UNI Foundation Stories & News

UNI Metal Casting Center in the Applied Engineering Building

AEB expansion and modernization will help build in-demand job skills

UNI Metal Casting Center in the Applied Engineering Building

The University of Northern Iowa's Applied Engineering Building (AEB) will undergo an extensive modernization starting June 9.

There will be a groundbreaking ceremony at 1 p.m that day, which will include remarks from Governor Kim Reynolds, UNI President Mark A. Nook and other UNI leadership, alumni and industry leaders.

Friends of the Gallagher Bluedorn

Friends of the Gallagher Bluedorn announces $1.5 million gift to renovation and expansion

Friends of the Gallagher Bluedorn

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The Gallagher Bluedorn at University of Northern Iowa has received a $1 million gift from the Friends of the Gallagher Bluedorn to put toward the theater’s $14.9 million expansion project. 

practice football field at sunset

UNI’s outdoor football practice facility receives $2 million investment

This facility provides another practice space and in turn, creates more opportunities for other teams to share the UNI-Dome field.
2022 UNI Women's Soccer team huddled during a game

UNI Women's Soccer Locker Room Renovation

The next home improvement project for the Panthers is a complete overhaul of their locker room space. A first-class locker room is vital to the success of the soccer program.
Teach Waterloo

Waterloo Schools Foundation pledges $300,000 to diversify district’s teacher workforce

 A $300,000 grant from Waterloo Schools Foundation will fund the expansion of a thriving partnership between the Waterloo Community School District (WCSD) and the University of Northern Iowa (UNI).

Teach Waterloo aims to diversify the K-12 teacher workforce in support of student success – research has shown that having a teacher of color in a classroom is associated with higher achievement and increases the likelihood that students of color complete high school and attend college.

UNI Campanile and the outline of the state of Iowa made of yellow lines

UNI Foundation marks second consecutive record fundraising year

For the second consecutive year, the University of Northern Iowa broke its record for highest annual fundraising total in history, raising $43.1 million.

“We are grateful to the more than 9,300 alumni and donors who gave to support UNI in another record year,” said Jan Bittner, outgoing chair of the UNI Foundation Board of Trustees. “The continued fundraising success shows the commitment and dedication the Panther family has to UNI and its students.”

UNI campus

UNI Center for Violence Prevention to be renamed in recognition of Northeast Iowa couple’s gift

In conjunction with its 10-year anniversary, the University of Northern Iowa Center for Violence Prevention will be renamed the Patricia A. Tomson Center for Violence Prevention in honor of her decades of work on behalf of survivors of abuse. 

Schindler Education Building

Kern Family Foundation Grant supports UNI Institute for Educational Leadership Training

The University of Northern Iowa’s outreach to Iowa educational leaders has received a major boost thanks to a grant from the Kern Family Foundation.
UNI Campanile and the outline of the state of Iowa made of yellow lines

John Deere Waterloo location invests in UNI Industrial Technology Center renovation

The University of Northern Iowa’s project to renovate and modernize the Industrial Technology Center received a $750,000 commitment from John Deere Waterloo, one of the largest recruiters of UNI Department of Technology graduates. The investment is the lead industry gift to date to the capital project.

Rod and Heidi Foster with the children

Couple Finds Creative Ways to Amplify Their Impact

There comes a time in our lives when we are given the chance to take a step back and reflect on the early experiences that shaped us. For Rod and Heidi Foster, their time at UNI was one of those pivotal moments.