The President’s Philanthropy Awards recognize individuals, couples and organizations for their giving and service to the university. This year’s recipients of the President’s Philanthropy Awards include:

Jon and Sarah Lancaster of Madison, Wisconsin, received the Purple and Gold Award, the most prestigious award for lifetime giving that the UNI Foundation bestows on behalf of the university. The Lancasters have shown dedicated support to UNI for over three decades. Jon earned his bachelor’s degree in marketing from UNI in 1971, while Sarah graduated with an early childhood education degree in 1970. Sarah went on to teach in the Cedar Falls and Waterloo School Districts, and Jon opened his first car dealership as one of the youngest franchise dealers in the country. In 2012, he sold his Toyota and Lexus dealerships but still remains active in the auto industry. He also serves as the managing director of Lancaster Investments in Madison, Wisconsin. Jon is a member of the Our Tomorrow campaign steering committee, and Sarah was a member of the UNI Foundation Board of Trustees from 2001–2005. 

The couple made significant contributions to UNI over the years with a strong focus on athletics including the VIP fund, the proposed court sport facility, football, men’s basketball, scholarship support and the McLeod Center. They have also supported scholarships in the Wilson College of Business and UNI’s Dementia House student internship program. Jon and Sarah are active members of the UNI Legacy Society, Presidents Club and Campanile Society, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to the university’s mission.

The Faculty/Staff Award recognizes an individual currently employed by or retired from who has provided philanthropic support, dedicated long-term service and creative leadership to the university. For 50 years, Pat Geadelmann of Cedar Falls has been a devoted supporter of UNI, contributing to a wide range of programs on campus. Geadelmann held many roles throughout her time at UNI – a teacher at Malcolm Price Laboratory School, professor in the physical education department and the vice president for board and governmental relations. Her philanthropy has supported numerous initiatives, including the Tallgrass Prairie Center, gerontology faculty, women's basketball, the UNI Alumni Association and the Elena Diane Curris Endowment for the Arts. She has also contributed to the UNI Varsity Men’s Glee Club and supported numerous scholarships. Additionally, she has been involved with the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, both as a Friends member and as a donor supporting its renovation.

Curt and Nikki Hudnutt of Cedar Falls were recognized with the Emerging Philanthropist Award as supporters no older than 50 years old who have provided philanthropic support and creative leadership to the university. Curt graduated in 1999 with finance and Spanish degrees, returning to the university to receive his MBA in 2008. Nikki graduated in 1995 with a degree in community health education, later receiving her MA in physical education in 2002. Nikki has been a fitness instructor for over 25 years, while Curt currently serves as the CEO of American Ag Credit.

Nikki is actively involved in the Panther Scholarship Club Executive Committee, and Curt recently joined the Executive Advisory Board of the Wilson College of Business. As loyal and generous supporters of UNI and Panther Athletics, the Hudnutts established an endowed athletic scholarship and made a significant gift toward the UNI-Dome renovation. They also provide ongoing support for initiatives like the Panther Scholarship Club, Women at Play, Rally in the Valley, the Jean Kelly Early Childhood Student Teaching Endowed Scholarship and the Wilson College of Business Dean’s Fund for Excellence.

Master Builders of Iowa, headquartered in West Des Moines was presented the Corporation and Foundation Award for demonstrated generosity to UNI through significant leadership giving, dedicated long-term service and assistance to UNI students and faculty through recruitment opportunities and/or programming support. 

With more than 2,300 members, Master Builders of Iowa (MBI) plays a major role in the state’s commercial, industrial and public works projects, offering a wide range of educational, safety, legal and professional development services. MBI has supported the UNI Department of Applied Engineering and Technical Management since 1977 with generous contributions for program and student support in the construction management major and the new Applied Engineering Building (AEB). They also established the Master Builders of Iowa Scholarship, which benefits 4 to 5 UNI students each year. MBI has been a dedicated supporter of the UNI Construction Management program, actively advocating for Panther students. Their efforts to lobby the Iowa legislature were key in securing funding for the AEB, greatly contributing to the success of the building’s renovation.

UNI graduates serve on the MBI board, enhancing connections between the organization and the university. MBI staff also assist students in finding internships and job opportunities and identify adjunct instructors when needed.

