Graduates of the Iowa State University College of Engineering and other friends who know the college and the profession well are some of the biggest supporters of the Marston Hall revitalization.
These alumni and friends recognize a state-of-the-art facility is needed to address the exciting growth and evolving educational needs of the college. They are showing their support with generous gifts that helped the college break ground in August for this historic renovation. The project has an anticipated completion date of early 2016.
The Marston Hall project will cost $24.1 million, and as with many building projects on campus, a portion of that total must be contributed through private support. As of July 31, 2014, of the minimum $8.2 million needed in private gifts, $6.5 million has already been committed through the Iowa State University Foundation.
“The outpouring of support from alumni, friends and Iowa businesses shows the public clearly understands the importance of preserving our building while ensuring the facility will serve the exciting, ever-changing needs of students and the engineering profession,” said Sarah A. Rajala, dean of engineering and the James L. and Katherine S. Melsa Professor in Engineering. “We are so grateful for the vision and generosity of these donors.”
Gifts of all sizes have been gratefully accepted, including a number of lead gifts of $250,000 or more. Donors at this level include Murray (deceased; B.S. ’43 Electrical Engineering) and Ruth Harpole of Oak Park Heights, Minnesota; Kirk ( B.S. ’68 Industrial Engineering) and Rae Malcolm of Deerfield, Illinois; Burns and McDonnell in Kansas City, Missouri; Danfoss in Ames, Iowa; John (B.S. ’66 Mechanical Engineering) and Nancy Hayes of Davenport, Iowa; Bob (B.S. ’68 Chemical Engineering) and Jackie Lane of Houston, Texas; MidAmerican Energy Company in Des Moines, Iowa; and Dick (B.S. ’55 Mechanical Engineering and Electrical Engineering) and Mary Jo Stanley of Muscatine, Iowa.
Naming opportunities remain at a range of giving levels, from small and large classrooms to the career services wing and the rotunda conference room.
Kerry Dixon, project manager in the facilities planning and management department, said “The Marston renovation is a great example of how the Cyclone family comes together to help Iowa State keep our facilities and campus on the leading edge, while maintaining the history and beauty of our campus.”
The Iowa State University Foundation is a private, nonprofit corporation dedicated to securing and managing gifts and grants that benefit Iowa State University.