Order of the Knoll Cardinal and Gold Award



Joan Urenn Axel

BS '64, History
Muscatine, Iowa

Joni Axel (’64 history) epitomizes leadership. She has spent her career encouraging others, as well as her alma mater, to become their best. As an attorney she has been recognized for her community service and pro bono work. As a Muscatine resident she has been committed to improving the city and the lives of its residents. As an Iowa State University alumna, she has been a volunteer, advocate, and philanthropist.

Axel was at the forefront of the creation of ISU’s Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics and with her husband, John (’64 industrial administration), initiated the Mary Louise Smith Chair. She also played an integral role in the creation of the ISU Foundation’s Women and Philanthropy organization. A 42-year member of the League of Women Voters and a volunteer mentor for women, she has dedicated much of her life to improving the lives of women and promoting women’s leadership at Iowa State and beyond.

A former president of the ISU Alumni Association’s Board of Directors and a former director of WOI-TV, Axel has been an ISU Foundation Governor since 1989 and currently serves on the Governance Committee. She was a member of the university’s presidential search committee in 1991 and was a member of the national Partnership for Prominence campaign cabinet from 1994-1996.

In her community and statewide she is involved with Trinity Episcopal Church, the Wilton Industrial Corporation Board, the Muscatine Trails Committee, Big Sisters, Community Y Board, the Board of Directors of Central State Bank, the Nature Conservancy Iowa Board, the Muscatine County Bar Association (which she served as president in 2000), the New Ventures Initiative, and the Wilton Library & Community Center Building Campaign. She is a trustee of the City of Muscatine Board of Water, Electric, and Communications. Axel is also a former member of Rotary, the Iowa Supreme Court Grievance Commission, and the boards of the United Way of Muscatine, the Iowa State Lottery, Wellmark, Wilton Community Development Association, the Muscatine Chamber of Commerce, the Muscatine Community Health Association, the Muscatine County Supervisors, First National Bank of Muscatine, the Muscatine Welfare Association, the Muscatine CommunityY Endowment Foundation, the University of Iowa Law School Foundation, and the Hoover Presidential Library Association.

Among the many awards Axel has received from Iowa State are the Distinguished Service Award for Cedar and Muscatine Counties, the Outstanding Young Alumna Award, and the Alumni Achievement Award. She was also the first recipient of the YWCA’s Next Generation Award in 1994 and was honored as a Woman of Spirit and Note by KWQC TV in 1991. She received the Outstanding Service to Your Community Award in 2002 and the Pro Bono Service Award in 2003 from the Iowa State Bar Association.

Currently vice president and director of Stanley, Lande, & Hunter Attorneys and Counselors, Axel lives in Muscatine with her husband, John, whom she met at Iowa State. The Axels are members of Order of the Knoll and life members of the ISU Alumni Association.