CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The 61st UNI Teacher Education Convocation and Celebration is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, October 5, to recognize students accepted into UNI Teacher Education, Iowa’s largest undergraduate educator preparation program.

Part of UNI Family Weekend, this ceremony honors pre-service teachers who have met the criteria for acceptance into UNI Teacher Education. About 458 future teachers qualified for admission, with about 110 planning to attend this year’s convocation at Lang Auditorium in Lang Hall.

Jared Smith, superintendent of the Waterloo Community School District and a UNI alum, is this year’s guest speaker. Students will be recognized as they walk the stage and receive their traditional commemorative pin which honors this milestone. A reception on Lang Lawn is planned between sessions. Family and friends, faculty and staff are welcome to attend.

The convocation has honored thousands of future teachers and their commitment to the teaching profession since first held in 1991. UNI graduated more than 500 teaching majors last year and is in the top 1% of public institutions granting bachelor’s degrees in education nationwide. More than 10,000 alumni are employed in school districts in all 99 Iowa counties.