Dear Friends,
 
Last year, the Iowa Legislature unanimously voted to establish February 1 as an annual Official Day of Recognition in honor of George Washington Carver. This represents only the third time in the state’s history that a recognition day honoring an individual has been established.
 
This February 1, 2023, the inaugural George Washington Carver Day in Iowa, we invite you to join us for a special program at Iowa State University:
 
George Washington Carver Day of Recognition
Iowa State University
Great Hall of the Memorial Union (directions and parking)
Ames, Iowa
Reception at 5 p.m., program at 5:30 p.m., concluding at 7 p.m.
 
On behalf of the 100 distinguished Iowans and Iowa organizations who advocated for this special day, we extend the warmest possible invitation for you to attend the Feb. 1 program.
 
If you do plan to attend in person, please let us know and RSVP by January 25. Highlights of the program, which also will be livestreamed, are listed below.
 
Please share this invitation with other members of your organization and encourage them to RSVP to attend. February 1 also is the beginning of Black History Month, adding significance to this first-ever event at Professor Carver’s alma mater — where he was Iowa State’s first Black student and graduate, and first Black faculty member.
 
We hope to see you Feb. 1 for what will be a deeply meaningful event, as we celebrate George Washington Carver, whose life story is a remarkable chapter in both Iowa and American history.
 
 
Wendy Wintersteen
President, Iowa State University
 
Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn (ret.)
President Emeritus, World Food Prize
 
Daniel J. Robison
Endowed Dean’s Chair
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Iowa State University
 
Simon Estes
F. Wendell Miller Distinguished Artist in Residence, Department of Music and Theatre, Iowa State University