Inside Iowa State

March 30, 2007

Honors program names new administrative director

by Anne Krapfl

Laurie Fiegel will assume her duties as the new administrative director of the University Honors Program on June 1.

Fiegel currently serves in the same position for the Honors College at Stony Brook University, New York, a position she has held since 1998. Previously, she worked as the senior staff assistant for that program. She also was interim administrator for Stony Brook's learning communities during 2003.

"Laurie's administrative skills and leadership, demonstrated both at Stony Brook and nationally, map exceptionally well into our vision for the future of the Honors Program," said Gene Takle, faculty director of the program and professor of agricultural meteorology and of atmospheric science. "Her joining our leadership team will help the ISU Honors Program meet the needs of our very high-ability students, and at the same time serves as an agent for cultural change to promote scholarly achievement as a part of the undergraduate learning experience for all students."

Since summer 2004, an administrative director and a part-time faculty director have shared leadership of Iowa State's Honors Program. The administrative director focuses on day-to-day management of the program, including oversight of the Freshman Honors Program and applications for major scholarships and fellowships. The faculty director focuses on the Honors curriculum and developing new initiatives that enhance research and other scholarly activities for all students.

Fiegel succeeds Ricki Shine, who left Iowa State last May. Liz Beck is serving as interim administrative director.

Fiegel has a bachelor's degree (1989) in history and government and master's degree (1992) in history (emphasis in recent American history), both from Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond.

"[Fiegel] joining our leadership team will help the ISU Honors Program meet the needs of our very high-ability students, and at the same time serves as an agent for cultural change to promote scholarly achievement as a part of the undergraduate learning experience for all students."

Gene Takle