The Heritage Honours program recognizes professional accomplishments of alumni and service to the university. This year’s recipients of the Heritage Honours Awards include:

Rod and Heidi Foster of Clive were recognized with the Alumni Achievement Award for their significant accomplishments. Rod, a 1983 graduate of UNI’s accounting program and a CPA, recently retired after a 15-year tenure as the managing partner and office leader for RSM in Des Moines and Mason City and the market leader for Omaha, Lincoln and Kansas City. Under his leadership, the Des Moines office flourished, expanding to over 350 employees and becoming RSM’s largest office in Iowa. Rod’s dedication to nurturing talent is evident in the eight RSM partners who are also UNI accounting graduates, with two more on track to join their ranks this year. He also was a member of the UNI Accounting Advisory Council for many years.

Rod has been a steadfast supporter of the UNI accounting program, actively recruiting students and engaging them through events. He also raised funds with UNI RSM accounting graduates to endow the UNI RSM Chair in Accounting. Even in retirement, Rod remains involved, attending classes to share his real-world insights with students.

Rod and his wife Heidi, a 1987 chemistry graduate, have been long-time loyal Panthers. They have generously contributed to several funds, including the RSM Scholarship, the Rod and Heidi Foster Fellowship for Accounting Excellence, the Panther Scholarship Club and the Campanile renovation project. The Fosters’ enduring loyalty and contributions have made a significant impact on the UNI community.

Drew Conrad of Waterloo received the Alumni Service Award for his long and continuous service to UNI and the Cedar Valley community. Conrad, a 1993 UNI alum, serves as director of UNI’s Institute for Decision Making and director of UNI federal relations. As chair of the UNI Alumni Association Board of Managers for a decade, he has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication. He also contributes to the political science department as a member of the Masters of Public Policy Advisory Board.

Beyond his university involvement, Conrad and his wife, Angela have generously supported many programs at UNI for nearly 30 years including a family scholarship for gerontology students. Conrad is also active in numerous professional organizations. He currently represents the Board of Regents on the Iowa Workforce Development Board and serves on Iowa’s Sector Partnership Leadership Council. Last year, the United States Secretary of Labor appointed Conrad to the Workforce Information Advisory Council as a representative of organizations related to economic development. 

The Young Alumni Award was presented to Justin Surrency of Des Moines, for success early in his career along with his active involvement with UNI. He currently co-anchors Today in Iowa, the weekday morning newscast at WHO-TV, where he has worked since 2015.

Surrency graduated from UNI in 2009 with a degree in communication and media. Throughout his time at UNI, he had the opportunity to be the captain of the football team, leading his team to the national championship game. This experience, coupled with the opportunity to play for the NFL, equipped him with invaluable experience in leadership and teamwork and taught him how to thrive in high-pressure situations.

Surrency’s passion for reporting began when he took a sports internship at WCCO in Minneapolis where he witnessed the inner workings of a large metropolitan newsroom. Seeing important issues resolved within the community pushed him to switch from sports to news. He then worked as an anchor and reporter at WIBW-TV in Topeka, Kansas. There, he contributed live reports to three Heartland Emmy Award-winning newscasts, including one in which he provided continuous coverage for 11 hours after the tragic shooting of two police officers. He was awarded a Kansas Association of Broadcasters award for in-depth reporting.

Doris Kelley of Cedar Falls was recognized with the Honorary Alumni Award as a friend of the university who has shown exceptional support of UNI. As a former representative in the Iowa House of Representatives, Kelley was an activist for public education, serving on the education committee.

After her time in office, she continued her passion by co-developing the Women in Politics bipartisan scholarship with Joy Cole Corning, which empowers young women at UNI majoring in political science. To raise awareness and promote female representation in public service, Kelley co-chairs the annual Women in Politics Bipartisan Scholarship Benefit, with all proceeds supporting deserving students. Thanks to her tireless efforts, the scholarship fund has awarded over $90,000, making a significant impact in UNI students’ lives.

Kelley has also played a vital role in facilitating local debates with the Northern Iowa Student Government, providing students with valuable insights into the campaign process and the importance of educating communities about political candidates. Her generosity extends beyond her volunteer time as she supports scholarships and program funds at the university.