At Iowa State University, a $3-million donation can get a donor a snow globe encircling a miniature model of the engineering teaching and research facility that may bear your name.

At least, it has for Gary and Donna Hoover of Rio Verde, Ariz.

At a ceremony in the Hoovers’ honor Saturday afternoon, Gary Hoover, the largest private donor of Iowa State’s $63-million Engineering Teaching and Research Facility phase II – ETRC II- said he was honored to give back to the university that had given him so much.

Although the building, which will be located between the Marston water tower and Howe Hall, is not yet named for the donors, it will be recommended, President Gregory Geoffroy said.

“The university will make the proposition before the Board of Regents at their next meeting that ETRC II be named Hoover Hall in honor of the Hoover family’s generous donation,” said Geoffroy, one of the afternoon’s six speakers.

With his wife at his side, Hoover thanked Iowa State for the education he received and the possibilities it provided for his career and life.

“My education in the engineering fundamentals here at ISU gave me the opportunity to lead engineering functions at Westinghouse Electrical Corporation in the design of missile launchers, power plant boilers and generator equipment, and in steel mill paper mill control systems,” he said.

Hoover graduated from Iowa State in 1961 with a degree in mechanical engineering. The Hoovers founded Tanaska Inc., a company that builds, owns and operates power plants across the United States and around the world.

Tess Kochan, senior in chemical engineering, said it is alumni support like the Hoovers’ “that makes dreams like ETRC II come true.”

“ETRC II will mean different things to different people, but when it is all said and done it’s really about students,” Kochan said.

James Melsa, dean of the College of Engineering, echoed Kochan’s sentiments.

“ETRC II will house state-of-the-art facilities, including the largest auditorium on campus, new computer labs and some of the best materials science laboratories in the country, providing students and faculty with best resources possible,” he said. “We are anxious to see our plans materialize.”

Melsa said the building design is complete, and if students are interested in viewing the designs, they could contact the dean’s office.

David Berka, one of Gary and Donna Hoover’s four adult children, said he was excited about the construction of the new facility.

“The ceremony was pretty much what I expected, but the feeling is not,” said Berka, a 1999 ISU alumnus and a computer engineer for LSI Logic in Colorado Springs, Colo. “I am very excited.”

Kochan said the Hoover’s gift has made a lasting impression at Iowa State.

“This day in recognition of the Hoovers, and their past successes, is really about the future of ISU,” he said.