Inside Iowa State: Iowa State University

January 17, 2003

Morrill Hall renovation gets large gift

Lyle and Nancy Campbell of Paradise Valley, Ariz., have pledged $1 million to the Morrill Hall renovation project.

"Lyle and Nancy have taken a crucial step toward making the renovation of Morrill Hall a reality," said President Gregory Geoffroy. "We are deeply grateful for their generous support and their personal leadership of this project. With their help and the support of many others, Morrill Hall will remain prominent on the Iowa State campus."

In August, Geoffroy announced a private gift goal of $9 million for the renovation of Morrill Hall. Geoffroy and his wife, Kathy, co-chair the Morrill Hall Leadership Committee with the Campbells.

Lyle Campbell, a 1966 agricultural business graduate of Iowa State and chairman of the board of Founders Group Inc., doesn't recall being in Morrill Hall as a student, but he speaks with conviction about preserving this campus landmark.

"Justin Morrill's foresight in establishing legislation that would provide education to the masses after the Civil War was momentous for this country. We want to preserve Morrill Hall, both because of its heritage and its character," he said.

Iowa State was the first land-grant university in the nation created under the terms of the Morrill Act.

The Campbells and their six children lived in Pammel Court while Lyle was a student at Iowa State. A photograph of the family standing in front of Morrill Hall, which was used with a newspaper article at the time, still is displayed in the Campbell home.