you thank this woman (Chris-

tina Hixson, the program’s founder and sole trustee of the Lied

Foundation Trust)? She gave me and so many others a way to

go to this school.”

Fellow student Jessica Meredith says Iowa State’s scholar-

ship program was the deciding factor for her staying at Iowa

State. Meredith, who comes from a single parent household,

originally came to Iowa State as a architecture major but soon

changed her mind and became undecided.

“I was thinking about transferring to a community college

or a different school,” the now senior construction engineer-

ing major said. “But

the main reason I

stayed at Iowa State

were the scholar-

ships I received.

“It helped me

to not only stay

on campus but

led to even more

experiences than I

would have gotten

anywhere else. I

wouldn’t have been

able to be involved

as I have been with-

out the scholar-

ship monies I have

received.”

Johnson is also

appreciative of every scholarship established through Cam-

paign Iowa State.

“It would be terrific if we had even more, particularly scholar-

ships that were as unrestricted as possible,” she said. “Flexibility

is critical, allowing us to get the money to the right student.”

program brings high school students to campus for two days. The students stay with the Ag Ambassadors in the residence halls, attend college events and go to classes with an Ag Ambassador.

“The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is one of the best institutions in this field in the world,” said Dana Robes (‘67 dairy science). “We need to attract and retain outstanding students from Iowa and elsewhere.”

Robes says the couple hopes that the program not only inspires students to vol-unteer, but also provides them with financial assistance beyond their freshman year.

“Often students may be able to start at Iowa State with the help of freshman-year scholarships but find it too difficult financially to return,” he said. “These scholarships are a way to encourage students to continue studying at Iowa State from their sophomore through senior years.”

Construction engineering major Jessica Meredith would have transferred to a community college if she hadn’t received scholarships from Iowa State University.

17FALL 2009

Practice teachingKarri Haen is no stranger to teaching. The doctoral student in genetics has taught

recitation courses and assisted with classroom instruction in accompanying labs.

But planning, preparing and delivering lectures throughout an entire semester —

that is entirely different.

Thanks to the Knaphus Teaching Fellowship at Iowa State University, Haen and

other recipients have had the opportunity to plan, prepare and deliver lectures in

their very own class.

“I had a fairly extensive teaching background,” Haen said, “but I had always

worked with others in putting the class materials together. This was my first oppor-

tunity to teach a lecture and teach it on my own accord.”

The Knaphus Teaching Fellowship was established by the late Marie Knaphus in

honor of her husband, George, a longtime botany professor. George Knaphus was

passionate about inspiring young minds and conducting research concerning fungi,

particularly morel mushrooms.

In establishing the paid fellowship, Marie Knaphus wanted to give graduate stu-

dents in ecology, evolution and organismal biology the opportunity to teach biology

each summer.

“Students come in and are handed a course to teach,” she once said, “but they

have little idea how to go about it because they’ve never had any teaching methods

courses. Traditionally at the university level, student teachers often learn by doing.”

Haen’s opportunity came last summer. She taught Biology 101, a month-long intro-

ductory course for non-majors and was mentored by biology professor and award-

winning teacher Jim Colbert.

The Knaphus Fellowship provided Haen a summer stipend that not only covered

her time in the classroom, but the month she spent preparing for the course.

“I was allowed to do what I wanted to do in the course,” Haen said. “Graduate stu-

dents aren’t allowed that opportunity too often.”

“It was a great experience for me. In courses I have helped teach before, the mate-

rial is outlined for you. This was completely different from that.”

Honoring Mom (and Grandma)Education was always impor-tant to Becky Kresowik and her mother Lucille Drey. Both completed their bachelor’s degrees long after the tradi-tional age of going to school.

So when Kresowik (’87 liberal studies) and her daugh-ters, fellow Iowa Staters Melissa Borell (below right) and Emily Hemann, decided to honor Drey’s memory, they established a non-traditional student scholarship at Iowa State in her name.

“We wanted to recognize someone who had a hardship going to school like my mom and I did,” Kresowik said.

“When I received a let-ter from our first recipient I was extremely emotional,” Kresowik continued. “I was humbled by the letter and what we had done to honor my mom. It was the best thing I had done all year.”

