On January 27th, 2020, Iowa State's Emergency Operations Center (EOC) met to discuss an emerging health threat overseas. It was the start of a difficult year managing the biggest undertaking in Iowa State University's history. ISU leadership had to make difficult and unprecedented decisions to bring home students who were studying abroad, move thousands of classes online, and institute a mass testing service to help keeps students and faculty safe during a deadly pandemic. ISU students, faculty, and staff reflect on the challenges and successes of the past year dealing with COVID-19.