Iowa State University Alumni Association| online edition | fall 2002
 

 


FALL 2002
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Kathy Geoffroy

First lady

President Gregory Geoffroy spent the first year at the Knoll differently than his predecessors: without the graceful presence of his wife. Kathy Geoffroy remained in Maryland with her youngest son, who was a senior in high school. Although she made frequent weekend visits to the Knoll during the year, her official move to Ames in June 2002 was eagerly anticipated both by her husband and the university community.

“It was hard going back and forth,” she says. “Most of our furniture was still in our house in Maryland, so the upper floors of the Knoll were sparsely furnished. Now that all our things are here, and our pictures are hung on the walls, it feels like home.”

Living at the Knoll doesn’t seem that much different from living in their home in Maryland. “I’m still doing laundry and grocery shopping,” she laughs. “But it will take a little time to adjust to living in a house that is used for public events, with lots of people coming and going throughout the day.”

Kathy anticipates that one of her favorite places in the home will be her reading and sewing room. Kathy’s hobby is quilting, and some of her quilts cover the beds and decorate the walls of the Knoll. A room will be maintained for their son Michael when he comes home to visit. Another guest room will also be used when their other children – Susan, 27, Janet, 25, and David, 24 – visit Ames.

Kathy is looking forward to hosting events at the Knoll, and the opportunity to welcome members of the Ames and Iowa State communities to the historic home. “I have particularly liked getting to know the students in the President’s Leadership Class. The first time they came to the Knoll, they stood around, all stiff and nervous. By December, they came in and sprawled all over like they owned the place. It was great."

Read on | Behind the scenes at the Knoll