Through the Knaphus Teaching Fellowship, Iowa State students like Karri Haen get a jump on classroom teaching.

18 CONNECTIONS

In one year alone, the Lyle J. (’57 industrial engineering) and Marcia L. Higgins Engineering Scholarship Fund (recipients pictured below) has helped transform the college careers of more than 90 undergraduate engineering students in every discipline offered at Iowa State University.

With scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $2,500 per student, the program is providing the impact that the couple had hoped for when they established the scholarship bequest.

“I hadn’t considered attending a school out-side of my home state of Minnesota,” said Alex Clemons, a junior industrial engineering major. “If it weren’t for scholarships like the Higgins Engineering Scholarship, I would not have been able to attend Iowa State.”

A LAsting impAct

19FALL 2009

over tragedyTRIUMPH

Judy Nissen’s life story has the

makings for an inspirational bestseller.

After hearing her saga, many say she

should take up writing.

20 CONNECTIONS

“My friends are always telling Me I should write a book,” says

Judy Nissen. “I like to share my story. People are amazed by

the challenges I’ve faced.”

Nissen’s story is indeed one of tragedy and triumph. It’s

surprising a person who has experienced so much heartbreak,

could be so hopeful and full of life.

“After all the tragedies in my life I made a conscious deci-

sion that it wouldn’t destroy me,” she said. “I had to find a new

meaning and purpose in my life.”

Few would blame Nissen if she had stayed within herself. Af-

ter graduating with a degree in family and consumer sciences

from the University of Northern Iowa, she took a high school

teaching job in Tyler, Minn., to be near her boyfriend who was

a student at South Dakota State University.

The couple married and lived in towns throughout Iowa.

They had two daughters before Nissen’s husband died from

Hodgkin’s disease at the age of 29.

Two and a half years later, Nissen remarried and followed her

new husband to Seoul, South Korea. Things didn’t work out

in Korea and after less than two years the young family settled

back in the States in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Six months later, she was divorced and a single parent again.

“He decided he didn’t want to be with us anymore and left,”

she said. “There I was in Colorado Springs, knowing no one

and without a good job.”

Nissen still had a valid teaching certificate in Iowa and sev-

eral years of teaching experience. She moved her family back

to Iowa, settling in Marshalltown. There she went to work at

the local community college.

“I was desperate to come back to Iowa and to a job with full

benefits,” she said. “The pay was absolutely awful, but it was a

job.”

But tragedy would strike Nissen again in Marshalltown. Her

daughters, ages 15 and 13, were killed in a car accident.

“I wondered ‘What am I going to do?’” she recalled. “This was

absolutely the worst time of my life. If Bob hadn’t been there

for support, I’m not sure what I would have done.”

Bob was Bob Nissen, her future husband. He encouraged her

to go back to school to obtain a master’s degree. She enrolled

in a weekend program at Truman State University in Missouri,

earning that master’s in 1987.

But Nissen wanted more and enrolled in the doctoral pro-

gram in education at Iowa State University.

“I had met Larry (Ebbers, university professor of educational

leadership and policy studies) through a community college

organization and he encouraged me to come to Iowa State,” she

said. “I was 45 years old at the time and my goal was to finish

my Ph.D. by the time I was 50.”

She accomplished that goal, while working full time for Iowa

Valley Community College District. She later parlayed that

degree into a community college position in Nebraska and a

university position in Sioux Falls, S.D., where she served as

director of the Center for Public Higher Education.

Shortly after she retired, tragedy struck Nissen again. Bob

became ill and died in 2003. Prior to his death, he had become

an active investor and grew the couple’s assets. He passed that

passion along to Nissen.

“Bob and I were both teachers and one of the things we

wanted to do was find a way to support and encourage educa-

tion,” she said.

Which Nissen has done at multiple institutions. She estab-

lished scholarships in her daughters’ names at Marshalltown

Community College, another scholarship at South Dakota State

University in recognition of her first husband, and another

scholarship for single parents in Sioux Falls.

Iowa State has also benefited from Nissen’s philanthropy. An

ISU Foundation governor, Nissen serves as chair of the College

of Human Sciences’ National Campaign Committee.

