UNI Foundation Stories & News

David W. Wilson

David Wilson, 1970 UNI graduate and founder of Wilson Automotive

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.
Student working on computer

$25 Million gift ushers in a new era of business education

The newly named David W. Wilson College of Business at the University of Northern Iowa and the campus community are ushering in a new era of transformative education thanks to the historic $25 million donation from David W. Wilson. In 2022 the university launched its largest and most aggressive capital campaign, Our Tomorrow. The goal is large but the mission is simple: ask ourselves what does the world need tomorrow and deliver. At UNI, we’ve never stopped thinking about what our students, state and world need from us. With that in mind we’ve set out to properly provide for tomorrow's…
Junge familiy

Junge family announces $500,000 gift to support UNI-Dome renovation

The campaign to outfit the UNI-Dome for the next generation is gaining momentum thanks to a leadership gift from Jason and Julie Junge of Marion, Iowa. 
Wrestler with his arms up victoriously

University of Northern Iowa expands Our Tomorrow fundraising campaign to include new wrestling training facility

UNI is expanding the scope of the largest fundraising effort ever to include a new wrestling training facility, pending approval from the Iowa Board of Regents.
Donors Doug and Dianne Whittle and Evan Patterson

Donors Doug and Dianne Whittle, ‘73, share the story behind the Evan Patterson scholarship

Donors Doug and Dianne Whittle, ‘73, share the story behind the Evan Patterson scholarship
Rosie and Doug Lindaman

Distinguished alumni couple pledge major gift to UNI-Dome renovation

A leadership gift from a north central Iowa couple will support the most comprehensive renovations in the history of the UNI-Dome.
William Clark III, Shaw Meh, Emily Erdelt, Sierra Meeks and Sophie Brown

Five students awarded life-changing UNI-CUE scholarships

The college investment will be more manageable for five local students, thanks to scholarships from the UNI Center for Urban Education (UNI-CUE).
Students walking on UNI campus

UNI Foundation surpasses $58 million in giving in a record-breaking fundraising year

The University of Northern Iowa Foundation received a record $58.4 million in gifts from alumni and friends of UNI during the 2022-2023 fiscal year. 
Heather and Rob Knar

28-year-old alum Heather Knar creates endowed STEM scholarship

Heather Knar and her husband Rob dreamed about paying it forward one day, and this year they did.
Cathy Irvine at Irvine Prairie dedication

Dedication celebrates the expansion of Irvine Prairie

On Friday, June 9 the University of Northern Iowa celebrated the expansion of Irvine Prairie near Dysart.