A passing Iowa storm now adorns the first floor wall of Parks Library in the form of “Prairie Sky,” a mural created in memory of former ISU President W. Robert Parks.

“The incredible contrast in moods of the Iowa sky and weather is the theme of ‘Prairie Sky,'” said Kurt Anderson, creator of the mural, which was dedicated Friday.

Parks was Iowa State’s longest-serving president.

“We are celebrating the legacy of W. Robert Parks,” said Olivia Madison, dean of library services, who spearheaded the project.

“I was approached over four years ago with the idea for this project,” Anderson said. He said he had all but given up on the project because funding had not become available.

In July 2003, he found out funding was available through Parks’ memorial fund, he said. Parks died in 2003, and his daughters wanted his memorial fund to be used for this project, Anderson said.

At Friday’s dedication ceremony, Parks’ accomplishments and life experiences were shared by speakers in the Upper Rotunda of the Parks Library.

“He truly changed the landscape of Iowa State,” ISU President Gregory Geoffroy said.

Geoffroy said it was fitting that the mural dedicated in Parks’ name depicts the great Iowa landscape.

Geoffroy credited many past presidents who helped make Iowa State a world-renowned university, but he gave special credit to Parks. Parks was one of the people who brought the humanities to the forefront, he said.

Anderson said he felt a “heavy responsibility” to Iowa State and to Parks.

He said he got to know Parks a few years ago, when he painted the portrait of him and his wife Ellen that also hangs on the first floor of Parks Library.

“[Parks] made a lot of kind remarks about me and my work. It is fitting that I take on this project,” he said.

The “Prairie Sky” mural is comprised of elements of the landscape and weather of the state of Iowa.

“It encompasses a variety of weather moods; there are so many different moods of Iowa weather,” he said.

The mural depicts the calm after a passing storm and the beauty that is left because of it. Anderson said he hopes this might help students who might be going through difficult finals and tough times take comfort and remember the light at the end of the tunnel.