Faculty-Staff Inspiration Award

The Alumni Association established this award in 2011. This honor presents a way for former ISU students to recognize current or former ISU faculty or staff members who had a significant influence in their lives as students at ISU. The Faculty-Staff Inspiration Award Program is funded by the Nancy and Richard Degner ISU Alumni Association Endowment. Nancy and Rich are both proud ISU graduates and life members of the Alumni Association. They are also sustaining life donors, serving a crucial role in the Association’s mission of engaging diverse partners to showcase the work and accomplishments of Iowa State University and Cyclones everywhere. Recognition plans will be shared soon. Nominations are due Dec. 1 annually.

NOMINATE A CYCLONE ROLE MODEL

Sarah Bennett-George

Teaching Professor

Teaching Professor Sarah Bennett-George has taught in the apparel, merchandising, and design program at Iowa State University since 2011. During that same time, she has held the role of faculty advisor for The Fashion Show, one of the largest student-run fashion shows in the nation.
Bennett-George (’06 art and design, ’11 psychology, MFCS ’11 apparel, merchandising, and design) is currently the president of the ISU Faculty Senate and has served on a number of committees. Nominator after nominator shared similar experiences of learning from Bennett-George: She is attentive, committed, genuine, kind, and an empowering leader.
“Sarah possesses a rare blend of scholarly excellence and a genuine commitment to her students’ success,” wrote nominator Samantha Golbuff (’23 graphic design). “During my four years as a student in The Fashion Show ... she consistently went above and beyond to create an inclusive and supportive environment.”
Bennett-George is credited with providing students a space to learn and grow their leadership skills, to test their ideas, and to prepare for future careers.
“Sarah taught me the most important lessons of my college career … the best leaders are passionate, know when to compromise, and inspire others with their optimism. Nearly eight years into my professional career, I often pause and think of this lesson from Sarah when challenged in a project or meeting,” wrote nominator Mary Kate Knabel (’15 apparel merchandising and design).
From 2015 to 2022 Bennett-George also worked as an academic advisor, helping students connect with valuable classes and internship experiences.
“As I get ready to graduate in the spring, I know that I am entering the real world with the biggest supporter behind me – Sarah Bennett-George,” wrote nominator Lindsey Skaaland (’24). “I will leave Iowa State this May a better person than I was when I first arrived because I have had the privilege of learning from one of the university’s very best.”
Bennett-George is a life member of the ISU Alumni Association.

Lisa Fontaine

Associate Professor

Associate Professor Lisa Fontaine has taught graphic design to students ranging from first-year to graduate levels for 37 years at Iowa State University. Former students credit her with making a lasting impact on many of them; at least 18 of her graduate students have become professors of design in the U.S. and abroad.
“I had the privilege of being her TA for two years. Lisa makes you fall in love with your field because she is a lifelong learner herself,” wrote nominator Ruki Neuhold-Ravikumar (MFA ’03 graphic design). “I modeled my teaching practices after Lisa’s and won awards. After a rich career as a designer, educator and leader, I think about the teacher who has the most profound influence on my career, and its unequivocally Lisa.”
Fontaine’s work focuses on environmental graphic design. Her projects have included sign design, exhibit design, wayfinding, and the design and application of brand identities to urban environments for organizations including the Field Museum in Chicago; Design in Action in Washington, D.C.; the Iowa Holocaust Memorial; Downtown Districts Revitalization for cities across Iowa; and many more. At ISU, she proposed – and was instrumental in the development of – the master of arts in environmental graphic design, the first graduate program of its kind in the nation.
Fontaine’s impact on her students extends beyond creative and professional mentorship – she is also invested in their personal well-being.
“I was an international student during my master’s degree program, and my education solely depended on funding via assistantship. However, due to the 2008 economic crisis, I encountered some financial challenges that almost prevented me from continuing the program,” wrote nominator Emmanuel Saka (MFA ’11 graphic design; PhD ’20 human computer interaction). “Fortunately, Professor Fontane noticed this and made it her priority to ensure that I secured assistantships on campus, and to help me navigate the College of Design and ISU successfully.”

