Distinguished Awards Celebration 2007

Order of the Knoll Cardinal and Gold award

John K. Lawson

To John K. Lawson for extraordinary leadership and service to Iowa State University and exceptional achievement in industry

John K. Lawson ('62 mechanical engineering) started his career with Deere & Company in 1958, while still a student at Iowa State University. He began as an engineering co-op intern and continued with the company for 44 years, retiring in 2002 as senior vice president for technology and engineering. His service to Deere & Company is matched only by his service to his alma mater.

By the mid-1960s, Lawson was assigned to the Deere & Company European Office in Heidelberg, Germany, where his responsibilities included working with the manufacturing engineering operations in eight European and African countries. He returned to the United States in 1968 and held positions in several of the company's Iowa manufacturing operations, including general manager at Dubuque and Davenport, Iowa. In 1985, he was named vice president of the Manufacturing, Agricultural Equipment Division; in 1992 he became president of the Construction Equipment Division. In 1994 he was appointed as president of the Lawn and Grounds Care Division. As senior vice president for technology and engineering, he was responsible for the company's engineering, business computer systems, quality, supply management, and communications areas.

Lawson has been one of Iowa State's most dedicated and active alumni leaders. He is a member of the ISU Foundation Governors and is a past member and chair of the ISU Foundation Board of Directors. He served several years on advisory councils for Iowa State's colleges of Engineering and Business. He and his wife, Suzanne ('62 English), whom he met on the steps of Beardshear Hall, have given generously to

many programs and facilities at Iowa State, including the Engineering Teaching and Research Complex, engineering scholarships, athletics, the Morrill Hall renovation, and the Greater University Fund for Excellence. Lawson has also been instrumental in obtaining support from Deere & Company for Iowa State's virtual reality facilities, scholarships, and other initiatives.

Lawson has served on the boards of numerous community organizations, including Junior Achievement of the Heartland Foundation, Arrowhead Ranch, United Way, First Congregational Church, Moline Foundation, Trinity Healthcare Foundation, University of Dubuque, Illinois Manufacturing Association, Quad City Development Association, and Moline Public School Foundation. He is also a board member for Muscatine Foods, Inc., Quad City Bank & Trust, and QCRH Holding Company. Among his many awards are the Junior Achievement Gold Leadership Award and the Professional Achievement Citation from Iowa State's College of Engineering.

The Lawsons are life members of the ISU Alumni Association and the Order of the Knoll President's Circle. They live in Rapids City, Illinois, and have three children: Robert ('86 marketing and finance), Jennifer Cavins, and Ann Reed.