Before gracing Happy Valley with his presence, President Graham Spanier got his undergraduate and master’s degrees at Iowa State. I’d say they’ve served him pretty well—so well, in fact, that Iowa State is having Spanier as their keynote speaker at the 50th anniversary celebration of ISU’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.  Said Michael Whiteford, the College’s dean, “That he is a university president and an Iowa State sociology graduate makes his return to campus for our college’s 50th anniversary all the more meaningful.”

Our beloved G-Span will leave us when he travels to Ames, Iowa, to give his speech: “What You Can Learn Sleeping in the Residence Halls,” an apt reflection of today’s college students. It’s an appropriate subject for the venue, as going to college is infinitely different from 50 years ago. And he, of anyone, would know, from actually sleeping in the residence halls among the rank and file each move-in weekend.

ISU quotes Spanier as saying, “I always enjoy returning to Iowa State, since it brings back so many fond memories.” Memories of going back and forth between the library and chapel, of course. No, but really, any man who has participated in the Running of the Bulls in Pamplona and is the president of one of the biggest universities in the United States is the definition of well-rounded, to the point where you wonder if he’s for real.

More power to you, G-Span, you’ve showed us how real you are. Go show your alma mater what you’re all about.