Ahmed Kamal

LIFE IEEE Fellow

Willard and Leitha Richardson Professor Ahmed Kamal dedicated 50 years of his life to being an engineer, teacher, researcher, and mentor. Twenty-three of those years were spent at Iowa State University where he researched computing and networking systems, communications and signal processing, high-performance networks, optical networks, wireless and sensor networks, and performance evaluation of 5G/6G networks.
Kamal published 300 research articles in peer-reviewed journals and conferences, as well as several books. Beyond his roles as a researcher and professor, Kamal also held the informal title of “academic father” to many of his students.
“Dr. Kamal was one of my life’s most influential, if not the most influential, professors and father figures. His wisdom, calmness, fairness, and never-ending support was a pillar that solidified my ground and pushed me through some of the hardships of my academic career,” wrote nominator Ahmad Nazar (’20 computer engineering, MS ’22).
Kamal also served as the director of graduate education at ISU. Over the course of his career, he advised more than 35 doctoral students and more than 40 master’s students.
“Professor Kamal's rare ability to balance a busy schedule with remarkable availability was evident in his office, a sanctuary where inspiration flourished,” wrote Associate Teaching Professor Mohamed Selim (MS ’16 computer engineering; PhD ’18 electrical engineering, computer engineering). “The technical and ethical skills he imparted continue to shape my career as a faculty member and inspire the unwavering confidence I instill in my students.”
Kamal passed away April 30, 2023. He is remembered and missed by the many students he impacted over the course of his career.
“Dr. Kamal's dedication to research and pursuit of knowledge was awe-inspiring. He challenged his students to explore uncharted territories, think critically, and innovate,” wrote nominator Shakil Ahmed (PhD ’23 electrical engineering, computer engineering). “His insightful guidance and invaluable feedback propelled our research forward, pushing us to achieve new heights of academic excellence. … His impact will be felt for generations.”

Karen Miskell-Larson

Former Associate Director for Catering, ISU Dining

Karen Miskell-Larson graduated in 1975 from Iowa State University's hotel, restaurant and institutional management program and got her first job with Memorial Union dining, a job that she assumed would be temporary. Nearly 30 years later, Miskell-Larson was named the head of catering for ISU Dining.
From a cheese block carved into "ISU" to a 3D campanile cake or an eight-foot-wide butterfly cake, Miskell-Larson spent years coming up with creative ways to enhance catering events on campus.
“I marveled watching her bring in torn pages from Bon Appétit and other food magazines, laying them out on a conference table and showing us her idea for an event pulled from multiple publications,’” wrote nominator Karen Rodekamp (’99 hotel, restaurant, and institution management). “ I honestly thought she was crazy at times! At the start of every event, I would think to myself, ‘This is spot on! This is just as she told us it would be.’ Each and every time, the events were perfect. Not only perfectly executed, but perfect for the customer they were created to serve. There are great caterers in the world, but Karen’s real asset was her ability to make people feel special.”
Amid her detail-oriented event planning and execution, Miskell-Larson also inspired the next generation of ISU dining leaders.
“I felt special working with Karen. She took time to groom me, teach me, and care about me. She gave me the confidence to take what I learned from her and make it my own with my customers and employees,” wrote Rodekamp, who was promoted to director of ISU Dining in 2023. “So much of what I am today, I must thank Karen Larson for instilling in me. I would not be where I am without her supporting me as a student employee and seeing something in me that I wasn’t yet seeing myself.”
Miskell-Larson, who retired from ISU in 2010 , is a life member of the ISU Alumni Association.

