Gary F. Seamans
BS 1971 in Electrical Engineering
Gary F. Seamans, raised in Iowa City,
received his Bachelor's of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from
the UI in 1971 and his Master's
in mathematics from the University
of Southern California. He worked for AT&T in Minneapolis after graduation, and interrupted his outstanding
career in electrical engineering for three-and-a-half years of
military service with the U.S. Air Force missile program in California.
Through innovative engineering and good management, he served
with distinction, receiving several citations, including an Air
Force Commendation Medal with Cluster for Meritorious Service
in the program.
Returning to civilian life, Mr. Seamans moved to the area office of AT&T Long Lines Division in Kansas City, Missouri, as a staff supervisor in charge of some 130 projects in 10 states. In 1984, he left AT&T and became a vice president for MCI Telecommunications in Chicago. In 1987, he was named chairman and chief executive officer of Westell Technologies, Inc., leading it to a prominent position in the exploding telecommunications industry during the past decade. He retired in 1998. While pursuing these careers, he has been active as a guest lecturer and instructor at several colleges and universities, including the UI where he gave the charge to the engineering graduates at commencement in May 1994. He has been a Boy Scouts of America board member of the East Central Region, the North Central Region, and the National Council.
Gary Seamans has been a very generous contributor to the UI, his areas of interest primarily being athletics, engineering, and health sciences. Both he and his son, Shawn, are members of the President's Club, and Gary is a life member of the Alumni Association, the Golden Hawk Club, and the Kinnick Society. In 1977, Mr. Seamans received the UI Distinguished Young Alumnus Award. He is a member of the Class of 1971 Class Gift Leadership Committee and a member of the College of Engineering Development Council, having also served as chairman. He also serves as a member of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Advisory Board.
In October 1997, Seamans and his wife, Camille, provided the major gift to the College in honor of his family, to name the UI Engineering Building complex the Seamans Center for the Engineering Arts and Sciences. He now serves as vice chair of the University of Iowa's Comprehensive Campaign. He also helped inspire the College of Engineering Student Leadership Institute -- a twice yearly seminar on leadership skills development for undergraduate students from the UI College of Engineering, Henry B. Tippie College of Business, and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, along with select students from the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine.