Transforming campus and construction practices while mentoring future engineers and elevating statewide industry standards
Inducted 2026
Dean McCormick earned his bachelor’s degree in construction engineering in 1981 and moved to Houston, where he spent 13 years working on projects nationwide in construction administration and project management for a mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering firm.
In 1994 he returned to Iowa State University, eager to make a direct impact on his alma mater’s campus. McCormick spent 23 years supporting Cyclones through roles in Facilities Planning and Management, first as assistant director for Construction Services and later as Director for Design and Construction Services. During his tenure, he led major capital projects including the College of Veterinary Medicine expansion, the Biorenewables Complex, Hach Hall, the Engineering Teaching and Research Complex, the Recreation Facilities Expansion and Renovation, the Jacobson Athletic Building, the Jack Trice Stadium South End Zone Expansion, and the Gerdin Business Building. His leadership, in partnership with contractors across Iowa and through delivery methods such as design-build, construction management and design-bid-build, left a lasting mark on design and construction professionals throughout the industry.
McCormick played a key role in developing the intern program within the capital projects department at Facilities Planning and Management, helping guide numerous students and future industry leaders who were mentored by construction managers at Iowa State.
Throughout his career, McCormick was an active contributor to several professional organizations. He elevated Iowa’s presence on the national stage through his involvement with the Construction Owners Association of America (COAA), serving on the executive board as vice president and then president as the organization transitioned from outsourced operations to an in-house model with full-time staff. His leadership had a significant impact on COAA members nationwide. McCormick was also involved in APPA (formerly the Association of Physical Plant Administrators) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers. He helped bring the Iowa Board of Regents and Master Builders of Iowa together to address shared challenges, ultimately contributing to the creation of construction manager at-risk and design-build options for Iowa State University. For his industry contributions grounded in skill, integrity and responsibility, McCormick received the Associated General Contractors of America’s S.I.R. Award from Master Builders of Iowa.
McCormick left Iowa State in 2017 after overseeing more than 40 major renovation and construction projects, along with hundreds of smaller renovations and joined Story Construction as a senior project manager. McCormick stayed connected to Iowa State and to Ames as project manager for projects such as the Gerdin Business Building expansion, the Therkildsen Industrial Engineering Building and the new Ames High School. He also served as Story Construction’s representative on the Construction Engineering Industry Advisory Council.
After retiring in March 2024, McCormick leaves a lasting legacy on the campus, processes and people of Iowa State, as well as on the broader Ames community.