AMES, Iowa – A former animal science student will posthumously be awarded her degree in recognition of her academic dedication, service to others and lasting impact on the Iowa State University community.
Friends of Alison Ciancio will accept the posthumous degree on behalf of Ciancio’s family at the May 15 College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Convocation in Hilton Coliseum. The ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. and will be livestreamed.
Ciancio enrolled at Iowa State University in the fall of 2000. The Pennsylvania native was drawn to the university’s animal science program and dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. Those dreams were cut short due to a car accident in January 2002. At the time, Iowa State’s policy did not permit a posthumous degree to be awarded to her.
“Alison arrived at Iowa State not knowing a soul, yet in just three short semesters, she transformed our community. Her genuine, caring spirit touched countless lives, impacting not just her fellow students, but our faculty and staff as well,” said Howard Tyler, retired professor of animal science. “More than just a leader, Alison became the heart and soul of our program, inspiring us all to elevate our lives and be better people simply through her example.”
Ciancio loved animals and was known to nurse stray animals back to health, find new homes for them or return them to the wild. She raised guide puppies for people who are blind through her 4-H involvement and led efforts to improve training techniques to better support the dogs and their future owners.
As an Iowa State student, Ciancio was involved in the Dairy Science Club and served as club historian. She also volunteered in the community, feeding people experiencing homelessness on holiday breaks and delivering meals to those in need.
In her memory, her family and Iowa State’s Dairy Science Club established the Alison Ciancio Scholarship, which recognizes animal science students who exemplify Ciancio’s character and passion for community service.
“As the parents of Alison Ciancio, awarding this posthumous degree is an honor. While Alison’s academic work was cut short and she is not here to attend this ceremony, receiving this award is a testament to her character, dedication and achievements that she demonstrated throughout her time at Iowa State University,” wrote Ciancio’s parents, Nick and Sue Ciancio. “At Iowa State, her student friends and faculty have described Alison as someone who helped her fellow students, welcomed new members, volunteered without hesitation and created a sense of belonging. Alison’s death was a profound, life-altering loss for our family, and receiving this degree is a humbling way to honor her memory in a way that reflects who she was and what she wished to accomplish.”
Contact
Whitney Baxter, Agriculture and Life Sciences Communications, 515-294-2314, wjsager@iastate.edu