She gives back, she says, because of the support that Ebbers

gave her while pursuing her doctorate.

“Iowa State embraced me,” she said. “If it weren’t for Iowa

State and Larry Ebbers, I just might not have made it. But this

university has been supportive of me, so I’m grateful to give

back.

“What I have been able to do for Iowa State is just a small

return for what it has done for me.”

When Nissen initially contacted the ISU Foundation about

a gift, she was thinking only about establishing a scholarship.

With the advice of her financial advisors and sound investing,

Nissen soon realized she could do more.

The result is the Dr. Judy K. Nissen Chair in Community

College leadership, an endowed faculty position that also

honors Ebbers.

“Larry influenced me to finish my degree. He has done so

much for community colleges in Iowa and throughout the na-

tion, this seemed like a nice way to honor him,” she said.

“I was totally amazed I could do something like this. It

is extremely special to me and is so much more than I ever

dreamed I could do.”

Sounds like the perfect ending to a good book.

21FALL 2009

22 CONNECTIONS

23FALL 2009

gene lange’s transcripts at iowa state University show majors

in history, government and modern languages.

Nowhere in those transcripts does chemistry even appear.

“I lasted just three weeks in my freshman chemistry class,”

said Lange, a 1969 Iowa State graduate. “Chemistry and I

didn’t mix well. It quickly became clear to me I wasn’t pre-

pared to take that class.”

So Lange shifted his interests and moved into the humanities

and social sciences at Iowa State.

After graduating, he attended law school at Georgetown

University and is now a successful partner with the law firm

of Lange, Thomas & McMullen in Washington, D.C. He is also

the owner of Union State Bank in Winterset, Iowa.

So, given his lack of interest and association with chem-

istry over the years, why in the world did Lange contribute

$150,000 to the construction of Hach Hall, Iowa State’s newest

chemistry building?

Change of heartWhen Lange and his wife Jeanie arrived on campus in the fall

of 2007 for the kickoff celebration for Campaign Iowa State:

With Pride and Purpose, the couple was prepared to make a

contribution to Iowa State and to one of the College of Liberal

Arts and Sciences (LAS) many academic programs.

Chemistry was nowhere on their radar screen.

Lange’s mind was soon changed.

“I attribute my decision to two people,” Lange said, “Burton

Christensen and my wife.”

Christensen, a 1952 chemistry graduate and retired senior

vice president of Merck Research Lab, was on campus to re-

ceive an award from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

After the campaign kickoff ceremony, the Langes went back

to their hotel where they ran into Christensen and his wife. The

couples sat in the hotel lounge and talked about the evening.

“The conversation always drifted back to the chemistry

department, and Dr. Christensen made it clear that, while

chemistry was an excellent department, it was in need of

enhancements, particularly to its facilities, if it was to maintain

and improve on that excellence,” Lange said.

“My original leanings were to contribute to one of the social

sciences or business departments, but my wife, who isn’t an

Iowa Stater, noted that one of the highest priorities on campus

and in LAS was the chemistry building. She said it made more

sense to put our resources where the most good would come

of it,” Lange continued. “Jeanie summed things up ‘Why give

to any other area when here was this great need and it was a

priority of the university?’

Giving backAs an undergraduate at Iowa State, Lange not only had several

majors, but was involved in numerous activities as well. He

participated in a number of department clubs, was a mem-

ber of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, served as co-chair of

VEISHEA his senior year, and was a member of Cardinal Key.

Once he graduated, though, he left Iowa State in the rearview

mirror and headed to the nation’s capital.

“I spent the first 20 years of my adult life trying to get out

of Iowa and the next 20 trying to get back in,” he said. “Iowa

State prepared me well for life after graduation. Now I want the

opportunity not only to give back to Iowa State financially, but

in other ways as well.”

A member of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean’s

Advisory Council, Lange is a frequent visitor to campus these

days. He attended the groundbreaking ceremonies for Hach

Hall and is excited about the direction of the chemistry depart-

ment and Iowa State.

“I’m pleased to be able to help somewhat with one of the uni-

versity’s top priorities,” he said. “I feel in order to build up the

entire university, you have to first build up its finest programs,

and chemistry is one of those.”

