David W. Wilson considers his story to be emblematic of the American Dream. Through sheer determination and a belief in doing business the right way, he rose from a small-town Iowa kid with a lower middle class background to become chairman and CEO of Wilson Automotive, one of the country’s largest privately held auto dealerships.
The UNI-Dome gift adds to the Raaschs' enduring philanthropic giving across many areas of the university including scholarships for student-athletes in track and field, cross country, volleyball, women's basketball and football, as well as an endowed scholarship for education majors.
Kevin and Deb Hemmen – both longtime Dike, Iowa residents – have pledged $750,000 to ensure the UNI-Dome remains a vibrant facility for the community for the next 50 years.
Pat Van Sickel and David Van Sickel have made a gift to the Applied Engineering Building (AEB) renovation in memory of John Van Sickel – Pat’s husband and David’s brother who died in 2012 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
University of Northern Iowa President Mark A. Nook, the UNI Alumni Association and the UNI Foundation will honor alumni and friends of the university at the President’s Distinguished Awards Celebration, on Friday, November 4.
