Iowa State University Alumni Association| online edition | winter 2004

WINTER 2004
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Cover Story:
Bridges: Designing, Building, Preserving

Feature Story:
>>Celebrating 125 Years

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view photo gallery
from 125th anniversary Homecoming 2003 tailgate

ISU ALUMNI ASSOCIATION GREATS:
WALLACE E. 'RED' BARRON

Red-haired, 18-year-old Wallace Barron thought the world had come to an end. He had one foot out the door, poised to begin college life at the University of Minnesota. But the year was 1921, the post-World War I Depression had hit, and his father, a farmer in central Minnesota, had laid off his hired help. He needed “Red” at home.

Those who believe that everything happens for a purpose may add Red Barron’s story to their testament library. That winter, the community’s veterinarian, an avid Iowa State alumnus, convinced George Barron that he should send his son to Ames.

That was the beginning of what Red Barron would call a “love affair” that lasted the rest of his life. As a student majoring in agricultural economics, he plunged into every activity he could: He was president of Cardinal Key, chair of the Veishea Central Committee, a member of three honorary societies, twice president of Tau Gamma Nu fraternity, chair of Iowa State’s first student forum, president of the Agricultural Economics Club, and an officer of honorary societies in social science and writing. One of his most important mentors was the university’s president, Raymond Hughes.

It took Barron six years to receive his degree, because almost every year the money ran out after two quarters. When he did graduate, two people were paying close attention: Iowa State President Hughes, and Mary Rhea, a former classmate and library assistant on campus. To both, Barron gave an enthusiastic “Yes!” He joined the Iowa State staff as field secretary of the Memorial Union in 1929, and married Mary in 1931.

Each time president Hughes asked Barron to take on another job, he said, “Yes!” until in 1935 he was appointed editor of Alumnus, the alumni magazine, and two years later, was appointed executive secretary of the Alumni Association, a position he would hold for the rest of his career.

How was it that Barron was able to remember the name of every alum who graduated before World War II? “He learned long ago that when one is really sincerely interested in another person, it’s easy to remember his name and the unique things that make him a person,” reads a citation from the American Alumni Council and American College Public Relations Association, which inducted Barron into its Hall of Fame in 1967.

Barron’s office was a modest cubby on the first floor of the Memorial Union. It was a perfect spot for a man who wanted to welcome almost everyone he saw – both alumni and students. “He was ahead of his time,” remembers Bob Crom, who worked for him and then succeeded him as director of the Alumni Association in 1968. “We didn’t have a Student Alumni Association back then, but Barron really functioned as one. Students loved him. And when they became alumni, they came back to see him,” said Crom.

“Many alumni have sent their children to Iowa State, secure in the knowledge that Barron is here to help with any problem,” states a 1968 Alumnus article. The writer of those words, Laura Dailey, who worked for Barron for 15 years, today remembers her late boss as a kind-hearted man who was also her mentor. “He taught me great respect for the type of work we did. From him I learned to serve alumni. His main purpose in life was service,” says the 90-year-old Dailey.

Barron’s 33 years directing the Alumni Association resulted in the creation and development of many of the programs that the Association still considers its most important: the Honors and Awards Program, an alumni magazine, alumni clubs, the Alumni Days Gold Medal dinner, and a legislative contact program.

Dailey credits Barron with the reputation of the alumni records system. “One of the tenets of his alumni directorship was that the success of our programs depended on the quality of communication with alumni,” Dailey said. “I know from experience that he took great pride in searching for ‘lost’ alumni through relatives, organizations, and home towns.”

A frugal man, Barron was uncomfortable asking for anything, especially money. “Red would always try to give as much, and ask for as little, as he could. He did that to a fault,” remembers Crom. “He would move mountains for others, but never wanted to ask them for anything – never wanted to impose.”

In fact, Crom remembers that it took some convincing to persuade Barron to use the occasion of his retirement in 1968 as a campaign drive for lifetime memberships to the Association. But Barron came around, and Crom notes that the drive was very successful. As his retirement grew near, Barron wrote, “I don’t want a car, or trip to Europe, or an elaborate tribute, or a banquet, but you have my permission to use my retirement as the keynote of a campaign drive – because what I want most is to see Association membership double before I leave.”

Barron’s son Brian and son-in-law, Gary Mulhall, both remember that Red’s “friendraising” greatly benefited
the fundraising for what is today’s Iowa State Center.

“Red’s stewardship of alumni of all persuasions was so important to the work we were doing,” Mulhall said.
Barron continued to come to work after retirement, but his many friends knew he was very ill with cancer. Red Barron died on Veishea weekend, May 5, 1970.

Red’s legacy
But of course, the story doesn’t end there. Red Barron’s love for Iowa State spread to his own family and his Iowa State family. Mary Barron, who died in 1996, began working at the library at age 18, was promoted to thesis editor, and retired after 52 years of service. “Mom and Dad poured 100 years of themselves into Iowa State – two lifetimes of dedication,” says oldest son Brian Hughes Barron (named after Iowa State president Hughes.)

Brian, a member of the ISU Alumni Association’s 125th Anniversary Steering Committee, received his BS in distributed studies in 1962 and now lives in Seattle, Wash. Bruce Locke Barron attended Iowa State and lives in Des Moines. Rhea Barron Mulhall graduated from Miami University of Ohio but married 1971 ISU alum Gary Mulhall, a former ISU Foundation employee and son of the first station manager of WOI TV. The Mulhalls live in Olympia, Wash.

In 1968, the ISU Alumni Association established the Wallace E. Barron All-University Senior Award to recognize seniors who are very much like Red
himself: high character, outstanding achievements in academics and activities, a deep interest in the university, and promise of continuing these qualities as alumni. The ISU Alumni Association has awarded the honor to 104 students since the award’s inception.