The Milestone Celebration will kick off in April 2026 to begin the 100-year celebration of the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering (CBE) at the University of Iowa.
As part of this celebration, we will host a Milestone Banquet for alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of CBE on the evening of April 9 following the Carmichael Symposium.
Events
Registration for these events will open on January 20, 2026. Early bird registration rates will be available through February 5, and registration will close on March 19.
Carmichael Symposium
CBE has a long and distinguished history of outstanding research and graduate student training. This is best exemplified by the pioneering work of Karl Kammermeyer (department head 1949-1972) on membrane separations initiated in late 1940s. Greg Carmichael, the Karl Kammermeyer Professor, has been part of CBE for nearly 50 years and served as department chair for 14 years and associate dean for research and graduate studies in the college for another dozen years. The research conducted by his students and colleagues on air quality and climate change has greatly advanced our fundamental understanding of key atmospheric processes and our ability to reduce air pollution worldwide. The symposium is an opportunity to celebrate and share the research accomplishments of alumni and collaborators.
Milestone Banquet
The Milestone Banquet is an opportunity for friends, alumni, and current CBE faculty and students to look back at our rich history and bright future to come. Food and music will be provided, come wearing your dancing shoes!
Schedule of Events
Milestone Events: Wednesday, April 8
Wednesday’s milestone events will be held at the Seamans Center on the University of Iowa campus and at ReUnion Brewery in downtown Iowa City.
| Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 10:30 a.m. | Historical display opens in the Lichtenberger Engineering Library | Seamans Center |
| 4:00 p.m. | Happy hour with CBE Advisory Board | Speakeasy, ReUnion Brewery |
Carmichael Symposium: Thursday, April 9
The Carmichael Symposium will be held at the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) on the University of Iowa campus. This is a tentative agenda and is subject to change.
| Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 - 8:45 a.m. | Coffee, tea, pastries | Richie Ballroom, IMU |
| 8:15 – 9:00 a.m. | Symposium check-in | Richie Ballroom, IMU |
| 9:00 – 4:45 p.m. | Greg Carmichael Symposium (full agenda to come) | Richie Ballroom, IMU |
Milestone Banquet: Thursday, April 9
The Milestone Banquet will be held at the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) on the University of Iowa campus. This is a tentative agenda and is subject to change.
| Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 6:00 p.m. | Banquet begins | International Ballroom, IMU |
| 6:30 p.m. | Keynote address | International Ballroom, IMU |
| 10:00 p.m. | Banquet ends |
Milestone Events: Friday, April 10
The milestone events will be held at the Seamans Center on the University of Iowa campus. This is a tentative agenda and is subject to change.
| Time | Activity | Location |
| 10:30 a.m. | Information table opens | Seamans Center Lobby |
| 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. | Alumni Panel: Global Impact of Iowa CBE Engineers | TBD |
| 10:15 – 10:45 a.m. | Break | |
| 10:45 – 11:45 a.m. | Alumni Panel: Future Directions | TBD |
| 11:45 – 12:45 p.m. | Lunch on your own | |
| 1:00 p.m. | CBE group photo and banner signing | TBD |
| 1:00 p.m. | University tours | TBD |
| 1:15 – 1:30 p.m. | Break | |
| 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. | Mixer: informal networking among faculty, students, alumni | TBD |
| 2:00 p.m. | University tours | TBD |
| 2:30 – 2:45 p.m. | Break | |
| 2:45 p.m. | Unveiling | TBD |
| 3:00 p.m. | University tours | TBD |
| 3:00 – 4:30 p.m. | Student Showcase and tours | TBD |
Venue
The Carmichael Symposium and Milestone Banquet will be held at the Iowa Memorial Union on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, Iowa. Other events will take place at the Seamans Center, on the University of Iowa campus, and in downtown Iowa City. We have a block of hotel rooms at the Hilton Garden Inn. If you have any issues with reservations, please contact Amanda Jensen or Paige Meyer.
Other Milestone Events
History of CBE Exhibition
The Lichtenberger Engineering Library will host a CBE History Display that showcases our history, teaching and lab spaces, research and patents, and student life.
CBE Advisory Board Meeting
The CBE advisory board is a group of external experts, alumni, and community members who provide guidance, advice, and support to the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, helping to shape our strategic direction, programs, fundraising, and external relations. If you would like to nominate yourself for an invitation to serve on the CBE advisory board, please email the Lichtenberger Family Chair in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, Jun Wang.
We will continue to add events such as seminars, advisory board meetings, tours, and more as they are scheduled.