116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Miller-Meeks urges naming new University of Iowa center ‘Charlie Kirk Center for Intellectual Freedom’
Former Gov. Terry Branstad named to center’s advisory council
Sep. 12, 2025 12:48 pm, Updated: Sep. 12, 2025 2:35 pm
The Gazette offers audio versions of articles using Instaread. Some words may be mispronounced.
IOWA CITY — Shortly after U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks on Thursday called for the University of Iowa to name is new legislative-imposed Center for Intellectual Freedom after slain Republican-activist Charlie Kirk, Board of Regents President Sherry Bates issued a statement on Kirk’s shooting and the new civic centers on its campuses.
“The creation of civic and intellectual freedom centers on our campuses underscores our commitment to ensuring universities remain places of safe, respectful and open dialogue,” Bates said. “These centers will provide scholarship and discussion regarding our great nation and the Constitutional principles on which it was founded.”
Bates didn’t address Miller-Meeks’ proposed “lasting tribute” in the form of the “Charlie Kirk Center for Intellectual Freedom ... that would inspire generations of Iowans to stand boldly for liberty and the truth.”
“The University of Iowa Center for Intellectual Freedom should live up to its name by honoring a true defender of free speech and open debate,” Miller-Meeks, who represents Iowa’s 1st Congressional District, wrote on X.
The University of Iowa Center for Intellectual Freedom should live up to its name by honoring a true defender of free speech and open debate.
— Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (@RepMMM) September 11, 2025
Charlie Kirk dedicated his life to advancing intellectual freedom, empowering students, and challenging the cancel culture mob that seeks…
Bates did promise that “differing opinions will be heard, but threats and violence are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”
The board in July appointed conservative UI economics professor Luciano de Castro to serve as interim executive director of the Center for Intellectual Freedom — which the university was required to establish after Gov. Kim Reynolds in June signed into law House File 437 mandating the center along with an oversight advisory council.
And regents next week will consider appointing 13 inaugural members to that council — including three current regents, two former regents, former Gov. Terry Branstad, former Republican Rep. Greg Ganske, former CEO of Meredith Corporation Steve Lacy, and Democratic Sen. Liz Mathis.
Council members
The advisory council, per the law, will conduct a national search for a permanent center director and develop bylaws -- subject to regent approval -- requiring the center educate students “by means of free, open, and rigorous intellectual inquiry to seek the truth” and equip them to “reach their own informed conclusions on matters of social and political importance.”
“The council is required to be politically balanced,” according to board documents recommending eight members to four-year terms and five members to two-year terms.
Four-year term members include:
- Chris Hensley, a Republican regent from Des Moines who served six consecutive terms on the Des Moines City Council from 1994 to 2017. She also has served as president of the Iowa Student Loan Corporation, Iowa League of Cities and the Metro Advisory Council. And she’s chair of the Horizon Science Academy charter school governing board. Hensley has given thousands in political donations to Republicans like Sen. Joni Ernst, Sen. Chuck Grassley, Gov. Reynolds, and former Gov. Brandstad, among others.
- Robert Cramer, a Republican regent and vice president of Cramer and Associates, Inc. -- a family-owned bridge construction company. He also has served on the Johnston Community School Board and on the board of The Family Leader, a conservative faith-based advocacy organization. He has given tens of thousands to Republican candidates over the years -- including more than $45,000 to Reynolds.
- Kurt Tjaden, a regent who lists his political party as “independent” in the state’s board database and in 2022 retired from HNI Corporation -- a workplace finishings company. Although he’s made fewer political donations, Tjaden gave $1,500 to Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley in 2021, along with $1,000 to the Muscatine County Republican Central Committee that year, according to state records.
- Reynolds Cramer, CEO of Fareway Stores, Inc., board member of the Iowa Business Council, and vice chair for the Food Marketing Institute in Washington, D.C. He’s given thousands to Republicans including to Sen. Kara Warme, R-Ames, and former Republican Auditor Mary Mosiman.
- Mike Whalen, founder and CEO of Heart of America Group -- which owns and operates restaurants, hotels, and other commercial developments like the Machine Shed Restaurant, Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse, Fifth Avenue Syndicate, and Hotel Renovo. He’s given thousands in campaign contributions to Republicans like Attorney General Brenna Bird and Gov. Reynolds.
- Sen. Liz Mathis, a Democrat representing Linn County who earned her bachelor’s from the University of Iowa and was a news anchor, reporter and producer for KCRG before running for senate.
- Pete Matthes, the only UI employee on the council -- serving as senior advisor to the president and vice president for external relations for more than a decade, serving now three presidents in Sally Mason, Bruce Harreld, and Barbara Wilson.
- And John Hendrickson, policy director for the Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation. He previously served as a research analyst with the Public Interest Institute and was a researcher for the Heritage Foundation, a right-wing Washington, D.C. think-tank. He’s written opinion pieces for newspapers across the state, including The Gazette. Two weeks ago, he wrote a piece published in The Des Moines Register titled, “Kim Reynolds is America's 'Iron Lady' reflecting Margaret Thatcher's spirit.”
“Reynolds has defended the freedoms and values that Iowans cherish. During COVID she boldly kept the economy and schools open,” Hendrickson wrote. “As a result, Iowa’s economy emerged as one of the strongest. She has been on the front lines defending traditional values against ‘woke ideology,’ she has stood firmly for the protection of life and defended the Second Amendment.”
This is a developing story. Check back for more details.
Vanessa Miller covers higher education for The Gazette.
Comments: (319) 339-3158; vanessa.miller@thegazette.com
Daily Newsletters