owa State University has been recognized by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University. APLU launched the program in 2013 to recognize universities that are leaders in spurring regional economic development, and has since designated 54 institutions. Iowa State is the first university in Iowa to receive the designation. The designation requires the university to take an in-depth look at its economic development enterprise, how it fits in the university’s strategic plans, how it’s communicated and what improvements can be made. The designation is “affirmation of the breadth of our economic engagement programs throughout the state, our record of achievement and our plans for continued service,” said ISU President Steven Leath.