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- Class of 1979
- Community and Regional Planning
- Design
Thomas Poupard

Posted on August 5, 2026 in Honors and Awards

Tom Poupard was honored by having a new affordable housing building named after him - Poupard Place - in recognition of his 30 years as a planner for the Village of Northbrook, Illinois. Tom served as director of development and planning services for the suburban Chicago community. He retired in 2021 and was a strong advocate for inclusionary housing. Northbrook adopted an affordable housing ordinance in 2020. Poupard Place is the first new affordable housing development in Northbrook since the ordinance was adopted. It includes 48 units and serves those with disabilities and low to moderate incomes.
https://www.citybiz.co/article/872183/ribbon-cutting-ceremony-celebrates-grand-opening-of-poupard-p…
Fortune Magazine byline
- Class of 2000
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Luke Stoffel (Stoffel)

Posted on July 28, 2026 in Honors and Awards

Former Iowa State Daily reporter Luke Stoffel published an op-ed in Fortune this week on AI and publishing. He won a 2026 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award for his debut memoir, "How to Win One Million Dollars and $#!T Glitter," which he openly wrote with AI.
https://fortune.com/2026/07/22/award-winning-memoir-author-ai-detector-publishing-hypocrisy/
Dr. Enanga Daisy Fale and AIAA CEO Clay Mowry
- Class of 2008
Enanga Fale

Posted on July 13, 2026 in Honors and Awards

AIAA Associate Fellow Award
https://aiaa.org/2024/09/23/aiaa-announces-its-class-of-2025-associate-fellows/
Three Books Finalists in 2026 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
- Class of 1987
- Education
- Education
Roberta Roozen

Posted on July 1, 2026 in Honors and Awards

ISU alumni/sisters Robbie & Judy Roozen pursued careers that have encompassed a desire to make connections through creativity.
Three Books titled “All That Knitting”, “Sylvia the Garden Snake”, and “Sounds My Ears Don’t Like to Hear” by Minnesota and North Carolina sisters Robbie Roozen and Judy Roozen have been named finalists in the 2026 Next Generation Indie Book Awards (world's largest international awards program for independent publishers and self-published authors) recognizing them among the year's outstanding independently published books.
Mark S. Boyce, Professor of Ecology
- Class of 1972
- Fish and Wildlife Biology
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Mark Boyce

Posted on July 1, 2026 in Honors and Awards

I have been a Professor of Ecology and Alberta Conservation Association Chair in Fisheries and Wildlife at the University of Alberta since 1999. Last week, I was awarded the University Cup, the highest award for teaching, research and service at the University of Alberta. Target date for retirement: 2029.
How To Win One Million Dollars and $#!T Glitter by Luke Stoffel
- Class of 2000
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Luke Stoffel

Posted on May 21, 2026 in Honors and Awards

Luke Stoffel won a 2026 IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award for his debut memoir How to Win One Million Dollars and $#!T Glitter, presented at the 38th annual ceremony in Portland on May 15. The Benjamin Franklin Awards are widely regarded as one of the most prestigious honors in independent publishing, juried by industry professionals from hundreds of submissions nationwide. The picaresque memoir traces one man's lifelong chase for the American Dream — from Cap'n Crunch sweepstakes in 1980s Iowa to Broadway stage doors, Paris attics, Hawai'i surf breaks, and downtown Manhattan art galleries. Kirkus Reviews called it luminous and raucously funny. Publishers Weekly BookLife awarded it 9.5/10 with perfect scores in Prose and Character, praising the book's perceptive judgment of America's often-empty vision of success. Learn more at howtowinonemilliondollars.com
Dr. Adam Kuban, Iowa State alumnus BS (2005) and MS (2007)
- Class of 2005
- Journalism and Mass Communication
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Adam Kuban

Posted on May 21, 2026 in Honors and Awards

Dr. Adam Kuban, professor in Ball State University’s School of Journalism and Strategic Communication, has been named Teacher of the Year by the Scripps Howard Fund as part of the 73rd Scripps Howard Journalism Awards. Dr. Kuban received The Scripps Howard Journalism Awards Journalism & Mass Communication Teacher of the Year, a national honor recognizing excellence in journalism education. The Scripps Howard Journalism Awards, presented by the Scripps Howard Fund and The E.W. Scripps Company, recognize outstanding journalism across 12 categories and are among the nation’s top journalism competitions. This year’s winners and finalists were selected from more than 600 entries by a panel of veteran journalists and media leaders. Dr. Kuban has been a member of Ball State’s faculty since 2011. He earned both his MS (2007) and BS (2005) from Iowa State University.
- Class of 1984
- Family Services
- Family & Consumer Sciences
Mark Ballard

Posted on December 18, 2025 in Honors and Awards

Mark Ballard's (pen name Mark Richard) Words for a Wounded World: Scriptural Poems of Truth and Hope to Awaken, Convict, and Heal has been honored with a Gold Book Award from Literary Titan. In addition, the book has been an Amazon #1 Release in Biblical Wisdom Literature. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G3YMSNY6/
- Class of 2004
- Psychology
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Riana Lejeune (Lejeune)

