Although President Martin Jischke is leaving Iowa State Aug. 14 for the Purdue University presidency, part of him will become a permanent piece of the ISU campus.

At Jischke’s farewell reception Wednesday night, the ISU Foundation announced the naming of the Martin C. Jischke Honors Building.

The foundation also announced the Patty Jischke Children’s Garden at Reiman Gardens, and ISU Alumni Association made the Jischkes honorary alumni. The names of the building and garden are pending approval by the Board of Regents.

The farewell reception, which was hosted by Rollin Richmond, provost; Warren Madden, vice president for Business and Finance; Murray Blackwelder, vice president for External Affairs; and Tom Hill, vice president for Student Affairs, featured a look back at the Jischkes’ accomplishments at Iowa State.

About 300 to 400 people were expected to attend the event.

David Hopper, president of the Faculty Senate, spoke on behalf of ISU faculty and staff.

“From the onset of his tenure at Iowa State University, President Jischke has consistently devoted his energies toward leading the university to be the best land-grant university in the nation,” he said.

Under Jischke, the Faculty Senate has been able to get a lot more done, Hopper said.

“The Faculty Senate and the administration, while not always agreeing on everything, have developed a very close and collegial and productive relationship.”

Matt Craft, former president of Government of the Student Body, spoke on behalf of ISU students.

“Martin and Patty Jischke have made Iowa State more accessible for students at Iowa State while increasing the value of our degrees,” he said. “For the past nine years, the Jischkes have reached out across the state and across the country to bring out some of the top high school students to Iowa State.”

Ted Tedesco, mayor of Ames, said he often met with President Jischke to discuss issues of interest to the citizens of Ames.

“We can never, as citizens of Ames, say thank you enough — and it isn’t just to Martin, but also to Patty. They have both been No. 1 citizens participating in our community. Now, we do wish you the best, but hate to see you go, and hope you will never, never forget us,” he said.

Speaking for the alumni was Jamie Stensland, president of the Board of Directors of the ISU Alumni Association.

“Anyone who can tolerate my children walking over and under them at basketball games and sitting on their laps and spilling food on them I can call true friends,” she said.

Stensland told the Jischkes that while Purdue and Iowa State may have similarities, there are a lot of things the couple will miss in Indiana.

“You’re going to miss the chiming of the Campanile, the piney smell of the campus and the friendly warmth of the people in Ames,” she said.

Arend Sanbulte, chairman of the ISU Foundation Board of Directors, announced the namings of the honors building and children’s garden.

He complimented Patty Jischke on her work with CoHorts, the Reiman Gardens volunteer organization she cofounded.

“I understand she doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty,” he said.

Patty Jischke said she is “thrilled” at the honor of having the garden named for her.

“There’s been so many wonderful things that have happened here at Iowa State, but of all of them, the one that keeps twinging my heartstrings is the Reiman Gardens,” she said. “I love to go there; I love to watch people there; I love to see people interacting in the beautiful, beautiful space.”

Sanbulte said Jischke has taken the ISU Honors Program to new heights.

“Throughout his career at Iowa State, Martin Jischke has emphasized the importance of providing a challenging and inspiring college experience to all students — this includes the most talented and motivated students,” he said. “Under his leadership, Iowa State’s Honors Program has grown and provided an exceptional opportunity for many young people. The number of honors graduates has more than doubled, and participation in the Freshman Honors Program is three times the number in 1992.

“In recognition of his commitment to excellence, for his support and encouragement of leadership development in Iowa State’s Honors Program, it is my pleasure to announce that — subject to the Board of Regents’ approval — the planned honors building at Iowa State will be named the Martin C. Jischke Honors Building,” he said.

Jischke said the reception was a special occasion for reasons other than saying goodbye to friends and colleagues.

“This is one of the last events where I speak publicly where I can where a red tie,” he said, adding that the Purdue colors are black and gold.

Although he will miss Iowa State, he said, it is also a time of excitement.

“We are looking forward to what will be a new adventure,” Jischke said.

He said he is pleased with his work at Iowa State.

“If this is not the best land-grant university, it is surely a better land-grant university than it was in 1991,” Jischke said.

“We have all worked hard, and Patty and I are very proud of our contributions to the team effort that has made all this progress possible.”

Jischke thanked the administrators and other members of the ISU community he has worked with in his nine years as president.

After Jischke spoke, members of the ISU cheer squads ran out to lead the reception in Jischke’s last rendition of the ISU fight song.