The student news site of the University of Northern Iowa

Northern Iowan

The student news site of the University of Northern Iowa

Northern Iowan

The student news site of the University of Northern Iowa

Northern Iowan

Ruffin is committed to trying to bring back the Divine Nine, a group of
historically Black Greek organizations. She is the current president of Delta
Sigma Theta at UNI, and wants to bring that opportunity to more students.

Bringing back the Divine Nine

BAILEY KLINKHAMMER, Campus Life Editor Feb 13, 2024

“Intelligence is the torch of wisdom.”  Delta Sigma Theta’s open motto depicts what makes a Delta Sigma Theta woman. A dedication to public service, high intellectual standards and a commitment...

Sarah’s Espresso Cafe opened in 2020, and hit their stride within a few
months of opening. One of their biggest successes is their energy brews.

Sarah’s Espresso is heating up

KATE MURPHY, Staff Writer Feb 7, 2024

Local business owner Sarah Rohlfsen has dreamt of opening up her own business since she was 14 years old. Now, Sarah’s Espresso Café is one of the most visited coffee shops in the Cedar Falls/Waterloo...

Patrick Luensmann, UNI 2012 graduate, was recently appointed as director of the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center and is hoping to make business dreams a reality for students and Cedar Valley entrepreneurs alike.

The JPEC: Inviting innovation

TAYLOR NOHRENBERG, Staff Writer Feb 7, 2024

The University of Northern Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center (JPEC) has a new face among its ranks with the appointment of 2012 UNI graduate Patrick Luensmann as the Center’s new director. “It’s...

The “Imagine College Hill Vision Plan” aims to revitalize and develop College Hill. The plan has sat largely untouched since 2021, until it was rescinded by Cedar Falls City Council in November. However, the council voted in their most recent meeting to adopt the plan, with a vote of 5-2.

Hope for the Hill

CAROLINE CHRISTENSEN, Executive Editor Feb 7, 2024

To some Cedar Falls community members, the Hill is synonymous with vape shops, bars and unruly drunk college students. But to others, it is beloved for its art festivals, markets and unique small businesses. To...

UNI alum David Wilson from the class of 1970 pledged $25 million to the College of Business on Oct. 20, 2023. Wilsons donation is the largest single gift in UNIs history.

Our Tomorrow, unlocked today

KATE MURPHY, Staff Writer Feb 1, 2024

As of January 2024, Our Tomorrow: The Campaign for UNI, has officially exceeded its $250 million goal two years ahead of schedule. Now, UNI’s foundation wants to think even bigger for Our Tomorrow to...

The Big Event is open to all community members and UNI students. Students are encouraged to register for the Big Event and to attend other Dance Marathon events leading up to the event including a Miracle Gala on Feb. 2, a Heartbeat Hustle workout class on Feb. 14 and a Big Event information meeting on Feb. 19. 

Dance Marathon preps for Big Event

HOPE SCHULTE, Staff Writer, Graphic Designer Jan 31, 2024

"Because of you." This phrase holds a special meaning for UNI Dance Marathon this year as this is the organization’s campaign slogan for the year. The leaders chose this phrase because they wanted...

UNI’s Black Student Union will be hosting a lineup of events celebrating Black History Month. The club’s leaders say that recognizing and celebrating this month is especially important at a predominantly white institution like UNI.

Black Student Union creates community

CAROLINE CHRISTENSEN, Executive Editor Jan 31, 2024

For UNI Black Student Union (BSU) President Randy Whitfield and BSU Vice President Celia Emunah, stepping onto UNI’s campus for the first time was intimidating. But thanks to BSU, they were able to find...

The Tallgrass Prairie Center has played a role in helping preserve prairies as a habitat for many creatures, notably the monarch butterfly. Their efforts include their roadside projects, seed distribution, and collaboration with farmers.

From Cedar Falls to National Geographic

KORBYN RYAN, Staff Writer Jan 25, 2024

The Tallgrass Prairie Center, first officially established in 1999 with roots dating back to 1990, originally aimed to address the significant loss of prairie and other natural habitats in Iowa. “We've...

Connecting Alumni to Students (CATS) hosts a variety of events for students and alumni alike. For homecoming, the students in CATS volunteer to make sure these events are enjoyable for all of its attendees.

CATS: Panthers with hardworking paws

GRANT PEDERSEN, Staff Writer Jan 17, 2024

“CATS,” otherwise known as The University of Northern Iowa’s Connecting Alumni To Students, is the foremost student organization on campus that promotes the lasting connection between past, present,...

Volunteers from across the Cedar Valley braved the cold weather to help the Northeast Iowa Food Bank pack bags
for children who struggle with food-insecurity.

Panthers Pack the Dome

MALLORY SCHMITZ, News Editor Jan 17, 2024

On a blustery Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the UNI-Dome transformed from a football stadium to a food packing facility. A total of nearly 2,000 volunteers gathered in the Dome for the Northeast Iowa...

The photograph above appeared in an August 1925 edition of the College Eye, one of the previous names for UNI’s student newspaper. It shows the West Gym nearing completion before it opened in November of that year. The Iowa Board of Regents approved a request this past November to demolish the West Gym after nearly a century on campus.

The West Gym: at the heart of campus history

MALLORY SCHMITZ, News Editor Jan 17, 2024

A vacant brick building sits behind a chain-link fence directly west of the Campanile. Stone busts of football players adorn the top of the eastern wall, now being held up by steel support beams. The nearly...

Temperatures plunged this week, prompting the university to have all
classes meet virtually on Tuesday.

Frozen over

MALLORY SCHMITZ, News Editor Jan 17, 2024

The start of the spring semester has been frozen in its tracks.  Following blizzard-like conditions over the weekend and facing dangerously low wind chills, the University of Northern Iowa made the...

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