Iowa State professor Dorothy Schwieder wrote the book on Iowa’s history — and it earned her an award from Gov. Terry Branstad.

Schwieder, an ISU professor of history, was awarded the Governor’s Certificate of Recognition June 14, for her book, “Iowa, The Middle Land.”

The award was presented at the Iowa Heritage Expo in Des Moines.

The award recognized Schwieder’s book “for exceptional contribution to our understanding and appreciation of our rich heritage as a state and as a people.”

The book is a survey of Iowa history, without a great deal of depth in any one area, Schwieder said.

She has done extensive research during her 30 years of teaching and has written on various topics involving the state of Iowa.

Creating this book offered Schwieder the opportunity for her to pull together much of that research, she said.

In the past 20 years, an increasing number of people have done research on Iowa history, Schwieder said.

As the ’90s came around, she said there was enough information on newer topics to produce a book that is reflective of current as well as historical research.

“It’s been 20 years since this sort of book has come out — one that offers any kind of overview of Iowa history,” Schwieder said.

“It touches some areas that haven’t been touched before, such as women’s roles and community.”

The certificate and wooden plaque were supposed to be presented to her at the two-day Iowa Heritage Expo by Branstad.

However, due to a death in her family, Schwieder was unable to attend the ceremony.

Tom Morain, administrator for the State Historical Society of Iowa, made an announcement to the group and explained her honor, she said.