Outstanding Young Alumni Award

The Iowa State University Alumni Association established this award in 1968 to recognize ISU alumni, age 40 and under, who have excelled in their professions and provided service to their communities. Up to two awards are granted annually. Nominations due Feb. 15 annually.

NOMINATE A CYCLONE

Dr. Kevin Bieniek

(’11 biology & psychology)
Biggs Institute Brain Bank Director & asst professor, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio
San Antonio, Texas

Kevin Bieniek has made an impact in the field of neurodegenerative diseases. In his doctoral thesis, he discovered a new pathology called dipeptide repeats, found in two disorders – frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Along with the discovery of dipeptide repeats, Bieniek, an assistant professor and director of the Biggs Brain Institute Brain Bank, has also extensively researched and led studies regarding another neurodegenerative disorder called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a disease that is common to former contact sport athletes. ESPN’s “Outside the Lines”, Yahoo Sports, Minneapolis Tribune, Chicago Tribune, The Washington Post, and The New York Times have all featured Bieniek’s research.
His passion for biomedical research was sparked after receiving the 2009 Iowa State University Biology Program’s Sophomore Student Success Scholarship. Other notable recognition Bieniek has received are the Franz Nissl Young Investigator Award from the International Study of Neuropathology in 2018, the University of Texas System Rising STARs Award in 2019, as well as the Bartell and Mollie Zachry Endowment for Alzheimer’s Research in 2020.
An eminent medical researcher and professor, Bieniek’s work has led him across the globe as he continues to serve as an excellent role model and alumnus of ISU. In 2023, Bieniek was awarded the Iowa State University Young Professional Award by the College of Biology and Psychology.
He and his wife, Ashley (’12 BFA integrated studio arts, ’12 BFA interior design) live in San Antonio with their children. He is an annual member of the ISU Alumni Association.

Nate Evans

(’06 computer eng, PhD ’09 computer eng)
Sr R&D cyber researcher, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Knoxville, Tenn.

Today, cybersecurity is top of mind. That’s especially true for Nate Evans.
Evans is a senior research and development professional at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he uses his extensive expertise in cybersecurity – including cyber assessments, moving target defense, and educational cybersecurity programs. Evans has established himself as a critical asset to the future of cybersecurity capabilities, for both the government and for workforce development.
While attending Iowa State, Evans founded the Information Assurance Student Group. He worked alongside mentor Doug Jacobson – who holds ISU’s Professorship in Cybersecurity in Electrical and Computer Engineering – to create and direct the university’s first Cyber Defense Competition. This served as a blueprint for the Department of Energy’s CyberForce Competition, of which Evans is credited with creating and leading strategic development. Today, more than 100 universities participate annually in the CyberForce Competition.
Throughout his career, Evans has amassed patents in proactive cybersecurity defenses. He is a founding member of both the ReCIPE Coalition as well as the Center for Infrastructure Trustworthiness in Energy Systems (CITES). ReCIPE Coalition is funded by the National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity, which is part of the National Security Agency.
Evans volunteers in grade school cybersecurity initiatives and as a leader for the Boy Scouts of America. He is a recipient of the University of Chicago Pinnacle of Education Award, and has earned multiple R&D 100 Awards.
Evans and his wife Christine live in Knoxville, Tennessee.

