Students aren’t the only ones who enjoy munching on cherry pies or watching the parade during Veishea — faculty members also like to get into the tradition.

Cynthia Jeffrey has been on the ISU campus as an undergrad, graduate and now associate professor of accounting. Over the years, she enjoyed her parents visiting for Veishea while she was attending school, and now as a faculty member, she relishes bringing her children to the events.

“I’ve always loved Veishea,” Jeffrey said. “It has truly been a celebration of Iowa State.”

Vernon Ryan, professor of sociology, will get to attend Veishea this weekend, something his busy traveling schedule doesn’t always allow for.

“I take my grandchildren to the parades,” he said. “They enjoy every minute of it.”

Although sentiment about Veishea is mixed in some student circles, Warren Dolphin, university professor of zoology and genetics, said he believes the celebration still does an effective job of getting students involved in the university community.

“It is wonderful that students take time to do this and show off the university to the rest of the state,” he said.

There have been changes, though, Dolphin said. He said he sees fewer students involved in planning Veishea.

Also, Iowa State used to be on a quarter system rather than semester system, and Veishea did not have to compete as much with academics, he said.

Dolphin also said the weather was more inviting in May, when past celebrations were held, instead of today’s April celebration.

However, Wendy Harrod, associate professor of sociology, said students’ spending less time on Veishea is a good thing.

“Although I enjoyed it, it seemed to come right before finals week,” she said.

Harrod also agreed that Veishea brings great publicity to Iowa State.

“I think [Veishea] has potential to be a good recruitment tool and show off campus to potential students and their parents,” she said.

Since it is an effective recruiting tool, Harrod said it’s unfortunate fewer prospective students seem to be attending Veishea.

“Fewer buses are showing up from high schools,” Harrod said. “It seems too bad potential students aren’t coming here to view the campus and get excited about the campus.”

Harrod, who has been at Iowa State for the past 23 years, admitted that her enthusiasm for Veishea has dwindled over time.

“It’s not a big event in my life anymore, and I don’t have a ritual of going,” she said. “As a new person it was fun, but now I’ve just been here so long.”

Nancy Grudens-Schuck, assistant professor of agricultural education and studies, said she is looking forward to her first year being involved with Veishea. As the adviser of the Farm Opportunity Club, she is a “new face helping Veishea to happen,” she said.

“It is a nice activity for a club to feel like a team, have a ball and learn how to depend on each other to get the job done,” she said.