The legacy will live on - AIB College of Business

AIB Exec
2016 – Final Issue
2 015
A MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF AIB COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
The legacy
will live on
Table of contents
Many former and current AIB
employees were among the
approximately 1,000 attendees
of AIB’s “Fond Farewell Reunion
and Salute to 95 Years” in May.
3
Good to know
4
President’s message
7
Final commencement
Information for alumni about
their records and diplomas.
President Nancy Williams
shares the complicated
thought process that led
to the Board of Trustees’
decision to close AIB.
Professor Lynn Clark provides
AIB’s last commencement
address.
Board of Trustees
Chris Costa
Chief Operating Officer,
Executive Vice President
Knapp Properties Inc.
West Des Moines, Iowa
Paul A. Brown
Vice President (Retired)
Principal Financial Group
Des Moines, Iowa
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AIB EXEC
8
Fond Farewell Reunion
10
Paying it forward
12
AIB through the
decades
Good memories balance
bittersweet event.
From scholarships to bunk
beds, AIB made sure the
community benefitted from
its resources.
AIB Exec
A magazine for alumni and friends
of AIB College of Business
Jane Schorer Meisner, Editor
An abbreviated history of a
grand institution, beginning
in 1921.
Michael Disbro, M.D.
Radiologist
Mercy Medical Center
Des Moines, Iowa
David M. Casten
President
Barton Solvents Inc.
Des Moines, Iowa
Charles H. Betts
Community Leader
Des Moines, Iowa
Rollin M. Dick, CPA
Community Leader
Indianapolis, Indiana
Randy Forburger
Community Leader
Des Moines, Iowa
Sheila K. Tipton, J.D.
Attorney
Des Moines, Iowa
Alumni’s frequently asked questions
Q: What happens to my academic Q: Will alumni receive new
records from AIB?
A: AIB student transcripts now
are housed with the University
of Iowa. For information, go
to www.registrar.uiowa.edu/
transcripts or call 319-335-0229.
diplomas from the University
of Iowa?
A:No. Diplomas indicate the
college from which you graduated, and that is AIB.
ill my AIB diploma lose value
Q: After AIB closes, what wording Q: Wbecause
the college is closing?
should I use on my resume
regarding my college?
A: No. AIB College of Business
are distinguished
A: Continue to list the degree and graduates
as competent, accomplished
school name as it appears on
your diploma and transcripts.
professionals from an accredited college.
Employers recognize AIB graduates and the advanced skill set they represent, regardless of
the institution’s current operational status.
Q: Will I receive mailings from
the University of Iowa?
A: AIB will not share its mailing
list with UI or any other
entity.
Q: Will UI maintain an AIB
Alumni Association?
A: There will be no formal AIB
alumni groups. Friends of
the University of Iowa may
join its clubs that are based
around the country. Go to
www.iowalum.com/clubs
for more information.
AIB 2016
3
President’s letter
AIB’s final year marks the end of an era
O
n January 26, 2015, AIB College
of Business and the University
of Iowa publicly announced
plans to join forces. The goal was for
the University of Iowa to ultimately
take over operation of the nearly
95-year-old AIB College of Business,
known to prior generations as
American Institute of Business.
The original vision remains of the
two colleges working together to
serve future students. However, the
end to the means has worked out
much differently than what was first
envisioned by University of Iowa
President Sally Mason (now retired)
and me.
To ultimately facilitate the end goal
of creating a Regents University
in Des Moines, the AIB trustees
decided to phase out AIB’s operation
following one additional academic
year (18 months) in preparation
to transition the campus to the
University of Iowa. Following its 2016
graduation, the main campus located
at 2500 Fleur Drive would be gifted
to the University of Iowa to allow
the campus to continue educating
students in the heart of Des Moines,
Iowa’s capital city.
