IOWA Magazine | 10-10-2025
Iowa Salutes Five Service Members With Hawkeye Distinguished Veterans Awards
By Josh O'Leary
2 minute read
Four Army veterans and one Air Force veteran will be honored at the IMU and Kinnick Stadium.
TIM SCHOON/UI OFFICE OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION
As the Iowa Memorial Union celebrates its 100th anniversary, the University of Iowa will recognize five outstanding service members Nov. 7 at the campus landmark where fallen soldiers have been honored since 1925. Four alumni and one former faculty member will receive the Hawkeye Distinguished Veterans Award, then be honored Nov. 8 at Kinnick Stadium during Iowa’s military appreciation football game against Oregon.
Greg Clark (85MA)
Chief Warrant Officer 2, U.S. ArmyA Vietnam War veteran and medevac helicopter pilot, Clark served two tours from 1968-70 and 1976-81 and received the Purple Heart and National Defense Service Medal, among other honors. After earning a master’s degree in counseling and human development from the UI College of Education, he founded what became the Cedar Rapids Vet Center and launched Iowa’s first Critical Incident Stress Debriefing Team. A frequent UI lecturer, counselor, and mentor, he also established the Joanne and Gregory Clark Memorial funds to support UI student veterans.
Todd Jacobus (89BA)
Colonel, U.S. ArmyJacobus’ 33-year career began at Iowa, where he earned his commission through ROTC. He later commanded the 224th Engineer Battalion during a yearlong deployment to Iraq in 2004-05, leading high-risk missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2022, he was named commandant of the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs, overseeing care for thousands of veterans. Jacobus has held leadership roles with multiple military, nonprofit, and civic organizations, and he helped launch the Mighty Hawkeye Battalion Alumni Association.
David Malott
Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. ArmyMalott served as UI professor of military science from 1993-97, mentoring more than 250 cadets who earned officer commissions. After retiring in 1998, he continued supporting students as an admissions counselor and later as assistant director of transfer relations and outreach. Remembered as “Counselor Dave,” he was a trusted advocate for student veterans, military families, and transfer students. Malott, who died last year, served 22 years in the Army as a field artillery officer, with assignments in Germany, Venezuela, and at U.S. training and academic institutions.
Kirk Stabler (91BS)
Colonel, U.S. Air ForceAn Iowa ROTC graduate, Stabler capped his 27-year career as commander of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, leading law enforcement and counterintelligence operations with 3,300 personnel at more than 255 locations worldwide. His honors include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Defense Meritorious Service Medal. At Iowa, his philanthropy has supported the Iowa Veteran Education, Transition, and Support (IVETS) program and UI Health Care, and he has served on the board of the UI Veterans Association Group. He is now director of global corporate security for Eastman Chemical Company.
Vance Stewart III (86BBA)
Colonel, U.S. ArmyStewart earned his commission through Iowa’s ROTC program and was the team captain for the university’s first Ranger Challenge team, which became the top university-based team in the nation. Over his 27-year Army career, he remained closely connected to Iowa, creating a support network for cadets and graduates, mentoring students, and hosting alumni gatherings while stationed in Washington. He also helped establish the Mighty Hawkeye Battalion Alumni Association and served on its inaugural board. His honors include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and several unit awards.
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