|
Wallace E. “Red” Barron
was born near Ward, South Dakota on February 24, 1903. He
received his B.S. (1928) in Agricultural Economics from Iowa
State College (University). After graduation, he took the
position of field secretary (1929-1931) for the Memorial Union
at Iowa State and thus began his long career associated with the
University. During the next several years, Barron would serve
in various offices including director of the men’s dormitory
(1931-1933), assistant auditor of student activities (1931-1933)
and assistant director of personnel for men (1933-1937).
Barron became editor
(1935-1968) of the Alumnus, a publication of the Iowa
State Alumni Association. Barron was then offered the position
of Director of Alumni Affairs for Iowa State College
(University) and Executive Secretary of the Alumni Association
(1937-1968), a position he held until his retirement. After his
retirement, he would continue to contribute to the Alumni
Association as Coordinator for Research and Special Projects
(1968-1970) and was given the title Director Emeritus of the
Alumni Association.
Barron received numerous
honors during his career at Iowa State. Barron served as
Chairman (1946-1948) of District IV of the American Alumni
Council and on the organization’s Board of Directors. In 1965,
he was named “Outstanding Boss of the Year” by the Ames Junior
Chamber of Commerce. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame of
the District American Alumni Council and American College Public
Relations Association in 1967. In 1968, he was awarded the
Alumni Recognition Medal of the Alumni Association and served as
the Grand Marshal of the Veishea parade. The following year he
was awarded an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Buena Vista
College (University).
Barron was a longtime
member of the local club of Rotary International, serving as
president (1948-1949) of the Ames Rotary Club. He also served
the organization as district governor, information and extension
counselor, and as a member of several committees.
Barron was also very
active in the Presbyterian Church. He was an elder in the Ames
Presbyterian Church and served also as a trustee and deacon. He
was Presbytery moderator (1966) and actively served in the North
Central Presbytery and Iowa Synod.
Barron
married Mary L. Rhea and had three children: Brian, Bruce, and
Rhea. He died May 5, 1970 in Ames and was buried in the
University Cemetery. |