Steel work is underway at LeBaron Hall site

April 24

Photos by Christopher Gannon.

(pictured) A steel assembly crew from Des Moines-based US Erectors began setting steel decking and beams for the new LeBaron Hall last week. A crew also is forming and pouring a set of round concrete columns (not visible in this image) at what will be the south entry and commons area of the new building. All the footings and foundation walls for the replacement project have been completed. Visible in the image below is a central stairwell and elevator shaft and north stairwell. Construction remains on schedule to conclude in the fall of 2026.

Promotions approved for 110 faculty members

April 24

Following final approval of faculty tenure and promotions April 24 by the Iowa Board of Regents, the office of the senior vice president and provost shared promotions for 110 faculty members for the 2025-26 academic year. The list includes 60 tenured faculty and 50 term faculty.

Promotions among tenure-eligible faculty feature 25 women and 35 men and are nearly split between promotion with tenure (30 awards) and promotion for previously tenured faculty (29 awards). All seven colleges and the university library promoted faculty.

The university president gives the final approval to promotions for term faculty; this list isn't reviewed by the regents. More than 80% of the term faculty promotions are in the teaching track: 21 promotions to teaching professor and 20 to associate teaching professor. Term faculty from all seven colleges received promotions.

The faculty handbook currently recognizes five term faculty tracks: teaching, practice, clinical, research and adjunct. The affiliate track indicates a visiting role. Each has ranks of assistant, associate and full professor.

Faculty promotions: 2025-26 academic year

Plan to combine alumni association, foundation moves forward

By Brian Meyer, strategic relations and communications
April 24

A plan to combine the alumni association and the foundation is moving forward, as recommended earlier this year in a university-wide communication and constituent engagement assessment.

This week Larissa Holtmyer Jones, president and CEO of the ISU Foundation, and Kurt Tjaden, acting Lora and Russ Talbot Endowed President and CEO of the ISU Alumni Association, submitted to President Wendy Wintersteen a plan outlining how the combination would proceed.

Wintersteen told Holtmyer Jones and Tjaden she was supportive of their plan as the blueprint for moving forward to implementation.

"This is a significant undertaking," Wintersteen said, "but our combined efforts will build upon both organizations' collective strengths and proud histories. It truly is exciting to consider the new opportunities that will emerge and to imagine how we benefit from a unified approach to engaging our tremendously loyal, tremendously supportive students, alumni, donors and friends."

The plan outlines the naming of a steering committee to oversee the processes required for the combination. The steering committee will set direction and expectations for five workstream teams focused on:

• People
• Finances and facilities
• Communications
• Constituent engagement and programming
• Governance

Recommended members of the steering committee are: Chad Harris and Cathy Schmidt, chair and immediate past chair, respectively, of the alumni association board of directors; Mary Jane Hagenson and Terry Tobin, chair and vice chair, respectively, of the foundation board of directors; and Sophia Magill from the university. The steering committee will provide guidance and support for the workstream teams, with a goal for completion of their work by September 29.

The plan outlined three guiding principles for the work and processes to come:

• Ensure the planning supports the overarching mission of the university and advances the university's commitment to excellence.
• Ensure the planning supports an optimal approach for engagement and service to constituents that best serves the university and its long-term priorities and needs.
• Ensure the planning recognizes that organizations work because of the people who work for them -- the valued contributions each person can make. Dignity, respect and fairness for everyone involved should be foremost as planning turns toward implementation.

A Segal recommendation

Combining the alumni association and the foundation was one of five key recommendations made by The Segal Group, the consultant that conducted a five-month communications and constituent engagement assessment. Segal's report outlined its findings and the five recommendations.

As part of its assessment, Segal conducted a peer benchmarking study with 10 of Iowa State's academic and Big 12 Conference peers. The study found that seven of the 10 peer universities were managing alumni and donor engagement inside the same organization.

Early in March, Wintersteen charged a review committee made up of representatives of the two organizations and the university to examine the combination recommendation, which called for creation of a unified organization to streamline operations, leverage resources and strengthen engagement with alumni and donors. The committee affirmed the recommendation and advised Wintersteen that the combination should proceed.

In a message to Wintersteen, Chad Harris, a 2001 alumnus who chaired the review committee, said the committee focused on strengths of both organizations and how combining efforts may further enhance those strengths "while taking an innovative approach to alumni engagement and fundraising strategies for the future benefit of Iowa State University and the experience of alumni, donors and friends of ISU."

