Staff at Parks Library will present a portrait of W. Robert Parks and his late wife Ellen Sorge Parks today in honor of the former president.

Parks, who was the 11th president of Iowa State, and ISU President Martin Jischke will be participating in the event.

The ceremony will take place at 7:30 p.m. in the Upper Rotunda on the second floor of Parks Library. It is free and open to the public.

“Mr. and Mrs. Parks were big supporters of the library. They felt that it is a cornerstone of education and of the university’s mission,” said Rick McCants, director of Development at Parks Library.

Ceremony remarks will be made by Dean of Library Services Olivia Madison, portrait artist Kurt Anderson of Cedar Falls, Jischke and Parks.

“Olivia Madison, dean of Library Services, will be opening by describing the ceremony including the background on the artist,” said Joan Mueller, library associate.

Along with the portrait, a set of books will be on display.

“As a part of the memorial, a fund was set up to buy books. These will be displayed, and each has a name plate in them,” Mueller said.

Mueller said the portrait will be hung in the first floor atrium outside of Room 191. Ellen is shown seated reading a book, and Robert is standing behind her.

McCants said about 240 people are expected to attend the ceremony.

Parks served as president from 1965 to 1986, the longest term in Iowa State’s history. Three new colleges, business, design and education, 40 undergraduate degrees and 30 graduate majors were added during his tenure at Iowa State. Enrollment also increased by 90 percent.

“He is a humanizer; he is a warm and gentle man to this day,” McCants said.

Parks’ presidential portrait is hung in the Presidential Gallery on the second floor of the library. The portrait of the couple will be the first of its kind to be unveiled, Mueller said.

The library was first named in honor of the couple in 1984. Parks currently resides in Ames.