BCS Stories & News

Can showing the Green Brewery Certification

Brewing for a better tomorrow

The Iowa Waste Reduction Center (IWRC) is dedicated to enhancing the environmental sustainability of Iowa’s brewing industry through its Iowa Green Brewery Certification program.
Students prepare for Rummage Rampage event with Revitalize to Rewear bags

Revitalize to Rewear: Student project saves clothing from the landfill

Diverting waste from landfills certainly isn’t glamorous work, but one group of UNI students is doing it in style through Revitalize to Rewear.
Randy Pilkington

UNI’s Pilkington recognized for lasting impact on the Cedar Valley

UNI's Randy Pilkington is the 2024 recipient of the Cedar Valley Legacy Award from Grow Cedar Valley.
Emma Criswell and Hanna Saland standing in the hallway of UNI’s John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center

UNI-founded Iowa Chill business provides opportunities to the next generation of students

A business that was founded at UNI is now passing its knowledge and opportunities to the next generation of students. The Iowa Media Company, which owns and runs the viral social media accounts “Iowa Chill” and “Midwest vs. Everybody,” has brought on several UNI interns into the fold to learn and help grow the brand, providing students real-world applications for what they’ve learned in the classroom.
Patrick Luensmann

Luensmann appointed new director of University of Northern Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center

Patrick Luensmann has been named director of the UNIJohn Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center following the retirement of former Director Laurie Watje.
Jerry Thiel with award

UNI’s Thiel receives prestigious honor for service to the steel foundry industry

Jerry Thiel, director of the University of Northern Iowa’s Foundry 4.0 Center, is the 2023 recipient of the Thomas E. Barlow Award of Honor from the Steel Founders’ Society of America.
Matthew Cathy

Virtual Breakfast Series to host Chick-fil-A’s next generation for a panel on innovation within a family business

The UNI Family Business Center will offer a conversation about “Balancing a Legacy Family Business and a Next Gen's New Venture” on Jan. 18 at 8 a.m. via Zoom.
Small businesses

The Heartbeat of Community

Think of the fond places you frequent in your hometown. Maybe it’s the corner pizza shop, the downtown grocery store, or the bank next door. In many towns, these businesses are essential, employing community members and providing the only goods and services available for miles.
Photo of Russel and Laurie with giant check

University of Northern Iowa alum wins first place and $40,000 at entrepreneurial venture competition

Russel Karim, a 2015 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa (UNI), won first place and a $40,000 prize at the 18th annual John Pappajohn Iowa Entrepreneurial Venture Competition. Karim’s business, Dhakai, enables eCommerce and promotional apparel brands to move from idea to final delivered products ethically, sustainably and cost-effectively through a single technology platform.
UNI staff in the Build a Better Iowa podcast studio

Podcast tells the story about UNI’s Business and Community Services

The University of Northern Iowa's Business and Community Services (BCS) launched a podcast in March 2023 to showcase its programs and services. The podcast, called "Building a Better Iowa," features interviews with people from each of BCS's 12 outreach programs. The podcast has been a hit, with two seasons released so far. The team plans to continue the podcast and dive deeper into the different stories and clients BCS services.