The UNI moments that made 2024
The UNI moments that made 2024
2024 was a fantastic year at the University of Northern Iowa! We met new students, made new memories and accomplished so many amazing things! Here’s a look at some of the top moments and most-read stories of the year.
2024 brought impactful community partnerships
A special partnership with Cedar Falls Tourism brought nearly 30 statues of the UNI mascot TC to various locations throughout the Cedar Valley. Each statue was designed by a local artist, many with ties to UNI. In addition to a months-long community display, these “Panthers on Parade” became the theme of the UNI Homecoming parade, and were incorporated into the annual Festival of Trees and UNI holiday message.
This year’s Sturgis Falls celebration also brought the first Cedar Falls fireworks show to the UNI-Dome in more than a decade. UNI partnered with the City of Cedar Falls to present a firework display over the Dome to kick off the annual celebration.
We watched fellow Panthers on stage and screen
Building on strong community partnerships, fall 2024 marked the production of “The Music Man” at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center — a remarkable collaboration between Cedar Falls Community Theatre, Waterloo Community Playhouse and wcfsymphony.
We also caught up with UNI alum Joel Waggoner who had a small part in Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building” next to Steve Martin, Martin Short and multi-Academy Award-winning actress Meryl Streep, in addition to hosting his own New Year’s Eve event in the Gallagher Bluedorn.
A special duo in Panther Marching Band gained national attention
2024 home football games at the UNI-Dome brought us an extra special duo in the Panther Marching Band: UNI sophomore Gabi Riessen and her beloved service dog Winnie. As a transfer student from another four-year university, Riessen has loved the support UNI has shown not only her, but Winnie as well. Dressed in her very own PMB uniform, the golden retriever accompanies Riessen during every performance. The story quickly gained national attention from media outlets such as ABC News, Good Morning America and People magazine.
We made history with UNI’s first cohort of nursing majors
Fall 2024 officially kicked off UNI’s standalone Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The inaugural BSN cohort enjoyed the newly renovated space for nursing education with classes led by highly-qualified faculty members, including UNI’s Chief Academic Nurse Administrator Nancy Kertz. UNI also held its inaugural White Coat Ceremony with these students, signifying their entry into the BSN program. During the fall semester, the Our Tomorrow campaign reached $1 million in donations to support UNI Nursing and its students.
We were introduced to “The Legacy Era” of Panther Athletics
In May, the University of Northern Iowa introduced Megan Franklin as the new leader of Panther athletics, introducing what’s being called “The Legacy Era” of Panther Athletics. 2024 also brought developments in Athletics programs, including a new roof for the UNI-Dome and preparing for phase II of Dome renovations, planning for a new court sports facility and funding a new facility for UNI wrestling.
We cheered on Panthers seeking gold in Paris…
UNI had numerous connections to the 2024 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. Even before the games, swimmer Olivia Chambers drew national attention when rapper Flavor Flav pushed followers to donate to her family’s GoFundMe fundraiser, allowing the Chambers family to travel to Paris and cheer on Olivia. Chambers walked away from the Paris Paralympic games with a gold medal and two silvers.
…and celebrated big Panther wins
We gathered at half-court of the McLeod Center to celebrate basketball wins over in-state rivals and making history by upsetting teams ranked in the Top-10. UNI Volleyball went undefeated in the MVC for the second-straight year, and we watched together as they nearly upset a #1 seed in the NCAA tournament. UNI wrestler Parker Keckeisen capped off an undefeated season to bring home the 184-pound national championship and continues to work just as hard off the mat.
We said goodbye to Panther royalty, and welcomed new leaders
You won’t find a bigger UNI cheerleader than Mark Farley, who announced his retirement from leading the UNI Football team. Known as the “walk-on from Waukon,” Farley leaves behind a celebrated career which includes many playoff appearances and a trip to the national championship. In December, UNI introduced Todd Stepsis as the next head football coach.
The stars and planets aligned for UNI students
2024 brought hundreds of students, faculty and staff to the middle of campus to catch a glimpse of a solar eclipse. While students on campus gathered around special telescopes to take in the heavenly event, a group of 11 UNI students traveled to Indiana to witness the historic event in its totality.
Chuck Grassley announces gifts to UNI
Arguably the most well-known UNI graduate in history, Senator and Mrs. Chuck Grassley announced two historic gifts to UNI. The Rod Library will eventually receive the papers and other historical materials from the Senator’s time in the U.S. Senate. A generous donation from the Grassleys also created an endowed professorship with Donna Hoffman named the inaugural Chuck and Barbara Grassley Professor of Political Science.
Donors to Our Tomorrow raise the bar
Thanks to more than 30,000 unique donors to Our Tomorrow, the campaign surpassed its $250 million fundraising goal two and a half years ahead of schedule. Nearly half (43%) of these generous individuals are first-time donors to UNI. The updated goal of this bold fundraising campaign is to raise $300 million by UNI’s sesquicentennial climax in 2026.
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