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UI's Gerdin Athletic Learning Center dedicated
Posted September 5, 2003
Additional information: Photos from the dedication ceremony IOWA CITY -- The University of Iowa unveiled the Russell and Ann Gerdin Athletic Learning Center on Friday, Sept. 5, at a dedication ceremony held at the new facility. The Gerdin Athletic Learning Center features a library, computer and teaching labs, study areas, tutorial spaces, classrooms, an auditorium, conference rooms and offices for academic staff. The center will enable UI Athletic Student Services to fully integrate the athletic and academic development of more than 600 student-athletes each year. Located at 402 Melrose Ave. in Iowa City, west of the Boyd Law Building and south of Slater Residence Hall, the 19,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art academic facility was financed through private gifts to the UI Foundation. Speakers at the dedication included David J. Skorton, UI president; Russell Gerdin, the center's lead donor; Bob Bowlsby, UI director of athletics; Gayle Blevins, UI head softball coach; Laura Holmes, member of the UI women's golf team and chair of the Iowa Student-Athlete Advisory Committee; Fred Mims, associate director of athletics for student services and compliance; and Andy Piro, the UI Foundation's senior director of development for intercollegiate athletics. A ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house followed the program.
Russell and Ann Gerdin of North Liberty, Iowa, were the lead donors for the center, giving $4 million to the effort. Russell Gerdin is the founder, president and chief executive officer of Heartland Express Inc., based in Coralville, Iowa. Bechtel Trusts and Foundation of Davenport, Iowa, contributed $100,000 to the center. The center's classroom/auditorium is named for the organization in recognition of its generosity. David and Julie Ekland of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, pledged $50,000 to the project. David Ekland is president of Seltec Sales Corporation of Cedar Rapids. Julie Ekland, president of Cedar Rapids-based 3A Inc., earned a B.S. degree in physical education from the UI in 1982. In recognition of the Eklands' generosity, the library is named for them. Bill and Joan Hargis of Woodbury, Minn., also committed $50,000 to the center. Bill Hargis, who earned a B.B.A. degree in accounting from the UI in 1971, is mayor of Woodbury, a real estate investor and a financial consultant. Joan Hargis received a B.A. degree in elementary education form the UI in 1971. The center's conference room is named for them in recognition of their generosity.
OPN Architects Inc. of Cedar Rapids designed the center. The general contractor was Unzeitig Construction of Cedar Rapids. The fund-raising initiative to build the Russell and Ann Gerdin Athletic Learning Center was part of the UI's $850 million comprehensive campaign, which will run through 2005 and is being conducted under the guidance of the UI Foundation. Named Good. Better. Best. Iowa: The Campaign to Advance Our Great University, the seven-year effort is raising private funds to help launch a variety of initiatives across the university, substantially increase the number of UI scholarships and endowed faculty positions, support new educational and research facilities, build the UI's endowment and fund outreach and service programs to benefit Iowans. The UI Foundation is acknowledged by the UI as a preferred channel for private contributions that benefit all areas of the university. For more information about the Good. Better. Best. Iowa campaign, visit its web site at www.GoodBetterBestIowa.org. Related information:
Contact Information
Andy Piro Additional information about ways to support Hawkeye athletics also is available on this site. |