Late Night Conversation Makes Lange a Believer in Chemistry

if it hadn’t been for her childhood sweetheart it’s doubtful

Donna Whitney would ever have been associated with Iowa

State University.

But more than two decades after husband Tom Whitney’s

death, Whitney has maintained her connections with the

university of which she can now say she is an alumna. She re-

ceived the ISU Alumni Association’s Honorary Alumna Award

in this spring for her significant contributions to Iowa State’s

welfare, reputation, prestige, and pursuit of excellence.

“I’m thrilled to get this award,” she said. “Everyone at Iowa

State has always been so appreciative and made me feel like an

alumna and a part of the university long before I got this award.

“But this was always Tom’s university. He was really proud

of, and attached to, Iowa State. He always said that without his

education he wouldn’t have gotten to where he did in his career.”

Tom Whitney was a three-time graduate in electrical and

computer engineering. After graduating he became lead engi-

neer on the world’s first-ever electronic calculator, the HP-35,

and employee number 15 at Apple, Inc., and eventually execu-

tive vice president of engineering. There he played a major role

in the development of the Apple II and Macintosh computers.

He was also a loyal Iowa Stater. A longtime supporter of the

College of Engineering, Tom Whitney was an ISU Foundation

governor and regularly traveled to Ames to attend the meet-

ings. Donna Whitney would join her husband and came to

know many governors.

After her husband’s untimely death in 1986, Whitney moved

on without Iowa State. She still visited Ames from her Florida

home to see old friends from the time she lived in town and

worked at Mary Greeley Hospital while Tom was attending

Iowa State.

During that time, “I didn’t visit campus,” she said. “That was

Tom’s tie.”

Then she got a call out of the blue from then Iowa State

President Martin Jischke asking to meet with her. That was the

beginning of her reintroduction to Iowa State.

Soon she herself was an ISU Foundation governor and a mem-

ber of the foundation’s Board of Directors. Now, on her trips

back to Ames, Whitney not only visits old friends from town,

but old and new friends from the governors. She soon realized

that she wasn’t the only non-Iowa State graduate in the group.

“There were a number of people there who weren’t gradu-

ates but whom really supported the university because they

believed in the institution,” she said.

For the past several years Whitney has remained involved

with Iowa State. She continued her husband’s legacy by estab-

lishing the Thomas M. Whitney Professorship in Electrical and

Computer Engineering. The professorship has supported the

department’s strong research program, particularly in the fields

of nondestructive evaluation and solar energy research.

Whitney has continued to be a very active and regular

supporter of the College of Engineering, including the State

Science and Technology Fair of Iowa, the Whitney Engineer-

ing Museum in Howe Hall, and the FIRST LEGO League. She

regularly visits the department of electrical and computer en-

gineering, ensuring that she is up-to-date on the department’s

research activities and progress.

24 CONNECTIONS

She’s a native Iowan and even lived in Ames. Yet Donna Whitney’s

only association with Iowa State University was through her husband

Tom. Now years after his death, Whitney has become…

A Loyal Iowa Stater

25FALL 2009

26 CONNECTIONS

27FALL 2009

no bUilding on caMpUs bears their naMes. No Iowa State

University students receive a scholarship honoring them. Nor

is any university faculty member the Warren and Beverly Mad-

den Endowed Chair. Recognition for the longtime Iowa State

couple instead comes from the joy of supporting any number

of programs, scholarships and facilities on campus. The list of

areas that the Maddens have supported over the years is quite

simply staggering.

From building projects to the arts and athletics to assisting

their home academic departments of engineering and food sci-

ence and human nutrition, few areas of the university haven’t

been touched by the couple’s generosity.

“Iowa State has given us the opportunity to do lots of

things,” said Warren, vice president for business and finance.

“This place has played a significant role in our lives.

“We have been fortunate to be successful and feel that Iowa

State should be a recipient of our philanthropy.”

Building legacies on campusOver the course of the past 40 years, the personal and working

lives of Warren and Bev Madden have melded. In many ways,

Iowa State and the City of Ames have become their lives. The

two have served in virtually every professional and volunteer

capacity that the university and the surrounding community

might offer, devoting their time, talent and resources to the

betterment of these entities.