The Gift Agreement finalized by
the University of Iowa and AIB in
October 2015 and approved by the
Board of Regents allowed AIB to
stand true to the Articles and Bylaws
under which the school was founded
and incorporated, to honor the
legacy of the founder and to ensure
that the campus would continue
into perpetuity as a part of the State
Regents University system. The
transition date is June 30, 2016.
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AIB EXEC
Following the Public Announcement
in January 2015, AIB did not admit a
Fall 2015 freshman class, and faculty
and staff focused on serving the
students currently enrolled, aiding
as many as possible toward degree
completion. Some students chose
to transfer, but many more stayed to
complete their degrees. We honored
all of their scholarships through
the final academic year. The final
graduating class is a record number.
We are very proud that we were able
to remain operating and complete
those students who wished to stay.
Ceasing operations and transitioning
the campus to the University of Iowa
represents the ending of an era.
AIB was one of the finest business
schools and one of only a select few
that operated for so many years.
Yet we remain confident the Board
of Trustees’ decision was not made
in haste and that it was a strategic
business decision, not an emotional
one. This action does indeed honor
the legacy of AIB and all those who
‘Efficiency is doing things
right. Effectiveness is
doing the right things.’
worked for and attended the college,
making it such a “gem” in the history
of Des Moines and in the state of Iowa.
The college soon will document
a beginning and an end. To those
closely involved, the final year has
brought some sadness, with tearful
“goodbyes” to students, colleagues
and friends. Local employers have
expressed disappointment, as so
many have become dependent upon
hiring AIB graduates for positions in
their companies.
Alumni should remain proud of their
education – all now belong to a “finite
group of people.” It is our belief that
demands for AIB-educated graduates
will remain strong, and perhaps
grow even stronger, in future years.
Education is something earned that
can never be taken away – it is one of
life’s greatest achievements.
AIB College of Business is closing
gracefully and not in disgrace. Now is
a time to celebrate the time-honored
business school that began so long
ago and that has touched the lives of
thousands of people in immeasurable
ways. It is a time to say a fond farewell
to our beloved alma mater.
Best wishes for continued happiness
and success.
- Thomas K. Connellan
Nancy Fenton Williams, MA
President, 1999-2016
The thoughtful rationale
behind the decision to
close AIB
The announcement of AIB’s
collaboration with the University
of Iowa caught most people by
surprise. Although details needed
to be ironed out, decisions were
made quickly to establish proper
transparency in which to move
forward with transition planning.
Still, without specific details of how
the relationship with the University
of Iowa would unfold, it regrettably
led to skepticism and anxiety among
students and employees.
After all, AIB was accomplishing its
mission, serving its students and the
community. Enrollment had grown
three years in a row, and the college
had attained four-year college
accreditation rather than two-year.
AIB had minimal long-term debt –
and money to pay the debt entirely.
A report by the Department
of Education Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
(IPEDS) showed that private
colleges and universities in Iowa
had an average debt in 2013-14
of $26.8 million each related to
physical plant, property and
equipment. The report listed AIB’s
debt at $1.6 million (which has
now been paid). The Department
of Education rates AIB as a financially
responsible institution.
University of Iowa Provost Dr. Barry Butler and AIB President Nancy Williams signed
the finalized gift agreement in October 2015.
tion Act (HEA) before his retirement,
the HEA did not pass by the end
of 2014. That left in jeopardy
programs that provide federal
money to colleges and federal
grants and subsidized low-interest
loans for students.
excellent education at a very low
cost. A major reason they can offer
such low tuition rates is that they
receive large state subsidies. Iowans’
property tax statements show the
tax levy that goes exclusively to
support community colleges.
Harsh criticism of higher education
in the United States was growing,
due to exorbitant costs to students
and ever-growing student loan
debts incurred to pay for basic
baccalaureate college degrees.
Community colleges originated to
serve students in their local areas,
offering two-year degrees. Now
many offer affordable housing,
competitive athletics and a
multitude of student services –
and they advertise and recruit
students not only from Iowa, but
nationally and internationally.
