AMES, Iowa—Iowa State University presented its highest honors to alumni and friends in recognition of their exceptional dedication and contribution during the annual Distinguished Awards Celebration on May 1. Through the Iowa State University Foundation, Gretta Irwin of Boone received the Honorary Alumni Award for her significant contributions to Iowa State’s welfare, reputation, prestige and pursuit of excellence.
Serving as the executive director of the Iowa Turkey Federation for 32 years, Irwin is the face of Iowa’s turkey industry, representing farmers and producers. She uses her expertise and voice to bring local, national and international attention to Iowa’s turkey industry, from commodity trade missions in China to joining national conversations about biosecurity. Iowa is the seventh-largest turkey producer in the United States, and, thanks in part to Irwin’s leadership, the industry plays a key and growing role in the state’s agribusiness sector.
Recognizing the need for more turkey research and education, Irwin was a driving force in the creation and development of Iowa State’s Stanley L. Balloun Turkey Teaching and Research Facility. She served as advocate, fundraiser and designer for the new facility, the only one of its kind at a major university. She served as a bridge between turkey farmers and the university, helping to shape the facility’s research and teaching focus.
Irwin also engaged her employer in the effort, and the Iowa Turkey Federation made impactful gifts in support of the new facility. She continues to raise awareness of the Balloun facility and recruit support, even arranging one-on-one meetings with poultry industry executives to share the facility’s purpose and impact.
Irwin has also been a champion for Iowa State’s Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. She played a key role in advocating for the project’s importance to agriculture and animal health in Iowa. Under her guidance, the Iowa Turkey Federation not only announced its support but also made a significant financial contribution toward the project.
She also spends time on the Iowa State University campus. Last year, she was invited to present the William K. Deal Endowed Leadership Lecture, and she has presented to several classes and organizations across campus. The Iowa Turkey Federation also hires a student intern from the university each summer, providing an opportunity for hands-on training and real-world experience to encourage the next generation of leaders in the turkey industry.
As one nominator said, “[Irwin’s] work has had a lasting impact on Iowa State University students, programs and facilities, preparing the next generation of agricultural leaders.”
Irwin currently serves on Iowa State University’s Animal Science External Advisory Committee and the Veterinary Diagnostics and Production Animal Medicine Committee.
She earned her degree at Central College in Pella, Iowa, and started her career as a home economics teacher and girls’ basketball coach at a high school in Illinois.
During the Distinguished Awards Celebration, the Iowa State University Foundation also recognized Beth Ford of Wayzata, Minnesota; Dan J. Houston of West Des Moines; and Wendell Sander of Cupertino, California, who received the Distinguished Alumni Award, while Gerald A. and Karen A. Kolschowsky of Sarasota, Florida, were honored with the Order of the Knoll True and Valiant Award. The Honorary Alumni Award was also presented to Dennis Albaugh, and the Order of the Knoll Corporation and Foundation Award went to MidAmerican Energy Company, headquartered in Des Moines. Stanley R. Johnson of Tucson, Arizona, and the late Maureen Kilkenny received the Order of the Knoll Faculty and Staff Award; James L. Melsa of Naperville, Illinois, was honored with the Order of the Knoll Cardinal and Gold Award; and Thomas and Evonne Smith of Austin, Texas, along with the late Bruce Grasser, were awarded the Order of the Knoll Campanile Award.
Gretta Irwin, Honorary Alumni Award
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