Each year, the Iowa State University Alumni Association names STATEment Makers to recognize the early personal and professional accomplishments and contributions to society of young alumni (graduates 32 years of age and under). These individuals have made differences in their own lives, the lives of others, their communities, and/or their professions through ambitious efforts that reflect the scholarly, entrepreneurial, or service-oriented spirit of an Iowa State University education.
This year’s STATEment Makers includes engineering alumnus Jacob Cline.
Jacob Cline ’04
Eldridge, Iowa
Jacob (’04 mechanical engr) postponed a professional career in engineering to provide the ultimate service to his country. Following graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a combat engineer and served two tours of duty – one in Iraq, and one in Afghanistan. He was injured by a fractured bullet during a firefight in Baghdad and was awarded the Purple Heart for his injuries. Today, he is an engineer with Deere & Co. in the Quad Cities. “I’ve always wanted to work as an engineer for either the department of defense or in agriculture,” Jacob says. “I lucked out when I landed a job at John Deere. Now I get to help make a difference for the farmer.”
Jacob on…
…his favorite college memory: “Climbing the goalpost after the Cyclones beat the Hawkeyes in Ames in 1999”
…his guilty pleasure: “I could eat cereal for every meal.”
…the movie he’s always quoting: “The Big Lebowski, which my roommates and I watched nearly every weekend my sophomore year”
…his favorite quote: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”