But the Board of Trustees considered
a number of outside challenging
factors facing higher education that
would likely impact the college’s
future. Among them:
State regulations. In 2014, Iowa
legislators proposed a change in
the funding formula for the regent
universities, requiring them to serve
more Iowa residents. As a result,
marketing and advertising by the
three state regent universities
intensified, which challenged the
recruiting efforts of private colleges
and universities in Iowa, including
AIB. Although AIB had always
been a leader in providing
business education before it
became the “most popular academic
major” chosen by students at
most colleges and universities,
competition to enroll future business
students increased.
Government action. Despite efforts
by former U.S. Senator Tom Harkin to
reauthorize the 2008 Higher Educa-
The rise of community colleges.
Reputations of community colleges
have risen, and they provide an
Most of Iowa’s 15 community
colleges have satellite locations
that further expand access to
students. They offer career-oriented
trade education, as well as majors
in business and accounting. A
2014 internal report compiled by
AIB’s Enrollment Management
Committee showed Des Moines
Area Community College (DMACC)
had become AIB’s primary
competitor, especially if price
was the determining factor.
Online education. AIB was the
first private college in Iowa to
receive full accreditation to offer
degrees online, but competition
for online students has increased
AIB 2016
5
(Rationale, continued)
dramatically. Today, online
education is more prevalent,
allowing students to choose from
thousands of public and private
colleges and universities across the
country without leaving home.
New requirements and
expectations. AIB incurred
significant expenses in
implementing changes needed to
become a four-year college and
differentiate itself from community
colleges. Since AIB was granted
full baccalaureate status in 2012,
the Higher Learning Commission –
which accredits postsecondary
educational institutions in the
19-state North Central Region –
has increased requirements for
faculty credentials and expectations
regarding student services. To cover
the forecasted financial increases
of operations, AIB needed to
significantly raise annual revenues,
including tuition, housing charges
and fees. Increasing costs was not
a reasonable idea the Board of
Trustees wished to consider. AIB
has always prided itself for
providing an excellent, practical
business education at one of the
lowest costs.
Scholarships. The determining
factor for many students in
choosing a college often is
affordability. To be competitive,
private colleges are forced to
increase the amount of institutional
scholarships, which are essentially
discounts. AIB awarded $838,875
in institutional scholarships to
students in the year 2000. In 2007,
prior to beginning competitive
sports, AIB awarded $1,991,024
in institutional scholarships. By
2014, when AIB supported 11
competitive sports, the amount
of institutional scholarships had
risen to $4,081,369.
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AIB EXEC
Lack of alternative revenue
sources. Many private colleges
have affiliations with religious
organizations or other entities that
provide direct operational funding;
AIB does not. Also, AIB does not have
a large donor base; and although
there has been donor support from
alumni and friends of the college,
it primarily supported student
scholarships and not operational
expenses. The average amount
of yearly donations has been
approximately $400,000 or 10
percent of the cost of the
scholarships granted. The balance
of the scholarships awarded was
funded by college operations, a
rather insurmountable gap.
Athletics. In 2007, AIB began
offering competitive athletics to
increase enrollment. Athletics
created wonderful school spirit,
and they accomplished the goal of
increasing enrollment. Each year,
more sports were added until the
college supported 11 programs that
competed in the Midwest Collegiate
Conference (MCC) of the National
Association of Intercollegiate
Athletics (NAIA). When the MCC
announced that it would dissolve at
the end of the 2014-2015 academic
year, it presented AIB with the major
challenge of finding another
conference to join. Also, if athletics
were to remain an enrollment
strategy for the future, AIB’s
Enrollment Management Committee
proposed to the Board of Trustees
that constructing new athletics
facilities would be necessary. The
Trustees did not feel borrowing
heavily against the physical assets
was a wise business decision, given
the current climate of declining
enrollments at private colleges
and universities.
Uncertain futures for all private
colleges. A recent Vanderbilt
University report showed the
number of private four-year colleges
that closed or were acquired doubled
annually in the four years through
2011. Such data supported the
opinion of the Trustees that small
colleges that are primarily tuitiondriven – like AIB – would have a
harder time in the future recruiting
students.