The review committee members were: Harris, chair of the ISU Alumni Association board of directors; Craig Denny, secretary, ISU Foundation board of directors; Mary Jane Hagenson, chair, ISU Foundation board of directors; Carol Heaverlo, assistant vice president for operations, ISU Extension and Outreach; Ryan McGuire, senior associate athletics director for external relations, ISU; Cathy Schmidt, immediate past chair, ISU Alumni Association board of directors; David Spalding, Raisbeck Endowed Dean of the Ivy College of Business and vice president of economic development and industry relations, ISU; Terry Tobin, vice chair, ISU Foundation board of directors; and Jeremy Wingerter, director at-large, ISU Alumni Association board of directors.

'One university' approach

After receiving the review committee's decision, Wintersteen asked Holtmyer Jones and Tjaden to develop a plan for creating a unified organization.

"This marks the beginning of a significant new chapter for Iowa State University in how we more effectively and holistically engage with alumni, donors and friends," Wintersteen said.

That was an overarching goal for engaging a third-party consultant, she said, "to broadly assess our communication and engagement model serving our community of alumni, donors, friends and partners, and then to recommend a cohesive strategy and proposed organizational structure that moves us closer to what I refer to as a 'One University' approach focused on delivering the best possible experience for our constituents and lifting up Iowa State in a more unified way."

The alumni association and foundation have proud histories, Wintersteen said.

"I am confident a combined organization will build on those storied pasts, now as part of a unified and mutual history," she said.

Forthcoming will be updates on how the university plans to address four other recommendations from the consultant.

Iowa State receives 2025 Healthiest State Award

By Angie Hunt, news service
April 24

Members of university human resources and ISU Dining attended an April 16 ceremony to accept the 2025 Healthiest State Annual Award. ISU Dining works closely with ISU WellBeing to provide healthy options for employees. Front row  (l-r): Sue Tew-Warming, Heather Burke, Stephanie Downs. Back row (l-r): Ed Holland, Karen Rodekamp, Paige Ermer, Terrasa Mouw-Grewell, Keri Guy, Cris Broshar and Kristi Darr. Submitted photo.

When ISU WellBeing first launched the Adventure2 program in 2017, the variety of activities and resources it offered immediately appealed to Keith Kutz.

"It provided a number of things that I needed at that time and still do," said Kutz, senior award administrator with the office of sponsored programs administration. "There are things that let people who are participating lead healthier, less stressful lives."

Creating a culture where faculty and staff can lead healthy lifestyles is the mission of ISU WellBeing and a big reason Iowa State University was recognized as a 2025 Healthiest State Annual Award winner for a large workplace (video submitted with award application). The Healthiest State Initiative announced the winners during an April 16 ceremony in Ankeny.

"This award really recognizes the comprehensive approach we provide for employee wellness at Iowa State," said Stephanie Downs, ISU WellBeing coordinator. "We offer a variety of in-person and virtual classes to give faculty and staff flexibility and options for how they want to engage and participate."

In addition to Adventure2, ISU WellBeing provides programs for parenting success, financial well-being as well as the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), which provides comprehensive support for employees and their families to help employees reach their full potential. Here are just a few examples of how employees use ISU WellBeing:

• Employees responding to President Wendy Wintersteen's "2 Million Steps Challenge" tracked 239,258,865 total steps.
• More than 300 staff members have taken mental health first aid classes, offered in partnership with ISU Extension and Outreach, EAP and Student Counseling.
• Of the employees participating in Mindful@Work, 100% believe it impacts their well-being.

One participant of ISU's mindfulness programs shared, "The expanded focus on health, well-being and mental resilience at ISU has changed my life. This has been a huge benefit to me." 

University human resources vice president Kristi Darr said employees who participate in the wellness programming report improvements in work-life balance, managing stress/anxiety and self-care.

"ISU WellBeing continues to grow and evolve to help meet the needs of Iowa State employees," Darr said. "We know that prioritizing employee well-being improves overall job satisfaction and retention and contributes to a more positive and productive workplace." 

The 2025 Healthiest State Annual Award also recognized Iowa State's efforts to promote:

• Healthy eating and nutrition through free nutrition education classes from ISU Extension and Outreach, nutrition counseling sessions conducted by a senior dietetic student in food science and human nutrition as well as mindful eating activities in Adventure2.
• Social and mental health with Therapy Assistance Online (TAO), an online library focused on life skills to overcome challenges.
• Financial wellness through the Enrich program, which is tailored to individual needs to help employees make informed decisions regarding personal finance.

Iowa State received a $1,000 prize to continue its work to improve employee well-being.

Universitywide CYning Day is April 30

By Jeff Budlong
April 24

Two students hold up signs and pose for a picture in front of an Ivy College of Business backdrop during one of the college's pervious CYning Day events. Contributed photo.

Social media will be filled with smiling Cyclones. April 30 is the first universitywide CYning Day hosted by six college career services offices to recognize student success.

