Friday’s reception inaugurating the new College of Human Sciences was attended by a crowd stretching from the Palmer Human Development Family Studies Building to Lagomarcino Hall. A ribbon, which signified the combination, reached between the two buildings and was tied together in the middle of Osborn Drive.

“This new college will be about people working for the common good,” said Cheryl Achterberg, the new college’s dean. She is scheduled to start at Iowa State on Sept. 1.

Speaking for the students of the new college was Caroline Seward, a senior in food science and president of the new College of Human Sciences Student Council. Seward said the new college would “get more attention” from the university.

“This will go into the history of Iowa State,” Seward said.

ISU President Gregory Geoffroy said he agreed.

“It’s basically twice the size of the College of Education and factors more in the university’s thinking. Larger colleges have a whole lot more flexibility in budget and administration,” he said.

Geoffroy said the new college would explore several new research openings.

“I think that it’s going to create tremendous opportunities for new educational programs and research initiatives,” Geoffroy said. “One of the suggestions is focus in the area of healthy lifestyles and wellness.”

He said work in that area would combine the areas of food science, exercise and consumer education which were normally divided between the two former colleges.

Turnout proved to be more than organizers expected, exceeding the 150 planned for refreshments after the ceremony. ISU Provost Benjamin Allen said the apple and cherry pies stood for the colleges of Education and Family and Consumer Sciences, calling the selection of these foods “symbolic and delicious.”