The Trustees discussed and debated
all these factors during the 2013-14
academic year. They also considered
the idea of seeking a merging
partner. They knew University of Iowa
was seeking to increase its presence
in the Des Moines community and
approaching them seemed like it
could create a perfect fit. It was
logical and reasonable to partner
with a public university versus a
private university, given the
political climate.
At a May dinner, Gov. Terry Branstad thanked AIB for gifting its campus to become the Iowa
Center for Higher Education.
AIB awards diplomas to its final graduates
C
ommencement exercises for AIB’s final graduating
class of more than 400 students were held Sunday,
May 22, at Community Choice Credit Union
Convention Center in Des Moines.
Longtime AIB Professor Lynn Clark delivered the
commencement address to more than 220 graduates who
attended, along with faculty, staff, family and friends. Clark
called the event a “Celebration of Champions.”
“Being a champion has everything to do with character,”
Clark told the graduates. “And all of you certainly have an
abundance of character.”
Clark also described the AIB faculty as “the finest group of
ladies and gentlemen that I have ever had the privilege
and pleasure of associating with.”
AIB’s Class of 2016 included more than 400 students who completed
degrees in the college’s final year.
President Nancy Williams expressed a message of
appreciation. “I sincerely wish to thank all of the people
who have devoted their lives to serving students
throughout our distinguished history and to recognize
the thousands of AIB graduates who have passed through
our halls these many, many years,” she said.
Above left: Vice President and Chief Academic Officer Christy Roland
recognized AIB’s top academic achievers. Above: Derrick Welcher of
Des Moines was named Business Administration Student of the Year in
the bachelor’s degree program.
Professor Ann Wright congratulates an
AIB graduate on her accomplishment.
Distinguished Professor of
Business Administration Lynn
Clark was the keynote speaker.
Anne Poblocki, great-granddaughter
of AIB founder E.O. Fenton, sang the
national anthem.
Left: Casey Wermeskerch of West Des
Moines was the final graduate to cross
the stage and receive an AIB diploma.
President Emeritus
Keith Fenton traveled
from Arizona to
attend AIB’s final
commencement.
Right: Longtime
AIB employees
Karl Fenton and
Sheila Keene led
the procession of
graduates as color
bearers.
President Nancy Williams, Board of Trustees
Chairman Chris Costa and soloist Ann Polito
joined AIB faculty on stage.
AIB 2016
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Alumni bid fond farewell to AIB
Nostalgic crowd attends final reunion
N
early 1,000 alumni, former teachers, staff
members and friends gathered on the AIB
campus May 7 to celebrate AIB’s Fond Farewell
Reunion and Salute to 95 Years. Attendees enjoyed
lunch, viewing the “History Walk” under construction
in the Keith Fenton Administration Building, collecting
mementos from the college and reminiscing with
former classmates and teachers.
President Emeritus Keith Fenton recognized alumni
from several decades, as well as long-time faculty and
staff members. “I’m sure I have left out many people,”
he said, “but each of you has your own fond memories
of your AIB days.”
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AIB EXEC
AIB 2016
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Colston Scholarships to live on
Establishment of endowment fund ensures Colston scholarships will continue
S
ince its inception in 1992, Monroe Colston Diversity Scholarships have
assisted hundreds of students of all ages, disabilities, ethnic backgrounds and
races attain college educations at AIB.
With AIB’s closing, the college has established a new Monroe Colston
Endowment at the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, where
Colston served as the first president.
AIB’s donations to the new fund total $105,000. The endowment will honor
Monroe’s legacy and will live on in perpetuity to provide funding for financially
needy Des Moines high school graduates of diverse ethnic backgrounds to
pursue higher education at two- or four-year regionally accredited colleges
or universities.