Massimo Marengo

Affiliate Professor

Affiliate Professor Massimo Marengo has taught in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Iowa State University since 2009. His research –– supported by NASA and the National Science Foundation ––focuses on the study of stellar astrophysics and its applications to stellar populations, galaxy evolution, cosmology (stellar distance indicators), and the origin of planetary systems.
One of his students enrolled in his class confusing it for another, thinking it was going to be a “really easy astronomy course,” which they soon learned was not the case.
“My hopes for an easy A squashed, I considered dropping the course. Soon, instead of wanting to both drop the course and to avoid any course taught by Massimo, I started to enjoy the material, and I hungered for another challenge. As a result of the course's rigor, I gained more problem-solving skills and grew more academically in Massimo's course than I had in any previous course,” wrote nominator Mikaela Leners (’14 physics).
While maybe not the easiest class, Marengo’s teaching style challenges and rewards students, which is reflected in the honors he has received over the years. Marengo has been awarded the Iowa State Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) Award for Outstanding Achievement in Teaching, Iowa State LAS Emerging Faculty Leader Award, and NASA Group Achievement Award for the Spitzer Space Telescope Payload Team, to name a few.
Marengo is known for his patience, willingness to answer questions, and support of students’ continued academic and professional successes.
“What began with me enrolling in the wrong course resulted in my big adventure at Iowa State,” wrote Leners. “Under the guidance of Massimo, I grew academically in ways I would not have thought possible, I landed the internship of a lifetime, and I gained skills that continue to help me thrive in my professional life.”

Katherine Rafferty

Associate Teaching Professor | Associate Graduate Faculty Member

Associate Teaching Professor Katherine Rafferty has taught in Iowa State University’s communication studies program since 2015. Rafferty also advises students in research where she has partnered with the Ronald McDonald House Charities, UnityPoint Hospital, Institute for Reproductive Grief Care, and the Lozier Institute.
“Dr. Rafferty notices,” said nominator Amber Loecker (’19 communication studies). “She notices when you’re there, she notices when you’re gone, she notices if you’re having a difficult time, and she clearly wants her students to grow while holding them to a standard of excellence.”
Rafferty’s dedication is reflected in her prior awards. She was part of a group that received ISU's COVID-19 Exceptional Effort Award. Individually, she received the Outstanding Service Certificate from the National Communication Association and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's First Year Student Success Award, being recognized as "the person on campus who has helped them the most in college." Rafferty has developed a health communication class at ISU that earned Quality Matters certification, a national peer-review process that certifies quality online courses. In 2015, she was selected to be a fellow for the Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program by the National Cancer Institute.
Rafferty’s former students share a feeling of being believed in and supported by the professor – in and out of the classroom.
“A few months after the birth of my first baby ... and after a marathon of medical interventions seeking relief for my daughter, I received a message from Dr. Rafferty inviting me to join her virtual mom’s book study,” said nominator Sydney Tietz (’19 psychology, languages and cultures).
“In a world that seems so isolated, she taught me how to uplift and help others as a human family,” said Tietz. “I remember her saying, ‘People very rarely take you up on an offer of, “Let me know if you need anything.” Instead, ask them, “Can I bring dinner, or can I get you groceries?”’ I had no idea how true this was until she was the one sending me Panera.”

PAST RECIPIENTS

2023
Eric Abbott
Marolynn Berrett
Tom Kroeschell
SoJung Lee
Tricia Neppl

2022
Dr. Rachel Allbaugh
Raluca Cozma
Ann Gansemer-Topf
Pat Miller
Peter Orazem

2021
Giles Fowler (awarded posthumously)
Manju Reddy
Brianna Burke

2020
Mark Bryden (View video recognition)
Thelma Harding (View video recognition)
Pol Herrmann (View video recognition)
Steven Hoff (View video recognition)
Brenda Thorbs-Weber (View video recognition)
Jeremy Withers (View video recognition)

