Photo: Iowa State University
(Ames, IA) -- Iowa State University's announcing a $42 million dollar commitment from graduates C.G. “Turk” and Joyce A. McEwen Therkildsen. The funds will benefit I-S-U's Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, funding a new engineering research building.
"Iowa State alumni know that our educational excellence creates a solid foundation for future achievements," said Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen. "This transformational investment by two extraordinary alums, Turk and Joyce Therkildsen, helps to solidify Iowa State University's prominence in engineering and to prepare our students for success in an increasingly complex, technology-driven world. We are grateful for their generosity.”
The Iowa Board of Regents Property and Facilities Committee has recommended approval for the building to be named “Therkildsen Industrial Engineering” in honor of the Therkildsens. The full board will consider the proposed naming as part of the consent agenda on Thursday.
Members of the class of 1959, C. G. “Turk” Therkildsen is an industrial engineering alumnus, and Joyce A. McEwen Therkildsen graduated with majors in zoology and physical education. Turk and Joyce are the semi-retired CEO and Chairman and Corporate Secretary, respectively, of Industrial Hard Chrome, Ltd., based in Geneva, Illinois.