PAST RECIPIENTS

2022
Martin Gross
Cristobal Salinas Jr.

2021
Chris Deal
Dustin Loy

2020
Kelly Howard

2019
Annice Fisher
Jessica Kinser
Lindsey Shirley

2018
Mindy Aust
Shane M. Jacobson
Sara Marcketti

2017
Josiah A. Dykstra
Hanjun Jiang
Nora K. Tobin

2016
Rachel Anne Allbaugh
Christina Freese-Decker
Lynn M. Ross

2015
Juan R. Guardia
Emily R. Kinser
Suzanne Hutchinson Verma

2014
Elizabeth Kathryn Andre
Matthew Eddy
Nupur Ghoshal

2013
Chad E. Harris
Matthew A. Leu
Catherine Swoboda

2012
Chad E. Bouton
Leia Guccione
Jerlando F.L. Jackson

2011
Anne C. Campbell
Bryce J. Freeman
Tracy L. Summers

2010
Benjamin C. Bruns
Francis de los Reyes
Keegan Kautzky

2009
Derek J. Anderson
Ann Bryant Borders
Andrew Hensen
Kari Hensen

2008
Andrew S. Allen
Aranthan Steve Jones II
DeRionne P. Pollard

2007
Vamsi Chadalavada
Dawn K. Gentsch
Deeia M. Topp

2006
Scott J. DeBoer
Jacquelyn Jeras Ellis
Michelle M. Moseman

2005
Sang-Joon Cho
Brian O. Hemphill
Scott M. Stanzel

2004
Patrick J. Doherty
David G. McDonald
David A. Stark

2003
Douglas H. Bennett
Carla Koehler
Kent A. Lucken

2002
David J. Slump

2001
Craig T. Marrs
Kristie Ann Roehr
Troy J. Strader

2000
N.B. Suresh Chandra Babu
Albert Hsu
David H. Sanders
Mary M. Walczak

1999
Ann (Schweer) Bachman-Thomas
Heidi Kaisand
Sergio H. Lence
Lori (Loraine) M. Reesor
Wagdy G. Wassef

1998
Ann (Wright) Au
William E. Coppel
Roberta M. Dwyer
W. Samuel Easterling
Barbara A. Lemmer
Daniel J. Phelan

1997
Philip A. Anfinrud
Leanne (Cowan) Barnett

1996
King V. Au
Mi OK Cho
Mark H. Guetzko
Leon G. Higley
Deborah (Owen) Thompson
Charles Toben
Damona G. Doye

1995
Benjamin J. Biller
Gregory S. Reigh
David A. Sabatini
Michelle Ann Short
Jane Ann (Siggelkow) Stautz
Mary Thissen-Milder
Dennis H. Goering
Scott H. Hutchins
Dennis P. Ryan

1994
Nancy E. Barickman Brannaman
Kristie A. (Puetz) Gross
Mark E. Law
Deb Miner

1993
Jeffrey W. Coleman
Hilary I. Inyang
Daniel J. Leinen
Marlene S. Lobberecht
Diana G. Oblinger

1992
Maryanne C. Bach
Judith (DeBeer) Klopfenstein
B. J. Krivanek
Karen (Vance) Johnsen Pedersen
Roy G. Perry
Rick J. Tollakson
Kimberly S. Waggie

1991
Patricia Lee Boddy
Debra S. Floerchinger
Jeffrey J. Hornacek
Cheryl K. Gordon (Gruetzmacher) Krongard
Blair W. Laddusaw
Sarah L. Morgan
Terry Rich

1990
Jeffrey A. Creswell
Craig Dory
Glynis Ann Hinschberger
Jim W. Paulsen
Man Mohan Rai
David K. Sherman

1989
Lynn C. Anderson
Lydia R. Botham
Ana Teresa Leon
Alan W. Marty
Vicky (Holets) Whittemore

1988
Katharine G. Abraham
Cheryl S. Hedlund
James E. Miller
Raj Vaithianathan Nathan
Mark O. Sullivan

1987
Isaiah Harris, Jr.
Roy C. King
Margaret A. McQuown
Ned L. Skinner
Donald J. Temeyer
Fay A. Vittetoe
Charlotte R. Wallinga

1986
Paul V. Campbell
Gregory R. Carmichael
Thomas J. Knudson
Barbara M. Mack
Heather (Soladay) Olson
Mark Stuart Patton
Robert Lee Rooks
Joan L. Figgers Wedeking

1985
Neil D. Hamilton
Sharla Jean Hoskin
Allison (Engel) Kirkpatrick
Lynette (Wessell) Pohlman
James A. Roth
Vijaya Shankar
Peter J. Wenstrand

1984
Julie (Sartor) Beckman
Diane (Cone) Boody
Holly J. Burkhalter
Reid W. Crawford
Carol (Campbell) Elliott
John Alexander Lee
Susan (Thomas) Lee
Judith (Maehr) Evans Meli