Warren is a 1961 Iowa State industrial engineering graduate,

while Bev holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in home eco-

nomics (’60) and family environment (’70), respectively. After

moving away after graduation, the couple returned in 1966

and have become fixtures in the community.

By 1984 Warren had been named vice president for business

and finance. In this capacity, he has been an invaluable re-

source and leader for six of Iowa State’s presidents. During his

career on campus, enrollment doubled, the budget increased

by more than $800 million, and the campus added more than

8 million square feet of space.

His reputation nationally is legendary. He is past president of

the Central Association of College and University Business Of-

ficers; he chaired the Business Affairs Council of the National

Association of State University and Land Grant Colleges; he

serves on the board of directors for the Council of Governmen-

tal Relations; and he is a founding member and past president

of the University Risk Management and Insurance Association.

In 1993, the National Association of College and University

Business Officers bestowed upon Warren its coveted Distin-

guished Business Officer Award.

He is an ISU Foundation governor and serves on the foun-

dation’s Board of Directors. He is also a member of the ISU

Alumni Association’s Board of Directors and a past member of

the Memorial Union Board.

Bev’s legacy at Iowa State is also diverse and extraordinary.

She was one of Iowa State’s very first honors students. While

working on her master’s degree, she taught the home manage-

ment residence course. A College of Family and Consumer

Sciences faculty member, she taught food science for 15 years

prior to coordinating the college’s career services office and

spearheading the college’s development efforts.

She also served as the director of Iowa State’s Career Ser-

vices Office. During her tenure, Iowa State was recognized for

providing one of the top 35 career services programs in the

nation and recent graduates were featured at the university’s

There’s hardly a corner of Iowa State University that hasn’t been

touched by the generosity of Warren and Beverly Madden.

28 CONNECTIONS

Iowa State Fair exhibit. Before she recently retired from that

position, her work in that office directly affected the lives of

thousands of Iowa State students as they prepared to transition

into the workforce. She is an ISU Foundation governor and

has served on the foundation’s governance committee and the

Women and Philanthropy board.

Philanthropy in and out of the workplaceIt was about the time the couple came back to campus that the

university’s philanthropy efforts kicked into high gear. Warren

says he saw that transformation firsthand as a staff member in

the business office.

“I had a chance as a young professional to work with the pro-

cess of creating the Iowa State Center,” he said. “As I look back

now, I think one of the things that changed Iowa State were

those facilities. It took athletics and all of the performing arts

events and placed them in state-of-the-art buildings.”

The Maddens have taken leadership roles in their philanthro-

py to Iowa State by supporting many projects on campus, most

notably the Palmer Human Development and Family Studies

Building; the Martin Jischke Honors Building; the renovations

of Beardshear Hall, and Morrill Hall; the construction of the

gateway to campus, as well as University Museums, Reiman

Gardens and the Performing Arts Fund at Stephens Auditorium.

While each of the projects is special to the Maddens, the

Beardshear Hall project holds a special meaning, since both

had offices in the building. The couple helped fund the gold

leaf that adorns the structure’s dome.

“Every day I have an opportunity to see the renovations to

Beardshear Hall,” Warren said. “There are many times I see

people touring the building and looking up at the dome and

remarking how beautiful the facility is. It gives you a certain

amount of satisfaction.”

The arts also are extremely important to the couple.

“The arts are part of what a university is,” Bev said. “I think

you should support the things you are involved with, and mu-

sic and art are both a large part of our lives.”

Honored for their philanthropic spiritThis past spring, the Maddens were recognized for their life-

long support of Iowa State. The ISU Foundation presented its

Order of the Knoll Faculty/Staff Award to them, as well as to

retiring College of Design Dean Mark Engelbrecht (B.A.R. ’63

architecture).

The award annually recognizes an individual or couple

employed by or retired from Iowa State who has brought

distinction to the university, its students, programs or research

significantly beyond the expectations of the position held.

It almost sounds as if the award was created specifically for

Warren and Bev Madden.

