Cornelia Lindstrom Buck

Cornelia (Nike) Lindstrom Buck

Father: Head of the ISU Genetics Department from 1922-1948. He received a BS from Colorado College and an MS from the University of Nebraska and a Ph.D. from Cornell University in Ithaca. He was Vice Dean of the Graduate College at ISU. Mother: Born in Waukasha, Wisconsin.

She received a BA and a BS at the University of Wisconsin. She was a kindergarten teacher and Assistant Dean of Women at the University of Wisconsin Dean of Women at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. She married Ernest W. Lindstrom in 1920 and moved to Ames in 1922. She had three children; did lots of volunteer work; was first PTA president at Crawford School; and an early member of Ames League of Women Voters.

Her brother was head of the Biology department at the State College of Penn. Her sister Rosemary married Gene Manis, plant pathologist - they lived in Liberia, Panama, Brazil, Costa Rica, Nigeria, Shri Lanka, and Thailand.

The three children of Bill and Nike are Mason, freelance writer and Public Relations, graduate of ISU. Stewart, also graduated from ISU. Mason and Stewart were all-American gymnasts. Peter, a graduate of the University of Colorado, is an orthopedic surgeon practicing at the McFarland Clinic.

Cornelia (Nike) was born in 1924. She graduated from Ames High School in 1942. She was in the Honor Society and Business Manager of the High School Year Book. She graduated in Applied Art at ISU in 1946.

She was on the YMCA Board, Student War Council, Home Economics Council, V. President & President & National President of Economics Councils, ran the “Colecon” magazine, Delta Phi Delta, Phi Kappa Phi, Omicron Nu Phi, Epsilon Omicron Mortor Board. She worked a year at Younkers in Des Moines, taught Applied Art Basic Design and House Planning at ISU. Left teaching to produce three sons; served three terms (9 years) as Director of Ames School Board. Taught 14 years in the Textiles & Clothing Department (Clothing Selection Honors Seminar Men’s Wear Women’s Role). Head of Committee on Women. Received Master’s Degree in 1971. Named Outstanding Teacher in the College of Home Economics by the students.

Retired and did volunteer work in sorority,  taught adult education. Lots of college reminiscences in connection with sorority - Outstanding member of Pi Phi 1945. Named Regional Outstanding Pi Phi was scholarship & activity chairman; served on War Council; as a teacher - served on many search committees for new staff persons; was on committee to select students who deserved scholarship awards; was on the all-college committee to advise the Dean; helped with Veisha; sang with Pi Phi Sor Dor the year they won top honors. As an alum - she has been President of the Alumni Club House Corporation and was named Outstanding Alumnae by the Pan Hellenic Council.

7/1/96