“AIB does not want Monroe Colston to be forgotten,” said AIB President Nancy
Williams. “Rather, it is determined to have future students know and emulate
Until his health declined, the late Monroe Colston
the principles of ethics, community service, kindness, inclusion, diversity and
personally recognized diversity scholarship
recipients, including Mirela Dzanic ’09.
civility that were the great measure of Monroe’s character.”
Local groups receive donations from AIB
Books, beds and business attire find new homes
AIB College of Business will gift
land, buildings and office
furnishings to the University of
Iowa, but many other organizations
received donations from AIB as
the 95-year-old college prepared
to close. Donations included items
ranging from dozens of beds and
mattresses to a metal eagle statue
(4-foot tall by 4-foot wingspan), a
symbol of the nickname of the
college’s athletic teams. The statue
was given to Faith Baptist College
in Ankeny, whose teams also are
the Eagles.
AIB used a credit balance with a
book supplier to help encourage
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AIB EXEC
reading among local families. AIB
worked with Children and Family
Urban Movement (CFUM) to select
255 books to be given to parents who
participate in CFUM programs or to be
added to the CFUM library. The books
had a retail value of more than $3,800.
“Books are such an impactful gift
for every aspect of the work of
Children and Family Urban
Movement,” said CFUM Executive
Director Carmen Lampe Zeitler.
“The books that came to us from
AIB will find their way into the
hands of children and young
people, volunteers and staff to
enrich the experience and increase
the impact of CFUM programs.”
AIB also donated the remaining
inventory from its Bill Reichardt
Clothes Closet to three area nonFrom left are Children and Family
Urban Movement Executive Director
Carmen Lampe Zeitler, AIB President
Nancy Williams, and CFUM’s Janelle
Mueller and Claudia Gonzalez.
profit groups. The Clothes Closet
had for years provided gently used
business attire free of charge to
AIB students to wear to interviews
or workplaces.
Receiving Clothes Closet
merchandise were the Plymouth
Women’s Career Closet at the
Wellmark YMCA, Men on the Move
Career Closet and Bridges of Iowa.
A sampling of AIB’s donations
Boys and Girls Club of Des Moines:
Assorted athletic/sport balls
Bridges of Iowa: Bunk beds,
couches, chairs, desks, business
attire from the Clothes Closet
Children & Family Urban
Movement: Student desks; 255
new children’s books
Christ the King School: White board,
projection screen, projector, podium
City of Carlisle: Round table, long
student desk, rolling chairs, bunk
beds, display cases, teacher desks,
lockers
City of Johnston: Chairs
From left are AIB’s Sheila Keene, Bridges of
Iowa’s Nick Templeman and John Potthoff,
AIB’s Terry Wilson and AIB student
Allison Mitts.
City of Norwalk: Long student desk
tables, office desks, white boards,
couch and chair
City of Urbandale: White board,
mannequins, easel, office chairs,
kitchen chairs, bulletin boards,
display cases, entry mat
Community United Presbyterian
Church, Hartford: Tables, chairs,
easel, projector, bulletin board, lamp,
rocking chair
From left are AIB’s Sheila Keene and
Plymouth Women’s Career Closet
volunteers Georgia Sheriff, Caroline
Bettis and Jan Franck.
Des Moines Public Library: Desks,
chairs, bulletin boards, library book carts
DMi Dance Force: Dance/cheer
apparel
Faith Baptist College, Ankeny: metal
Eagle statue (4-foot tall, with 4-foot
wingspan)
FreeStore: Beds with mattresses
Hawthorne Hill: Kitchen tables, chairs,
desk
Hazel Green High School in Wisconsin:
Used baseball pants and belts
Hope Ministries: Library books
Hope Ministries – Bethel Mission:
Institutional-sized canned foods and
frozen food and kitchen supplies
Iowa Christian Academy: White board,
18-inch tables, office chairs, blue plastic
chairs, classroom chairs
Italian American Heritage Society:
Desks, tables, chairs
Johnston Lions Club: Library books
Lincoln High School: Baseball/softball
equipment; office desk; chairs, shelves
and jump ropes for wrestling
department
Men on the Move Career Closet:
Business attire from the Clothes Closet
North High School: Miscellaneous
softball equipment (bats, catching gear,
softballs)
Orchard Place: Tables and chairs
Plymouth Women’s Career Closet at
the Wellmark YMCA: Business attire
from the Clothes Closet
Roosevelt High School: Used softball
helmets and cages
Salvation Army: Student desks,
couches, chairs
St. Anthony’s Elementary School:
Tables, chairs, bulletin boards, display
cases
Above from left are AIB’s Sheila Keene, Dwight Jackson and Rachelle Long of Men on the Move Career
Closet and AIB’s Terry Wilson.
