Campus & Community

Online learning

Campus community adjusts to life online

When about a dozen students in University of Northern Iowa professor Justin Holmes’ political science senior seminar joined their first online class last week, they couldn’t help but smile.  Holmes greeted them before a Zoom background of a famous meme - a cartoon of a dog sitting down to a cup of coffee in a room engulfed with flames. The thought bubble reads “This is fine.” 
UNI campus

UNI bands together in wake of COVID-19

For UNI senior Cassidy Flory, public health is a calling. Two of her sisters are nurses, her mother works with disabled adults and Flory, a public health and gerontology major, hopes to work in a public health department someday. Nothing - not even a global pandemic - is going to change that. 
UNI junior Ty DeBondt celebrating his NBA 2K esports win.

UNI junior claims $100,000 esports tournament win

After suffering the most devastating loss of his esports career, Ty DeBondt woke up the morning of Jan. 26 a defeated man.  The junior University of Northern Iowa physical education major, who specializes in the video game NBA 2K20, had surpassed about 1 million players in the second annual MyTeam Unlimited Tournament to make it to the top 16. He had a 10-point lead on his semifinal opponent with just minutes left to play. The $250,000 grand prize beckoned. 
UNI student Jacey Meier with the service dog, Raven, she is training.

UNI student uses love of animals for a good cause

Most days, first-year UNI student Jacey Meier doesn’t have the luxury of waking up late. Not only does she have to get ready herself, but before she heads out the door, she needs to grab a leash, fasten a vest, and pack up her dog’s lab gear, which includes a protective sweater and goggles.  You read that right — her dog’s lab gear.
Items on loan to the Grout Museum from UNI Professor Catherine Palczewski.

UNI professor, an expert on women's suffrage, loans collection of artifacts to museum exhibit

As a group of revolutionaries huddled together in Philadelphia to craft what would become the Declaration of Independence, Abigail Adams made a simple request. “Remember the ladies,” the future First Lady implored in a letter to her husband John. “And be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors.”
University of Northern Iowa dance marathon.

UNI Dance Marathon looking for record-setting haul

After setting a national fundraising record at the University of Northern Iowa’s first Dance Marathon eight years ago, organizers have an even loftier goal for this year’s event.  UNI’s largest student organization is hoping to raise $700,000 for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital on Feb. 29. An anonymous donor has agreed to match the total dollar-for-dollar and will speak at the event. 
UNI mascots TC and TK at the Iowa capitol in Des Moines.

UNI's impact highlighted at Day at the Capitol

TC and TK briefly took to the floor of the Iowa State House Monday as the University of Northern Iowa hosted UNI Day at the Capitol, an annual event highlighting UNI’s impact across the state by showcasing its programs, services, students and alumni.
Retiring UNI professor Gloria Kirkland-Holmes.

Retiring UNI professor leaves legacy of literacy and leadership

Gloria Kirkland-Holmes overcame discrimination and self-doubt to become a valued member of the UNI community, launching a number of on-campus initiatives to promote diversity in her 41-year career at the university.