First of Four Summer Trips: Orientation at Iowa State

This summer has been punctuated by short trips, a process of busting out after the quarantine of COVID. Our son Luke will be attending Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Pre-Covid, my sister Theresa had taken him and her son Will on a visit to the school. Afterwards, Luke told me that the school "clicked" for him. He applied was accepted and we are now a Cyclone Family!

While, Luke had seen the campus, our visit for in person orientation (optional) at the end of June was the first time John and I had seen the campus. And a beautiful campus it is. Who knew there was such a slice of heaven in Ames, Iowa?

The trip from Peoria to Ames was an easy ride, only a little over four hours.

We arrived, hungry, at supper time and had to check out Blaze Pizza, where we had some delicious 'za.


And thought about our guy, Blaze, at home.


After we got settled in at the Iowa House, we took a walk around campus. Above are Lancelot and Elaine, two swans that paddle around Lake LaVerne near the Memorial Union.


Here is the Fountain of the Seasons in front of the Memorial Union. It was constructed in 1941. The four Native American women represent each of the four seasons.


Facing north, the winter maiden nurses an infant.


The iconic campanille. 


Luke at the base of the campanile. 


The next day was the official orientation. We attended a couple of academic meetings. Luke went to the above Beardshear Hall, an administration building, to get his student I.D. 


The beautiful rotunda inside Beardshear.


The Iowa State campus is beautiful, the people friendly, and the orientation was very well run.


Luke and John outside Beardshear after Luke got his I.D.


Like my alma mater, the University of Wisconsin, Iowa State University is a land grant university.


The building above on Iowa State's campus reminds me of the Red Gym at the University of Wisconsin.


The Red Gym, UW-Madison.


Here Luke and I are, taking a little break from orientation activities.


Luke will be staying in Geoffroy Hall, one of the newer dorms.


We were happy to see that Luke's dorm is right next to the Newman Center, St. Thomas Aquinas.


Iowa State seems like it will be a good home for Luke for the next few years.


We are looking forward to visiting and hearing of all the adventures Luke will have.

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