UNI Foundation Stories & News

Distinguished Awards Celebration honors notable UNI alumni and friends

University of Northern Iowa President Mark Nook, the UNI Alumni Association and the UNI Foundation honored alumni and friends of the university Friday, November 22 at the President’s Distinguished Awards Celebration. The annual award ceremony included the UNI Alumni Association’s Heritage Honours Awards and the President’s Philanthropy Awards presented by the UNI Foundation.

Opportunity of a Lifetime: UNI celebrates 100 Bright Foundation Scholarships, honoring Iowa legacy

Since 2012, the Bright scholarship has unlocked the promise of a UNI education.

25 years of the Robert Eller Study Abroad Scholarship

For 25 years, the Robert Eller Study Abroad Scholarship has enabled life-changing experiences for UNI students. It has since supported 105 students, sending them to 21 countries, according to the Cedar Falls Community Foundation, which manages the fund.

$100,000 gift honors former UNI Alumni Association president, supports new wrestling training facility

UNI has received a generous $100,000 gift from Dick Smith, ‘65, in support of a state-of-the-art training complex for the UNI wrestling program.

UNI readies second phase of UNI-Dome renovation

Two years after UNI announced a major capital campaign to renovate the UNI-Dome, the first phase of the project is complete.

One year of making history as the David W. Wilson College of Business

It’s been one year since David W. Wilson made history with a $25 million donation to UNI — the largest gift to the institution to date.

Meet UNI’s inaugural Wilson Scholar

Find out why UNI freshman Jenna Meyer believes she "won the lottery" with her college education by becoming the first Wilson Scholar.

UNI Foundation raises nearly $40 million in FY24, continuing university’s fundraising success

The University of Northern Iowa Foundation raised $39.9 million in support of UNI during the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Philanthropy fuels UNI community engagement

Gifts from Veridian Credit Union, the R.J. McElroy Trust and others play a big role in the 600,000 volunteer hours UNI students log each year.

UNI Nursing surpasses $1 million in donor support through Our Tomorrow Campaign

Alumni and friends of UNI have made a considerable investment to help launch the university’s new Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.