St. John’s Lutheran Church:
Conference table and chairs, file
cabinets, bookshelves, office desk
AIB 2016
11
Through the decades
A brief history of a long-standing Iowa institution
J
une 1, 2016, marked the 95th
anniversary of the founding
of the American Institute of
Business by college roommates Ray
Hansen and Everett O. Fenton. The
name (later changed to AIB College
of Business) was strategically chosen
so it would appear near the top of
any alphabetical list – including the
telephone book.
E.O. once described AIB’s first location
as a vacant room in Science Hall
of the (now defunct) Des Moines
University at Second and Euclid
avenues. In its first few years, AIB
operated from several locations.
It moved to the Shops Building at
Eighth and Walnut streets, then to
the Republic Building at Fifth and
Grand avenues. In 1925, it moved to
the Victoria Hotel at Sixth Avenue and
Keo Way, and 10 years later, it settled
at 10th Street and Grand Avenue.
Here are a few highlights of
AIB through the decades.
1921: AIB began as a correspondence
school, teaching typing, shorthand,
bookkeeping, business English and
some business law. It also was a
teacher placement agency, sending
instructors to small Iowa towns to
teach typing and other classes.
1924: Because students wanted to
come to Des Moines, AIB became a
residence school, with an enrollment
of 50 students.
1925: E.O.’s wife, Elsie Fenton,
founded Alpha Iota International
Honorary Business Sorority, which
continues today.
1926: Phi Theta Pi Honorary
Commerce Fraternity, which still
has chapters today, was founded by
Richard G. Cole and E.O. Fenton.
1929: AIB entered its first era of
women’s basketball. The AIB team
played in the Amateur Athletic Union
(AAU) and competed against Iowa
high school teams to promote the
college. Reuben Bechtel served as
coach for most of the early program.
After AIB moved to its new campus on Fleur Drive, the city of Des Moines purchased the 10th and Grand building as part of the
Gateway West beautification project. It was demolished in 2002.
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AIB EXEC
For more than 20 years, the team,
which produced 23 All-Americans
and toured the United States, Canada
and Mexico, was a powerhouse in
national competition.
1930s: AIB instituted a court
reporting program, which grew
to become one of the most respected
training programs of its kind in the
nation.
A little old-time trivia
1. What was the top prize for the
statewide typing contests that AIB
sponsored for years?
2. When AIB moved to the former
1935: The growing college needed
a new home. E.O. had a choice
between a building in the downtown
Des Moines business district at
10th Street and Grand Avenue
(the former Polyclinic Hospital) for a
price tag of $75,000, or a beautiful
insurance office at 21st Street and
Grand Avenue. He chose downtown,
because he felt the other location
was too far out in the country. AIB
remained at 10th and Grand for
37 years.
Polyclinic Hospital building at 10th
Street and Grand Avenue, what
basement room became a locker
room where students could hang
their coats?
1937: E.O. helped found the
American Institute of Commerce
(AIC) in Davenport and merged it
with an area competitor, Brown
Business College, the following year.
He also acquired the Moline Institute
of Commerce in Moline, Ill., in 1941.
His brother, S. D. Fenton, managed
the two institutions, which became
sister schools to AIB.
Where did students live before
Fenton Hall was built in 1965?
