Beverly J. Kruempel

Honored by Anne Ahrens

Dr. Beverly Kruempel epitomizes a heroine both in her achievements and in the qualities she possesses. She serves as a mentor to young women to set goals and high standards. Yet she not only challenges these women, she supports and guides them. It is genuinely fitting that her name is included in association with Carrie Chapman Catt and with a program to enhance women's education.

Beverly was born August 20, 1940, on a farm in Dubuque County, Iowa. She loved the bucolic setting of the farm and was active in 4-H school and church. During her years as an undergraduate here at Iowa State, she was active in the residence hall government as well as church and campus 4-H activities. In 1961, she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics for General Education.

Upon graduation she worked in Des Moines County, Iowa, as an Extension Home Economist from 1961-1962. She married Kenneth Kruempel (an ISU alumnus and current faculty member) on December 23, 1962, and shortly thereafter joined the Peace Corps for three years. While in Brazil, Bev worked with young girls in three 4-H type organizations and assisted in designing a home economics school. In addition, she helped train para-professionals in home economics. They returned to Brazil for one year in 1970.

After returning to the United States in the mid-1960's, Beverly received her M.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1968. Her research focused on the factors associated with women's perceptions of their problems. Kenneth and Beverly's daughter, Tami, was born during this time. A son, Derek, was born in 1972.

Beverly served her family and community on a full-time basis until 1979. During these years she was active in 4-H, serving as a local club leader for eight years and as a judge for local, county and state events. In addition, she actively served her church in numerous capacities and was active in local politics and community events. She is a long-time member of the League of Women Voters and is the President-elect of the local Ames chapter. From 1979 to 1985, Beverly served as the Assistant Director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Story County. During this time she became acquainted with scores of wonderful retired people in the local area. She coordinated the activities of 250 senior citizen volunteers and organized toy and food distributions. She also chaired the Story County Human Service Council.

In January 1986 Bev began her coursework for a Ph.D. in Higher Education here at ISU. She was awarded the terminal degree in 1990 for her research on attitudes of academic and student affairs administrators toward student affairs preparation programs and their accreditation. Subsequently, she published numerous articles and presented programs regarding her area of expertise.

Today, she serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor and member of the graduate faculty in the College of Education Department of Professional Studies. In addition, she is the full-time Director of Career Services in the College of Family and Consumer Sciences. In both positions, she mentors undergraduate and graduate students of all ages. She serves on M.S. and Ph.D. program of study committees and spends countless hours assisting students with their careers and academic plans.

However, these many achievements and activities do not completely address the admirable qualities of Dr. Kruempel. Her commitment to education and the mission of the land grant institution is evident from the information above. More difficult to describe on paper are her salient personality characteristics of enthusiasm and zest for life! She is a joy and a delight to hundreds of young people, particularly girls and young women, for whom she embodies the ideals of a positive leader throughout the community. She is repected by all who call her professor, colleague, mentor, neighbor and friend.

7/1/96

Honored by the League of Women Voters of Ames and Story County

2013 Carrie Chapman Catt Award

Beverly Kruempel is the recipient of the 2013 Carrie Chapman Catt Award for her service to the League of Women Voters of Ames and to the greater community of Ames.

Bev is a long-standing member of the League of Women Voters. She served as President of the Ames League in 1996–1998 and as Secretary from 2009–2012. During her term, the League study of the Story County Medical Center brought the necessity of maintaining and supporting the Nevada facility for all Story County to the attention of voters. As Secretary she was an incredible resource to the board. Her experiences and knowledge of issues allowed her to provide both clarification and context for past League actions. Bev has been an active League member, a loyal presence at general meetings and a frequent assistant on League projects.

Bev's academic career began at Iowa State University where, as an undergraduate, she was active in residence hall government as well as church and campus 4-H activities. In 1961 she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics for General Education. She received her M.S. degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1968. In 1990 Bev was awarded a Ph.D. in Higher Education from ISU.

After receiving her PhD, Bev served the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences as Professor and as Director of Career Services. In these roles she taught, advised and mentored undergraduate and graduate students for many years. Her style was evident in an article she coauthored in the Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences titled "Civic Engagement Comes Alive." That title aptly describes her commitment and service career. Always aware of the importance of civic responsibility, she required students in one of her classes to attend two meetings of a public board or agency. The assignment was to observe the use of critical thinking skills, parliamentary procedure, consensus building, and public input. Students reported they had learned about civic engagement and had developed a clearer understanding of the importance of participation in civic activities. A graduate student's dissertation noted Dr. Kruempel's "keen intelligence, kindness and commitment to social advocacy and efficiency."

Interspersed with her pursuit of higher education was work in other areas of Iowa and the world. From 1961–1962 she served as an Extension Home Economist in Des Moines County, Iowa. After she and Ken married in 1962, they entered the Peace Corps and were stationed in Brazil for three years. Bev worked with young girls in three 4-H type organizations, where she assisted in designing a home economics school and helped train para-professionals in home economics.

In addition to her illustrious academic career, she also served her church in numerous capacities and was active in local politics and community events. When her children were young, she volunteered as a 4-H club leader. From 1979–1985, as the Assistant Director of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) of Story County, Bev coordinated the activities of 250 senior citizen volunteers and organized toy and food distributions. She also chaired the Story County Human Services Council.

When she retired, Bev made a conscious decision that she would volunteer in areas of need rather than fill her time with leisure and social activity. As a member of Collegiate Methodist Church, Bev has done mission work in the Philippines the past five years. The missionaries serve as ambassadors from the U.S., speaking to groups and helping to organize activities within the churches. The work also involves physical labor such as painting, cleaning, and small building projects.

Back in Ames, Bev is a regular volunteer at Israel Hospice House, where she organizes all special occasion functions for patients, their families, and hospice personnel. She also assists with the United Methodist Church mission to the Iowa Correctional Institution for Women at Mitchellville, where a full-fledged church has been established. In addition to helping find financial support and working with the inmates, Bev invites guests from ISU to attend services at the church with her. She also works with people who have been released from prison as they adjust to life in the community.

For Bev, Iowa State University, the Ames Community and her church have played important roles in her life and have prompted her to give of herself to civic involvement, to young people in their formative years, and to those in need both in Iowa and abroad. As impressive as the good work Bev accomplishes is the manner in which she does it. She brings positive energy to every task she undertakes. She is a thoughtful, wise woman who has accomplished much and lives her life with happy zeal.

2019 Making Democracy Work Award

Bev is the 2019, third annual awardee of the Making Democracy Work Award by the League of Women Voters of Ames and Story County. Bev quietly volunteers in endeavors that are crucial to often-forgotten individuals in our community. She has assisted women just released from Mitchellville prison with clothing, housing and work. She is active with Interfaith Refugee Alliance; she served three terms as a representative of the Story County Board of Supervisors on the County Compensation Board. Through her many years as a member of LWV, she has demonstrated her commitment in registering and educating voters. She has been a volunteer at Mary Greeley Hospice since 2009. For more than ten years, she volunteered on different projects in the Philippines and Latin America. Bev's career was as faculty member/career counselor in Family and Consumer Sciences. This all is but the tip of the iceberg of all that Bev is and has done to contribute in so many ways to Making Democracy Work.