Class Notes

"The Comer" is my vivid memory of being thrust unexpectedly into modern singlehood after a lifetime of marriage going back forty years to the era of the Kinsey Report and Masters and Johnson. In prose that sounds like I am talking to a girlfriend, I describe my seven year journey from mourning the sudden death of my husband, Stanley Long, up to the time of a new romance and engagement to Don Eggerling. (It happens that we are all ISU alums!) My story is one about which other women have said, "If my husband dies or leaves, this is what I will face; I am you." The story shows my naivete about singlehood and dating again after forty years as I set off into a future I never imagined would happen to me. It is told with a low-key sense of humor and includes tips for handling grief, dating, and adult children, and draws parallels from basketball, which I played as a girl. It's a story to which either gender can relate. "The Comer" is for sale on Amazon.com in soft cover, and as an e-book on Kindle and Nook.

Department of Education Director Brad Buck said Wednesday that he'll be leaving the state agency to become the next superintendent of the Cedar Rapids Community School District. Buck, who grew up in Cedar Rapids and graduated from Jefferson High School, was appointed to the department's helm in 2013 and confirmed in 2014. The position is appointed by the governor and must be confirmed every four years by the Senate. As director, Buck earns $150,000 a year. He'll continue working at the department through June before transitioning to his new role, spokeswoman Staci Hupp Ballard said. During Buck's tenure, he oversaw the implementation of a multimillion-dollar education reform law that passed in 2013. The Teacher Leadership and Compensation System created new teacher positions that craft curricula, mentor other teachers and design better tests. "I'm very grateful for the opportunity," said Buck in a statement about his work as director. "I've worked among passionate, hard-working servants and leaders who have Iowa students' best interests in their minds and hearts." Gov. Terry Branstad commended Buck's service as well, saying in a statement that he "has been instrumental in the implementation of Iowa's transformational education reform."

Washington Principal Elected to National Board of Principals Association Dwight C. Cooper, principal of Reardan Elementary School, to serve on NAESP’s Board of Directors. Alexandria, VA—March 24, 2015—Dwight C. Cooper, principal of Reardan Elementary School in Reardan, Washington, was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP). Gail Connelly, NAESP’s executive director, announced the results from the Association’s headquarters. Cooper begins his three-year term as director of Zone 9 on July 1, 2015. He will represent principals in Washington, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Guam, and American Samoa. “Through my involvement in NAESP, I have learned to be a proactive advocate for our students, schools, and principals at the local, state, and national levels,” said Cooper. “Working collaboratively while building positive, supportive, and trusting relationships are key to sustaining effective groups and organizations.” Cooper has been a member of NAESP since 1996. He is also a member of the Association of Washington School Principals, the Elementary School Principals Association of Washington, and the Northeast Elementary School Principals Association of Washington. Cooper has been principal of Reardan Elementary School since 1996. He has also served in the past as vice principal for Post Falls Junior High School in Post Falls, Idaho. Cooper holds an M.Ed. in elementary education from the University of Idaho. He also earned his B.S. in elementary education, B.S. in child development, and B.S. in psychology and sociology from Iowa State University.

Karolyn Knaack, BS, MS, 1986, received the 2014 Professional Partnering Recognition Award from Tyrex Group, Ltd. on February 6, 2015 in Austin, Texas. Karolyn is the founder and an attorney with Karolyn A. Knaack, P.C. in Austin, Texas.

Bill Locke (’07 finance) married Danielle Locke Nov. 1, 2014.