The Maddens have taken leadership

roles in their philanthropy to Iowa

State by supporting many projects

on campus, most notably the Palmer

Human Development and Family

Studies Building; the Martin Jischke

Honors Building; the renovations of

Beardshear Hall and Morrill Hall; the

construction of the gateway to campus,

as well as University Museums, Reiman

Gardens and the Performing Arts Fund

at Stephens Auditorium.

O R D e R O f t h e K n O l l

The individuals listed have recently become members in

Iowa State’s most prestigious donor recognition society: the

Order of the Knoll. The Iowa State University Foundation

extends a heartfelt welcome — and our sincere thanks

— to those who have chosen to give so generously to the

people, programs and facilities of Iowa State.

President’s CircleRecognizes cumulative gifts or pledges of $100,000 to $999,999

Tom Baas ‘72, ‘89, ‘90 and Cindy BaasWilliam Bestmann ’48 and Geraldine Bestmann Ruth Kunerth Bock ‘39Richard P. Boettcher ‘61 and Linda BoettcherJames Bosshart ‘78 and Deb BosshartRobert Boyce ‘53 and Margaret BoyceAlan Brown ‘60Everett Casey ‘46 and Maryalice CaseyWilliam Claybaugh ‘73Leo F. Coffey ‘64 and Carol CoffeySally Ebling ‘56Maria Evans ‘49Harvey Freese ‘70, ‘73 and Marcia Freese ‘73Dale Fridley ‘58 and Carolyn FridleyE. Beth FryerRobert W. Gerwig ‘52 and Jeanne GerwigSarah Grant ‘09 Honorary Alumna and Mark

KeairnesRandy L. Hagenson ‘72, ‘73, ‘78 and Mary J.

Hagenson ‘74, ‘76, ‘80Bart Hamburg and Marguerite Hamburg ‘72Robert Hamilton and Arlene HamiltonCharles N. Heggen ‘75 and Marcia A. Heggen

Charles E. Herbert ‘51Stephen Ho ‘82 and Vivien HoDale Johnson ‘60, ‘63 and Janice Johnson ‘62Jack R. Johnson ‘81 and Carol Johnson ‘80James Katzer ‘64 and Isabelle KatzerDavid Kingland ‘80 and Deb Kingland ‘80Jon Kinzenbaw and Marcia Kinzenbaw ‘72Jason B. Klonglan ‘91Steven Larsen ‘78 and Renee LarsenPaul C. Oksnee ’73 and Lana KerosonIsabelle Krichel and the late Joseph Krichel ‘57Ashok Nariboli ‘76Alf Odegaard ‘42, ‘49Michael L. Peterson ‘84Suku Radia ‘74 and Mary RadiaHarold J. Reihman ‘50Ann SchillmoellerJohn Sherman ‘56 and Ruth Sherman ‘56David L. Shoultz ‘64 and Lynne ShoultzCharlotte H. Stafford ‘43Daniel C. Stevenson and Jill A. Stevenson ‘80Ronald E. Swanson ‘61 and Florine M.

Swanson ‘64Alan A. Tiefenthaler ‘62 and Marlene M.

Tiefenthaler ‘98 David Vandeventer ‘73 and Dee

Vandeventer ‘75

Gene Wampfler ‘70Douglas Ware ‘75, ‘76 and Virginia WarePatricia M. YungclasR. Keith Whitaker and Candace M.

Charity ‘76, ‘79Ira White and Jayne Larson ‘84, ‘90

William m. Beardshear SocietyRecognizes cumulative gifts or pledges of $1 million or more

Betty AnderlikJane Armstrong-Byrne ‘57 and Thomas ByrneBill and Karen BerganLloyd A. Bettis ‘70 and Kathryn A. Bettis ‘72Donald Budlong ‘49 and Trudy Budlong Curtis W. Clark ‘59 and JoAnn O. Clark ‘59Daniel Crouse ‘80Thomas S. Elleman ‘57 and Ann EllemanDonna Fuller ‘68Barbara Janson ‘65Richard McConnell and Deborah McConnellJudy Nissen ‘91Mrs. Dorman (Donna) ParkerTom Smith ‘68, ‘71 and Evonne Smith ‘68

July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009

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p.o. box 2230aMes, iowa 50010-2230

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