Iowa, Iowa State look to award honorary degrees

The state Board of Regents next week will consider approval for three honorary degrees to be awarded by the University of Iowa and Iowa State University this spring.

The UI wants to award an honorary doctor of humane letters to Jerre L. Stead and a doctor of humane letters to Richard (Dick) Myers at spring 2011 commencement.

Myers, an Iowa City native who attended the UI, ISU and Kirkwood Community College, served in the U.S. Army and then returned to his hometown and founded Hawk I Harley Davidson and Hawk I Truck Stop. He has served on the Coralville City Council and as mayor of Coralville, and in the Iowa House of Representatives.

Stead, a Maquoketa native, graduated from the UI in 1965 with a business studies degree. He also is a graduate of the Harvard University Advanced Management Program in Switzerland. The UI wants to recognize him for his “exceptional contributions to business and technology, support of medical research and patient care, and the advancement of educational opportunities at the university.” Stead has been chairman and CEO of Legent Corporation, Ingram Micro and IHS Inc.

ISU officials want to award an honorary doctor of science degree to Robert N. Shelton, for his pioneering work in superconductivity and magnetism, and for his outstanding scientific and academic leadership in major administrative positions at several universities, including as president of the University of Arizona. Shelton was on the ISU faculty from 1978 to 1987.

The regents meet Wednesday in Ames.