Ringgenberg Award Established


by Anne Dolan

University employees have established a service award to 
honor a former colleague, Carroll Ringgenberg. Beginning next 
spring, the annual award will recognize an employee from the 
Professional and Scientific sector who "exhibits constant and 
contagious dedication and goodwill for Iowa State 
University," traits his friends remember in Ringgenberg.

Ringgenberg worked at ISU from 1952 to 1992 and died in June 
1993 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often referred 
to as Lou Gehrig's disease. Initially he worked in the 
purchasing department and later transferred into facilities 
planning and management. He coordinated classroom scheduling 
and maintained the computerized inventory of all campus space 
at the time he left Iowa State. Those who knew him, including 
philosophy professor Richard Van Iten, speak of Ringgenberg's 
willingness to go the extra mile to see a task completed and 
of his unwavering sense of humor.

"He really made a big difference to all faculty who had 
problems with a room assignment," Van Iten said. "He had a 
great sense of humor and a way of getting things smoothed 
over in a tolerable fashion."

Lynn Seiler, supervisor of campus space management, worked 
for many years with Ringgenberg, first as a work-study 
student and later, as a colleague. He said Ringgenberg knew 
nearly everyone on campus and had terrific people skills.

"He could tell you 'no' and you'd still feel good about it," 
Seiler recalled.

Van Iten heads a committee of faculty and P&S staff that has 
launched a drive to fund a $20,000 endowment in Ringgenberg's 
name. That size endowment could fund a cash award of $1,000 
annually. Until the endowment is fully funded, the award will 
be smaller, according to Linda Kitchel, director of prospect 
research for the ISU Foundation and a member of the 
Ringgenberg award committee.

Nearly $14,000 has been raised from a group of Ringgenberg's 
friends and work colleagues. A university-wide pledge drive 
will begin around June 1. Gifts to the endowment may be made 
in one-time donations or pledges spread over three years. A 
payroll deduction option is available for pledges.

Nomination forms for the first Ringgenberg award will be 
distributed this fall with other P&S award forms. P&S 
employees with at least 10 years of service at ISU are 
eligible for the award. Their nominators will be asked to 
cite examples of extraordinary dedication to the ISU 
community, examples of goodwill for Iowa State and examples 
of a history of excellence in service to others at ISU.

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contact:  Anne Dolan, (515) 294-7065
updated:  5-26-95