Harger, Osemele Recognized as "STATEment Makers"

Release by Kate Bruns, Iowa State Alumni Association

AMES, Iowa - Two former Iowa State football players are among the Iowa State University Alumni Association's 2018 class of "Iowa STATEment Makers," an annual online recognition program for young Iowa State University alumni (age 34 and under) who have made strong "STATEments" in their careers, in philanthropy or volunteerism, in entrepreneurship or academics, or in personal achievements over the course of the past year.

The program was established in 2010 by ISU's Young Alumni Council, an all-volunteer group comprising ISU graduates of the past 12 years. YAC members select the Iowa STATEment Makers award recipients each year.

Mitchell Harger ('16 aero engr), perhaps best known to Cyclones everywhere as one of the heroes of Iowa State's victory at Kansas in 2016, is living his dream as an extravehicular activity flight controller for the Flight Operations Directorate at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Part of Harger's daily duties at NASA is training astronauts for spacewalks. He was selected as a 2018 STATEment Maker because of his remarkable early career achievements, as well as his perseverance as a walk-on to the Cyclone football program.

"Iowa State means everything to me," Harger said. "It gave me the opportunity to play athletics at a Division I level as well as leading me to the amazing job that I have today. Without ISU, I would have had none of this. I want to thank everyone who helped me on my journey."

Former Cyclone All-American Kelechi Osemele ('11 liberal studies) is also a member of the 2018 Iowa STATEment Makers class. Following a decorated collegiate career in ISU's offensive line he was drafted into the National Football League, where he has since carved out a phenomenal career. In 2016, Osemele was a member of an Oakland Raiders offensive front that gave up only 18 sacks and he was subsequently selected to the Pro Bowl; the following year, he was once again a Pro Bowler and ranked 95^th on the list of "NFL Top 100 Players of 2017."

"I came a long way to come to Iowa State," the Houston, Texas, native said. "It wasn't anything more than a feeling, so I think this award, to me, is a reminder to listen to that part of myself that's on fire. This award is a reminder that I didn't compromise or play it safe. As my coach, Paul Rhoads, used to say: I was 'all in' no matter what. I want to continue to speak to and listen to that voice and that feeling in my chest that makes me feel alive and on fire."

To read full biographies of this year's 21 Iowa STATEment Makers, including Harger and Osemele, visit www.isualum.org/statementmakers. Nomination forms for the 2019 honors are due Dec. 1 and can be found on the website as well.