Bill Dikis, FAIA, Receives National Citizen Architect Award Dikis first Iowan to receive award Des Moines, IA (March 6, 2015) –The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has announced that William (Bill) Dikis, FAIA, member of The American Institute of Architects, Iowa Chapter, has been selected as the 2015 recipient of the AIA Component Excellence Award, Category 3: Citizen Architect. This award recognizes AIA Members who have applied their skills, training, talents and experience to serve their communities and profession as advocacy leaders. It also recognizes active engagement and public demonstration of some of the best things an AIA member can offer in service to the public. There is only one recipient each year. “His work is worthy of highest recognition,” said AIA Iowa Executive Director, Jessica Reinert, Hon. AIA Iowa, CAE, IOM, “Since 1989 Bill has worked tirelessly on behalf of all architects in Iowa as part of the AIA Iowa Government Affairs committee. He has been involved in the drafting of numerous state laws and rules and encourages involvement from our membership. Dikis’ history of excellence and service to the profession is inspiring.” Members of the award jury made the following comments: • “It is obvious that Mr. Dikis has been incredibly involved with the advocacy going on in his state. In essence, this submittal makes the case that he is THE advocate for architects in Iowa. Mr. Dikis is certainly a strong candidate for this recognition.” • “Strong candidate for Citizen Architect award as an individual. He has been an advocate for the Profession, as well as served in a variety of different taskforces and planning boards. Also seems to be taking leadership for most of the chapter’s advocacy efforts.” • “Incredibly long-standing service to the profession (over 40 years). Excellent diversity of matters dealt with. Service to the profession across many organizations.” • "The nominee’s legislative successes and tireless devotion to his chapter and to the profession make him a strong candidate for the Citizen Architect award.” Dikis is persistent in his work as an advocate for all architects. After retiring in 2007 from RDG Planning and Design, a national architecture firm, he founded Architectural Strategies, a company that focuses on concept design, programming, feasibility and mater plans, and expert witness assistance. He has been involved on the state and national level, chairing committees on preservation, computers in architecture, architectural practice, design awards and the computerization of the architectural registration exam. He has served as President and Secretary of AIA Iowa, editor of the Iowa Architect magazine, and President of the Iowa Architectural Examining Board. Dikis also represents architects in the public sector, chairing several City of Des Moines boards, including the Strategic Planning Commission, Urban Renewal Board, Architectural Advisory Committee, Mayor’s Landscape Taskforce, City of Des Moines Vision Plan- Design Advisory Team and the Vision 2005 Citizens’ Committee for the Des Moines Schools. To honor his diligent service, AIA Iowa formed named a scholarship that recognizes Iowa State University (ISU) design students that exemplify Dikis’ spirit of professional service to the public, ISU architecture department, or profession. ABOUT AIA IOWA Since 1857, the American Institute of Architects has represented the professional interests of America’s architects. AIA Iowa, headquartered in Des Moines, is a statewide affiliate of national AIA with nearly 1,000 members. AIA Iowa members are committed to excellence in design and are proactive in the design of livable communities. Members adhere to a code of ethics and professional conduct that assures the client, the public and colleagues of an AIA member architect’s dedication to the highest standards of professional practice.

BHC RHODES Hires Adam Kline as Project Manager Adam Kline, P.E. joined BHC RHODES as a Project Manager in their Utilities Services segment where he will also serve in a process management function for the entire company. Kline has a Six Sigma Black Belt certification and fifteen years of experience in roles as a business analyst, process manager and project manager. “We want to provide our customers with the best possible experience when they select to work with us, and part of that requires doing everything possible to streamline our processes,” said BHC RHODES’ President, Kevin Honomichl. “In Adam’s process management functions, he will help discover any inefficiencies and the customer will benefit from the results.” In Kline’s project manager role he will work on telecommunications projects nationwide. This area of business is where the company has seen its biggest growth over the last few years. “We’re seeing huge opportunities in broadband infrastructure and joint use which is driving our need to hire a variety of both in-house and field positions,” said Bill Brungardt, Director of Utilities Services. Kline has a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from Iowa State University. BHC RHODES, a civil engineering and surveying firm, was founded in 1992 and is based in Overland Park, Kansas. They provide professional services for telecommunications, public works and development customers. BHC RHODES offers services from office locations in the Kansas City metropolitan area, western Kansas and south central Texas. BHC RHODES was recognized in 2014 as one of the top area engineering firms by the Kansas City Business Journal and Ingram's Magazine. Their expertise has been published in numerous magazines such as APWA Reporter, and Transmission & Distribution World. For more information, visit their web site at http://www.ibhc.com.

