Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

INSIDE IOWA STATE
June 8, 2001

New theme year
to focus on students

by Steve Sullivan
A celebration built around the theme "Challenging students to become their best," will highlight the 2001-02 school year.

Thomas Hill, vice president for student affairs; Benjamin Allen, incoming interim vice president for external affairs; and Andy Tofilon, president of the Government of the Student Body; are co-chairs for the celebration.

The year-long celebration will include lectures, community visits and special events. Theme-related lecture events include Julie Stoffer and Justin Deabler, two former cast members of MTV's Real World program; comedian and former Iowa State student Jake Johannsen; Nobel Peace Prize winner Lech Walesa speaking on leadership; and a lecture series on the music business that will feature rap artist Chuck D.

Several events surrounding student-related buildings also are slated, including a groundbreaking for the Gerdin Building, which will be home to the College of Business. The newly remodeled Student Answer Center in Beardshear Hall also will open.

"Students have always played a key role in university celebrations. It is great that we are the focus of it this year," Tofilon said.

The celebration will go beyond campus. Iowa State's display at the Iowa State fair will feature re-creations of two residence hall rooms – one from the 1960s and another from the present. "Challenging students to become their best" also will be the theme of community visits during the 2001-02 academic year.