Alumni

Immigration lawyer Heliodoro “Helio” Moreno, Jr.

UNI alum fighting for immigrant rights

Immigration lawyer Heliodoro “Helio” Moreno, Jr. — the first in his family to graduate high school and college — credits two of his UNI political science professors with playing key roles in his law-school entry and legal career. His legal expertise has been especially crucial as the federal government has sought to restrict immigration. 
UNI alum Kurt Warner

Cast set as remarkable journey of UNI alum Kurt Warner moves closer to silver screen

The remarkable underdog story of Kurt Warner’s journey from a backup quarterback on the University of Northern Iowa football team to an NFL Hall of Famer is set to hit the silver screen.
UNI Alumna Katie Hund stands in front of a many windowed building

Finding fulfillment at a state park: one alumna's story

Every day, Katie Hund wakes up ready for the next adventure at her dream job. Some days, she might be getting her hands dirty as she removes fallen trees, and other days, she might be giving a tour to a group of schoolchildren. The best part of working at a state park is that no two days are the same.
UNI alumnus Ryan Hannam

A new beginning

Ryan Hannam was living the dream of any Iowa high school football star - playing in the NFL after a successful college football career at the University of Northern Iowa.
UNI alumna Marilyn J. Bohl

UNI alum a computer science pioneer

As a teenager in 1950’s small-town Iowa, Marilyn J. Bohl dreamed of becoming a sports writer. A high school guidance counselor advised against it, saying it wasn’t a viable career for a woman.  “You’re a smart girl Marilyn, you’ll figure it out,” was the counselor’s advice. 
A medieval manuscript

Remaking history

It’s not hard to see why Alison Altstatt’s friends call her “the Indiana Jones of medieval manuscripts.”  Though Altstatt may not be fighting Hollywood villains while sporting a fedora, her adventures have taken her around the globe – discovering long lost artifacts of the past. Her mission: to recover and reassemble the pages of a precious 13th-century musical manuscript – all while balancing a full teaching schedule at the UNI School of Music.
Joy Cole Corning

Pioneering UNI alum receives posthumous award for a lifetime of service

A University of Northern Iowa alumna and pioneering political figure in women’s and family rights was posthumously honored with the 2020 Women of Achievement Award, which will be commemorated with a plaque on the Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge in Des Moines.  
UNI biology major Catherine Yeoman

An unexpected adventure

Growing up in rural, landlocked Iowa, Catherine Yeoman never expected to find her passion in marine biology.  But as a junior in the UNI Department of Biology, Yeoman has already managed to kick off a unique college experience that’s brought her around the country – studying bottlenose dolphins in Florida and rehabilitating baby seals in Cape Cod.