1943: AIB was reorganized as a
nonprofit institution. Bylaws for
the nonprofit stated that should
the college ever close, its property
(or proceeds from the sale of the
property) must be donated to
another educational entity.
1944: During World War II, AIB had
a contract with the government
to train 1,800 women to be
stenographers and typists. Just more
than 1,200 had been trained and
3. What was the name of the
basement dining room at the 10th
and Grand building?
4. At the program’s peak, how
many court reporting students
were enrolled at AIB?
1. A Smith-Corona
typewriter.
2. The hospital morgue.
3. It was called the Iowa
Room, and it featured a
beautiful lighted mural.
Diners ordered their food
from a small window there.
4. At one time, AIB had
several hundred court
reporting students.
5. Many lived at Esther Hall,
5.
the YWCA and the Young
Business Women’s Home. AIB
arranged for others to board
with local families.
6. What was the name of the
6. The Nancy Taylor course.
sent for service in Dayton, Ohio, and
San Francisco, Calif., before the war
ended.
president. His son, Keith, became
president of the school at age 26.
etiquette course once required for
female AIB students?
1952: The AIB women’s basketball
team dissolved when they lost the
opportunity to compete against
teams due to a change in the Iowa
high school rules limiting the
number of games high school
teams could play.
1957: E.O. Fenton retired and
became president emeritus of the
college, after serving 30 years as
1958: AIB held its first
commencement ceremony at
the Hotel Fort Des Moines.
1965: In order to provide
housing for students, Fenton
Hall East, which was dedicated
to E.O. Fenton, opened near the
intersection of Fleur Drive and
Bell Avenue. The 152 female
residents rode an AIB school
bus to downtown classes.
AIB 2016
13
(History, continued)
1968: E. O. Fenton passed away in
Phoenix, Arizona, at age 70.
1972: AIB moved to its campus
at Fleur Drive and Bell Avenue.
Classrooms and offices were in
the Administration Building.
1977: Fenton Hall West was
completed and dedicated to Elsie
Fenton, increasing dormitory
capacity to more than 400.
1981: Construction was
completed on Wells Hall, a
classroom building dedicated to
Ralph Wells, an AIB accounting
instructor for 36 years.
Keith Fenton became president of AIB at age 26 and held that position more than 40
years. He retired in 1998 and now lives in Arizona.
1983: AIB acquired an apartment
complex on the southwest corner
of the campus. One building was
named Merk Hall in recognition
of Merk Realty’s financial
contributions to AIB. Dalton Hall
was dedicated to Darrell and
Frances “Dad and Mom” Dalton, in
honor of their 19 years of service
as houseparents to AIB students.
1993: Elsie Fenton passed away at
age 93.
1985: Two buildings in the center
of campus were purchased from
Open Bible College to house
the academic center, library,
Court Reporting and Captioning
Department and student center.
1995: AIB partnered with Graceland
College of Lamoni, Iowa, to provide
AIB alumni the opportunity to
pursue bachelor’s degrees on the
AIB campus.
1986: AIB became regionally
accredited by the Higher Learning
Commission (HLC) of the North
Central Association of Colleges.
1989: AIB purchased the Fleur
apartment complex and the
adjoining land, enlarging the
campus to include 16 buildings
on 20 acres. Four buildings in
the new complex were named
Alumni Hall; Davidson Hall in
honor of Clarence Davidson, an AIB
instructor for 23 years; Phi Theta Pi
Fraternity; and Alpha Iota Sorority.
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AIB EXEC
1994: Alpha Chapter of Phi Theta Pi
was reorganized into Phi Theta Alpha
Business Fraternity. Another building
in the Fleur complex was named
Opie Hall in honor of Richard Opie,
an AIB vice president and dean for
21 years.
1997: Alumni Hall was renamed
Arnold and Dorothy Johnson Alumni
Center to honor the late couple for
their financial support of AIB.
1998: Keith Fenton retired as
president of AIB after 42 years of
service. The Administration Building
was renamed the Keith Fenton
Administration Building in his honor.
