In the short time I’ve been back in the Midwest, I’m reminded of a trait shared by many here, especially at Iowa State: humble confidence. So many students, alumni, faculty, and friends are achieving great things in their personal and professional lives. Not every story makes it into our inbox, and not every story that does can be shared here, but the ones that do and are shared often come to us by way of those around the achiever: colleagues, friends, family, and community members. Humble confidence appears to lead to a community of supporters willing to highlight the work of others and ask, “Did you hear what this alum is doing?”
Our cover story brings you three Iowa Staters who are making an impact in their respective fields — Clayton Mooney (’12) is working to bring the world’s freshest salad to a drive-thru near you, Chelsea Lamar (’09) is creating a more sustainable supply chain, and Dereck Ioos is helping SpaceX make interplanetary flights a reality.
In the back half of the magazine, you’ll meet several Cyclone superfans — including one who has only missed one football game in 47 years — and hear from others on why they love being a Cyclone fan. Claire (’15) and Webster (’15) Kranto are partners in life and business, and their Cyclone story reminds us of the importance of passion in the work we do.
In planning and preparing this magazine for you, I was able to learn about Iowa Staters who come from a variety of backgrounds and colleges. While these alumni may span interests and even generations, what they all share is an appreciation for their time and experiences at Iowa State. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to hear and share these stories, and I hope that you’ll enjoy them as much as we do.
Kirsten Kraklio, kkraklio@iastate.edu