Hill, Norm

NORM HILL truly has been a “mover, not shaker” of Art on Campus. Hill retired in 2019 as Director of Logistics and Support Services and as interim Assistant Vice President for University Services, capping almost three decades at Iowa State University.

Hill and his team at Central Stores provided expert support to University Museums’ projects and staff. From moving the entire Christian Petersen Art Collection to the newly renovated Christian Petersen Art Museum in Morrill Hall in 2007, to trips spanning New York, California, Tennessee and Oregon, Hill has traveled campus and the greater United States to pick up and deliver millions of dollars and hundreds of tons of art for Iowa State’s campus and museums. These efforts have saved Iowa State substantial dollars in professional museum and fine art shipping.

Hill said it’s all part of a rewarding job.

“Coming from the service side of the institution, I take pride in working with individuals who are dedicated to providing support to all departments on campus, whose goals are providing an excellent educational experience to students,” he said. “Working with the University Museums staff, I learned to appreciate the visual arts and the importance of having a strong Art on Campus Collection and program.”

Since Hill became manager of Central Stores in 1991, the operation has grown to include Material Stores, Central Receiving and Delivery, and ISU Surplus, as well as management of the university’s warehousing operation and internal moving services. Now known as Logistics and Support Services, it is one of six units that reports to the Assistant Vice President of Business Services.

A native of Moline, Hill has a BA in economics and business administration from Eureka College in Illinois. Prior to coming to ISU, he was general manager of Lindell Cedar Homes in Horseshoe Bend, Arkansas, then spent 13 years as business and then store manager for JI Case Company. After a brief move to Reuter Farm Equipment, he spent three years as general manager with Ryerson Farm Equipment in Nevada and Story City.

While at ISU he served on the original ISU Recycling Committee and the P&S Council. He is a life member of the University Surplus Property Association and University Logistics and Supply Chain Association, of which he is past president and currently on the board of directors. 

He and his wife Vickie have lived in Ogden for 40 years. They have two daughters, a son, and five grandchildren. They enjoy spending time with family and friends and much time is spent outdoors biking, canoeing and cruising in their 1978 Jeep and Mazda convertible.

Director and Chief Curator of University Museums, Lynette Pohlman: Norm Hill is part of the fabric of Iowa State – all of ISU. His cheerful attitude and sense of ‘anything is possible’ classifies him as one of Iowa State’s most favorite people − especially with University Museums staff.