Distinguished Alumni Award

Mike and Nicole Gerdin, 93BA, 94MA, Julie and Eric Durr, and Angela and Brian Janssen are sustaining a Gerdin family tradition of visionary philanthropy that helps change lives.

This tradition began more than three decades ago when, in 1980, Russ and Ann Gerdin—founders of Heartland Express, a nationwide company specializing in logistics and transportation—made their first gift to the UI. Since then, the Gerdin family has been a force for good in both the university and the community.

Russ and Ann Gerdin instilled the importance of philanthropy in their three children—Mike, Julie, and Angela—from an early age, and the power of this lesson is evident throughout the UI campus today.

The Gerdins established the Russell A. and Ann Gerdin Athletic Learning Center, which provides academic resources to 650 student-athletes each year, and the Russ and Ann Gerdin Family Athletic Scholarship Fund, which helps Hawkeye student-athletes who demonstrate excellence in academics, athletics, and community service. The family also recently contributed toward the construction of the UI Football Operations Center, set to open this fall. In addition, the Gerdins have supported the UI Athletics Hall of Fame and Visitors Center, which enriches the experiences of many loyal Hawkeyes who visit campus.

The family's passion for giving also extends to UI health care. In memory of Russ Gerdin, who died in 2011, the family helps advance the work of the J. Hayden Fry Center for Prostate Cancer Research. They also provide a home-like atmosphere for cancer patients and their families at the Russell and Ann Gerdin American Cancer Society Hope Lodge.

Most recently, the family made a $12 million donation—the largest gift received to date—for the UI Children's Hospital building campaign to help create a healthier future for the children of Iowa and beyond.

Like their parents—who received the UI Alumni Association's Distinguished Friend of the University award in 2006—the Gerdin children and their spouses all are active members of the community, volunteering their time and talents for numerous civic and charitable organizations.

Mike Gerdin is the chairman, president, and CEO of Heartland Express, and he provides valuable leadership on the Henry B. Tippie College of Business board of visitors. His sister Julie Durr, an events coordinator at Heartland, has enriched the community by donating her time to the Iowa Children's Museum board of directors, the Iowa Arts Festival, and the Solon Education Foundation board of directors. Angela is an enthusiastic and dedicated volunteer for the various Gerdin-supported projects on the UI campus.

"Mike, Julie, Angie, and their respective families (they have 12 children among them) are all remarkable in their work ethic, their dedication to family, and their resolve to make the University of Iowa one of this nation's best medical research and clinical care programs," say friends E.J. and Joanne Buresh. "The family continues to have a profound impact upon the quality of life for Iowans."

Through their loyalty and strong-rooted belief in giving back, Mike and Nicole Gerdin, Julie and Eric Durr, and Angela and Brian Janssen are helping Iowa shine.

The Gerdins are members of the UI Foundation's Presidents Club.