University of Northern Iowa facts for kids
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Former names
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Iowa State Normal School (1876–1909) Iowa State Teachers College (1909–1961) State College of Iowa (1961–1967) |
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| Motto | Lux (Latin) |
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Motto in English
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Light |
| Type | Public university |
| Established | September 6, 1876 |
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Parent institution
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Iowa Board of Regents |
| Accreditation | HLC |
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Academic affiliations
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Space-grant |
| Endowment | $163 million (2022) |
| President | Mark Nook |
| Provost | Jose Herrerra |
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Academic staff
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639 |
| Students | 9,021 (fall 2023) |
| Undergraduates | 7,739 |
| Postgraduates | 828 |
| Location |
,
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United States
42°30′54″N 92°27′38″W / 42.51500°N 92.46056°W |
| Campus | Small city, 900 acres (360 ha) |
| Newspaper | The Northern Iowan |
| Colors | Purple and gold |
| Nickname | Panthers |
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Sporting affiliations
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| Mascot | TC Panther (male) & TK Panther (female) |
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The University of Northern Iowa (UNI) is a public university located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, United States. UNI offers more than 90 different study programs across five main colleges. In the fall of 2024, over 9,200 students were enrolled at the university.
UNI was first started in 1876 as the Iowa State Normal School. Its main goal was to train teachers for schools. It is one of three public universities in Iowa. All three are managed by the Iowa Board of Regents.
Contents
History of UNI
The University of Northern Iowa began because of two important needs in the 1800s. First, Iowa wanted to help children who lost their parents in the Civil War. Second, Iowa needed a place to train public school teachers. In 1876, when the orphan home was no longer needed, lawmakers Edward G. Miller and H. C. Hemenway helped create the Iowa State Normal School.
The school's first building, Central Hall, opened in 1867. It had classrooms, common areas, and living spaces for many students. The school's first principal, James Cleland Gilchrist, also lived there. Central Hall was very important to the school. Students could study for two-year, three-year, and four-year degrees there. In 1965, a fire destroyed Central Hall. After the fire, school staff and people from Cedar Falls donated over $5,000 to help build Gilchrist Hall.
The school has had a few different names over the years:
- Iowa State Normal School, from 1876 to 1909
- Iowa State Teachers College, from 1909 to 1961
- State College of Iowa, from 1961 to 1967
- University of Northern Iowa, from 1967 to today
From 2014 to 2018, UNI hosted a conference called the Midwest Summer Institute: Inclusion and Communication for All. This event focused on a method called facilitated communication. However, this method was later found to be unreliable. Because of this, UNI decided to stop hosting the conference in 2018.
UNI Presidents Over Time
Since it was founded, the university has had eleven presidents. They are the leaders who guide the school.
- James Cleland Gilchrist, 1876–1886
- Homer Horatio Seerley, 1886–1928
- Orval Ray Latham, 1928–1940
- Malcolm Poyer Price, 1940–1950
- James William Maucker, 1950–1970
- John Joseph Kamerick, 1970–1983
- Constantine William Curris, 1983–1995
- Robert D. Koob, 1995–2006
- Benjamin J. Allen, 2006–2013
- William Ruud, 2013–2016
- Mark Nook, 2017–present
Academics at UNI
The University of Northern Iowa has several colleges where students can study different subjects. These include:
- Wilson College of Business
- College of Education
- College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences
- College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
- Graduate College
Study Abroad Programs
UNI gives students the chance to study in over 25 countries. They can choose from more than 40 different programs. These programs are open to all students at the university. The goal of the Study Abroad Center is to help UNI students learn about other cultures. It also helps them gain a global understanding.
Culture and Intensive English Program
The Culture and Intensive English Program (CIEP) is a special program for students who are not native English speakers. It helps them improve their English skills. The program prepares them for college-level studies. UNI students can also join the Conversation Partner Program. This helps foreign students practice English. It also helps students from different cultures become friends.
The North American Review
The university publishes The North American Review (NAR). This is a famous literary magazine that started in Boston in 1815. Many well-known writers have contributed to it. These include Mark Twain, Henry James, and Margaret Atwood. UNI bought the magazine in 1968.
