In response to Jason Witte’s letter, “What has happened to VEISHEA?” — as I see it, VEISHEA has stayed right on course. It still serves to highlight the accomplishments of current and former ISU students and faculty.

The display on the front lawn of Davidson Hall that Witte referenced consists of a Case IH combine, a John Deere Tractor towing a Brent grain cart, and an AgCo Challenger tractor. They were not brought to campus by “giant, multinational corporations” to “invade our campus and set up forward operating bases of arrogant advertising and patronization.”

Conversely, the display was actually requested by the Agricultural Systems Technology Club. Several of those pieces of equipment are regularly operated by ISU students at ISU research farms. ISU alumni were directly involved in the design and marketing of all of the equipment displayed. They serve as a showcase to all who visit campus for VEISHEA what our programs and students are capable of.

One of the many things that set the Iowa State Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering department apart from other programs around the country is our incredible partnership with industry elite. This partnership ensures jobs for many of our graduates immediately following graduation, allowing them to contribute their knowledge and experience to the industry as soon as possible.

The presence of such high-tech equipment also encourages prospective students to investigate the ABE department and the opportunities it provides to its students. In addition, it shows Iowa State’s appreciation for the continuous donations from companies. Donations from industry have furnished the John Deere Engines Laboratory and the AgLeader Precision Ag Lab, both in Davidson Hall. These spaces ensure that Iowa State remains a frontrunner in agriculture technology and engineering.

Each company represented in the display hires graduates from all departments within engineering as well as the Colleges of Agriculture and Business. When I look at the diversity within the display, I see an opportunity for Iowa State to better my education, the future of agriculture and, in doing so, better society as a whole.

It is not an example of Iowa State “whoring out its pristine … campus to agriculture implementers” but rather a demonstration of ISU’s ability to work with industry to provide students with the best opportunities to excel in life. If that doesn’t epitomize the original purpose of Iowa State University and VEISHEA, I don’t know what does.