CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The University of Northern Iowa opened its 150th anniversary celebration Monday with the ringing of the commemorative Sesquicentennial Bell. This celebratory period will last more than a year, concluding at UNI’s Homecoming in 2026.

The campus and Cedar Valley community enjoyed a short Campanile carillon concert Monday morning before the official program. After remarks from President Nook, celebration co-chairs Randy Pilkington and Cary Darrah explained the new tradition – marking celebratory events on campus such as the beginning and end of the semester. The co-chairs then introduced the first individuals to ring the bell, representing UNI’s future, past and present.

Representing the future, Northern Iowa Student Government president Alli Webster was the first. “It really means a lot to me that I get to be a part of the tradition here, especially during the 150th year at UNI. I’m very, very excited to see what's to come, not only this week, but for the next 150 years of UNI,” she said.

UNI alum and staff member Noreen Hermansen rang the bell representing the university’s proud past. “As I reflect back on my many years of service to UNI, it is humbling to be a part of this very special event,” said Hermansen, a 1971 alum who has also worked at UNI for more than 50 years. “I know so many UNI alumni share my pride in our university. I hope they have the opportunity to participate in these special milestone events.”

President Nook, representing UNI’s present, was the final individual to ring the bell during the ceremony.

“As I was standing there, I was thinking about all the faculty and staff and the students on our campus right at this moment, the way they work together,” reflected Nook. “From the very beginning, when I interviewed here, the students and faculty and staff talked about community and the way that everybody here wants to help everybody else reach their goals. Everybody wants everybody to be successful, and that's really what today is about is celebrating this commitment for the success of our students, the success of our faculty and staff, the success of our region together.”

Students, faculty and staff, alumni, and community members were invited to take a turn at ringing in the sesquicentennial period, joining in the joyful melodies marking 150 years of proud history. Long lines of individuals awaited their turn to ring the bell and take photos.

“My grandmother graduated here in 1916, my mother in 1946 and I graduated in 1972 and then I later worked here for 30 years,” said community member Kathy Green. “So I just love the Campanile, the campus in general and listening to the carillon and the bells and just the memories.”

Find out more about the UNI Sesquicentennial Celebration at 150.uni.edu.