1983
Debra J. Engel
Kevin A. Kelly
Linda R. Cottington Killinger
Michael T. Nettles
Jeffrey Steinhart
Michele S. Whitlatch

1982
Daniel James Kiser
Graham B. Spanier
Jane Ann (Rutter) Stout
Carol A. Vena-Mondt
Thomas W. Wenstrand
Thomas L. Wilhite
Robert S. Youngquist

1981
Clesteen (Abraham) Clark
Jill (Jansen) Eisele
Dwight E. Hughes, Jr.
Joseph H. Jongewaard
Peggy Martin
Norman D. Skadburg
Lois (Nuehring) Warme
Sue E. Williams
Earl M. Willits
Carol L. Winter

1980
Sally Brown-Prickett
Robert J. Denson
Robert E. Fulwider
David J. Henry
Lee (Walther) Kordus
Nancy (Vittetoe) Schaeffer
Kirk M. Wolter

1979
James L. Patton
Harold L. Peyton
Judith (Gardner) Rutter
Lawrence P. Tilley
Linda L. McCloskey Vermette
John C. Ziegmann

1978
Carol (Campbell) Amick
Carol L. Anderson
James A. Cunningham
Jeanne (Swanson) Warren Eagle
Arthur L. Lage
Richard J. McCloskey
Barbara (Brown) Oliver
Scott E. Olson
Malireddy Reddy
John Carl Thorne
John R. Weichman
John K. Willoughby

1977
Joan C. (Urenn) Axel
Frank R. Bailey
Charlene I. (Swartz) Martinsen Brannon
David L. Ford, Jr.
Lowell D. Satterlee
Ann (Younggreen) Sullivan
David L. Trauger
Kathleen Ann Warner
James F. Wolbrink
Michael D. Zagata
Steven E. Zumbach

1976
Neal E. Carter
Donna M. (Bloemer) Cash
Timothy W. Downing
Larry H. Ebbers
Delbert L. Harris
Larry D. Mayberry
Benjamin L. Peterson
Charles S. Saladino
Robert B. Vander Wilt
Barbara (Halverson) Westercamp

1975
John W. Axel
A. Matthew Blair
Martha (Hutchinson) Byington
Carole A. (Zike) Custer
Robert E. Jester
Paul Kutler
Deane Lottman
Richard D. McCormick
Dennis M. McCurnin
Janice D. (Sells) McLain
Merrill J. Oster
Robert C. Vasko

1974
Janice M. Dodds
Dean P. Gisvold
Sen. Thomas R. Harkin
Gary L. Mossman
Vivian K. (Voelker) Murray
Roger Dean Poppen

1973
Jerry L. Hall
Frankie (Nolin) Schwenk
Kathleen A. Strawhacker
Gary A. Van Gelder
David W. Van Wert
Lynn K. Vorbrich
Thomas M. Whitney
Louisa (Liddell) Williams

1972
Lynda K. Anderson
Robert L. Bartley
Dennis E. Blanchard
Dan M. Gable
Dale A. Johnson
C. Joan Reynolds
Marysue (Kritzman) Salmon
William R. Smith
J. Throck Watson

1971
Glenn David Bergland
Mylon E. Filkins
Richard H. Gilmer
Risdon W. Hankinson
Judson M. Harper
Helen S. Jones
Phyllis A. Lovrien
Charles T. Manatt
James R. Melcher
Marcena (Christian) Ver Ploeg

1970
Jane M. Armstrong
Stephen G. Bales

1969
Ronald O. Baukol
James Laurence Carpenter
Charles D. Fjelland
Paul E. Leaverton
Diane (Rasmussen) McComber

1968
William E. McCulloch
Charles F. Murphy
Gilbert F. Stanek
Richard Holt Stanley
Thomas A. Twetten
Malinda (Hawkins) Wiesner
Joanne M. Will
Ronald C. Beckman
Charles O. Campbell
Gary G. Howell
Gary L. Thompson
Andrew P. Varley
Robert E. Walkup

Questions?

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