November 26, 2003
AMES, Iowa — A gift from Leonard Dolezal, a retired farmer in Linn County, will set the stage for a fundraising effort to establish an endowed faculty position in agricultural law at Iowa State University.
Dolezal, who lives in Cedar Rapids, is contributing approximately 80 acres of land in Linn County to the Iowa State University Foundation. As specified by the donor, the land will be sold to benefit the Iowa State College of Agriculture to establish an endowed professorship. Additional gifts will be sought to create an endowed chair.
Catherine Woteki, dean of the College of Agriculture, said the gift will support a nationally recognized position that will serve Iowans. "The College of Agriculture is committed to a strong agricultural law program and our hope to continue its strong reputation for excellence in teaching, research and extension," Woteki said.
The agricultural law program has included teaching, extension, research and policy activities, and has addressed issues of importance to agriculture, rural areas and communities in Iowa.