The event celebrates students who have accepted an offer for a(n):

• Co-op
• Internship
• Research experience
• Graduate school 
• Post-graduation job

Students -- graduates and undergraduates -- who are heading to one of these experiences this summer are invited to stop by any of five designated spots on campus to enjoy a snack and pose for a photo to share on social media.

"We wanted the opportunity to celebrate career success, no matter what that looks like," said Bobbi Sullivan, director of Business career services. "We also want to create that buzz for students who may need support and not know that career services is there to help them."

CYning Day activities (10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.) will take place at:

• Catt Hall Plaza of Heroines (colleges of Health and Human Sciences, Liberal Arts and Sciences)
• College of Design atrium (Design)
• Curtiss Hall Harl Commons (College of Agriculture and Life Sciences)
• Gerdin Business Building, Kingland Hallway (Business)
• Marston Hall, room 3200 (Engineering)

Sullivan said the events are designed to be informal and fun in celebration of students. Each college will put its own spin on the event to cater to its students.

"It is designed to celebrate our students with no pressure, and students can just pop in between classes, bring their friends and supporters, and then go," she said. "Vet Med students also are welcome to participate at any of the stations."

Continued support

One key message for graduating students is that career services support does not end when they accept their diploma.

"We do serve our alumni, and that critical service can come in the first few months after graduation," Sullivan said. "Students may not realize that, and we want them to know that we still are here for them."

The Ivy College of Business began hosting CYning Day for its students two years ago. Engineering and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences followed, before it expanded across the university this spring. This is the first time six colleges are coordinating events on the same day.

"Our hope is that it's something that becomes a tradition and students look forward to it," Sullivan said.

Food drive to benefit local pantries runs April 28-May 8

By Anne Krapfl
April 24

Iowa State will participate in the United Way of Story County's annual "Live United" food drive April 28-May 8. Donations collected during those 11 days will go to participants in United Way's Story County Food Pantry Collaboration, which includes food pantries and food distribution programs. The SHOP student pantry, 1306 Beyer, is a member of the collaboration.

Provost Jason Keith and vice president for human resources Kristi Darr are leading the university's participation in the county-wide food drive.

"Addressing food insecurity and other community challenges served by United Way of Story County is a priority for any university leader, and we are proud to help represent Iowa State in this effort,” Keith said.

Live United food drive: Requested items*

*Please don't donate: Bottled water, items in bulk-size packages

Drive up, drop off

New this spring is a morning drive-up-and-drop-off option for nonperishable donations. With assistance from ISU logistics and support services staff and other volunteers, employees can pass their donation through the car window or pop the trunk lid and staff will retrieve donations. This option will be available two days during the morning commute:

Monday, May 5 (7-8:30 a.m.)

• Communications Building (east side)
• State Gym (south side)
• Forker Building (west side, near parking lot 50A entrance)

Tuesday, May 6 (7-8:30 a.m.)

• College of Design (west side)
• Memorial Union (west circle drive)
• College of Veterinary Medicine (near parking lot 93 entrance)

For the food drive's duration, faculty, staff and students may leave donations at any of several dozen voluntary indoor drop-off sites:

• ISU Foundation center, 2505 University Blvd.
• ISU Research Park, Economic Development Core Facility 
• Ames National Laboratory, G40 TASF
• Office of the senior vice president and provost, 1550 Beardshear
• Facilities planning and management, inside the front (west) door of General Services Building 
• Physics and astronomy, 12 Physics
• Kinesiology, 234 Forker
• Civil, construction and environmental engineering, 394 Town Engineering
• Electrical and computer engineering, 1212 Coover
• Athletics, Jacobson Building 
• College of Health and Human Sciences, 118 MacKay 
• College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 138 Curtiss
• College of Business, 1200 Gerdin
• College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, second floor lobby, Catt Hall
• College of Veterinary Medicine (welcomes pet food donations) Fish Tank Lobby, Patterson Hall; Small Animal Hospital; public drop-off option: college front desk (inside south flagpole entrance)
• University Community Child Care, 2623 Bruner Dr.
• Bright Horizons Child Care, College of Veterinary Medicine
• All residence halls

On the final day of the spring drive, Thursday, May 8 (5-7 p.m., 619 Burnett Ave.), join the We Will Collective at the downtown Ames Fareway store for a meet-and-greet with Iowa State student athletes. Bring a pantry item or cash donation to get a photo with or autograph from a Cyclone student athlete while supporting the food drive.

Cash gifts are welcome, too

Pantries also appreciate cash gifts, which are used to purchase meat, milk, eggs and other perishable foods for their inventories. There are several options for giving:

• Venmo: @unitedwaystoryco
• Online with a credit card: Click on the orange "donate" button; under "Association with a special project," select "Live United food drive"
• Cash or checks (with "2025 food drive" in the memo line) may be taken to any donation location or the United Way of Story County office, 315 Clark Ave.