Alumni Stories & News

Justin Adams in a cowboy hat

Musician Justin Adams returning home to Panther Country

Country musician and UNI alum Justin Adams is excited to bring his high-energy honky tonk cowboy country music to UNI campus for Homecoming 2023.
Susan Rider playing trumpet in front of the Washington Monument

From Russell Hall to the White House, armed with a trumpet

As a professional musician who got her start at UNI’s School of Music, Master Gunnery Sgt. Susan Rider uses her musical talents to hail the red, white and blue every day
Donors Doug and Dianne Whittle and Evan Patterson

Donors Doug and Dianne Whittle, ‘73, share the story behind the Evan Patterson scholarship

Donors Doug and Dianne Whittle, ‘73, share the story behind the Evan Patterson scholarship
Rosie and Doug Lindaman

Distinguished alumni couple pledge major gift to UNI-Dome renovation

A leadership gift from a north central Iowa couple will support the most comprehensive renovations in the history of the UNI-Dome.
Bonnie Alger conducting

UNI graduate is first female to lead United States Army Chorus

Meet Bonnie Alger, a UNI alum who is the first female Officer in Charge of The United States Army Chorus.
Carney Park

UNI grad plans events for thousands while working in a volcano

One of UNI alum Chris Kasparek’s unconventional workplace is a volcano in Italy — a dormant volcano, that is.
Photo of Russel and Laurie with giant check

University of Northern Iowa alum wins first place and $40,000 at entrepreneurial venture competition

Russel Karim, a 2015 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), won first place and a $40,000 prize at the 18th annual John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition. Karim’s business, Dhakai, enables eCommerce and promotional apparel brands to move from idea to final delivered products ethically, sustainably and cost-effectively through a single technology platform.
Lydia Burg working on costume prop at desk

UNI alum’s behind-the-stage Shakespearean adventure

Recent UNI graduate Lydia Burg spent her summer immersed in Shakespeare’s plays at one of the largest Shakespearean festivals in the nation.
Shelly Smith and Azline Nelson

UNI-CUE builds future success for up and coming students

UNI programming lays the foundation for a successful path forward for students long before they may be considering their next steps beyond high school.
Ben Schmitz

A communications journey from UNI Athletics to the NFL’s Chicago Bears

For UNI alum Ben Schmitz, the road to achieving his dream of working for the NFL may not have been the easiest or shortest. But it’s been worth it.
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