Alumni Medal

The Iowa State University Alumni Association established this award in 1948 to recognize ISU alumni for long loyal service to the university through alumni-related activities. It is the premier award given to alumni by the ISU Alumni Association. Up to two medals are granted annually. Nominations due Feb. 15 annually.

NOMINATE A CYCLONE

Scott E. Olson

(’69 architecture)
Broker associate, Skogman Commercial Group
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Scott Olson is a loyal volunteer, advocate, and supporter of Iowa State University.
Olson served on the ISU Alumni Association Board of Directors for years, the last of which as board chair. During that time, he was a crucial member of the finance, trusteeship, strategic planning, legislative, and board relations committees. His time as board chair saw the creation of a development officer position to aid with university advocacy goals of the association, along with sound investment decisions that have bolstered the position of the association. Olson is an ISU Foundation governor and a former foundation board member. In his current role on the College of Design Advancement Council, Olson has participated in key alumni activities across the college’s disciplines, including fundraising campaigns and strategic planning.
During more than a half-century of professional and community life, Olson has served in the U.S. Army and on his local Veterans Commission. He is a founding partner of OPN Architects, with offices in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. At Four Oaks Family and Children’s Service – one of the largest children and family service agencies in Iowa – Olson holds the honor of founding board member. He has been active in municipal government, having served as mayor pro tem and, currently, as chair of the Cedar Rapids City Council Infrastructure Committee.
Among his many honors, Olson is a recipient of the ISU Alumni Association Outstanding Young Alumni Award and the Alumni Humanitarian Award (formerly Alumni Merit Award). Both Scott and his wife, Penny, belong to the W.M. Beardshear Society and Campanile Society, the Cyclone Club, and are life members of the ISU Alumni Association.

Kay Kretschmar Runge

(’69 history)
President, KKRunge Associates
Davenport, Iowa

Kay Kretschmar Runge is a Cyclone to her core. She sees every opportunity to connect with an Iowa Stater as a way to expand her cardinal and gold family. In addition to her successful career, including serving as director of libraries in Des Moines and Davenport, one could argue her second career path has been devoted to long, loyal service to Iowa State.
While a student, Runge was actively involved across campus including Alpha Delta Pi Sorority, Stars Over VEISHEA, 4-H, and the ISU Student Government. As an alumna, Runge served on the Liberal Arts and Sciences Dean’s Advisory Council and is a member of the Stanton Memorial Carillon Foundation. She is a donor to many university units. She has received the Iowa State Service Key Award and the Carrie Chapman Catt Public Engagement Award from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, among other awards and recognitions.
Runge sat on the ISUAA Board of Directors, serving on many committees such as the Alumni Center oversight committee, ISUAA art and artifact’s committee, and officers nominating committee.
Her community service spans involvement across many organizations, including Iowa Public Radio, the Iowa Humanities Board, and the Terrace Hill Commission, the historic home of the governor of Iowa. For her efforts, she has been recognized with such honors as the Women of Influence Award from the Des Moines Business Record and the American Library Association National Advocacy Honor Roll.
Runge is an ISU Foundation governor, belongs to the Order of the Knoll President’s Circle and Campanile Society, Cyclone Club, and is a life member of the ISU Alumni Association.