When Peggy and Roger Bang of Mason City were newlyweds, they would often walk past an unusual house called "The Castle." Peggy Bang wanted to know more about the house, never dreaming they would one day buy it and restore it. January 2014 marked the 20th year the couple bought the home at 56 River Heights Drive designed by acclaimed architect Walter Burley Griffin in 1912 for Joshua and Minnie Melson. Peggy Bang is the author of a new book titled "The Melson House Revealed: An Owner's Perspective." She said the Melson house has been mentioned in many other architectural books, but "this is the first time it has had its own book." She said it is a different kind of architectural history because it combines academic information with personal stories about living in and restoring the home. The whole experience has been "kind of a love story," she said. The book contains lots of photographs of the exterior and interior of the home, located in Mason City's historic Rock Crest/Rock Glen neighborhood. The house is considered an example of organic architecture. Stones to build the three-story home were quarried on site. It's difficult to tell where the natural limestone cliff on the property ends and the house begins, Bang noted. The house was nicknamed "The Castle" because of the wedge-shaped voussoir keystones marking its roof line. Bang, a retired art educator who enjoys photography, took the cover photo for the book. It's a view of the side of the home that faces Willow Creek. Because of all the trees, this side of the house is difficult for passers-by to see unless they are right by the creek, she said. Both Peggy and Roger Bang, who is in the insurance business and served for 16 years as a city councilman and four years as mayor of Mason City, got involved in local historic preservation efforts before buying the Melson House. In 1990 Peggy Bang became co-chairwoman of the Restoration Committee of the Stockman House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright as the first Prairie School home in Mason City. Griffin was one of the architects in Wright's Chicago office as was his wife, Marion Mahoney Griffin. The couple both worked on the Rock Crest/Rock Glen development and the Melson house. Mahoney's rendering of the Melson house is reproduced in "The Melson House Revealed." Peggy became fascinated with Mahoney, the first woman to hold an architect's license in Illinois. She remembered that the Melson house was for sale and she and Roger decided to buy it. Her book details the challenges of restoring the home. She also describes what it is like to live there, noting that when she woke up after her first night in the house, she looked out the windows and all she could see were treetops. "I felt like I was living in a tree house!" she wrote. She said one of the things she has enjoyed most about living in the Melson house is sharing it with others, including architectural students, scholars and photographers. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas toured the house in 1996 while he was in Mason City to speak at a bar association meeting. The Bangs have also hosted Pedro Guerrero, who spent 20 years photographing Wright and his architecture. "The Melson House Revealed" is available for purchase at the Charles H. MacNider Art Museum gift shop. It will soon be available at the Historic Park Inn Hotel gift shop and at the Robert E. McCoy Architectural Interpretive Center. Two copies of the book have been donated to the Mason City Public Library, one for the archives and one for the library's general collection.

Geoff Wood launched Gravitate—the entrepreneurial center of gravity in downtown Des Moines. A member-driven entrepreneurial community, Gravitate now has nearly 150 members, is home to some of Iowa's most up-and-coming startups and hosted dignitaries like AOL founder & venture capitalist Steve Case for a tour of Des Moines startups and US Senator Chuck Grassley for a forum on patent reform.

Mick Barry '72 has been named the Collegiate Water Polo Association’s Great Plains Coach of the Year for his work as head coach of the Iowa State Water Polo Club. He was also elected to the Illinois Water Polo Hall of Fame in June 2014.

Software seed germinated in classroom “ScoutPro becomes big business.” That was the headline Jan. 25 in the Des Moines Register, beneath a photo of three smiling ISU alumni: Stuart McCulloh (’13 ag education), Michael Koenig (’12 ag education), and Holden Nyhus (’13 ag education). The trio met at Iowa State in an entrepreneurship in agriculture class, and it was there that they were tasked with creating a business plan for a new or existing company. Koenig’s idea to create a farm-field-scouting app caught the attention of Nyhus and McCulloh. The classroom idea became ScoutPro, a mobile app with scouting tools for corn, soybeans, and wheat – with new functionality to come. The new farming gadget has been getting a lot of attention lately, including a mention at Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad’s inaugural address in January.

Software seed germinated in classroom “ScoutPro becomes big business.” That was the headline Jan. 25 in the Des Moines Register, beneath a photo of three smiling ISU alumni: Stuart McCulloh (’13 ag education), Michael Koenig (’12 ag education), and Holden Nyhus (’13 ag education). The trio met at Iowa State in an entrepreneurship in agriculture class, and it was there that they were tasked with creating a business plan for a new or existing company. Koenig’s idea to create a farm-field-scouting app caught the attention of Nyhus and McCulloh. The classroom idea became ScoutPro, a mobile app with scouting tools for corn, soybeans, and wheat – with new functionality to come. The new farming gadget has been getting a lot of attention lately, including a mention at Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad’s inaugural address in January.

Software seed germinated in classroom “ScoutPro becomes big business.” That was the headline Jan. 25 in the Des Moines Register, beneath a photo of three smiling ISU alumni: Stuart McCulloh (’13 ag education), Michael Koenig (’12 ag education), and Holden Nyhus (’13 ag education). The trio met at Iowa State in an entrepreneurship in agriculture class, and it was there that they were tasked with creating a business plan for a new or existing company. Koenig’s idea to create a farm-field-scouting app caught the attention of Nyhus and McCulloh. The classroom idea became ScoutPro, a mobile app with scouting tools for corn, soybeans, and wheat – with new functionality to come. The new farming gadget has been getting a lot of attention lately, including a mention at Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad’s inaugural address in January.

