Ag studies graduate turns adversity into opportunity

AMES, Iowa — It was only one year ago when Cal Clucas wasn’t sure he’d ever walk again. This week, he’ll stride across the stage to receive his degree from Iowa State University — a milestone that seems even more remarkable if you catch him boot-scooting with the student line dancing club or the swing-dancing with Cardinal Swing Society.

“When things would bring most people to their breaking point, Cal always has a smile on his face, a positive outlook on life and an attitude that is appreciative of everything he has,” said his academic advisor, Nate Dobbels.

‘Best ag university in the Midwest’

Growing up in rural Galva, Ill., Clucas began riding horses at an early age on the family ranch and helping his grandfather with Clucas Trading, their standardbred equine breeding operation for harness racing — a unique style of racing with the jockey stationed in a cart behind the horse rather than in the saddle. 

Immersed in the culture, he traveled with the family business to storied venues such as Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky., and the horse-racing hotbed that is Lexington, Ky. He also joined his local FFA chapter’s equine department in middle school to deepen his knowledge and help improve the family operation.
After high school, Clucas knew he wanted to both continue his education and serve his country. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving as an E-4 corporal and stationed out of the Rock Island Arsenal in Illinois, while taking community college courses with plans to transfer to a four-year university to study agriculture. Because he was a student, he qualified for officer candidate school — a selective, rigorous path for prospective lieutenants that demands intense physical and mental stamina, a challenge he enjoyed.

A search for the “best ag university in the Midwest” led him to Iowa State, a college that held significance to his family. Years ago, his grandfather was enrolled in Iowa State’s former beef science program when a back injury to his father forced him to stay home and work the family farm instead of attending.
“I felt like I was carrying on his legacy by coming to Iowa State to study agriculture,” Clucas said.

Finding his way at Iowa State

From his first week on campus, Clucas built connections. 

“Week one on campus, Cal and I took a picture with President Wintersteen at a welcome week event,” Dobbels said. “I don’t think either of us could have imagined the incredible journey ahead of him.”

Clucas discovered that agricultural studies — a major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) that is offered through the department of agricultural education and studies (AGEDS) — matched his interests and his outgoing personality. 

Clucas worked at the ISU Dairy Farm, located on 27 acres about three miles south of central campus. The farm cares for close to 400 dairy cows, another 400 heifers and employs around 35 students, offering unique, hands-on jobs in agriculture. 

He also served as a peer mentor in AGEDS, helping first-year students find their footing.

“He provided incredible insights and dedication to his peers and to new students,” Dobbels said. “His guidance provided a framework for new students to find their path at ISU.”

He also made the most of campus life by joining the SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society, through Iowa State’s military-affiliated student center — the only national honor society recognizing and honoring the service and academic achievements of today’s veterans, and the Tau Sigma Honor Society, which promotes the academic excellence of transfer students. 

A sudden setback

In September 2024, after returning from military training, Clucas knew something was wrong. He was suddenly unable to walk. Doctors advised him to go home and see his primary care team. He missed midterms and weeks of classes. He called Dobbels, and together they weighed a hard choice: try to continue online or step away to recover. They agreed it was best for Clucas to medically disenroll from Iowa State for a semester.

“It broke my heart and I had to say goodbye to a lot of my friends and a lot of my professors,” Clucas said. “But they all said the same thing: ‘Iowa State will always be here and we’ll be here when you get back,’ and I was really happy about that.”

Bedrest at home was grueling for Clucas. 

“If being on bedrest back in my hometown for three months taught me anything, it’s that life is short. Life is precious,” he said. 

Even then, he tried to keep perspective. As Dobbels described it: “When things would bring most people to their breaking point, Cal always has a smile on his face, a positive outlook on life and an attitude that is appreciative of everything he has.”

By August 2025, the Marines medically discharged Clucas. His diagnosis: ulcerative colitis. He believes stress and trauma tied to the demands of officer candidate school contributed, but he focused on recovery.

Turning tragedy into opportunity

A close family friend in Wyoming extended an invitation — and an idea. Clucas could continue taking classes at a nearby community college while giving his body and mind time to heal. He called Dobbels for guidance and enrolled at Eastern Wyoming College for the spring semester as part of a transfer/student exchange pathway. In retrospect, he calls it one of his best decisions.

In Wyoming, he learned how ranching and the rodeo industry use horses for daily work and competition. The experience opened doors academics can’t always teach: friendships, a new culture and a way of life. 

“It’s very much like ‘Yellowstone’ in how they use the horses in their everyday life,” he said with a laugh. 

He helped the local rodeo team and learned to ride “like a real cowboy.” They didn’t want him to leave and encouraged him to consider the local university if his transfer credits would carry over.

But Clucas had made a promise — to return to Iowa State. “I didn’t want to let my professor down,” he said. “I promised him I’d return — and I kept that promise.”

“I think everything happens for a reason,” he added. “I think it’s brought me here today and made me a better person for it.”

Back in cardinal and gold

Clucas returned to campus this fall without missing a beat. 

“When he returned, he came prepared to discuss classes, shared his ideas and connections to Wyoming and never lost sight of returning to ISU to finish his degree,” Dobbels said.

He will graduate in December with a 3.5 GPA. Between classes, he kept up with the Cyclones football season, stayed active with student organizations and spent weekends at a horse barn in Cambridge, just south of Ames, where he’s been riding regularly and honing his skills. He’s seen dramatic improvement since August. 

“Some would say you’re not a real cowboy until you’ve fallen off the horse at least 12–15 times,” he joked. “I’m up to seven. They said I’m still young enough so I can recover faster.”

Clucas credits the network around him — and the courage to ask for help. 

“Professors are very helpful,” he said. “I’m not afraid to get a tutor or use the vast amount of resources available for students to succeed.”

Through every twist — medical disenrollment, bedrest, discharge and a detour out West — he never gave up. 

“He was so positive, forward-thinking and never accepting defeat for what life had given him,” Dobbels said. “He didn’t give up. He didn’t even flinch, he simply picked himself up and kept walking forward.”

What’s next

After graduation, Clucas plans to find a job in agriculture, apply to ag companies and possibly return for agricultural education. He dreams of working in a cow–calf operation in parts of Iowa that still rely on horses and passing his passion for equine — along with the family name — to the next generation.

While the family business continues, Clucas will keep working with horses in his new capacity — on the horse instead of on the cart — carrying forward a legacy shaped by resilience, community and a relentless belief that life, even at its hardest, is precious.

Contacts

• Kristin Guess, News Service, kguess@iastate.edu, 515-294-6136