PAST RECIPIENTS

2022
Mick Guttau
Judy Guttau
Thea (Ted) Oberlander

2021
Martha Krone
Becky Stadlman

2020
Martha Anderson
George Burnet
Ruby Trice

2019
Craig Denny
Julie Larson

2018
Deborah M. Tharnish
Roger C. Underwood

2017
Jay G. Chapman
Karen E. Heldt Chapman
Martha Lagomarcino Gleason

2016
Nancy Degner
Richard Degner

2015
Diane Botts Patton
James L. Patton

2014
Carol Anderson
Kevin Drury
Stephen Watson

2013
Ronald J. Hallenbeck
K. Dwayne Vande Krol

2012
Rudolf J. Herrmann
Bill Hoefle
Warren R. Madden
Beverly S. Madden

2011
Richard E. Horton
Sandra Hart Horton
Gerald E. Hunter
Carol J. Stine Hunter
Choy Chun Leow

2010
Jon Fleming

2009
Donald H. Jordahl

2008
Roy W. Uelner
Sandra S. Uelner

2007
Steven F. Mores

2006
Gary D. Hoover

2005
Michael R.Steffenson

2004
Phyllis J. Lepke

2003
Glen A. Mente

2002
Ardyce Roehr
Don Roehr

2001
Etha (Schipull) Hutchcroft

2000
Irene Beavers
Roger J. Bruene
Sharon Juon

1999
Stanley M. Howe
Carol Elizabeth Jensen
Harriet J. Smith

1998
James R. Christy
Barbara H. (Meyer) Johnson

1997
Agatha (Huepenbecker) Burnet
Keith L. McRoberts

1996
Barbara (Nelson) Eddy
O. Robert Eddy
Murray J. Harpole
Louis Thompson

1995
John D. DeVries
Dale W. Longtin

1994
James R. Palmer
Lawrence R. Tollenaere
Joanne M. Will

1993
Donald E. Greiman
Erben A. Hunziker
Roxanne (Beale) Johnson
Kenneth L. Larson

1992
Grover R. Hertzberg
Daniel L. Krieger

1991
Howard Peterson
Thomas M. Shive

1989
Jerry O. Gidel
Carl Hamilton
Winfield Hanssen
Roger C. Merrifield

1988
Marvin A. Anderson
Donald L. Arends
Joan C. (Urenn) Axel
Nancy (Fredrechsen) Pellett
Charles E. Sukup
Steven E. Zumbach

1987
Marvin E. Johnson
Herbert W. Pike
Marlene (Anderson) Polmear
William H. Reinhardt, Jr.

1986
Rachel (Knoess) Huser
Melvin B. Larsen

1985
Carole A. (Zike) Custer
Wallace F. McKee
Dwight W. Meyer

1984
Harold R. Crawford
Alan R. Tubbs

1983
Raymond A. Engel
Frank K. Ramsey
Roy J. Reiman

1982
James H. Boyd
Leslie W. Huncke
Ann (Woodard) Jennings
Albert L. Jennings
Robert J. Norrish
Francis J. Pallischeck

1981
Julia (Faltinson) Anderson
Henry M. Black
Robert W. Bonnewell
Maxine M. Burch
Charles J. Maxwell
Owen J. Newlin

1980
Deane C. Gunderson
Marion L. (Abbott) Gunderson
Alice (Anderson) VanWert Murray
Ralph A. Olsen
John G. Salsbury
Marvin J. Walter

1979
Robert W. Boeke
Howard M. Logan
Dorothy A. (Kent) Pecaut
Ned E. Perrin
James T. Yoder

1978
Charles T. Cownie
Richard S. Grant
John D. Shors
Thomas R. Smith

1977
Raymond F. Baker
Duane W. Sandage
Willis A. Strauss

1976
George E. Boehnke
Harold J. Stewart

1975
Harry L. Hoak
Blanche (Rosa) Jones Wolf

1974
Allyn E. Hagen
Arloe W. Paul

1973
Rowland R. Manatt
Charles W. Shirey

1972
Carl A. Bluedorn
Ray Donels

1971
Ralph W. Anderson
Vincent B. Hamilton

1970
Kenneth R. Marvin
Alfred W. Warren

1969
Robert K. Buck
Chester D. Lee
Louise M. Rosenfeld

1968
Wallace E. Barron

1967
Rex B. Conn
Hollis R. Hilstrom

1966
Allen Whitfield

1965
Samuel C. Hamilton

1964
Byron W. Lodwick

1963
C.Y. Stephens

1962
W. Harold Brenton
Helen Alice Burling

1961
Laurence T. Gaylord
Guy Lee Noble

1960
Marc A. Buettell

1959
James H. Hilton

1958
Robert E. Buchanan
Theodore V. Houser
Beth Bailey McLean
George Leland Seaton
Clay W. Stafford

1957
Roscoe C. Pollock

1956
Orville W. Crowley
Millie E. Kalsem

1955
Henry H. Kildee

1954
John W. Coverdale

1953
Henry D. Bergman
Francis V. Roy

1952
Harold E. Pride

1951
Earl O. Shreve

1950
Edward N. Wentworth

1949
Dan S. Craig

1948
Angus A. McLaughlin

Questions?

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