Quick look
Donor support will bring new life to iconic campus landmark. A pedestrian bridge and lakeside amphitheater will enhance accessibility and expand the community's use of Lake LaVerne.
AMES, Iowa - Iowa State University's iconic Lake LaVerne is set to undergo a comprehensive revitalization project to restore the campus landmark's vitality as a centerpiece of campus life and attraction for visitors. The project is made possible in part thanks to the generous support of donors.
"Revitalizing Lake LaVerne is more than a restoration project; it's an investment in the heart of our campus," said Iowa State University President David Cook. "I'm immensely grateful for donor support, which exemplifies the deep connection both our campus community and Iowa Staters from across the country have to Lake LaVerne. It is a place for reflection, connection and an enduring appreciation for the beauty of the Iowa State campus."
Iowa State University Emeritus Dean and Professor Labh Hira is supporting the project with a $3 million gift commitment in honor of his late wife, Tahira Hira, an emeritus professor of personal finance and consumer economics at Iowa State.
"Tahira believed deeply in helping Iowa State students find their footing, their confidence and their passion. This gift is a way to honor her service and the joy she found in lifting others up. My hope is that it reflects even a fraction of the love she had for Iowa State University and its people," said Labh, who started his career at Iowa State in 1982 and built a distinguished career in the Debbie and Jerry Ivy College of Business. He served as professor and department chair of accounting and finance, then as associate dean and senior associate dean, and later as dean, a role he held for 11 years. After retiring as dean, he also served as interim president of the Iowa State University Foundation. He is a Foundation Governor and a former board member.
Tahira Hira served at Iowa State for more than 30 years, first as a faculty member and later as a university administrator, until her retirement in 2014. Internationally recognized for her research in family financial management, investing, consumer credit, bankruptcy, student borrowing and gambling, Tahira was a sought-after expert and consultant. She served on major state and national boards, including President George W. Bush's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy, the NYSE committee on financial literacy and the Iowa Student Loan Board.
Tahira was the founder of Iowa State's pioneering Financial Counseling Clinic and held leadership positions, including serving as associate vice provost for extension, executive assistant to President Gregory Geoffroy and senior policy advisor to President Steven Leath. She was a past Iowa State University Alumni Association board member and an ISU Foundation Governor.
The Lake LaVerne renovation is also supported by a $1 million gift commitment from Iowa State alumnus Dexter Duhan, who graduated in 1966 with a double major in engineering operations and modern language. This gift will also be leveraged as a match on Forever True Day, Iowa State University's annual day of giving, happening on April 1 and 2. Duhan will provide a 5:1 match for every dollar contributed to the Lake LaVerne Restoration Fund in honor of the fifth Forever True Day. Visit https://isu.foundation/LakeLaVerne by noon on April 2 to participate in the match.
"I was inspired to support the Lake LaVerne project because it will ensure this cherished part of campus becomes a true destination for Iowa Staters everywhere," Duhan said. "For anyone who has visited Lake LaVerne or holds fond memories of their years at Iowa State, I encourage you to join me in supporting this iconic campus landmark."
Hira and Duhan made their gift commitments to the project through the Iowa State University Foundation, a private, nonprofit organization committed to securing and managing gifts that benefit Iowa State University.
Enhanced features will make the lake a focal point
The nearly $5.1 million Lake LaVerne restoration project will feature several new amenities to expand the community's use of the lake and its surrounding area. This includes a lakeside amphitheater with space for outdoor performances, a pedestrian bridge to enhance accessibility and possibly a small outdoor classroom to foster learning and a connection to the environment. Final designs for these features will be completed in the fall.
The bridge will be named the Tahira K. Hira Bridge and the park surrounding Lake LaVerne will be named the Tahira K. Hira Park.
Work will begin in May to drain and dredge the lake, removing an estimated 7 feet of soft sediment in some locations, and stabilize the shoreline. This phase of the project also includes plans to modify the north shoreline to create space for additional seating and an accessible route to the water's edge and adjust the shoreline in the southeast corner to create space for a hard-surface plaza for use by both visitors to the lake and the campus team that cleans and maintains the lake.
Lake LaVerne is a 2.8 acre campus landmark created in 1916 after alumnus LaVerne W. Noyes donated $10,000 to beautify the campus by damming College Creek. Proposed by landscape gardener O.C. Simonds, construction began in 1915 and was completed the following year.
