University of Iowa Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
The University of Iowa

Type	Public
Established	February 25, 1847
Endowment	US $791,231,000 US $1 Billion+
President	Dr. Sally Mason
Academic staff	2,156
Students	30,328
Undergraduates	20,574
Postgraduates	9,754
Location	Iowa City , Iowa , USA
Campus	Urban 1,900 acres (7 km²)
Nickname	Hawkeyes
Colors	Black & old gold
Affiliations	Association of American Universities, Big Ten Conference, Committee on Institutional Cooperation, Universities Research Association
Mascot	Herky the Hawk

The University of Iowa is a large public college located in Iowa City, Iowa. It was started in 1847, making it one of the oldest public universities in the state. Today, it is a well-known place for learning and research.

What is the University of Iowa?
- A Look at the Campus
  - Students and Teachers
History of the University
Sports and Mascots
- Famous Hawkeyes
Images for kids
See also

What is the University of Iowa?

The University of Iowa is a place where students go to get a higher education after high school. It is known for its strong programs in many different subjects. Students can study things like science, arts, business, and medicine.

A Look at the Campus

The university campus is in the city of Iowa City. It covers a large area of about 1,900 acres. This is like having over 1,400 football fields! The campus has many buildings, including classrooms, libraries, and dorms where students live.

Students and Teachers

More than 30,000 students attend the University of Iowa. About two-thirds of these students are undergraduates, meaning they are working on their first college degree. The rest are graduate students who are studying for advanced degrees. There are also over 2,000 teachers and professors who help students learn.

History of the University

The University of Iowa was founded on February 25, 1847. This was just 59 days after Iowa became a state! The first classes began in 1855. The university's first building was the Iowa Old Capitol Building, which used to be the state's capitol building.

Sports and Mascots

The sports teams at the University of Iowa are called the Hawkeyes. Their mascot is Herky the Hawk. The Hawkeyes compete in the Big Ten Conference, which is one of the oldest and most famous college sports conferences in the United States. They play in NCAA Division I, which is the highest level of college sports.

Famous Hawkeyes

Many talented people have studied at the University of Iowa. Here are a few examples:

Ashton Kutcher is a well-known actor who has starred in many movies and TV shows.
Gene Wilder was a famous actor known for his roles in classic movies like Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
Flannery O'Connor was a very important writer who won a National Book Award for Fiction.
Marilynne Robinson is another famous writer who won a Pulitzer Prize for her novels.
James Van Allen was a pioneering space scientist. He helped design instruments that went into space and discovered the Van Allen radiation belts around Earth.
George Gallup created the Gallup Poll, which is a way to measure public opinion.
Andre Tippett is a Hall of Fame football player who played in the NFL.
Mary Beth Hurt is an actress who was nominated for a Tony Award.
Silas B. Hays was a former Surgeon General of the United States Army, a top medical officer.
Mark Mattson is a neuroscientist who studies the brain at the National Institutes of Health.