This email was sent to all faculty and staff at Iowa State, on August 26, 2021, and is available online at Office of the President Communications.
August 26, 2021
Dear Colleagues,
With immense gratitude, I’m pleased to announce that gifts from more than 96,000 Iowa State University faculty, staff, alumni and friends have helped make the recently concluded Forever True, For Iowa State campaign a historic success, exceeding the goal to raise $1.5 billion and elevate every aspect of the university.
In countless ways, the gifts and commitments of all sizes provided over the past nine years and totaling $1.542 billion will support our land-grant mission — providing access and support for students, advancing innovative and impactful research, and ensuring science-based education and information is widely available through extension and outreach. These gifts truly will strengthen our efforts to improve the lives of Iowans and people around the world for generations to come.
With more than 1,163 new scholarship funds established during the campaign, donors are helping ensure access to Iowa State’s exceptional education and enabling students to engage in the university’s experiential learning opportunities, from study abroad to undergraduate research. Through the campaign, approximately $1.2 million was awarded in completion or emergency grants to help students stay in school or cross the finish line to a degree.
During the campaign, 148 new faculty funds were established, providing long-lasting support to Iowa State scholars, researchers and innovators. Among them are Chris Cornelius, current chair of the materials science and engineering department, who will soon be installed as the inaugural holder of the Dr. Thomas D. McGee and Dr. Ick-Jhin Rick Yoon Department Chair, and Anna Johnson who was named the first Artz Chair for Faculty Excellence in Animal Science.
In addition, support for programs and research has elevated numerous areas across the university. The Transforming Liberal Arts and Sciences fund supports theatre and other key programs in the college; the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust has expanded the microscopy capabilities for research and researchers across campus; and the Graether Family Fund will advance Iowa State’s climate science offerings.
From the Student Innovation Center to the Gerdin Business Building expansion, donor generosity through the Forever True campaign has changed the face of our campus. More than $275 million in gifts and commitments were provided for new or revitalized facilities, including research laboratories, classrooms and more.
The success of the campaign has been achieved because tens of thousands of individuals, businesses and organizations believe in the work you do here at Iowa State. They see the value your collective efforts bring to our state, nation and world, and your ability to transform individual lives.
I invite you to visit ForeverTrueISU.com to learn more about the long-lasting impact donor generosity is making on campus through the Forever True, For Iowa State campaign.
With deep pride and gratitude,
Wendy Wintersteen, President