2019
Detroy Green
Connie Hargrave
Barb Licklider
Nancy Osborn Johnsen
Chris Rehmann
Jessica Van Winkle

2018
LeQuetia Ancar
David Edwards
Thomas Emmerson
Eric Hoiberg
George Micalone

2017
Donald C. Beitz
Brad Dell
George A. Jackson
Gail Nonnecke
Stephen Pett

2016
Larry Ebbers
William Edwards
Matthew Ellinwood
Debra Gibson
Garry Greenlee
Thomas Hill
Robert Jolly

2015
Dianne Bystrom
Michael Gaul
Patrick Gouran
James Noxon
Jane Peterson
Ann Thompson

2014
Daniel Betts
Roger Bruene
Paul J. Hermann
Liz Kurt
Julie Kent Larson
John H. Schuh

2013
Christina Campbell
Desiree Gunning
Jan Jennings
Sara Kadolph
Jenn Plagman-Galvin
Kim Smith

2012
Elizabeth Beck
James Hoover
F. Wayne Klaiber
Richard Manatt
Frank Randall
Dana Schumacher

All-time ISU Award for Superior Service to Alumni Recipients

2012
Michael Golemo

2011
Larry H. Ebbers
Barbara M. Mack

2009
Nancy J. Evans

2008
John Wong

2007
Michael R. Crum

2006
Carl E. Jacobson

2005
Ann M. Gogerty

2004
Lowell Greimann

2003
David H. Miller
Judy Weiland

2002
Jacquelyne Alleman
Marshall Ruble
Liese VanderBroek

2001
Carlota Dubon de Gutierre
Jackie K. Jens
Ronald A. Manning
M. Sue Proescholdt
David E. White
Joyce Wray

2000
Ronald J. Ackerman
Martha R. Clifford
Jane Lohnes
Barbara J. Royer

1999
Lori Kay Bushore
"Carol" Jane Galyon
Paul Kassel
Virgine L. Monthei
Jen Peters
Pauline R. Smith
David A. Tesdall

1998
Barbara Z. Erickson
Jeanne Grace Gehm
Desiree B. Gunning
Jean Holt
J. Charles Morris
Joanne Nystrom
Rosalie A. Ocker-Turner
Gary G. Schwartz

1997
Carol Brophy
Ann (Coppernoll) Farni
Sally Gleason
Anita T. Nimtz
Sharon Shepard

1996
Carol E. Elliott
Mary Jo Glanville
Bernard Havlovic
Norma J. Lewis
James F. Lux
Robert K. Patterson
Donna Schradle
Gail L. Stecker

1995
Sylvia J. Anderson
Mary E. Atherly
Gary D. Bridges
Philip P. Hufferd
Lois A. Jacobson
Carol M. Swenson
Janet (Rohler) Greisch

1994
Mary M. Howard
Janet M. Luiken
Michael C. Meetz
Allan L. Seim
Doris J. Sobottka
Shirley (Johnson) Stakey
Donald J. Wishart

1993
Marcia L. Akers
Jon Bahrenfus
Arun Barua
Letha DeMoss
Lynn Franco
Barbara Houk
Lorine (Rosewall) Matters
Gretchen L. Nickell
David G. Schoeller
Gretchen H. Triplett
Sharon Twedt

1992
Arthur R. Anderson
Helen H. Benner
Donald H. Goering
Norma Hensley
Nancy A. Holcomb
Peggy J. Johnston
John T. McConnell
Beverly Ann Owings
Carroll R. Ringgenberg
Ronald K. Skrdla

1991
Patricia A. Borts
Kathy Highland
Peter A. Krumhardt
Carl T. Moen
Roberta North
Kenneth W. Ross
Lynette K. Sherer
John V. Sjoblom

1990
Charlene K. Carsrud
Donna Cerka
Allen E. Christian
Stephen R. Pendry
John A. Wallize Jr.

1989
Harlan H. Baker
Ervin C. Johnson
Sally Johnson
Rupert E. Kenyon Jr.
Paul Lem
Betty Meyer
Eldon Ness
Randall A. Petersohn
David R. Torgeson

1988
M. Bruce Abbey
Diane K. Childs
Jean Crovisier
Joann M. Kinyon
Carol R. Kline
Jack O. Moorman
Stan Myers
Marlene J. Richard

1987
Dean W. Biechler
Wayne Fruehling
Sandra K. Green
Julia A. Henderson
Lois McVicker
Ronald L. Orth
John W. Pace
Fred C. Schlunz
Janice I. Schneider
Glen O. Thompson

1986
Bernard H. Beaudry
Marvin W. Buechler
Shelley S. Hawkins
Eva Lloyd Kinstle
Delores Connie M. Prior
Betty A. Rasmussen
Donald Paul Schroeder
Dorcas L. Speer
Joyce Van Pilsum

