Alumnus Earns Inaugural Iowa State University Award
It would be a huge understatement to say that Iowa State University alumnus Owen J. Newlin, has had significant achievements during his career. A highly respected leader in the seed industry, Owen is known as a champion for research and higher education and nothing less than a philanthropic pioneer for Iowa State.
Owen’s relationship with Iowa State spans more than five decades. As a student at ISU he earned two degrees (agronomy B.S. ’51, M.S. ’53) and had the good fortune of meeting his wife of 56 years, D.J. (household equipment B.S. ’53). After earning his doctorate at the University of Minnesota in 1955, he began his career as a research assistant at Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
Owen applied his forward thinking and prudent management skills not only to the agricultural industry, but also to his civic and community interests. A longtime ambassador and advocate for Iowa State, Owen became an ISU Foundation governor in 1977 and one of the first leaders in fundraising for ISU.
“Serving as an ISU Foundation governor gave me the opportunity to promote private support for Iowa State to a wider audience, which was a relatively new direction, but one which I knew was essential to the future advancement of our university,” said Owen, retired senior vice president of Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc; a DuPont business. “Iowa State has had a transformational effect on my life and the lives of many others through teaching, research and outreach. Our commitment to support ISU’s mission is a top priority for D.J. and me.”
In 1988, Iowa State publicly launched the first comprehensive fundraising campaign in its history, Partnership for Prominence, with Owen as the chair. That campaign was a trailblazing effort and concluded with a total of $214.5 million in private support for Iowa State, which at the time was the 12th largest campaign for a public university. It was a significant milestone and helped position the university to launch its next campaign three years later. Campaign Destiny: To Become the Best was an overwhelming success — easily surpassing the $300 million goal with a final total of $458.6 million.
“The success of those two campaigns laid the groundwork for the success of our current campaign, Campaign Iowa State,” said Roger Underwood, campaign chair. “Owen’s knowledge of the fundraising process has helped give the foundation the tools to maximize private support. He’s been a steadying force as a ISU Foundation Board of Governor for nearly a decade. It’s a pleasure to serve on the executive campaign committee with Owen and I appreciate the experience and wisdom he brings to the team.”
Owen served as a member of the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, for 12 years and eight years as president. Over the course of his career, Owen has accumulated an impressive list of awards and accolades. However, his most recent honor may best represent his role at his alma mater — the Iowa State University True and Valiant Award. The True and Valiant Award is the first-of-its-kind and is reserved for an Iowa State alumnus or alumna who has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the university through distinguished service and achievement. Owen not only encompasses this definition; he has the distinction of being the first recipient.
“Owen Newlin, more than anyone else, embodies the soul of Iowa State University,” said Steven Zumbach, ISU Foundation governor and Owen’s vice-chair for Partnership for Prominence. “He’s understated, immensely talented and always gives more than expected. Owen is a quiet and serious man whose integrity and commitment enable him to lead by example and as a result, people follow.”
Owen and D.J. are members of the Order of the Knoll’s W.M. Beardshear Society, the highest level of Iowa State’s most prestigious donor recognition program.
