Sue Follon

Years after she last worked on campus, Sue Follon’s name continues to be remembered today. She served as the vice president of educational and student services at UNI from 1985 until her death in 1998, making her the first woman to work in a vice president role at the university.

“I have a professional and personal need to be around students,” she said, in a 1985 profile published in the Northern Iowan. 

Follon was also an alum, receiving a master’s in student personnel services from UNI in 1970. At one time, she also served as the residence hall director in Campbell Hall.

Right before joining UNI as a vice president, Follon was the executive director of the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women, a state agency designated to assess the ever-evolving needs of Iowa women. During this time, she was awarded the Cristine Wilson Medal for Equality and Justice, which was only given when the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women decided there was a worthy recipient.

She served on numerous councils and boards throughout her career, including serving as chair of the Sex Equity Council of the Department of Public Instruction, the chair of the Executive Director’s Association of the National Association of Commissions for Women and president of the Iowa Association of Women Deans, Administrators and Counselors.

During her time as vice president, Follon was incredibly accessible to students and their needs. When she passed away from lung cancer, Michael Hager — now the vice president for finance and operations — penned a letter in the student paper reflecting on her impact on him as a student: “[Our] meetings always started with her warm smile and her, a vice president of the university, serving me, a student, a cup of coffee.”

Follon is still remembered at UNI today, thanks to the endowment her loved ones donated to create the Dr. Sue Follon Scholarship for Leadership. This merit-based award recognizes returning students who have exhibited tremendous leadership on campus and is given out each year at the Student Leadership Awards. The Sue Follon Exemplar Service Award also exists to recognize staff who have gone above and beyond for the good of students. A plaque in Gilchrist Hall still honors her today.