Barry Wilson’s journey began in 1973 after completing doctoral studies in educational psychology. The Perry, Iowa, native found a home in Cedar Falls.

“UNI was a perfect match,” he recalls. “Its long-standing reputation for preparing outstanding teachers aligned closely with my interests, professional goals and doctoral studies.”

Over the next 30 years, Wilson taught, chaired Educational Psychology and Foundations, led accreditation and helped develop a teacher education assessment system.

His daughter Becky grew up inside that world. Weekends often meant tagging along to Schindler Education Center while her father worked. Malcolm Price Laboratory School became a second home from preschool through 12th grade.

“I didn’t just benefit from four years of UNI’s excellence in teacher education,” says Hawbaker. “I was immersed in it from age four on.”

After earning her teaching degree and completing graduate work elsewhere, Hawbaker returned to Price Lab as a teacher before moving into teacher preparation and clinical experiences. Today, she heads the Department of Educational Foundations and Professional Experiences, leading faculty that includes colleagues once hired by her father.

“I think every day about living up to the legacy of the incredible faculty I learned from,” she says, mentioning Judy Finkelstein, Joan Duea, Stephen Fortgang, William Waack, Marc Yoder and Jody Stone as well as her father.

Dennis Cryer first arrived on campus as a student-athlete from Treynor, Iowa, playing baseball and earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees. After completing a doctorate and teaching elsewhere, he returned to his alma mater in 1976 to join the College of Education faculty in health education.

Cryer taught, coordinated the division and oversaw student internships. He coached baseball at Price Lab and worked internationally with students through the Global Health Corps.

For his son J.D., campus was simply home.

He remembers walking to the union with his father, playing in his office and family trips connected
to Panther athletics.

Like Becky, J.D. attended the lab school. When studying at the University of Iowa, his father encouraged him to try Camp Adventure. That experience cemented his decision to become an educator. Eventually he earned an administrative certificate and doctorate from UNI. After teaching and serving as a PreK-8 principal at Price Lab, he coordinated UNI teacher education before joining the Elementary and Middle Education faculty.

For J.D., the most memorable moments came when professional and personal lives intersected.

“I would find myself sitting next to my father at faculty meetings and think, this is
weird, but cool,” he says. “Where else could a son work with his father, as a colleague and professional, on a shared goal of helping educate future teachers?”

Together, the Wilsons and Cryers have witnessed decades of change — from chalkboards to digital classrooms, from the Iowa Communications Network to Zoom, and through shifts in departments, demographics and educational priorities.

They haven’t witnessed history. They’ve helped shape it.

“To be part of this great teacher education program myself and then have my son join me in this program makes me proud,” says Dennis Cryer. “It means a lot to share this journey and know that the work we both have done will help build a strong foundation that will serve future students.”

J.D. Cryer sees that legacy in everyday moments — running into former students at the Iowa State Fair, a track meet or the grocery store and hearing about classrooms they now lead.

UNI’s strength, Barry Wilson says, has always been its people. He is confident the next generation of faculty will continue the university’s tradition of preparing teachers.

For Becky, carrying that legacy forward is a privilege and responsibility. She takes pride in her family's 60-plus years of service and in UNI’s enduring mission.

"UNI has always felt like home to me. I endeavor to help make it feel that way for the next generation of students."

NOTE: For the Wilson and Cryer families, the strong connection to UNI goes even further, beyond the College of Education. The ties include Becky’s siblings Emma in the Wilson College of Business, Michael in UNI IT and Rachel, an alum, along with spouses who are alumni or current graduate students. Becky, her husband, Aaron, and daughter, Cece, were all Purple and Old Gold Scholars. Her late brother-in-law, artist and UNI alum Denis Roussel, has work in the university’s permanent collections. For the Cryers, J.D.'s older brother Scott is a proud UNI graduate in accounting.