1999: Nancy Williams, Keith Fenton’s
oldest child, became president of
AIB after serving 16 years with the
college in various positions. The AIB
Activities Center, a $5 million facility
that featured a gymnasium with a
suspended walking track, a student
life center, a fitness center and a
theater-style classroom/conference
room, opened for use. The AIB
commencement ceremony was held
in the new Activities Center – the
first time graduation had been held
on campus.
2000: In March, the college changed
its name from American Institute of
Business to AIB College of Business
to better reflect its mission and
purpose.
2001: Online classes became an
option for students. Also, Power Hall,
a part of the Fleur complex, was
named in honor of J. Edward Power,
an AIB board member for 15 years
and longtime board chairman.
2002: The building that was AIB’s
former home at 10th Street and
Grand Avenue was torn down by the
City of Des Moines.
2003: AIB was approved to issue its
first online associate degree.
2004: The Phi Theta Alpha Business
Fraternity House became Honors
Hall. AIB expanded its online
program to include six associate
business degrees.
2005: AIB’s cafeteria was remodeled
with a 1950s theme and renamed
the City View Diner. The Alpha Iota
Sorority house was renamed Eagles
Hall, and Service Learning was
implemented into the curriculum.
2006: AIB began offering its
Bachelor Degree Completion
Program in Accounting and Business
Administration, ending an 11year partnership with Graceland
University to provide bachelor
completion opportunities. The
bookstore was revamped and
named Eagle’s Landing, the exterior
renovation of Arnold and Dorothy
Johnson Alumni Center was
completed, and the clothes closet
was renamed the Bill Reichardt
Clothes Closet.
2007: After more than a 50-year
hiatus, AIB again fielded a women’s
basketball team, which played in the
Iowa Community College Athletic
Conference. AIB expanded its
online program to include bachelor
of science majors in Accounting,
Business Administration and Court
Reporting; a renovation of Wells
Hall was completed; the annual
commencement ceremony was
moved from September to June;
and AIB’s mascot, the American Bald
Eagle, was named E.O. the Eagle
after AIB co-founder E.O. Fenton.
2008: Approval was given by the
Higher Learning Commission to
offer AIB’s bachelor’s degrees online.
Secretarial programs — last known
as Office Administration ­— ended.
Renovations of Fenton Hall were
completed, and AIB added men’s
and women’s golf programs.
2010: AIB became a member of the
National Association of Intercollegiate
Athletics (NAIA) and Midwest
Collegiate Conference (MCC).
2011: AIB celebrated its 90th year
in business. Women’s volleyball and
men’s basketball programs were
added, ground was broken for an
Activities Center addition to provide
new locker rooms and expanded
weight rooms, and Eagles Hall was
renamed Kay Smith Eagles Hall to
honor her for 39 years as an
AIB professor.
2012: AIB announced that it
would end its Court Reporting and
Captioning programs. AIB’s men’s
and women’s soccer teams began
competition.
2013: AIB’s men’s and women’s bowling
teams began competition, and the
men’s soccer team finished second in
the MCC in its second year of play.
2014: Bachelor of science degree
programs were added to total seven
majors. Forsyth Financial Aid Services
was dedicated to recognize the
generosity of 1942 AIB alumni Bill
and Jeanette (Hauck) Forsyth, and
baseball and softball teams began
competition, bringing the number of
sports programs to 11. The baseball
team finished second in the MCC
conference in its first year of existence,
and the women’s soccer team won
AIB’s first MCC championship and
advanced to the national tournament
in its third season.
2015: AIB announced plans to close
on June 30, 2016, and gift its campus
to the University of Iowa. The Athletics
program ended in May.
AIB’s 10th and Grand location included a busy bookstore, left. AIB’s 1940-1941 women’s basketball team played in the Amateur
Athletic Union (AAU) and toured the United States, Canada and Mexico, establishing itself as a powerhouse in national competition.
AIB 2016
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AIB College of Business
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Des Moines, IA 50321
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