Alumnus tapped as Federal Reserve governor Pres. Barack Obama has announced he will nominate retired Bank of Hawaii CEO Allan Landon (A)(’70 accounting / industrial administration) to be a Federal Reserve governor. Landon served as chairman of the board and CEO of Bank of Hawaii Corp from 2004 to 2010. He has also been a lecturer at the University of Hawaii’s Manoa’s law school.

Sanders is Des Moines’ new city manager Scott Sanders (L)(’96 computer science, MS ’98 community & regional planning) moved from the city of Des Moines’ finance director to assistant city manager to chief executive officer in just three years. “You have to be a believer in destiny,” Sanders told the Des Moines Register. The newspaper featured Sanders on its front page on New Year’s Day and dubbed him one of 15 people to watch in 2015.

Unique process starts software out strong Matt Ostanik (L)(’01 architecture, MBA ’09) is garnering publicity not just about the new software he’s developed – but about HOW he created the product. Ostanik (pictured center) and his team spent four months last year meeting with potential clients to find out what they wanted from a potential marketing and sales analytic software. Based on those interviews, Ostanik developed FunnelWise, a software that helps companies take their data and visualize what it means for future growth. “I love the aspect of creating new things,” Ostanik says. The startup is his second; he created Submittal Exchange, a company he eventually sold to Textura Corp.

New grad writes her own tech ticket Glamour magazine has named Cassidy Williams (’14 computer science) to a list of 35 women under 35 who are changing the tech industry. The magazine described her this way: “While many college students struggle to balance a part-time job and classes, Williams spent her four years at Iowa State University winning hackathons, interning at Microsoft, and racking up job offers. Google, Apple, Intel, and LinkedIn all wanted her – but Williams chose Venmo, a start-up that makes a popular payment app. ‘I wanted to go to a place where I could make a big impact,’ she says.” What Glamour didn’t mention was that as a student Williams also spoke at a White House technology summit; was part of UnGrounded, an innovation lab sponsored by British Airways; and interned at Intuit, General Mills, and Priority 5. She currently lives in New York, N.Y.

2015 Prize for a Faculty Member for Research in an Undergraduate Institution Recipient Isenhower L. Donald Isenhower Abilene Christian University Citation: "For his essential contributions in hardware construction, installation, calibration and operation for experiments at LAMPF, FNAL, RHIC and at CERN, and for enthusiastic mentoring of a large number of undergraduate students while being recognized for outstanding teaching at the undergraduate level." Selection Committee: Carlos Bertulani, Chair; S. Major; T. Solomon; A.W.P. Poon; D.A. Craig

Nick Roby rejoins Davis Brown Law Firm Nick Roby recently rejoined the Davis Brown Law Firm as special counsel in the business division. He focuses primarily on business organizations and transactions including real estate syndications, commercial financings and tax planning. Nick’s experience includes representation of public, private, non-profit and governmental clients in various industries including subsidized and conventional housing, commercial real estate, construction and financial services. Prior to rejoining Davis Brown, Nick was Vice President & General Counsel at BH Equities, L.L.C. and BH Management Services, LLC, one of the nation’s largest multifamily housing owners and managers. Previously, Nick was senior shareholder at Davis Brown having served as President and Division Chair of Business and Tax. He began his Davis Brown career in 1983 as a summer intern. Nick earned his J.D. at the University of Iowa College of Law and graduated from Iowa State University with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and economics. Nick is also a CPA.

Dominic D’Urso (MA ’06 English) was honored among 99 St. Louis-area educators to receive an Emerson Excellence in Teaching award. The awards pay tribute to area educators for their achievements and dedication to the field of education.

Berta (Prentice) Aldrich (’90 finance) has joined Franklin Square as the chief marketing officer. She joins the firm – a leading manager of alternative investment funds – following 10 years at Vanguard, where she held executive positions in marketing strategy and planning, loyalty operations, and investment education.

Mindy (Gillespie) Williamson (’96 biological/pre-medical illustration) has joined Amperage, a public relations and fundraising consulting company, as an account manager in the client services department. She is the former director of communications and public relations for Iowa Corn.

Information, Inc., a provider of content management solutions, has named James McNeil (’81 advertising design) president and publisher. He has been with the company since 2011.

Jeffrey Garrett (’73 architecture, MS ’77 civil engineering, PhD ’03) has joined Raths, Raths & Johnson, Inc. as a senior consultant. RRJ is a national engineering, architecture, and forensics consulting firm in Willowbrook, Ill. Garrett is a structural engineer with more than 35 years of experience in forensic structural investigation and new construction design.

Holly Streeter-Schaefer (’98 construction engineering) is Burns & McDonnell’s newest staff attorney. She specializes in construction law, contracts, and risk management, and she will focus her attention on three practice areas: water, transportation, and environment.