Judi Eyles, director of the Iowa State University Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship, is the recipient of the Global Consortium of Entrepreneurship Centers Legacy Award, honoring her nearly 30 years of leadership in entrepreneurship education. The Legacy Award, one of the consortium’s highest distinctions, recognizes individuals whose work has created enduring, transformational impact in advancing entrepreneurship within universities. Eyles received the honor at the consortium’s 2025 conference at the University of Calgary. Eyles joined the newly founded Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship in 1996. In 2017, she became director, guiding the Center’s evolution into a globally recognized hub for entrepreneurial learning and innovation. Eyles is a graduate of Iowa State and a native of Algona. “I am truly grateful to Iowa State University for the opportunity to collaborate with partners and leaders across campus to grow entrepreneurship and innovation,” she said in a prepared statement. “This work has been profoundly rewarding. While we don’t do this for personal recognition, it’s gratifying to know our efforts are making a difference for the students, faculty, and community entrepreneurs we serve.” Beyond Iowa State, Eyles has been an active GCEC member for more than 25 years and has served on national boards including the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization and USASBE.