AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State University Foundation recognized the outstanding contributions of alumni and friends of Iowa State University with its most prestigious honors during the annual Distinguished Awards Celebration held Friday, April 20, at Iowa State University’s Benton Auditorium.

During the ceremony, the foundation presented five awards honoring seven recipients.

Rockwell Collins, headquartered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, received the Order of the Knoll Corporation and Foundation Award. The award honors a corporation, foundation or association that has demonstrated generosity to Iowa State University through significant leadership giving, dedicated and long-term service and assistance to students and faculty. Rockwell Collins has sponsored student competitions, scholarships, student organizations with an emphasis on diversity and inclusion, capital projects, a newly-created leadership program in aerospace engineering at Iowa State and much more. The company hires roughly 100 students from the university for internships, co-ops and full-time careers each year. Currently, more than 1,200 Iowa State alumni work at Rockwell Collins.

Lowell F. Greimann of Ames, Iowa, was posthumously awarded the Order of the Knoll Faculty and Staff Award. The award recognizes individuals or couples who are current or retired Iowa State University faculty or staff members for their substantial commitment to promoting and expanding philanthropy at Iowa State through both personal philanthropy and significant professional and volunteer service. Greimann loyally served Iowa State University for nearly 50 years. He was a professor of civil engineering and chair of the Iowa State University Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering. He also worked part-time at the Institute for Transportation’s Bridge Engineering Center at Iowa State. Greimann and other members of his family gave generously to the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics Legacy of Heroines by establishing and endowing the Jane Greimann Legacy of Heroines Scholarship. He received a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Iowa State, and a master’s degree and doctoral degree in civil engineering from the University of Colorado.

Dick and Sandy Horton of Ames, Iowa, were also awarded the Order of the Knoll Faculty and Staff Award. For more than 50 years, the Hortons have supported and promoted Iowa State University, and their philanthropic efforts impact many corners of the university – from the athletics department to Greek life. For the past few years, Dick played a highly influential role in the fundraising efforts for the national historical renovation of the Theta Delta Chi Fraternity house, and Sandy has served on the Delta Zeta National Council and remains active as a chapter adviser for the sorority. Dick received a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree and a doctorate in electrical engineering from Iowa State University. He is a professor emeritus of electrical and computer engineering at Iowa State. Sandy received a bachelor’s degree in child development from Iowa State, and retired as vice president of D&D Digital Systems.

Marla (Warrick) Franklin of Clive, Iowa, received the Order of the Knoll Cardinal and Gold Award. The award honors an individual or couple who has provided dedicated and long-term service and leadership to the Iowa State University Foundation and Iowa State University through the advancement of philanthropy. Franklin has been an Iowa State University Foundation Governor since 2003 and has served as chair of the finance committee, governance committee and the board governance sub-committee, helping to make the foundation a more effective and efficient organization. Her giving has supported faculty development in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Ivy College of Business and the athletics department. She received a bachelor’s degree in economics from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in business administration from Drake University. She is the retired vice president of human resources for Nationwide (Allied) Insurance.

Ed McCracken and Ana Hays McCracken of Angel Fire, New Mexico and Ames, Iowa, received the Order of the Knoll Campanile Award. The award recognizes the extraordinary, longtime support of an individual or couple who has had a significant and inspiring impact on Iowa State. The McCrackens have supported many initiatives of the university, including early support of the Iowa State Virtual Reality Applications Center and scholarships for students in engineering and apparel merchandising and design. Both serve as Iowa State University Foundation Governors. Ed received a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Iowa State University and a master’s degree in business from Stanford University. He is the retired CEO of Silicon Graphics. Ana received a bachelor’s degree in fashion merchandising from Iowa State and serves as executive director of the Thistlewood Foundation.

At the Distinguished Awards Celebration, the Iowa State University Alumni Association also presented Richard A. Carmichael of Keota, Iowa; Barbara J. Janson of Dedham, Massachusetts; and Suku Radia of Des Moines, Iowa, with the Distinguished Alumni Award. Debbie L. Bergstrom of The Woodlands, Texas, and John H. Schuh of Ames, Iowa, received the Honorary Alumni Award.

The Iowa State University Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization committed to securing and managing gifts that benefit Iowa State University. The Forever True, For Iowa State campaign, with a historic goal to raise $1.1 billion, will help support Iowa State in becoming the premier land-grant university for the 21st century and beyond.

Contacts
Elaine Watkins-Miller, Communications, Iowa State University Foundation, 515.294.1005, ewmiller@foundation.iastate.edu

April 20, 2018