Alumni Stories & News

UNI education alums bring summer adventures to Des Moines students

Even as teachers, UNI alums Darcy and Adam Nidey don't know how to slow down in the summer. Their days are spent running Day Camp Adventures for 400 kids.

From UNI to Ninja U and TV’s “American Ninja Warrior”

Many of the athletes featured on "American Ninja Warrior" have something in common: they train at Ninja U, which is owned and operated by two UNI alums.

Q&A with physics alum Sam Prophet

He is currently a systems engineer at NASA and is working on the Artemis program.

Late UNI alum challenges his disability through published poetry

One of the North American Review Press' most recent publications is "Stellaphasia," a collection of poems by late UNI alum Jason Bradford.

UNI alum Brittni Donaldson becomes first female coach in Atlanta Hawks history

UNI women’s basketball alum Brittni Donaldson has been hired as an assistant coach with the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks.

UNI alum Nick Nurse named head coach of Philadelphia 76ers

Former UNI men’s basketball guard Nick Nurse was announced as the head coach of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers on June 1, 2023.

UNI alum Deb Vangellow honored by LPGA for giving back to the sport of golf

University of Northern Iowa alum Deb Vangellow has been named the recipient of the 2023 Nancy Lopez Golf Achievement Award.

UNI alum will teach in Spain through Fulbright Program

For McKenna Mitchell, putting her UNI TESOL teaching degree to use in Spain is a dream come true. It's a dream made possible by the Fulbright Program.

Bells are ringing again in the Campanile!

Just in time for this weekend's commencement ceremonies, the bells at the University of Northern Iowa are ringing again! 

AEA head John Speer earns Educational Leadership Legacy Award

John Speer, chief administrator with the Grant Wood Area Education Agency in Cedar Rapids, has received the 2023 UNI Educational Leadership Legacy Award.