College of Business Stories & News

"Our Tomorrow" UNI Mugs

UNI JPEC student making handmade ceramics for ‘Our Tomorrow’ campaign

Anna Gilbreath thought it was a joke at first. She was staring at an email from the University of Northern Iowa’s UNI Foundation asking if she, under her handmade ceramics business Anna Grace Creates, could make 275 mugs and 50 planters with branding for the “Our Tomorrow” fundraising campaign. She excitedly responded yes.
Nathan Crooker

Elevator Pitch Competition provides three UNI student entrepreneurs with a cash prize to fund their ventures

With 90 seconds on the clock, 16 students from the University of Northern Iowa set out to prove they have what it takes to sustain a successful business.
football on field

Washington NFL Owner Threatens Football-Style "Nuclear Option"

Dan Snyder owns the Washington Commanders (formerly Redskins). The National Football League probably wishes he wasn’t an owner and that he would go “quietly into the night.” Mr. Snyder, however, has no intention of relinquishing his franchise. According to ESPN, Snyder claims to have incriminating evidence on his fellow owners and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
From ‘labor of love’ to Iowa’s top bourbon maker, UNI alum’s family business puts small-town Swisher on the map

From ‘labor of love’ to Iowa’s top bourbon maker, UNI alum’s family business puts small-town Swisher on the map

After a successful 30-year career in finance, University of Norther Iowa alum Jeff Quint ('85) felt pulled to follow his true passion and in 2005 opened Cedar Ridge Distillery in Swisher, Iowa, the first distillery to open in the state since prohibition. Cedar Ridge Distillery has since become the top bourbon maker in the state, producing more than 200 barrels a month. 
Theodore Catnap served as the Mayor of vIowa

UNI documents its history in the metaverse

With all the buzz, you might think the Metaverse is a brand-new concept – the cutting edge of technology where all ideas are new and innovation is celebrated.  Meanwhile, University Archivist, Jaycie Vos is working to acquire more than a decades’ worth of historical and virtual documents related to UNI instruction, research, and creative activity in the metaverse. 
Sam Parakkal presenting about JoyCorps

Working at the intersection of purpose and profit, UNI alum helps entrepreneurs build impactful businesses

UNI alum Sam Parkkal's life has come full circle from his time being mentored at the JPEC to now becoming a mentor as the executive director of JoyCorps.
Students with awards at National Leadership Conference

UNI Future Business Leaders of America students place at national leadership conference

Two members of UNI College of Business’ Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) placed at the National Leadership Conference in Chicago this summer. Brady Beyer (‘23) came in third in statistical analysis category and Lauren Kraemer (‘24) placed fourth in the digital media category, beating out students from colleges across the United States.
MIS Students

MIS students help solve information technology needs for small businesses

Throughout their time at the College of Business, Management Information Systems (MIS) students take in a well-rounded curriculum full of fundamental principles, applications and more. This coursework prepares them for a career in technology and business. One course, Information System Development Projects, taught by Betsy Ratchford, is intended to bundle those lessons and apply them in real-world scenarios.
OEI Competition

Students take home awards, experience from Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute

A group of entrepreneurship students from the University of Northern Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) were selected to attend the Okoboji Entrepreneurial Institute (OEI) this summer, gaining valuable skills and taking home some hardware.
Madison Krarmer

UNI student Madison Kraemer elected national president of FBLA

Madison Kraemer (Marketing and Organizational Leadership, ’23) spent the last year serving on the national board of directors for Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), a student organization dedicated to future business leaders in middle school, high school and college. Her goal quickly became to become president and help advocate for the organization.