2023 Holiday Message from Iowa State University President Wendy Wintersteen and Robert Waggoner

The Iowa State spirit moves in each one of us. During this special season, imagine the Iowa State spirit entering the heart of a solitary student in an empty recital hall . . . when a treasured melody, beautifully played, sparks a flight of imagination, evoking the warmth of familiar sights and beloved places on our campus. All the best from Iowa State University!
CREDITS
Lydia Lee, pianist extraordinaire, senior in English and music from Inwood, Iowa, who’ll graduate in May 2024.
Corey Bickelhaupt and Jacob Eilers, piano wranglers, Central Receiving and Warehousing, ISU Logistics and Support Services.
Brad Dell, Department Chair; Mei-Hsuan Huang, Associate Professor of Piano; Lawrence Curry, Performing Arts Facilities/Technical Director; and Chad Jacobsen, Music Technology/Recording Support, all Department of Music and Theatre.
Staff and location volunteers: Thanks to the helpful staff with Parks Library, Memorial Union, Beardshear Hall, Curtiss Hall, ISU Athletics, Student Innovation Center, Reiman Gardens, Estes Hall, Parking Division-Department of Public Safety, Facilities Planning and Management, Strategic Relations and Communications, and University Marketing.
Project team: Ryan Riley, College of Engineering Communications and Marketing; Jed Findlay, Extension and Outreach Advancement; Max Moore, Extension and Outreach Advancement; Jacob Vos, Admissions; Megan Landolt, Office of the President; Haley Cook, Office of the President; Elizabeth Andrews, senior in public relations and intern with College of Engineering Communications and Marketing; and Brian Meyer, Strategic Relations and Communications.

[@user-mo3yf2jg9q]

Always was and will continue to be such a beautiful campus. The young woman on the piano is superb.

[@user-mi9zy9rj4j]

What a great idea for a holiday greeting. Just reinforces my love for that place that changed my life. Brought a tear to my eye.

[@debdesmarteau1791]

Wonderful, great niece Lydia Lee!!!! 🎄❤️

[@roselynschillerstrom1805]

Lydia...you are a woman of many talents, but your kind heart is what really makes you shine!!! :)

[@user-hk7pe6yt3w]

Outstanding! and very heart warming, brings back those great memories of campus.

[@coleeichacker2214]

Lydia, so endlessly proud of you. You sound beautiful! Keep up the great work but oh my gosh what a great surprise!

[@vincentnehring9868]

how beautiful the campus is. The music is moving. thank you

[@michaelaminock]

Shoutout to the people who had to move a piano all around campus! That's what I kept thinking about during the video! (According to the video description it was Corey Bickelhaupt and Jacob Eilers.)

[@kimg2393]

Lydia Lee! All around amazing human.

[@susanmaifield6433]

Thank you!!

[@davidnichols434]

True and Valiant! Love it!

[@stevekeller8043]

Beautifully done.

[@jeaniebryant1750]

All that is good. Merry Christmas Iowa State.

[@ronthomas331]

Absolutely Beautiful young lady!!

[@BlackPantherStudios]

Iowa USA is the greatest

[@brantphillips9133]

Loyal Forever True!

[@aleahtimm7271]

so proud of you Lydia 🥺

[@ashleyg.831]

Beautiful!

[@nestorlellis206]

Lydia Lee, uauu! Amei!💖

[@CLONECONES]

Beautiful piano

[@CAm-pk1id]

Loyal
Forever
True

[@DaMonster]

Killer 🤘

[@PengWEIbettersky]

I miss Ames

[@keithkolmos5933]

Great video. Who is the piano player?

[@jdukeslee1]

It's my daughter, Lydia Lee. What an amazing and fun surprise!