As Iowa State prepares to “Blaze a Trail of Cyclone Family Traditions” at Family Weekend 2001, one family will stand out as an example of true ISU spirit.

With a four-generation ISU tradition, the Hinkhouse family of West Liberty is proud to receive the 2001 Family of the Year award, sponsored by the Alumni and Parent Associations.

The Hinkhouse family includes H. Clifford Hinkhouse, 1970 alumnus of farm operations; his wife Monica, 1971 alumna of education; Amy, 1999 alumna of business management and graduate student in education leadership and policy studies; and Christopher, senior in agricultural systems technology.

“One impressive thing was the tradition that their family has,” said Scott Raymond, Family Weekend graduate student adviser. “Both parents are alum that were involved in various things from the greek system to marching band and have continued to be Cyclones after graduation.”

The Hinkhouse family stood out from the other four finalists because of its “depth of the Iowa State Cyclone spirit and continued involvement and commitment,” said Family Weekend Committee Executive Assistant Angie Guggisberg, junior in construction engineering.

Guggisberg led the Family of the Year selection committee, which included Raymond, Government of the Student Body representative T.J. Schneider and Ellen Schrum from the Parent’s Association.

The selection process began with students filing applications describing how their family embodies ISU spirit and tradition.

“I filled out the application because my friend encouraged me,” Amy Hinkhouse said.

Finalists were interviewed this fall by the selection committee and questioned about their family’s involvement at Iowa State, how their family helped them grow as students and what made their family unique.

“Amy talked about her desire to stay involved after she graduates by working at ISU someday,” Raymond said. “That was unique.”

Amy Hinkhouse said her ISU adviser has been a good resource in her years at Iowa State.

“She helped me get adjusted to Iowa State,” she said. “I’d like to give the same experience to other students.”

The selection decision was extremely difficult and was the product of hours of discussion, Raymond said.

“We’re choosing a family who is going to be a representative of ISU,” he said. “The Hinkhouse family represents what ISU is all about.”

The Hinkhouses were surprised when they were told of their honor, Amy Hinkhouse said.

“They were shocked,” she said. “It’s a huge honor.”

Cliff Hinkhouse said he and his family are honored to be named Family of the Year.

“We consider it quite an honor. It makes us very proud,” he said. “I’m sure there are many other families deserving of the award.”

Some of Cliff Hinkhouse’s friends from his student days have been honored in previous years. As the entire family returns to campus this weekend, he said he is looking forward to seeing many of them again.

The Hinkhouse family also has a tradition of involvement at Iowa State.

Amy has been a resident assistant at Wilson Hall and a Cyclone Aide. She studied abroad in Australia and participated in Leadership ISU.

Chris is a member of Farmhouse fraternity and participates in homecoming, Greek Week and the Water ski Club.

When Cliff and Monica Hinkhouse were at Iowa State, they also were very active.

Monica was involved in Winter Cotillion and field hockey while Cliff played trumpet in the marching and pep bands. Both were members of the greek community through the FarmHouse fraternity and Alpha Gamma Delta sorority.

Looking back on his ISU memories, Cliff Hinkhouse said he misses the “carefree freedom that you have when you are in the early 20s,” along with the friends he met.

“We’ve been able to see the same friends become successful and share in their success,” he said.

They also have been able to witness the success of their children.

Amy Hinkhouse came from the University of Missouri-Columbia in her sophomore year and Chris started at Iowa State, transferred to Central College for his second semester, and returned in his sophomore year.

While Amy Hinkhouse’s parents never pressured her to attend Iowa State, she said they are excited to see both of their children graduate from their alma mater this spring.

Upon graduation, Chris Hinkhouse is looking forward to working on the family farm, growing corn and soybeans with his father.

The Hinkhouse family will be recognized at the performance of hypnotist Steve Meade, 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday; tailgate on Saturday; the Iowa State vs. Baylor football game halftime; and Family Casino Night, 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday.

The family will receive an all-expense-paid weekend, a plaque of recognition and a book, “Reflections of Iowa State.”