Posted on December 4, 2025 in Honors and Awards

We are proud to highlight the achievements of Riana LeJeune, a 2004 graduate of Iowa State University with a degree in Psychology and minors in Criminal Justice and Anthropology. Since her graduation, Riana has made significant strides in her career, including the establishment of the nation’s first registered apprenticeship for professional custom upholstery in 2024. In 2025, she was honored as the keynote speaker at the National Custom Workroom Conference and recognized by the National Association of Women Business Owners as a trailblazer in her field. Riana is the founder of Repinned Luxury Upholstery, specializing in high-end custom upholstery, and has utilized her furniture expertise and AI to develop Renewabl, an innovative furniture visualization app that promotes sustainability and supports artisans globally.
- Class of 2000
- Political Science
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Mackenzie Currans (Currans)

Posted on November 13, 2024 in Honors and Awards

Iowa State alum Mackenzie Currans has been named the 2024 Fan of the Year by the Chicago Bear as announced by the Bears Organization on November 7th. She will represent the Chicago Bears at the Fan of the Year ceremony at Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans on February 9, 2025. “I am honored that the Bears organization has selected me as the 2024 Fan of the Year. I believe that we are only given one life and it is up to us to make sure that we live the best possible life. We can easily do that by staying positive in the face of adversity. Much like the game of football, we may not win every game but we become better after each experience. I hope that my story can inspire others to spread positivity and to be their best selves,” said Currans about this honor. https://www.chicagobears.com/news/bears-name-mackenzie-currans-2024-fan-of-the-year
Cornwell in her most recent costume from Animate Des Moines
- Class of 2023
- Graphic Design
- Design
Katherine Cornwell

Posted on October 14, 2024 in Honors and Awards

Kaylee Cornwell was recently awarded Best in Show at Animate Des Moines for her costume craftsmanship. Throughout college and thereafter, she has entered her handmade costumes into craftmanship-based competitions where she has been awarded the titles Best Workmanship (Anime Detour 2024), Best in Show (Anime Iowa 2023), and three previous awards in the Midwest. Cornwell now lives in Minnesota where she continues to pursue the craft of costumes as a Graphic Designer for HalloweenCostumes.com. There she designs sublimated, embroidered, and screen-printed artwork for licensed costumes and other products. On November 9th, Cornwell will be attending Anime Ames, the first Anime convention in Ames, IA. There, Cornwell will attend as both a guest and cosplay contest judge and will be providing some of the programming of the event hosted by the Cosplay Club.
- Class of 1984
- Chemical Engineering
- Engineering
Umit Ozkan (Sivrioglu)

Posted on August 7, 2024 in Honors and Awards

Elected to the National Academy of Engineering (2024).
- Class of 2015
- Management Information Systems
- Business
Joel Rosenberg

Posted on August 1, 2024 in Honors and Awards

Joel Rosenberg, Vice President, Data & Analytics, has been named to the 2024 Future Senior Living Leaders class by Aging Media Network. The award recognizes dynamic leaders who are laying the foundation for a bright future in care delivery and aging. Rosenberg began his career with LCS in 2022 and rapidly emerged as a transformative leader at LCS and within the senior living industry. At LCS, Rosenberg spearheads data analytics efforts and strategy.
- Class of 2013
- Interdisciplinary Studies
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Nyajuok Deng

Posted on July 18, 2024 in Honors and Awards

Fredrikson attorney Nyajuok Y. Deng has been elected to the EMERGE Board of Directors. Deng will serve a two-year term through 2026 and be eligible for two three-year extensions. As a member of the Board, she will serve on the fundraising committee to support EMERGE’s mission to “reveal the potential in people and communities through skill-building, employment and economic opportunity.”
- Class of 1980
- Advertising Design (Art)
- Design
Philip Galiga

Posted on May 31, 2024 in Honors and Awards

Philip Galiga, a teacher at South Burlington High School in Vermont, received the Student Council Staff Person of Year award, and was chosen to be the graduation speaker by the class of 2023. Philip retired after teaching digital design for 20 years.
David Suarez
- Class of 1995
- Microbiology, Immunology & Prev Med-Ag
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
David Suarez

Posted on May 1, 2024 in Honors and Awards

The USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) inducted David Suarez, Research Leader for the Exotic and Emerging Avian Viral Disease Research Unit at the U.S. National Poultry Research Center, into its Science Hall of Fame for his outstanding research on avian influenza, Newcastle disease, and emerging zoonotic viruses. Suarez obtained his Ph.D. from Iowa State University in veterinary microbiology in 1995. For more information, please read the press release at: https://www.ars.usda.gov/news-events/news/research-news/2024/usda-ars-inducts-veterinary-medicine-e…
- Class of 1982
- Agronomy
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
David Ertl

Posted on April 24, 2024 in Honors and Awards

David Ertl received the first ever Distinguished Career Award by the North American Plant Phenotyping Network in February 2024. This award recognizes his contribution to the field of plant phenotyping. David plans to retire from his career in plant science in June of 2024.
- Class of 1982
- Consumer Sciences
- Family & Consumer Sciences
Mary Edrington

