The Cyclone men's and women's basketball teams win their Big 12 conference championships. Shortly after, the Cyclone gymnastics team wins its Big 12 Conference championship. The Palmer Human Development and Family Studies Building, which houses the Child Development Laboratory and other College of Family and Consumer Sciences departments, opens. April Carole Simpson, Emmy Award-winning senior correspondent for ABC News and anchor of World News Sunday, comes to campus as the holder of the Mary Louise Smith Endowed Chair in Women and Politics. May John Vincent Atanasoff, who built the first electronic digital computer with his graduate student, receives a posthumous honorary degree during commencement ceremonies.
Administrators search the budget for ways to make cuts.
June President Martin Jischke announces he will head to Purdue University after leading Iowa State for more than nine years. Richard Seagrave is tapped for the interim spot while a search gets under way. Staff in much of Beardshear Hall prepare to move out as a major remodeling project that will turn the ground floor into an expanded Student Answer Center gets under way. July Dean of Students Kathy MacKay steps down from her position after five years. Pete Englin is named interim dean.