Running past bullets and crossing oceans to escape genocide in her home country, Ariane Hakizimana grew up in survival mode. But at UNI, she found a supportive community that helped give her the skills to thrive — and keep fighting for her goal of helping others.
Sarah Joanne Boury overcame huge challenges that few can imagine to walk the stage May 7 for her diploma and to turn the tassle on her graduation cap.
Indeed, the 23-year-old Des Moines, Iowa, native is believed to be the first to graduate from college — having earned a double major — while deaf (using one cochlear implant), breathing with one lung and sustaining herself through a tube-feeding system.
Growing up in Ottumwa, Isaac Campbell never imagined he’d get the opportunity to work on projects for national art galleries abroad, or work alongside a world-renowned French artist at the Louvre in Paris. But at UNI, he gained the skills and made the connections to gain access to once-in-a-lifetime opportunities — and develop lifelong passions.
This year's UNI graduates have the opportunity to collect their diplomas in person for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic began. In their own words, two graduating seniors share what they've learned after a year of unprecedented challenges — and unexpected opportunities.
Our graduating seniors continued to impress with their academic brilliance, strong relationships with faculty and other students, and wide variety of out-of-class experiences to create a strong foundation for their future. These are but a few of our promising Class of Spring 2021 graduates:
Our graduating seniors continued to impress with their academic brilliance, strong relationships with faculty and other students, and wide variety of out-of-class experiences to create a strong foundation for their future. These are but a few of our promising Class of Spring 2021 graduates:
The University of Northern Iowa, in partnership with the University of Iowa, will host a virtual conversation Sunday with NBA coach Nick Nurse, a UNI Hall of Fame basketball star who led his Toronto Raptors to a 2019 championship.
Nurse will discuss his rural Iowa upbringing, how he transitioned to find success throughout his career and the use of data analytics to drive decisions in the NBA. Iowa women's basketball coach Lisa Bluder, a UNI women's basketball standout and UNI Hall of Famer will host the virtual event from 2-3 p.m. April 25.
UNI alumna Jennifer Stimpson, EdD., has taught a girls’ leadership class in Uganda while living with no Wi-Fi; took a star turn in Oprah’s “O” magazine being recognized as a STEM visionary, won a $10,000 inspiration grant from former basketball superstar Michael Jordan’s Fundamentals Grant Program, and now serves as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Congressional Fellow in Washington, D.C.
Hard work has been a way of life for Trevor Rayhons since he was a child helping his father with chores on the family farm in Garner, Iowa. That work ethic combined with talent and passion have led to national recognition of his skills.
Name: Ayah Al-Durazi
Name: Emily Loomis