Posted on April 22, 2024 in Honors and Awards

Mary Edrington was recently honored with the Undergraduate Teacher of the Year award from Drake’s Zimpleman College of Business.
Craig Morris on an Alaska Pollock fishing vessel in Dutch Harbor, AK
- Class of 1992
- Animal Science
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Craig Morris

Posted on March 22, 2024 in Honors and Awards

Craig Morris, Ph.D., AnSci '92, was named to the Intrafish Media's 'Seafood Power 100' ranking of the most influential executives in the global seafood industry. Intrafish Media is the global seafood industry's leading trade publication and publishes this listing annually of the executives who move markets with their decisions, take risks that make competitors react, and make bold moves that move the industry forward. Dr. Morris serves as the CEO of the Association of Genuine Alaska Pollock Producers, the marketing arm of the largest certified sustainable fishery on earth and the most consumed wild-caught fish on the planet. Dr. Morris' members include the largest seafood companies in the United States and the Association's campaigns are seen by consumers around the world. This is the second year in a row that Dr. Morris was named to this list.
- Class of 1993
- Electrical Engineering
- Engineering
Chad Bouton

Posted on February 14, 2024 in Honors and Awards

Chad Bouton, ('96 Aerospace Engr & Engr Mechanics), a bioengineer at the Feinstein Institutes, is leading a trial on a ‘double neural bypass’ brain implant technology that has now restored movement and sensation in a 43 year old quadriplegic man named Keith Thomas from New York. Bouton is published by TIME magazine and many other outlets covering the clinical trial. He also earned the Tesla Innovator of the Year Award. https://time.com/6298543/paralysis-reversal-keith-thomas/ https://www.nature.com/articles/nature17435?cookies=accepted https://finance.yahoo.com/news/feinstein-institutes-chad-bouton-receives-150000043.html?guce_referr…
National ACTE Award winners 2023. At left is Lisa Stange, Lifetime Achievement
- Class of 1981
- Home Economics Education
- Family & Consumer Sciences
Lisa Stange (Humphrey)

Posted on January 17, 2024 in Honors and Awards

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced Lisa Stange, Retired CTE Consultant from Clive, Iowa, as the recipient of the 2023 National ACTE Lifetime Achievement Award. This award recognizes CTE professionals for their leadership on behalf of ACTE, their innovations in CTE and their contributions to the field over an extended period of time. Stange was one of four finalists for the 2023 national title. The national winner was announced at the Awards Gala, recognizing the best CTE educators in the country. ACTE also inducted all Lifetime Achievement national finalists into the ACTE Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame honors the leadership of CTE professionals who have made enduring contributions to CTE throughout their career.
- Class of 1996
- Exercise & Sport Science
- Education
David Hofmann

Posted on December 13, 2023 in Honors and Awards

David Hofmann ('96, Exercise & Sport Science) was awarded $2,500 during the Palo Verde Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers Draft Day. Hofmann is a physical education and health class teacher at La Joya Community High School in Avondale, AZ, and intends to use his award to purchase gear and equipment for the school's basketball program.
- Class of 2006
- Agronomy
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Kellie Blair (Barry)

Posted on December 13, 2023 in Honors and Awards

The seventh annual Iowa Women in Ag Leadership Conference, organized by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, celebrated the achievements of four women with the Women Impacting Agriculture award. This award recognizes individuals who significantly contribute to Iowa's agriculture through sustainable practices, economic resilience, and community involvement. Kellie Blair ('06 agronomy), alongside her family, runs Blair Farms in Webster County, focusing on sustainable crops and cattle farming.
- Class of 1998
- Journalism and Mass Communication
- Liberal Arts & Sciences
Joanne Bode (Roepke)

Posted on December 13, 2023 in Honors and Awards

The seventh annual Iowa Women in Ag Leadership Conference, organized by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, celebrated the achievements of four women with the Women Impacting Agriculture award. This award recognizes individuals who significantly contribute to Iowa's agriculture through sustainable practices, economic resilience, and community involvement. Joanne Roepke Bode ('98 journalism and mass communication) promotes Iowa agriculture in Kossuth County through her specialty crop business, Bode’s Moonlight Gardens. Meredith Nunnikhoven owns Barnswallow Flowers, a sustainable fresh-cut flower farm in Mahaska County, practicing regenerative farming.
Patrice Bailey
- Class of 2001
- Agricultural Education and Studies
- Agriculture and Life Sciences
Patrice Bailey

Posted on December 13, 2023 in Honors and Awards

Patrice Bailey ('01 agricultural education and studies) was named as one of the 100 Twin Cities Business 100 for 2024. Every year, the editors of Twin Cities Business make a list of the people in and around Minnesota business likely to make news and drive change in the year ahead. The TCB 100 list for 2024 includes CEOs, founders, philanthropists, government officials and innovators from across the state in many industries. The TCB 100 list is featured in the December 2023/January 2024 issue of Twin Cities Business, which will come out after the Dec. 4 event. https://tcbmag.com/