I love to walk. Every morning, save for a few of those dead-of-winter mornings when the windchill is –30°F, I am outside within 10 minutes of waking, guided into the quiet, fresh air by my sweet, dedicated, and furry companion, Jack. My colleagues and I have been known to walk to campus for lunch, for a moving meeting, and for working through writer’s block. A few years ago, I walked the Grand Canyon, north rim to south rim, and next year I’m hoping to walk a portion of the Camino de Santiago.
Despite my love of walking, I can’t take credit for the cover’s feature story. My former colleague, Brian Meyer (’83), suggested the theme of “a walk in the park” to capture the special essence of Iowa State’s research park. I loved the theme, but it was daunting. With the breadth of innovative companies and work being done, how does one begin to narrow down and bring it all together when each company could likely fill the pages of a feature on its own?
Let’s just say the process wasn’t a walk in the park, and I’m grateful to all who responded to my many, many questions and ideas throughout the journey. A special shout out to writer Steve Sullivan and photographer Kathryn Gamble, who both walked the literal park multiple times to capture its story (my phone tracked a little under 9,000 steps over the course of one morning photoshoot).
I’m sure I write it every time, but this issue has some interesting stories within: how a recent alumna created a first-of-its-kind welding cap (pg. 9); a day-in-the-life of two student-athletes who often find themselves returning to Stark Performance Center (pg. 14); a look inside an aerospace engineering class that prepares its students in a unique way (pg. 30); and a first-person essay from the creator of the 30 for 30 podcast, “The Fastest Girl in Somalia” (pg. 44).
For those who keep a close eye on details of this magazine, you may catch one missing name from our list of editorial board members this issue: The aforementioned Brian Meyer, who helped usher in this magazine during its rebranding several years ago, has retired after 36 years at the university. Brian, you are missed and I hope you’re getting plenty of steps in with all your newfound free time!
And now, that’s enough walking references from me. We hope you enjoy a stroll through this issue! (OK, now I’m really done.)