Paul Rider

Paul Rider Sr. was a constant presence at the University of Northern Iowa — not only as a respected chemistry professor, but as one of the university’s most involved faculty. Throughout his 41 years at UNI, he was involved in more than two dozen departments and committees, chairing several, while also serving as an assistant provost. 

Rider developed a reputation for thoughtful leadership, unwavering integrity and a willingness to serve wherever he was needed. Whether he was guiding the university through significant institutional change as chair of the University Faculty, mentoring the students he taught, serving the Cedar Falls community or continuing to contribute long after retirement, he has exemplified a lifetime of service.

“Dr. Rider’s service contributions to UNI are vast,” said longtime colleague Judith Harrington. “He represents what the spirit and values of UNI were, are and should be.” 

Rider joined UNI’s chemistry department in 1969. It did not take long for his colleagues to recognize his leadership abilities. In 1976, Rider was elected chair of the University Faculty at a time when UNI was experiencing one of the most significant organizational transitions in its history. Following the faculty’s vote to approve collective bargaining, the university entered a period of sweeping change as longstanding systems of faculty governance evolved. 

This was a unique step at the time for public universities in Iowa and did not come without its challenges, but Harrington credits Rider for “skillfully leading the faculty during those early, sometimes tumultuous times.”

Leadership roles continued throughout Rider’s career. He represented his college on the University Graduate Faculty Council from 1974 to 1979, chaired the Graduate Faculty from 1985 to 1987, served as assistant provost and later as interim head of the Department of Chemistry.

His commitment was recognized in 1989 with the College of Natural Science’s Dean Award for Superior Achievement, honoring his exceptional service to the college and university. 

Rider was also elected to two four-year terms on the Cedar Falls City Council and served four years as mayor pro tem, also stepping in as acting mayor when called upon. He later spent nine years as executive director of the Iowa Academy of Science. 

In 2022, the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier recognized his many contributions by naming him one of its Eight Over 80 honorees.

“I feel very proud to be part of the Cedar Valley and what we’ve done here,” said Rider. “Hopefully I’ve helped make it a better place than when I came here.”

Even after retiring from UNI in 2010, Rider has remained connected to the university as an active member of the UNI Emeritus Association. When asked by Harrington to serve on the association’s Advisory Council, he immediately stepped up. He also represents the organization on the UNI Sesquicentennial Celebration steering committee.

“In my many decades of service to UNI, I was never more privileged than in the partnership I shared with Dr. Rider,” said Harrington. “He was scrupulous as a leader and committee member, an excellent leader, intellectually honest, never rushing to judgment and ethical beyond measure.”