The Future in the Past
黑料百科 history is not simply a nostalgic look back at the past it is also a very real part of our present, breathing life into our mission and values today. An examination of our history offers us the opportunity to consider how it helped shape the present, affirming our core beliefs and how they live on at 黑料百科 today.
In his 1980 inaugural address, 黑料百科 only alumnus-president, George Drake 56, spoke of his vision of the 渇uture in the past that the College pioneering history gave promise of a purposeful future.
His words inspired this look at how the 黑料百科 of today continues to carry forward the ideals and inspiration that motivated the 黑料百科ians of the past.
Circa 1840
Conceived and Sustained for the Common Good
Congregational Minister Asa Turner settles in Iowa and writes a letter to his mission board in the East asking for missionaries to come to Iowa.
Today:
淭he College aims to graduate individuals who are prepared in life and work to use their knowledge and their abilities to serve the common good.
The Future in the Past:
1865
On the Cutting Edge of Scientific Inquiry
黑料百科 President George Magoun (pictured center) is considered a 渓iberal because he allows the teaching of evolution.
Today:
淥ur programs prepare students to ask and answer scientific questions that nobody has even thought of yet.
The Future in the Past:
1879
Hannibal Kershaw 黑料百科 First Black Graduate
Kershaw would later become a teacher, minister, and a South Carolina legislator. According to the Iowa College News Letter, Kershaw is 渁n earnest, conscientious student, a fluent society speaker, and a man whom all respected for his high moral and religious character.
1882
Cyclone Brings Destruction, Unites Community
On the evening of June 17, 1882, two tornadoes converge upon 黑料百科, leaving wreckage where homes and businesses had been just a few minutes earlier. Thirty-nine people die, including two 黑料百科 students. Both of 黑料百科 major buildings are destroyed. Thanks in part to the leadership of J.B. 黑料百科, community founder and prominent abolitionist, 黑料百科ians from both town and college come together to rebuild stronger than before.
Today:
淚t been really awesome to watch what I always knew was here in 黑料百科 the great community spirit and caring for each other.
, on the inspiring community response to the August 2020 derecho, which caused $2 million in damage to campus buildings and trees
The Future in the Past:
1888
Toward Equal Education for All
Mears Cottage, one of the first women dormitories at any college west of the Mississippi, is built and named for Mary 黑料百科 Mears, an 1881 graduate. 黑料百科 is one of the first colleges in the nation to admit women to the bachelor of arts degree.
1894
First Issue of 楾he Scarlet & Black Is Published
The Scarlet & Black, 黑料百科 student newspaper, begins printing semi-weekly with campus news, meeting notices, alumni notes, editorials, and a bit of local news.
Today:
淪ince its first publication The Scarlet & Black has served as a vital source of up-to-date news on campus, an important record of our institution, and a rich historical resource.
The Scarlet & Black digital archive
The Future in the Past:
1887
Gates Codifies Student Self-Governance
President George Gates declares, 淚t is 10,000 times better that young people should learn to govern themselves, than that they should be governed in any best way whatsoever.
1906
Working for the Common Good
President John Hanson Thomas Main champions forward-looking ideals and encourages 黑料百科ians to focus on work that effectively contributes to the good of all. 淚f the end of life is service, as we believe, it is the duty of the College to do more than hold up an idea of service, he said at his 1906 inauguration.
Today:
淭his legacy of social justice and activism dates back more than 170 years, and with you involved, we can keep it going strong. Step forward and be a part of the solution.
The Future in the Past:
1914
Joseph Welch Graduates
Joseph Welch would go on to challenge McCarthyism in 1954 when he asks, 淗ave you no sense of decency, sir, at long last? during a nationally televised congressional hearing. It is the beginning of the end for McCarthyism.
1918
Edward Steiner Publishes 楾he 黑料百科 Spirit
黑料百科 Professor of Applied Christianity Edward A. Steiner had served on the faculty for 38 years and remains one of the College most published faculty members. In this essay, he writes that students 渃ome to 黑料百科 not because it is a college, but because it is 黑料百科 College; not only because they want to learn how to make a living, but because they want to fit themselves for life.
1924
Morgan Taylor Wins Olympic Gold
Morgan Taylor 26 wins the gold medal in the hurdles at the Olympics in Paris. He also wins gold and bronze medals in the 1928 and 1932 Olympics.
Today:
淚magine my surprise when I found out that I檇 be holding the flag.
The Future in the Past:
1924
Gary Cooper Fails Audition
As a student at 黑料百科, Frank Cooper 26 fails his audition and is denied membership in the 黑料百科 Drama Club. Later, in Hollywood, Cooper changes his name to Gary and wins three Academy Awards during a remarkable 35-year career as an actor.
