Student-athlete Julian Farber finds a support system in the Wilson College of Business
Student-athlete Julian Farber finds a support system in the Wilson College of Business
At the University of Northern Iowa, Julian Farber (’26) is an expert in the grind — both on the wrestling mat and in the global supply chain.
A Georgia native, Farber originally chose UNI for its storied wrestling culture. However, he quickly discovered a second community within the Wilson College of Business. Now finishing his MBA after earning an undergraduate degree in supply chain management, Farber is reflecting on a successful collegiate career.
That success required a level of communication most undergraduates don't master until years into their careers. Balancing a Division I athletic schedule — complete with twice-a-day practices and frequent travel — meant being proactive with faculty. For Farber, that outreach was always met with support.
The professors care about you as a person and an athlete. If you let them know in advance and show that you care about your grades, they work with you. They follow up on emails quickly and post extra resources to keep you on track.
On the mat, Farber has been a successful competitor at 133 pounds, qualifying for the NCAA Championships three times and twice placing third in the Big 12 Conference. In the classroom, he is a strategic thinker who views projects through a logistics lens — a mindset inherited from his parents’ work in the distribution industry. His efforts have earned him Big 12 All-Academic and National Wrestling Coaches Association Scholar All-American honors.
"I originally thought about engineering, but supply chain management pertained to me more," Farber said. "At UNI, the professors are excited to teach. They use group projects and scenarios that actually reflect a real work environment."
Farber believes the traits required for elite athletics translate directly to the business world. He points to three specific pillars from the UNI wrestling program: being selfless, coachable and gritty.
"Being gritty — willing to do the dirty work and push through adversity — will take you very far in life," Farber said. "The discipline of wrestling gets rid of lazy habits. It makes the professional world feel a little easier because you’ve already handled the most physically demanding challenges."
That grit was tested during this year’s NCAA Championships in Cleveland. In a match to become an All-American, Farber faced a former national champion and lost a 5-4 heartbreaker, falling just one point short of his goal.
"It hurt badly," he said. "But life goes on. I still woke up the next day with a lot to be grateful for. You become a better person through those trials."
Following graduation, Farber plans to join his parents in the distribution industry back home in Georgia. He leaves Cedar Falls as a product of a UNI community that invests in the person behind the athlete.
"UNI is a great place with great people," Farber said. "They help develop you into someone who is ready for whatever comes next."
