David Spalding, the Raisbeck Endowed Dean at the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business, will present the college awards at the 93rd Annual Honors & Awards Ceremony, hosted by the ISU Alumni Association during Homecoming Week. The awards ceremony will begin at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, November 1. The event, which is free and open to the public, is held at Stephens Auditorium at the Iowa State Center.
“This is one of my favorite events each year as we celebrate some of the most distinguished alumni and friends of the Ivy College of Business,” Spalding said. “We are proud of all of our awardees and congratulate them for their success and dedication to the Ivy College of Business and Iowa State University.”
The following includes a description of the awards and recipients.
Ivy Award
Established in 2018, the Ivy Award is the highest honor bestowed by the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business and recognizes meritorious service and investments in the college.
Richard (Ric) Jurgens (‘71 industrial administration) from West Des Moines, Iowa.
Richard (Ric) Jurgens was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. He is a graduate of Des Moines North High School and earned a business degree before the Ivy College of Business was created. He spent his entire business career with Hy-Vee Inc. serving as a store manager, district manager, regional manager, president of Perishable Distributors of Iowa Ltd., senior vice president, executive vice president, chief administrative officer, president, and ended his career as chairman and chief executive officer, retiring in June 2012 after 43 years. He currently holds the honorary title of chairman emeritus of Hy-Vee Inc. Jurgens has been a devoted supporter of the Ivy College of Business, including many years as a trusted member of the Dean’s Advisory Council. In that role, he provided valuable business insight, advice, and leadership for the college. Because of his support to the college and the university, Jurgens has received many awards, including the Citation of Achievement (1996), the John D. DeVries Service Award (2002), and the Iowa State University Distinguished Alumni Award (2015), one of Iowa State University’s highest honors. Jurgens served as the Iowa State commencement speaker in 2010. One of his most important contributions to Iowa State has been his membership on the Iowa State University Foundation Board. He is a member of the Order of the Knoll.
Citation of Achievement
Established in 1985 to honor distinguished alumni who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in life beyond the campus.
Larissa Holtmyer Jones (‘94 marketing, ‘03 MBA) from Ames, Iowa.
Larissa Holtmyer Jones has served as president and CEO of the Iowa State University Foundation since 2015 and has more than 30 years of experience in higher education fundraising and advancement. She leads the foundation team in their work to advance the mission of Iowa State University through philanthropy and engagement and has the privilege of working with some of the institution’s most passionate donor investors. The organization has achieved record performance and growth during her leadership tenure. Her career at the Iowa State University Foundation has spanned three fundraising campaigns, during which she has served in program-building roles, including vice president for development and head of the development team at the Ivy College of Business. Prior to joining the Iowa State University Foundation in 1997, she led the corporate and foundation relations program at the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, and led the annual giving program at Christian Brothers University in Memphis, Tennessee. Holtmyer Jones is also a long-time volunteer with the Council for Advancement and Support and Education (CASE), having served on the CASE Commission for Philanthropy and as a member of CASE 50.
Holtmyer Jones, from Harlan, Iowa, is a lifetime member of the ISU Alumni Association. She and her husband, Dean, are members of the Order of the Knoll President’s Circle. They have two children and reside in Ames, Iowa.
John D. DeVries Service award
Established in 1985 to recognize individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service to the Ivy College of Business.
Kurt Tjaden (‘85 accounting) from Bettendorf, Iowa.
Kurt Tjaden is a champion and dedicated servant to Iowa State University and the Ivy College of Business. As a student, he held leadership positions with the Student Alumni Association (now Student Alumni Leadership Council), Greek Week, Senior Class Council (where he met his wife, Kristyn), Theta Chi Fraternity, Cardinal Key, and Order of Omega, as well as several other campus organizations. Tjaden has served as a member of the Ivy College of Business Dean’s Advisory Council since 2014 and provided valuable business insight, advice, and leadership for the college.
Today, Tjaden is retired from his role as President -International of HNI Corporation and splits time between Bettendorf, Ames, and Florida — depending on Iowa State athletic events. Tjaden’s commitment to Iowa State can be seen and felt in many areas. He serves as a member of the Iowa State University Foundation Board of Directors and the Audit Committee. He previously chaired the Awards Committee. He was a member of the ISU Alumni Association Board of Directors (2013-2017). He and his wife, Kristyn (’85 speech communication), maintain an extraordinary level of involvement with Iowa State, hosting alumni events throughout Iowa. They were recipients of the Order of the Knoll Emerging Philanthropist Award from the Iowa State University Foundation. They supported the Gerdin Business Building expansion, study abroad experiences for business students, the College of Liberal Arts and Science, CYstarters, Stephens Auditorium, Iowa State Athletics, and the WeWill Collective, among others. Kurt and Kristyn are sustaining life members of the ISU Alumni Association and members of the Order of the Knoll President’s Circle and Cyclone Club.
Mark Walker (‘79 industrial administration) from Excelsior, Minnesota.
Mark Walker is a retired senior vice president of transportation at C.H. Robinson Company, one of the original supply chain leaders in solving logistics challenges. He grew up in Ames, Iowa. He is a loyal Cyclone who has committed many hours of his time to support students, staff, and faculty at the Ivy College of Business. He has served as a guest speaker in supply chain classes, sharing his work and experiences with students. He has been a mentor for students on CyBIZ Lab projects, supported undergraduate students with scholarships, and shared his input on the Department of Supply Chain Management’s strategic planning efforts. Walker has also served as a mentor to faculty on transportation research projects. He provides support for the Mark and Terri Walker Logistics and Supply Chain Management Professorship. Walker has been a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council since 2009, where he provides valuable business insights, advice, and leadership for the college. He is a governor of the Iowa State University Foundation and most recently served on the Investment Committee. Walker received the college’s Citation of Achievement Award (2006).
Walker fostered CH Robinson’s support to become one of the initial founding sponsors for the CyBIZ Lab at the Ivy College of Business. CyBIZ Lab offers students the opportunity to solve real business problems, providing a collaborative space that fosters an entrepreneurial mindset. CyBIZ Lab is an important investment for the future development of Iowa State students. He is also a member of the Order of the Knoll.
Outstanding Young Alumni Award
Established in 2021 to honor alumni age 40 and younger who have distinguished themselves early in their careers for their remarkable achievements.
Hillary (Kletscher) Myers (‘16 MBA) from Victoria, Minnesota.
Hillary (Kletscher) Myers came to Iowa State University from her family farm in southwest Minnesota in 2011, ready to try new things. As a freshman, she served as Minnesota’s 2011-2012 FFA president. She joined the Iowa State Greek community and participated in the Government of the Student Body as president, the Alpha Gamma Delta executive council, the national ASABE conference, Dance Marathon, and the University Honors Program. In each of these roles, she emphasized servant leadership. During her senior year, Myers received the Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award, which recognizes outstanding seniors who display high character, outstanding achievement in academics, and university/community involvement and promise to continue these exemplary qualities as alumni. She was one of five seniors to receive the honor.
The theme of leadership has continued in her career. Myers, the U.S. domestic soybean meal commercial leader for Cargill, has a diversified background from numerous parts of Cargill. This includes roles as a trader, regional sales leader, pricing analyst, and various roles on the corporate strategy team. She has worked internationally and with every enterprise in Cargill on their goal to bring food, agricultural, financial, and industrial products to people who need them around the world.
“I am passionate about talent development and agriculture as a climate solution,” she said. “I believe that collaboration, continuous learning, and resilience are the keys to success.” Hillary and her husband, Corey, reside in the Twin Cities with their daughters, Ruth and Isabel.
October 22, 2024
