AMES — Officials say a family foundation has committed $7 million to add classroom and other space for the Iowa State University College of Business in Ames. The university says the Gerdin Charitable Foundation gift will help build an approximately 35,000-square-foot addition to the existing Gerdin Business Building.
Business dean David Spalding says the college has experienced a 30 percent increase in enrollment since August 2013, which has led to the hiring of more staff and the need for more space.
The university says Ann Gerdin and her late husband, Russell Gerdin, provided the foundational gift for the Gerdin Business Building in 1998. The Gerdins established the company Heartland Express, which specializes in logistics and transportation. Its headquarters are in North Liberty.