This is the final story in a five-part series about female leaders on campus.

Some people have a knack when it comes to interpreting art.

Lynette Pohlman, director of University Museums, said she’s had an interest in objects and what they have to say for themselves for quite some time.

“Being able to read objects is just as exciting to me as being able to read a book,” she said.

Pohlman said she was a 7-year-old on a trip to the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. when something hit her.

“I stood in front of the elephant in front of the Smithsonian Museum, and it was an `A-ha!’ moment – a real moment of enlightenment,” she said.

Pohlman said it was at that moment when she decided she wanted to become involved with museums.

She saw her dreams become reality when she became the ISU museums director.

Pohlman said she is responsible for the vision, mission and programs of the University Museums. She also is the director of the Brunnier and Farm House Museums and the Art on Campus program.

Pohlman came to Iowa State before the University Museums were founded. She unpacked historical collections at Iowa State as a graduate student.

“I wanted to be part of the visual legacy at Iowa State,” she said.

On Sept. 9, 1976, Pohlman started her professional position with the museums. Pohlman has been around Iowa State for a long time and said she has grown to love the university.

“This is such a great university that reaches out to the entire state,” she said.