Distinguished Alumni Award Winner Profile

Joel T.S. Greer, 75BA, 78JD, has long been an active participant in the University of Iowa Alumni Association, serving more than eight years on the board of directors, in addtiion to three years on the Old Capitol Club Advisory Board. But his affiliation with the UI and with the Alumni Association actually reaches back more than three decades.

As an undergraduate at the UI, Greer served as a representative in the Liberal Arts Student Association, founded a fraternity's little sister program, and participated in track and in intramural sports, made Phi Beta Kappa, and graduated with high distinction.

During law school, Greer clerked for a federal judge in Cedar Rapids, served as president of Omicron Delta Kappa, and participated as a member of the Moot Court Board. He is now a partner in the Marshalltown firm of Cartwright, Druker & Ryden, and he practices primarily in civil litigation.

Greer faced many unknowns when he took over as the Alumni Association's president. But, from 1998 to 1999, he resolutely saw the organization through challenging times of transition, helped plan for the changes ahead, and faced everything with humor and practicality to the task at hand. The start of his term coincided with the organization's move into the Levitt Center for University Advancement, and Greer guided the Alumni Association through a year that witnessed two milestones: the largest growth in its history, with enrollment climbing to more than 50,000 members, and the decision to redesign and increase publication frequency of the alumni magazine.

In his professional life, Greer currently serves as president of the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers, chairperson of the Iowa Supreme Court Grievance Committee, a member of the board of governors of the Iowa State Bar Association, a founding member of the American Academy of ADR Attorneys, and a member of the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission. In the past, he has served on the Iowa Trial Lawyers Association board of governors, as chair of the Bench Bar committee, and as chair of the public relations committee of the State Bar Association.

In his community, Greer has served as president of the YMCA-YWCA, United Way, Big Brothers, Child Abuse Prevention Services, Council on Aging, the American Cancer Society's local unit, Mid-Iowa Mental Health Center, and his church cabinet. He has also been director of the Marshalltown Area Chamber of Commerce, American Red Cross Iowa River Chapter, Rotary, and Norwest Bank. Greer has coached his daughters' softball, soccer, and mock trial teams.

Greer is a member of the UI Alumni Association's Directors' Club Honor Circle and a member of the UI Foundation's Presidents Club.