Fall 2009

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Hensley's Maternal Presence Warms Lives of Students

After taking a "temporary" position with the college in 1960, Norma Hensley stayed on to work in the dean's office serving the college and its students with sincerity and kindness for more than four decades.

For more than 40 years, Norma Hensley offered motherly reassurance and a warm smile to everyone from fresh-faced students to seasoned faculty in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

"She adopted a maternal attitude towards both students and young faculty that reduced their anxiety about being at a large institution or starting out in their careers," says Eric Hoiberg, associate dean emeritus. "From hourly employees all the way up to the dean, she fostered and cultivated relationships in addition to providing unbelievably good technical administrative support."

Hensley joined the college as a secretary in 1960, when Associate Dean Louis Thompson gave her a "temporary" position. Over the years that followed she handled schedules and correspondence for the associate deans, set up faculty committees, assisted student organizations and performed other secretarial duties. But Hoiberg says the college's scholarship program was her "baby" and her efforts were critical to its success.

"I organized all the student applications and prepared them for the scholarship committee's review," Hensley says. "My office was also the headquarters for the Ag Council. I helped them organize events and coordinate their activities. We offered continuity for the group and a place for students to gather. I loved working with students. They just seemed to gravitate to our office."

Students were drawn to the office largely because of Hensley, according to Scott Lee ('93 agricultural business), who worked for her in the '90s. He and his family farm near Inwood and operate Lee Seed Company, manufacturing soy nuts and soy wax candles.

"She has really been an influence on generations o Iowa State students. She was a mother figure to many of us," Lee says. "She looked at us as interns for the college, not just student workers. She made our positions learning and growing experiences for us. She is a wonderful teacher. I learned as much from Norma as I did from my advisers and professors."

Hensley has many fond memories of students like Lee. She is loved and respected by generations of students, and she says she'll never forget how they showed her.

"One year, the president of Ag Council showed up in my office early on Secretary's Day. He gave me one rose in a huge vase. I thought it was sweet, and chuckled that he had used such a large vase for only one rose," Hensley says. "Well, by the end of the day 23 members of Ag Council had stopped in to deliver a rose to me filling up the vase. It was one of the most special things anyone has done for me."

Since retiring in 2001, Hensley continues to support students through a scholarship she created for Ag Council presidents.

"My son suggested the scholarship, and I liked the idea. I originally put the scholarship in my beneficiaries, but I'm so glad I was able to provide it sooner," she says. "I've been able to meet most of the recipients. I wanted it to be for the Ag Council president since they do a real service to the college."

The current generation of students continues to show their gratitude. Last winter the two most recent recipients delivered a poinsettia to Hensley in appreciation.

STORIES online extra:

• Send Norma Hensley a message by e-mailing stories@iastate.edu
• Learn more about donating to the Norma Hensley scholarship by e-mailing Ryan Harms at rharms@iastate.edu or calling (515) 294-1118