A family's love for Iowa State gets recognition
Jenon Katt
One family has stuck to its Cyclone roots, and will be featured this weekend as part of the Veishea celebration.
The Schmidt family, of Delmar, has been named Veishea's 2008 Family of the Year.
"I think is a commonality that many families share," said Kate Schmidt, senior in English, who applied for the Family of the Year title on behalf of her family. "[The commonality] is not true for everyone, and it doesn't diminish an individual's contribution to the university, but Iowa State has a long tradition of family involvement."
Schmidt said several of her immediate family members have attended Iowa State and is excited to spend her last semester with both of her siblings on campus. Currently she and her younger brother, Ben, sophomore in animal science, are on campus, but next fall Kate's youngest brother, Sam, will transfer here.
Brian Schmidt, Kate's father, attended Iowa State starting in 1974 and was a junior varsity football letterwinner. Kate said her father's side of the family also has many ISU alumni, including his brother and sister.
"I always knew I would come to Iowa State because of my family background," Schmidt said. But, she adds, "I wasn't forced. I always had a choice."
Kate's aunt and uncle work on campus as well, making Iowa State a "home away from home," she said.
"We all try to get together for Schmidt suppers every other week, and I know if something ever happens, they are here," Kate said.
This weekend, 10 Schmidt family members will be present at Veishea activities, including Kate's grandmother who has had season football tickets since 1974.
"We have a dignitary breakfast in the morning. That is where the family will be presented with a plaque that we have for them, and then three of them will be riding in the parade," said Melissa Dean,senior in kinesiology and health and the dignitary coordinator for the parade committee.
Kate said past Veishea experiences have made her excited to spend this weekend with her family.
"I remember, when I was little, coming out for the spring football game and coming to the Veishea parade," Kate said. "I also remember my sophomore year at Iowa State - it was really cool to get to experience my first Veishea as an Iowa State student, and it was even better when my brother Ben received a Veishea scholar award."
Kate said she is very proud of her family's ISU tradition.
"I felt that my family deserved it - it's nothing I've myself done, but it's because my family is so close-knit and we share that bond of being involved at Iowa State," Schmidt said. "My family definitely deserves the recognition. It's all attributed to my family."
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