Inside Iowa State

Sept. 8, 2006

Hixson-Lied Student Success Center. Photo by Bob Elbert.

A roof as art -- and built to last

by Diana Pounds

Some say the new roof resembles an "argyle sock." Facilities planning and management construction manager Leroy Brown begs to differ.

"It is so cool," Brown says of the colorful clay tile roof atop the new Hixson-Lied Student Success Center. "It's craftsmanship. Every tile is individually laid and they lock together. It's just beautiful stuff."

Also beautiful to Brown is the 75-year warranty on the clay tiles, a guarantee that Brown calls "unreal." Brown notes that a 20-year warranty on a roof is considered good.

The tile roof is a gift from Eugene and Mary Sukup and their family. In addition to making a donation to the student success center, they also funded the materials for the roof. The Sheffield, Iowa, family started Sukup Manufacturing Co., which builds and designs grain equipment.

The Hixson-Lied Student Success Center, along Beach Road on the east side of campus, will provide academic counseling, tutoring and testing services. Construction is expected to be complete in mid-October.

"It's craftsmanship. Every tile is individually laid and they lock together. It's just beautiful stuff."

Leroy Brown, FP&M construction manager