2015 Gala Co-Chairs
Ann Woodard ('56) Jennings and Al ('56) Jennings
Deb Tharnish ('77) and Nick Roby ('81)
Ann Woodard ('56) Jennings and Al ('56) Jennings
While at Iowa State Ann was active in her college, serving as treasurer and president of the Home Economics Council and active in her departmental Textiles and Clothing Club. She also served on the Memorial Union Student Board of Directors and as president of Welch Hall and Westgate Dormitory. Ann was tapped for Mortar Board her senior year. She and Al attended all ISU football games at Clyde Williams Field.
After graduation and marriage, Ann was elected to president of the Iowa Home Economics Association. She has also served on the Iowa State University Board of Governors, the ISU Alumni Association Board, chaired the Brunnier Curators Associates, and chaired the Reiman Gardens’ Co-Horts.
Al has worked for EFCO Corporation for 57 years, currently serving as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of the Wilian Holding Company and Transform Limited, and Chairman of the Managers of Transform Gateway Hotel, and Friends of ISU Hotel Holdings, LLC and the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center at Iowa State University.
Al and Ann have four children- three graduated from Iowa State and the fourth attended ISU but graduated from The University of Michigan. They also have eleven grandchildren. Since graduation, Al and Ann have attended all football games. They have also attended all men's and women's basketball games since the Iowa State Center was built In 1975.
They are both life members of the Alumni Association.
Deb Tharnish ('77) and Nick Roby ('81)
While at Iowa State, Deb lived in Knapp Hall (Fuller House) for four years, serving as a house officer. She was a member of Alpha Lambda Delta (a foreign language honorary) and Phi Beta Kappa. She majored in English and minored in math.
Nick lived in Knapp Hall (Otopalik House). Nick earned two intramural championships in Broomball and Fastpitch Softball. He has a double major in industrial administration (Accounting) and economics, and he served as a TA in accounting.
Deb has worked as a lawyer at the Davis Brown Law Firm since her graduation from law school working in employment law and business litigation. In addition to serving as Chair of the ISU Alumni Association, she has served on the boards of Iowa Legal Aid, Hawthorn Hill, Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Des Moines Public Library Foundation, and Anawim Housing.
Nick has worked as an attorney at the Davis Brown Law Firm and BH Equities. He is also a Certified Public Accountant. Nick has coached youth sports and has been involved as a volunteer in numerous school activities.
Nick and Deb have a blended family of seven children, all of whom live in the Des Moines area. Three sons and their son-in-law and daughter-in-law are ISU graduates. Their youngest son plans to enroll at Iowa State in the fall. Their remaining children are ISU fans, notwithstanding that they graduated from UNI and Grandview. Nick and Deb are planning for their first grandson, born in September 2014, to attend Iowa State.
They are both life members of the Alumni Association.
Past Gala Co-Chairs
2014
Tim ('76) and Mary Eddy ('78) Wolf
Terry ('79) and Maureen Roach Tobin
2013
John ('59) and Patsy Shors
Steve ('78) and Michele ('79) Whitty
2011
Steven ('73) and Kathy ('72) Zumbach
Dwayne ('93) and Lori ('93) Vande Krol
