Gerdin Family Commits $7M for Iowa State's College of Business Expansion

A $7-million commitment from the Gerdin Charitable Foundation will allow the Iowa State University College of Business to expand its facility, which has become a high priority for the college due to years of growth and record enrollment.

The Gerdin family are long-time leaders, friends and donors to the College of Business. Ann and her late husband, Russell Gerdin, provided the foundational gift for the college’s facility—the Gerdin Business Building—in 1998. The couple established Heartland Express, a nationwide company specializing in logistics and transportation, with headquarters in North Liberty, Iowa.

“It has been wonderful to return to Iowa State and see the Gerdin family continue their support of the College of Business,” said Iowa State University Interim President Benjamin J. Allen. “We are deeply appreciative of their generosity to expand their namesake building, thus ensuring we have the necessary space to provide our students a world-class education for years to come.”