June 1, 2026
DES MOINES –
The State Historical Society of Iowa (SHSI) membership base elected Scott Foens to the SHSI Board of Trustees, with the Board confirming the results on May 28, 2026. He is set to serve a three-year term spanning from July 2026 through June 2029.
Foens, a native of eastern Iowa, has built an extensive background in historical scholarship and public service. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History from Wichita State University, where he received the John Lowell Rydjord Jr. award and was inducted into Phi Alpha Theta. He furthered his academic credentials with an MBA from Saint Ambrose University and a Master of Arts in History from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, completed in August 2023.
Foens published Green Mountain: Iowa’s Deadliest Train Wreck (South Platte Press, 2025), a work derived from his highly successful thesis research. His scholarly contributions include articles in the Journal of Emergency Medical Services and numerous presentations at regional history conferences. Currently, Foens serves as Vice Chair of the Marion Historic Preservation Commission and maintains active affiliations with the American Historical Association, the Midwestern History Association, and the State Historical Society.
The next election for a membership-appointed board position is scheduled for the spring of 2027, and nominations will be welcomed between January 1 and March 1, 2027. Board members are also appointed by the Governor’s office. To learn more about becoming a member of the SHSI board, please reach out to Meg Witt via email at meg.witt@das.iowa.gov.
Iowans and others interested in becoming a member can join online at history.iowa.gov/support/memberships.