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Two University of Iowa parents were the center of attention at halftime of the Nov. 7 Hawkeye football game, when they were honored as Iowa’s Mom and Dad of the Year. Dad of the Year is Brad Deery of Burlington, Iowa, nominated by his daughter Dominique Deery, a senior majoring in management and organizations and minoring in Spanish.
The Mom of the Year honoree is selected by Mortar Board, a national honor society that recognizes college seniors. The Dad of the Year honoree is selected by Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honor society for upper-level students. The Parents Association also supports the awards program. All students can nominate their parents for the annual awards, which have been an Iowa tradition for more than 50 years. The application includes a list of the parent’s occupational achievements, community activities, volunteer work, and personal accomplishments and honors. In addition, students write essays describing their parents’ personal characteristics, what they’ve done for the students or others, and why their parents should represent all Iowa parents.
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Mom of the Year is Karla Stout of Washington, Iowa, nominated by her daughter Amelia Stout, a senior majoring in finance and economics. Stout is department administrator in the UI School of Art and Art History in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. She was instrumental in the successful relocation of the arts campus after the 2008 floods, physically moving boxes as well as spearheading the logistics of opening the new Studio Arts facility. She also set aside her personal ambitions last fall and took leave from work to care for her daughter, who was seriously injured in a car accident. In addition to being a certified master gardener, she has volunteered with the 
Deery operates eight car dealerships throughout Iowa, employing more than 400 people. Eleven years ago, he lost his wife to cancer and raised three daughters on his own. While caring for his wife during her sickness, he managed to grow his business and contribute to his community. He has donated vehicles to the UI athletics department, established a scholarship to support student leaders who promote equal rights, sponsored Burlington Steamboat Days, and organized relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina and the 2008 flooding in Iowa, among other things. He also participates in RAGBRAI. His daughter describes him as an optimistic and generous person who pushes his daughters to achieve new things every day.