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Contacts: 
Jason Menke, ISU Foundation, 515-294-0909
Kim Schroeder, ISU College of Business, 515-294-3656

AMES, Iowa – Kelley and Joan Bergstrom of Kenilworth, Ill. have announced a $1 million pledge to the ISU Foundation to benefit the Iowa State College of Business.  The gift will be used to name and support the commons area of the new Gerdin Business Building, which is scheduled to open in January 2004.  The Kelley and Joan Bergstrom Commons will function as a “living room” for the building where students, faculty and visitors will gather.  The commons features wireless access and will include a coffee bar.

Kelley is currently vice chair of the ISU Foundation board of directors and chair of the investment committee.  He has been nominated to become chair of the board of directors at their October 4 annual meeting.  Bergstrom would serve a two-year term, succeeding John Lawson from Rapids City, Ill.

Kelley is president of Bergstrom Investment Management, LLC, a company that focuses on real estate and private equity investing.  Prior to founding Bergstrom Investment in 1998, he was president of JMB Properties Company which was sold to an affiliate of a New York stock exchange company in 1994.  Kelley is a former chairman of the National Multihousing council, a national real estate organization promoting rental housing.  He is a certified property manager (CPM) of the Institute of Real Estate Management.  Kelley received a bachelor’s degree in industrial administration from ISU in 1965, and an MBA from the University of Florida in 1968.  Joan is a 1967 graduate of the University of Illinois.

“Iowa State and the College of Business are very fortunate to have supporters like Kelley and Joan Bergstrom,” said Labh Hira, dean of the college.  “The Gerdin Business Building signifies a new era for the college and the new facilities will provide unprecedented opportunities for students, faculty and staff.  We are grateful to Joan and Kelley for supporting our vision.”

The Bergstroms have been long-time supporters of Iowa State. The couple are members of the ISU Foundation Order of the Koll; and Kelley is an ISU Foundation governor and also serves on the dean’s advisory council for the ISU College of Business.  “Members of the dean’s advisory council have been key partners with the college,” said Dean Hira.  “Kelley and our council have been very supportive in securing the financial support needed to make the Gerdin Business Building a reality at Iowa State.”

The Gerdin Business Building initiative raised more than $13.3 million in private support.

 “We are proud to be associated with Iowa State University,” said Kelley.  “Joan and I believe strong in providing opportunities for future generations of Iowa State students – in large because my experience as an ISU student was pivotal to my success in business.”