Teaching and Research Greenhouse
The University of Northern Iowa Teaching and Research Greenhouse is a special building with many plants. It is used for research and teaching. It is located on the UNI campus in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
The greenhouse has plants from many different environments. It includes 250 tropical plants and a large Aquatic Learning Center. This center is about 1,200 square feet in size.
International Connections
UNI is part of the University of the Arctic network. UArctic is a group of over 200 universities and organizations. They work together to promote education and research in the Arctic region.
UNI Athletics
The school's sports teams are called the Panthers. Their mascots are TC (The Cat) and his sister TK. UNI teams compete in NCAA Division I. The football team plays in the FCS. They are part of the Missouri Valley Football Conference and the Missouri Valley Conference. The wrestling team competes in the Big 12 Conference.
The main sports arena on campus is the UNI-Dome. This is where the football team plays. The Dome also hosts concerts, high school football games, and other events. In 2006, the university opened the McLeod Center. This new arena is home to the volleyball and basketball teams.
UNI's sports teams have had a lot of success. The men's basketball team has played in the NCAA tournament many times. In 2010, they beat the top-ranked Kansas Jayhawks. This was a big upset and helped them reach the Sweet Sixteen for the first time. They even won an ESPY Award for Best Upset that year.
Jacqui Kalin was a star player for the women's basketball team. She helped them win two MVC Tournament titles. She holds school records for scoring, three-pointers, and free throws. Her career free throw percentage is the highest in NCAA Division 1 history.
The football team has often been ranked among the top teams in the FCS. In 2005, they played in the I-AA championship game. In 2007, the team had an amazing undefeated season. The volleyball, track, and wrestling teams are also very successful.
The UNI wrestling team won the NCAA Division I national championship in 1949. They also won NCAA Division II national championships in 1975 and 1978. In 2017, UNI wrestling joined the Big 12 Conference. The women's softball team won the AIAW national championship in 1977.
Many UNI alumni have become successful athletes. Bryce Paup won the Defensive Player of the Year Award in 1995. Kurt Warner was named NFL MVP in 1999 and 2001.
Student Life at UNI
Student Newspapers
Students at UNI have published newspapers for a long time.
- Students Offering, 1888–1889
- Normal Eye, 1892–1911
- College Eye, 1911–1967
- Northern Iowan, 1967–present
Student Groups
UNI has many student groups, including fraternities and sororities. These are social organizations that students can join.
Fraternities
- Kappa Sigma
- Sigma Alpha Epsilon
- Chi Phi
Sororities
- Alpha Delta Pi
- Alpha Xi Delta
- Alpha Phi
- Gamma Phi Beta
- Alpha Sigma Tau
Getting Around Campus
UNI students can ride public buses for a small fee with their student ID. The buses connect the campus to downtown Cedar Falls and Waterloo. This makes it easy for students to travel around the area.
Notable People from UNI
Many talented people have studied or worked at the University of Northern Iowa.
Alumni
- William R. Clabby, journalist
- Brittni Donaldson, professional basketball coach
- Jane Elliott, educator
- David Glawe, former government official
- Chuck Grassley, United States senator
- Carolyn Hunt, former First Lady of North Carolina
- David Johnson, professional football player
- Jacqui Kalin, professional basketball player
- Eric Keller, college wrestling coach
- Chris Klieman, college football coach
- Jason Lewis, politician
- Brian Meyer, member of the Iowa House of Representatives
- Jeremy Morgan, professional basketball player
- Patrick Murphy, college softball coach
- Carter F. Nordman, member of the Iowa House of Representatives
- Nick Nurse, professional basketball coach
- Bryce Paup, professional football player
- Duane Slick, artist and professor
- Edward Arthur Thomas, high school football coach
- Kurt Warner, professional football player
Faculty
- Donna Alvermann, professor
- Jeremy Beck, composer and professor
- Harry Brod, former professor
- Herb Hake, television personality
- James Hearst, poet and former professor
- Miguel Franz Pinto, vocal coach
- Mildred Hope Fisher Wood, special education teacher
- Loree Rackstraw, literary critic
- Leland Sage, former professor
- Norm Stewart, college basketball coach
- Robert James Waller, professor and author
- Norma Wendelburg, composer
See also
In Spanish: Universidad del norte de Iowa para niños
