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ORDER OF THE KNOLL FACULTY/STAFF AWARD—JIM AND KATHY MELSA
 

Jim and Kathy Melsa returned to Ames in 1995 when Jim became dean of Iowa State University’s College of Engineering. Until his retirement in 2004, they played major roles in advancing the college, university and the Ames community.

Melsa earned his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering in 1960, and his MS and PhD in electrical engineering from the University of Arizona. He was a faculty member at the University of Arizona and Southern Methodist University, professor and chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering at Notre Dame University, and a vice president with Tellabs.

The couple met as students at Iowa State—Jim was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity and Kathy was a member of Delta Zeta sorority—and they served together on the 1960 VEISHEA central committee. Kathy later earned a BA in English from the University of Arizona and a MEd from National-Louis University.

As dean, Melsa led a transformation of the College of Engineering that included construction of the Engineering Teaching and Research Complex, revamping the undergraduate curricula, expanding internships and co-ops, and expanding research and technology transfer activities. Under his leadership, the College set new records in sponsored funding, and enrollment increased by 20 percent. Upon his retirement, the Melsas were honored with the creation of the James and Katherine Melsa Professorship in Engineering.

The Melsas support several Ames community programs, including the United Way, Israel Family Hospice House and Youth and Shelter Services of Ames, which presented them with its 2006 Outstanding Philanthropy Award. They were also instrumental in establishing the Story County Dental Clinic. Kathy received the Unsung Hero Award from Ames Noon Rotary and Ames Daily Tribune in 1999 and the Strong-Minded Woman Award from Iowa State’s Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics in 2001. Jim has received numerous engineering awards, including election as a fellow of the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers and IEEE’s Third Millennium Medal in 2000. He is currently president-elect of the American Society for Engineering Education, a professional organization of more than 12,000 deans, professors, instructors, students and industry representatives. He will serve as that group’s president in 2007.

The Melsas have supported several private initiatives in engineering and throughout the university. They are members of the Order of the Knoll President’s Circle and life members of the ISU Alumni Association. They have six children: Susan Melsa Jordan, Elisabeth Melsa Nilles, Peter, Jon, Jennifer Melsa Nolan and Mark (’96 management information systems). The Melsas live in Naperville, Illinois.