UNI students launch Adopt-A-Highway project in honor of late peer
UNI students launch Adopt-A-Highway project in honor of late peer
The University of Northern Iowa Veterans Association (UNIVA) and the Health and Family Services Club have joined forces to adopt a local highway, turning a student’s vision into reality and honoring her legacy through community service.
The initiative was first envisioned by Adaisha Allen, a UNI nursing major and Marine Corps veteran, who tragically passed away in a car accident in September 2024. Adaisha was an active member of both student organizations and had proposed the Adopt-A-Highway project as a way for campus groups to collaborate on meaningful service work in the community.
Thanks to the efforts of her peers, Adaisha’s dream has now become a reality. UNIVA and the Health and Family Services Club have officially adopted a two-mile stretch of highway in Cedar Falls. Each group has committed to conducting at least two cleanup sessions each year to remove trash and debris from both sides of the highway, and held their first clean up on April 17.
“We wanted to honor Adaisha and the altruistic, volunteering spirit she brought to both organizations,” said Henry Korf, coordinator of Military and Veteran Student Service at UNI.
The Iowa Department of Transportation supports the program by providing necessary equipment, including safety vests, trash bags, and signage that acknowledges the student organizations’ commitment.
For Chiquita Loveless, assistant dean of students for family and military programming, the project resonates with her own military experience. “I remember volunteering for trash pick-up duty while stationed in Hawaii,” she said. “This is a way to continue providing the service that was instilled in us while serving. We take pride in our country, and this is one small way to give back.”
Signs marking the adopted highway segments are now in place along Highway 27/58 between Ridgeway Avenue and Greenhill Road.
“We are proud to have our sign out there,” said Que Gardner, UNIVA treasurer. “Community beautification is a positive thing, and we hope others catch on. This was the best opportunity to do something as a joint fellowship and in remembrance of Adaisha, who led the start of this project.”
Although the initial commitment is for two years, both student organizations plan to continue maintaining their section of highway long into the future. They also hope that other UNI student groups will be inspired to join the effort. The next cleanup is scheduled for September.