1985
Nadine L. Buss
Wilma Jean Conard
Mary W. Lees
Doris E. McCormick
C.C. Mosier
Frederick Schmidt

1984
David N. Ballard
E. Douglas Brown
George F. Covert
Leone M. Ferguson
Abby J. Ostrem

1983
Fern M. Carlson
Margaret Cooper
Kenneth L. Driftmier
Paul E. Larson
Eileen A. Vasey

1982
Jerry L. Amenson
Beverly Burnett
John C. Huseby
Ilah E. Maron
Samuel A. McDowell
Dorothy L. Myers
Raymond P. Nicholson
Grace Olsen
Janet Putnam

1981
Ethel K. Boyington
Hazel F. Cook
Ina M. Couture
Laura (Christiensen) Dailey
Leola Gustafson
Margaretha Hansen
Virgie I. Hotchkiss
Cleo A. (Rustad) Kolpin
Donald E. Sprague

1980
Herschel W. Anderson
Avis L. Andre
LaVerna E. Carey
Evelyn Jensen
T. Joseph Morrissey
Alice V. Schaeffer
Charlotte (Strothman) Young
Helen E. Young

1979
A. Mae Alsin
Charles L. Benn
LeDena Faye Bishop
Wanda M. Daley
Iona T. Hegland
Gladys B. Willert
Florence E. Williams
Eugene L. Clubine (posthumous)

1978
Marguerite L. Berry
Garry L. Mitchell
Alvina Owenson
Harold W. Shoen
Waldo W. Wegner

1977
Floyd S. Ransom
Carmi N. Spicer
Herbert A. Taylor

1976
Ralph R. Bean
Margaret (Goosman) Kirwin
Ray J. Seymour

1975
Anthony "Tony" Coletti
Margaret Mae Gross
Veola A. Johnson
Harry E. Shrake

1974
LeRoy 'Bud' Brendeland
Lois E. Thomas

1973
Dorothy Kehlenbeck
Irene Spear
Virgil Spear
Glendora "Tippy" (Briley) Timm
Nelson L. Wagaman

1972
Hazel L. Clausen
Ethel Foster
Donald T. Mason
Edgar P. Swanson

1971
Alexander W. Begg
Dorothy (Acklin) Erskine
William E. Holmes
Donald S. Stevens

All-time Faculty Citation Recipients

2003
Cigden Akkurt
Lloyd Lee Anderson
Mark L. Power

2002
Joan E. Herwig
Richard M. Robson
Kathleen M. Trahanovsky

2001
Mufit Akinc
David W. Lynch
Laurie Mareta Sandra
Charles Bradley Shrader
Roger A. Smith

2000
Don Flugrad
Kenneth R. Jolls
Marit Nilsen-Hamilton
Ronald H. Peters
John William Schafer

1999
Mary Lynn Damhorst
John C. Even Jr.
Dennis C. Johnson
Russell N. Laczniak
Bruce Edward Smith

1998
William W. Bathie
David L. Carlson
Richard B. Carter
Donna (Friedman) Curry
Nolan R. Hartwig
James Huss
Richard Price Manatt
Martha E. Russell
Jerry W. Young

1997
Rosalie J. Amos
Michael F. Berard
Robert S. Boston
Richard E. Carlson
Michael R. Crum
Sara J. Kadolph
Lee R. Kolmer
Peter J. Reilly

1996
Roger Baer
Tahira K. Hira
David K. Hoffman
David L. Hopper
Terry S. King
Thomas E. Loynachan
Roger P. Murphy
Anton Netusil

1995
John J. Andrews
Garren O. Benson
Chester S. Comstock Jr.
Jane Ann Cox
Alyce M. Fanslow
Ronald L. Grier
Kenneth L. Larson
Robert E. Lewis
Kenneth G. McConnell
James C. McElroy
Richard K. Miller
Bruce R. Munson
Gary D. Osweiler
Daniel C. Robinson
Dale H. Ross
Wayne A. Rowley
Jane G. Smiley

1994
Benjamin J. Allen
Neil A. Bjurstom

Questions?

Contact Katie Lickteig, assistant vice president of constituent engagement, at (515) 294-1955 or by emailing kbruxvoo@iastate.edu with any questions.