Iowa State University Foundation to Honor Lorraine J. Hoffman for Outstanding Contributions 

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State University Foundation will recognize the outstanding contributions of Lorraine J. Hoffman of Ames, Iowa, with one of its most prestigious honors during the annual Distinguished Awards Celebration to be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 28, at Iowa State University Alumni Center.

Hoffman is professor emerita of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine and retired director of operations for the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Lab. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Wartburg College and two degrees in bacteriology from Iowa State, a master’s degree in 1968, and a doctorate in 1974.

Hoffman rose through the ranks in the College of Veterinary Medicine with a strong drive to help herself and others succeed while expanding industry and microbiologic knowledge through teamwork and collegiality. Hoffman served as section leader of bacteriology for 31 years in the VDL and culminated her professional career with great pride as the first female director of operations.

As a pioneer for women’s advancement in the field of bacteriology, she has been an inspiration for those who have followed. Her example and legacy most assuredly have enhanced the focus on philanthropic support for women in leadership roles and opportunities for traditionally underrepresented students in the College of Veterinary Medicine and across Iowa State. This includes inspiring her faculty and staff colleagues to include the university in their own giving. Hoffman was instrumental in her and her husband’s decision to establish the Drs. Lorraine J. Hoffman and M. Peter Hoffman Scholarship in Veterinary Medicine, which supports students pursuing a career in swine production medicine or a closely related field – an area that has been meaningful throughout the Hoffmans’ careers at Iowa State and personal endeavors for enhancing the swine industry.

She also played an important role in engaging, cultivating and securing a graduate fellowship fund for the College of Veterinary Medicine Department of Veterinary Pathology. Such fellowships help attract the best and brightest in their field. Moreover, Hoffman has been instrumental to the success of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, both as an employee and in retirement. Her reputation earns respect, which is evident when she speaks of the necessity and impact of the new, state-of-the-art VDL.

For her outstanding service to the veterinary medicine and Iowa State community, Hoffman has garnered a number of accolades. The most recent and legacy enduring recognition was when the college named the graduate alumni award in her honor in 2018. Others of note include the college’s William P. Switzer Award, lifetime membership in the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians, the TREK Award for Outstanding Contributions in Veterinary Microbiology, and the

ISU Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Service.

Hoffman and her husband have resided in the Ames area for 50 years and are members of the Order of the Knoll President’s Circle and Campanile Society. They are life members of the ISU Alumni Association and longtime Cyclone Club members.

The foundation will also recognize Land O’Lakes, Inc., headquartered in Arden Hills, Minnesota, with the Order of the Knoll Corporation and Foundation Award; Barbara J. Janson of Dedham, Massachusetts, with the Order of the Knoll Cardinal and Gold Award; and C. G. “Turk” and Joyce A. McEwen Therkildsen of Florida, with the Order of the Knoll Campanile Award. More information about the Iowa State University Foundation awards is available here.

Also during the event, the Iowa State University Alumni Association will present Distinguished Alumni Awards to Fouad M.T. Alghanim of Kuwait; Mary Jane Skogen Hagenson of San Antonio, Texas; and Ken Smith of New York City. Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn of Des Moines, and Joan E. Stark of Boca Raton, Florida, will receive the Honorary Alumni Award.  

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The Iowa State University Foundation is a private, nonprofit organization committed to securing and managing gifts that benefit Iowa State University.

Contacts
Elaine Watkins-Miller, Communications, Iowa State University Foundation, 515.294.1005, [email protected]