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On the go
As an assistant city manager for the City of Ames, Sheila Lundt rarely stops
to breathe.
- The evening Sheila Lundt was recognized by the Department of Political
Science this fall is typical of her life.
Instead of going home after the department bestowed its alumni recognition
award on the 1978 (B.A.) and 1982 (M.A.) graduate, she headed to fraternity
row near campus to see if everything was going well for Iowa State's Homecoming
celebration.
Or last 4th of July when she helped coordinated the City of Ames' annual
parade and then later that evening helped with the National Special Olympics,
which was being held on campus.
As an assistant city manager for the City of Ames, Lundt is constantly called
on to assist in a variety of city and Iowa State functions – from serving
as a liaison to city committees to working with VEISHEA and the Special
Olympics.
"This is a one-of-a-kind job," says Lundt. "It's never boring
and there is something everyday that makes me stop and think that this is
a great way to make a living."
It's a living Lundt has made since she joined the City of Ames staff in
1984 as a budget officer. After three years she moved into her current position.
"I enjoy working with the public on a variety of projects," she
said.
She particularly has enjoyed working with Iowa State and its students and
staff. Lundt has seen a big change in the Iowa State student body since
she was a student on campus.
"There's a lot more involvement by the student body and a lot more
interest in the students becoming involved in the Ames community,"
she said. "As a student I don't think I had much contact with the city.
Now students are much more aware of the larger community."
That's great for an assistant city manager.
"For me it's fun to get so many interesting comments and questions
from students," she said. "I like the challenge of trying to figure
out what they (the students) want to accomplish and even if they have grandiose
plans, trying to guide them in a direction so they can accomplish what they
want to."
Lundt has been active in a variety of on-campus activities since she moved
into the city manager's office. She has served on the ISU President's Advisory
Committee on Diversity for several years and has served as a VEISHEA advisor.
She is also been a member of the Department of Political Science's Public
Policy and Administration Advisory Board.
But while she has a soft spot in her heart for Iowa State, it's not the
only way she has dedicated her life to public service.
As the Ames assistant city manager, Lundt oversees six city departments
including electric, CyRide, finance, fleet services, the Ames Public Library
and works with budgetary issues with the city attorney's office.
She also works hand-in-hand with Ames Police Department on a number of events.
"I'm very project or assignment oriented," Lundt said. "I
like the latitude I'm given to work on these projects."
Lundt has also been active in a number of statewide organizations including
the Iowa City/County Management Association Board of Directors and the League
of Iowa Cities Education Committee.
Sheila Lundt
Political Science Today
Fall 2006
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