UNI names grand marshal of 2023 Homecoming parade
UNI names grand marshal of 2023 Homecoming parade
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The University of Northern Iowa is proud to announce the grand marshal for the 2023 Homecoming parade will be Judith Finkelstein. A 1952 graduate of the Iowa State Teachers College, Finkelstein earned her masters degree in 1968 from the University of Northern Iowa and is a former faculty member in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
Finkelstein began her career at UNI right after her graduation as an instructor at Malcolm Price Laboratory School. After receiving her PhD, she went on to teach curriculum and instruction courses while maintaining her position at Price Lab. In 1988, she served as the interim director of the Regents’ Center for Early Developmental Education. After leaving the Regents' Center, she taught full-time in curriculum and instruction until her retirement in 2008.
In addition to her legacy as a faculty member, Finkelstein’s generosity speaks volumes about her commitment to UNI’s success. She has invested in multiple campus units and projects, including a gift to the Schindler Education Center renovation. She also supports Rod Library, the Regents' Early Childhood Center, Sturgis Youth Theatre and others. She is a 2022 recipient of the Alumni Service Award, part of the Heritage Honours Awards.
"Dr. Finkelstein left her mark on early childhood education here and well beyond UNI in her more than 40 years as a faculty member," said Colleen Mulholland, EdD, dean of the College of Education. "Her innovation showed not only at the Price Lab School but also in her work with the Regents’ Center for Early Developmental Education and its model integrative early childhood classroom which bears her name. She has supported UNI as an educator of young children, of future teachers and as a generous donor. We’re pleased the larger UNI and Cedar Falls/Waterloo community will be able to share their appreciation with her as she leads this year’s Homecoming parade.”
Other dignitaries for this year’s parade include President Mark Nook and Gold Star Teachers.
UNI’s Homecoming parade will take place on Saturday, Oct. 21 starting at 10 a.m. in downtown Cedar Falls. The theme is Panther Country. Due to road construction, this year’s parade will take a different route than years past. The parade will begin at 6th Street and travel north along Main Street, before turning to the east at 2nd Street. The path will then head back south along State Street, once again ending at 4th Street. Guests are encouraged to bring tote bags for candy and promotional items that parade participants will hand out.
The parade is just one part of the fun at this year’s Homecoming. On Friday, Oct. 20 country star and UNI alum Justin Adams will perform a free concert in central campus as part of the Homecoming Bash from 5 to 9 p.m. The UNI Panthers football team will take on the University of North Dakota at the UNI-Dome on Saturday, Oct. 22, with kickoff starting at 4 p.m.
For complete details on this year’s Homecoming events, check out the Homecoming website.
