On September 11, 2017, a couple from California stood at the front of an overflowing lecture hall in the Gerdin Business Building and made history at Iowa State University.
Jerry Ivy (’53 industrial administration) and his wife, Debbie (’19 honorary alumna), announced their historic $50 million pledge to the College of Business, which has since been named the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business. The excitement in the room that day was obvious as the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. Those who were unable to find a seat in the Richard and Joan Stark Lecture Hall watched as the event was livestreamed from the Business Café just outside the lecture hall.
“That was an amazing day,” recalled Raisbeck Endowed Dean David Spalding. “So many positive things have happened since that announcement was made.”
The magnitude of the couple’s generosity is having a tremendous impact by creating an ongoing resource that will enable leaders at the college, now and in the future, to strategically invest in current priorities and future aspirations.
For example, an Ivy Scholarship Fund has provided more than $370,000 in support to 148 business students. To date, over $65,000 has been devoted to supporting 22 student organizations in the Ivy College of Business. The Ivy funds have also provided over $2.2 million to support and grow faculty in key areas. The funds also paid for a rebranding process that includes ongoing promotions of the new name.
The Ivy gift has also led to an unexpected shift among the students, staff, and faculty. The statement, ‘We are Ivy’ became the college mantra. “That is in our culture now. It’s part of the pride we all feel here,” Spalding said.
The Ivy gift is helping to advance the college’s current priorities and long-term mission. Most immediately, it has built on momentum in several areas, including a groundbreaking entrepreneurship initiative, a supply chain management program already among the best in the world, and a successful new business analytics program – providing scholarships, faculty support, and programmatic funding for these and other areas.
“With all that we offer in the area of entrepreneurship, we are especially excited to have our college named after such a successful, entrepreneurial family,” Spalding said. “We offer entrepreneurship programs at the undergraduate, master’s, and PhD levels. I am so pleased that the Ivy name will be forever associated with the college’s growth and success.”
In the longer term, the gift will ensure the future excellence and distinction of the college. Funding will support students through scholarships and will also provide them with a range of practical learning experiences. The gift will also enable faculty to develop dynamic classroom curricula, support student mentorship, fortify established programs and develop expertise in emerging disciplines, and offer cutting-edge technology and facilities.
“Debbie and I value a strong education and feel that Iowa State and the College of Business provide an exceptional experience for its students,” Jerry Ivy said at the time of the announcement. “We hope this gift will play a role in preparing our next generation of business leaders, and we want to help support students and faculty who will make a difference today, and far into the future.”
Tracy Peña
Austin Suddeth
Jerry Ivy earned his bachelor’s degree in industrial administration from Iowa State University in 1953 and is currently president and chief executive officer of Auto-Chlor System, Mountain View, California, where Debbie Ivy is also an active member of the executive team.
Jerry has been a successful entrepreneur, beginning as a young boy growing up in Minnesota, continuing while attending Iowa State and throughout his professional career. The Ivy’s and their team have successfully grown Auto-Chlor into a national brand with more than 75,000 customers nationwide. They take pride in offering customers best-in-class service, providing superior cleaning solutions to the food service, healthcare, and lodging industries.
In 2019, Debbie Ivy received the Honorary Alumni Award from Iowa State. A native of Kansas City, Missouri, who graduated from high school in Federal Way, Washington, she spends her time outside of leading Auto-Chlor as a member of the ISU Foundation Governors and mentoring students at Iowa State. She and Jerry have three children: Edward J. Ivy, Mary Ann Ivy, and Jerry Ivy, Jr., as well as six grandchildren.
“If I had completed college, I would have really loved to have been in this caring and encouraging environment,” Ivy said of her husband’s beloved alma mater. “We both so enjoy getting to meet with the students and hear their stories, what they’re doing currently, and what their aspirations are moving forward. There is so much energy and excitement – it is infectious!”
October 17, 2022