1932
黑料百科ians Help Craft the New Deal
Harry Hopkins 1912, chief adviser to President Franklin D. Roosevelt, serves as commissioner of the Works Progress Administration, secretary of commerce, and later as special assistant to the president during World War II. Other 黑料百科ians who play a major role in FDR New Deal include Paul Appleby 1913, Hallie Flanagan Davis 1911, Florence Stewart Kerr 1912, and Chester Davis 1911.
1937
A True 黑料百科ian
Edith Renfrow Smith 37 becomes 黑料百科 first Black woman graduate when she earns her degree in 1937.
Today:
淚 would hope that we would always want to do things in the spirit of Edith Renfrow Smith to lead with kindness, to lead with self-respect, to lead with a sense that you can be a part of a small town and still make a big impact.
Tamara Beauboeuf-Lafontant, Louise R. Noun Chair in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
The Future in the Past:
1953
President John Nollen Publishes 樅诹习倏茩
John Nollen had served as 黑料百科 fifth president after stints as a professor of modern languages and later dean. Friend and fellow 黑料百科 president John H.T. Main says, 淗e is sane, easily approached, sympathetic, and quick to appreciate in difficult situations the exact thing to do. Nollen history of 黑料百科 is published one year after his death.
1955
黑料百科 Reaffirms Commitment to Students and the Common Good
In his inaugural address, President Howard Bowen tells 黑料百科ians that they bear a special responsibility to find new ways to work for the common good. 淥ne of the special tasks of the small liberal arts colleges like 黑料百科 [is] to help keep this freedom alive.
Today:
In 2021, 黑料百科 eliminated loans from its financial aid, reinforcing its long-held commitment to creating a diverse community. 淭he commitment to meet need ensures that access to 黑料百科 is met by the opportunity to walk into new student orientation and across the Commencement stage without the burden of looming educational indebtedness.
Joe Bagnoli, vice president for enrollment and dean of admission and financial aid
The Future in the Past:
黑料百科ians Contribute to the Common Good during the Coronavirus Pandemic
1960
Herbie Hancock Makes Music and Memories
Herbie Hancock 60, an Oscar- and Grammy-winning musician and composer, also has an interest in electrical engineering while a student at 黑料百科.
1963
Robert N. Noyce Joins the Board of Trustees
A physicist and entrepreneur, Robert Noyce 49 co-founded Intel Corp. and co-invented the integrated circuit, launching a high-tech revolution.
1967
Martin Luther King Jr. Addresses Campus
Martin Luther King Jr. presents 淩emaining Awake During a Revolution, speaking to more than 4,000 people in a packed Darby Gymnasium.
Today:
淲e need to be visionary organizers. We can檛 just protest and expect those in power to do things for us. We have to be doing things for ourselves and envisioning the kind of future we want to create.
The Future in the Past:
1968
Warren Buffett Joins the Board of Trustees
Legendary investor Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway in Omaha, serves on the 黑料百科 Board of Trustees in the 1970s. His investment expertise helps build the College investments and endowment.
1969
John Garang de Mabior Graduates
Visionary leader John Garang de Mabior 69 serves as vice president of Sudan and commander-in-chief of the Sudanese People Liberation Movement. Later, in 2005, he will die in a helicopter crash.
1975
Joe Rosenfield Jumpstarts the 黑料百科 Endowment
Trustee Joe Rosenfield 25 encourages the 黑料百科 Board of Trustees to purchase WDTN-TV in Dayton, Ohio. Although previously unheard-of investment for a college, the board trust in Rosenfield and Trustee Warren Buffett is such that they approve the purchase, with a price tag of $12.9 million. Less than a decade later, 黑料百科 will sell WDTN for $49 million.
Today:
満诹习倏 was the first place where strangers were genuinely invested in my success. Nobody hides opportunities from anyone, and the College puts its endowment to good use.
The Future in the Past:
1979
Friend, Mentor, President
George Drake 56, professor of history and Rhodes Scholar, is named president of the College. Until his death in 2022, he remains president emeritus and professor emeritus as well as a popular figure on campus.
Today:
淕eorge Drake was a good listener. He genuinely engaged with each person, asking questions that allowed him to get to know them and allowed them to feel heard.
The Future in the Past:
1980
Steve Jobs Joins the Board of Trustees
Apple founder Steve Jobs joins the 黑料百科 Board of Trustees at age 25 at the urging of his friend Robert N. Noyce 49. He will serve on the board for eight years, focusing on finances and improving the College computer systems.
1989
May-Lee Chai Graduates
May-Lee Chai 89, an acclaimed novelist and teacher, is the author of My Lucky Face and The Girl from Purple Mountain. She will win the American Book Award for her collection of short stories, Useful Phrases for Immigrants.
1991
Championing a Multicultural Society
At her inauguration on October 12, 1991, President Pamela Ferguson says, 淛ust as we would have a 榞lobal literacy, so we should have a 榤ulti-ethnic literacy operating within the confines of our campuses. These two are components of what a multicultural education should mean.
