Around the nation and the world
- 2001, September 11 Attacks.
- 2003, Regular gas was $1.59 a gallon in the US.
- 2005, The speed limit on interstate highways in Iowa was raised from 65 mph to 70 mph.
- 2008, Americans took 10.7 billion trips on public transportation in 2008, the highest level of ridership in 52 years.
Around campus
- 2000, The country’s first six-sided virtual reality environment, the C6, opens in Howe Hall. The $6-million C-6 is designed to immerse users in images and sound.
- 2001, The Athletic Department announces the discontinuation of Iowa State’s baseball program (1892-2001). ISU sets a Guinness world record for the largest Rice Krispies Treat.
- 2003, The Board of Regents approved a new department name – Iowa State University’s Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering – to reflect environmental emphases in the civil engineering program.
- 2004, A one-of-a-kind tornado and microburst simulator is constructed in the Wind Simulation and Testing Laboratory in Howe Hall.
- 2005, The learning communities program is listed among the top 25 nationally by U.S. News & World Report. The Construction Engineering Learning Community was implemented this year.
- 2005, After riots and continuing violence, VEISHEA is suspended for a one-year time period, during which time the student groups focus on city and campus service projects.
- 2006, Ames and Iowa State host the first Special Olympics USA National Games.
- 2007, The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) student chapter was formed.
- 2009, CTRE undergoes a status change from a university center to an ISU institute and receives a new name: Institute for Transportation (InTrans).