Iowa State University dedicates the new Therkildsen Industrial Engineering Building
May 01, 2025
AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University’s Therkildsen Industrial Engineering building offers industrial engineering students a technically-enhanced research laboratory and learning space where they can gain knowledge to design tomorrow’s innovative, safe and nimble production processes across all industry sectors. The university dedicated the new building on May 1.
The facility is named in honor of Iowa State graduates C.G. “Turk” and Joyce A. McEwen Therkildsen. Both graduated from Iowa State in 1959, with Turk earning a degree in industrial engineering and Joyce earning degrees in zoology and physical education. More information about the Therkildsens is available here. Their $42 million lead gift for the facility is the largest gift for an academic building in Iowa State University’s history.
“Joyce and Turk embody the Cyclone spirit of hard work, innovation and integrity. Their transformational generosity strengthens Iowa State’s national prominence in engineering and ensures future generations of Cyclones have the same life-changing educational opportunities they did. We are deeply grateful for their support and for the support of all the donors who made the building possible,” said Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen.
Since 1999, the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering (IMSE) has shared space and other resources with the mechanical engineering department in the Black Engineering building. As the IMSE department has grown over the past quarter century, with fewer than 200 students in 1999 to more than 450 today, so has the need for expanded space in a stand-alone building.
Inspiring innovation
Located on the southwest side of Howe Hall, the Therkildsen Industrial Engineering building is 80,000 gross square feet and complements the university’s engineering corridor. The building features the Sukup Advanced Manufacturing Lab to train engineers for the Industry 4.0 era. In addition, the building has human factors and ergonomics research labs and data-intensive engineering analysis and visualization facilities for teaching and research. The areas of operations, research and analytics, advanced manufacturing, human factors and ergonomics, as well as programs in systems engineering and engineering management are now housed in the new facility. Some existing manufacturing research and shared teaching labs will remain in Black Engineering.
“We are fortunate to have an amazing project like this come to life thanks to the generosity of passionate donors,” said W. Samuel Easterling, James L. and Katherine S. Melsa Dean of the College of Engineering. “This is an investment in our students that will provide hands-on experiential learning and inspire innovation for generations to come.”
Since the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering was established in 1929 (first called General Engineering and then later the Department of Industrial Engineering), its hallmark has been providing a world-class education that prepares industrial engineers to become leaders and problem-solvers across a wide range of industries. Industrial engineers improve processes to increase efficiency. This includes improving work environments, providing better service and reducing the cost of products and services. Industrial engineers also look for ways to improve the environment through energy conservation, reducing industrial waste and recycling materials.
“As the field evolves and expands, the department must continue to provide a top-notch education that combines the best in teaching, hands-on learning and leading-edge research,” said Sarah Ryan, C.G. “Turk” and Joyce A. Therkildsen Department Chair. “With this expanded space, the department will have the means to train even more budding professionals who can lead and address the changing needs of the industry.”
For more information about the Therkildsen Industrial Engineering building and the Iowa State University Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering, visit www.imse.iastate.edu/.
Photos of the building are available here: www.imse.iastate.edu/therkildsen. Photos of the dedication are available upon request.
Donors to the Therkildsen Industrial Engineering building made their charitable gifts through the Iowa State University Foundation, a private, nonprofit organization committed to securing and managing gifts that benefit Iowa State University.