Inside Iowa State

Sep. 7, 2007

ISU Week in Ames is Sept. 17-23

by Erin Rosacker

A celebration marking the name switch from Elwood Drive to University Boulevard will kick off a week of activities throughout Ames honoring Iowa State's sesquicentennial year.

"ISU Week in Ames" begins at 11 a.m. Monday, Sept. 17, when Ames mayor Ann Campbell and president Gregory Geoffroy unveil the new University Boulevard signage. The ceremony will take place at the intersection of University Boulevard and Center Drive, just south of Hilton Coliseum.

"The City of Ames and Iowa State University have worked in partnership for more than 100 years with many, many positive results," said Ames public relations officer Susan Gwiasda. "We are proud to recognize this major milestone with a week of celebrations that allow the entire community to get involved."

On Tuesday, Reiman Gardens joins the effort, offering half-price admission all day (9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). The Gardens boast a series of "Excellence in Bloom" displays designed to coincide with the sesquicentennial. They include a garden planted with fruits, vegetables and biorenewable varieties developed at ISU.

Richard Florida, the Helen LeBaron Hilton Chair in Human Sciences, will deliver his "Rise of The Creative Class" lecture on Wednesday, Sept. 19, in Stephens. The free event welcomes community-wide participation.

The music department will join area musicians for Thursday's "Music Walk" from 5 to 8 p.m. in Ames' Main Street Cultural District. Stores will stay open late and a variety of live musical talent will perform indoors and outdoors. The public is invited to join in singing Happy Birthday at 7:30 p.m. in Tom Evans Park. ISU Dining will provide refreshments.

A stop at the Octagon Center for the Arts' annual art festival on Sunday will wrap up the week. The College of Design will display a sesquicentennial exhibit, joining more than 100 Midwest artists and entertainers. The festival, which runs from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., is free.

Throughout September, both the Ames Public Library and City Hall are housing ISU sesquicentennial displays.

A Thursday evening music walk downtown and a ceremony to unveil new signage for University Boulevard are part of "ISU Week in Ames."