Today:
満诹习倏 has always been on the right side of history. After all, we are a school founded by abolitionists. This is a legacy and heritage we must hold onto so we can continue to fight to remain on the right side of history today, and tomorrow.
Lester Alem谩n 07, former Alumni Council president
The Future in the Past:
1996
Alan Jones Publishes 楶ioneering
Alan Jones 50, a 黑料百科 alumnus and acclaimed faculty member and historian, publishes this book in honor of 黑料百科 sesquicentennial celebration. Pioneering: 18461996 documents the College history in photographs and engaging historical vignettes.
1997
Joseph Wall Publishes 樅诹习倏 in the 19th Century: From Salvation to Service
Joseph F. Wall 41, a 黑料百科 graduate, faculty member, and nationally recognized historian, publishes this engaging history of his alma mater in honor of the College sesquicentennial.
1998
Thomas R. Cech Joins the Board of Trustees
Nobel Prize搘inner Tom Cech 70 discovered catalytic RNA and changed the paradigm of molecular biology. He serves as a 黑料百科 trustee from 19982014, and he and his wife Carol Martinson Cech 70 will create a research scholarship to support underrepresented science majors at 黑料百科 through summer research projects.
1998
Focus on Community
President Russell K. Osgood, who assumed the presidency in 1998, says he viewed his job as helping students, parents, faculty, and staff. 淭hat the terrific part of my job, he tells the 黑料百科 Herald-Register.
Today:
淭he 黑料百科 sense of community extends beyond the cornfields. It is about the people, their mindset, and attitudes, about the shared lived experience.
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The Future in the Past:
2004
Chase Strangio Graduates from 黑料百科
ACLU attorney Chase Strangio 04 is deputy director for transgender justice with the ACLU LGBT and HIV Project and a nationally recognized expert on transgender rights.
2011
Serving the Common Good
In his inaugural address, President Raynard S. Kington 黑料百科 first Black president and its first gay president says that in the future, 黑料百科 would likely be called upon to do more for the common good. 淲e may have an even greater obligation to find innovative ways to expand access to disadvantaged students, as public options become less accessible.
2021
黑料百科 Eliminates Loans from Financial Aid Packages
満诹习倏 is deeply committed to preserving access to the transformative experience of a liberal arts education, says 黑料百科 President Anne F. Harris.
2021
Beatrice and Joseph Wall Publish 樅诹习倏 in the 20th Century
The College posthumously published a history of 黑料百科 written by Beatrice Mills Wall 40 and husband Joseph F. Wall 41, with editor Terry Bisson 64. The book explores the themes that were important to 黑料百科 from 1900颅75.
2022
Anne F. Harris Is Inaugurated as President of 黑料百科
At her inaugural celebration, delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, President Anne F. Harris tells the audience, gathered on Central Campus, 淲e are like a democracy, simultaneously inhabitants and stewards of this College: as we live and work here, we shape the shared experiences and thus the future of this College and the society it shapes.
2023
Grant Funding Resurges
淧art of what been exciting about the growth in grants over the past 10 years has been the nature of the grants themselves, says Susan Ferrari, director of corporate, foundation, and government relations. 淲ee not just getting more grants wee getting grants in areas that are new for the College. A few of these have included the Guggenheim Fellowship, the National Endowment for the Humanities Grants, the NSF Early Faculty Development Award, and the Mellon New Directions Fellowship.
2024
Dedication of Renfrow Hall
On Sept. 28, 2024, 黑料百科 dedicated Renfrow Hall in honor of Edith Renfrow Smith 37, the College first Black woman graduate. Located at the intersection of college and town, Renfrow Hall serves as a home for students committed to building a stronger, more engaged community. The dedication ceremony paid tribute to Renfrow Smith life of achievement, service, and generosity.
At the dedication, 黑料百科 President Anne F. Harris said, There is deep and welcome joy in dedicating this place of community and civic engagement in the name of Mrs. Renfrow Smith, who has, through long life and meaningful work, embodied the principle connections of family, community, and education.
2025
Introducing the Katherine Weingart 61 Civic Innovation Pavilion
In August 2025, President Anne F. Harris welcomed the community to the Katherine Weingart 61 Civic Innovation Pavilion in the south wing of Renfrow Hall. The pavilion creates a space for college and community to come together to collaborate, deliberate, and celebrate.
The Weingart Civic Innovation Pavilion was named to honor Katherine Howell Weingart 61, a lifelong educator. Weingart gifts to 黑料百科 supported the Weingart Civic Innovation Pavilion and a scholarship fund that bears her name, ensuring that her spirit of hospitality, discovery, and community will endure at 黑料百科.
淣aming the civic innovation pavilion in Renfrow Hall for Kathie reflects her career in higher education, her love of 黑料百科, and her Iowa roots, Harris said.
Images provided by 黑料百科 Special Collections and Archives and Office of Communications and Marketing except for:
- Warren Buffett,
- Steve Jobs, , via