Alumni Stories & News

Cedar Valley Green Business Competition

UNI to host inaugural competition of ideas to increase sustainability and reduce waste

The University of Northern Iowa will host its inaugural sustainability competition on March 31, where participants will submit their ideas on how to reduce landfill waste for a chance to win a $500 cash prize, with additional prizes for UNI students who take second and third place.

Suzanne Hendrix-Case

Voice professor’s opera skills draw praise from the Grammys

Elementary music educator, professor of voice, opera singer—Suzanne Hendrix-Case has done it all! And now she can add a new title: Grammy-nominated singer.
Kamerick Art Building

UNI grads sweep Art Educators of Iowa awards

The Art Educators of Iowa honored four UNI alumni with the coveted status of "Outstanding Iowa Art Educator" in 2021.
Headshot of Veena Kallambettu.

Speech pathology alum’s work with cancer patients wins national award

UNI alum Veena Kallambettu, was the sole winner of the 2021 Louis M. DiCarlo Award for the development of clinical programs to improve speech outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer.
Pernell Cezar

Northern Iowa alum selected as influential leader

A UNI finance and marketing alum who co-founded the first Black-owned coffee business with national distribution has been named a 2022 Influential Leader by the world’s largest business education alliance. 
UNI alum Greg Jass

UNI alum closes major business deal with top PR agency

New York-based PR agency Vested recently announced they had purchased Red Lab Technologies, a Cedar Falls digital marketing firm started by UNI alum Greg Jass.
Caleb Christine gives a speech during the December 2021 Commencement Ceremony

Chasing a dream: UNI grad pursues his dream to teach

Two years ago, after a decade in law enforcement, Caleb Christine took a leap of faith and enrolled at University of Northern Iowa in pursuit of his dream to be the first in his family to graduate from college and become a teacher.
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 alum Cassandra Hayne overcame cancer to become a biochemist.

After overcoming rare cancer, UNI alum wins prestigious fellowship

Cassandra Hayne (‘11) overcame a rare jaw cancer and years of reconstructive surgeries to achieve her goal of becoming a biochemist.
UNI alum and park ranger Sam Braband

Managing parks at the top of the world

UNI alum and Alaskan Park Ranger Sam Braband didn’t experience the pandemic like many people. After all, when your job can range from responding to a wildfire to chasing wildlife from a campground, working from home isn’t an option.