/NORTHERNIOWAN
CEDAR FALLS, IA
@NORTHERNIOWAN
WWW.NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
VOLUME 122, ISSUE 6
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2025
Northern Iowan editors sit down with UNI President Mark Nook
Josue Villatoro/Northern Iowan Editors of the Northern Iowan, Estelle Johnson (left) and Jenna Westendorf (right), met with President Mark Nook to discuss the 150th year of UNI.
By Estelle Johnson & Jenna Westendorf In 1876, the Iowa State Normal School honor the university’s past. opened doors for the first time – with an enroll“We don’t get to 150 years if we haven’t LILYitsMUNNIK ment News of only 88 students. From there, what would had people building a very solid institution for us,” Editor soon go through several name changes, is now Nook stated. “An institution that has weathered known as the University of Northern Iowa – with some storms, some ups and downs, and has had over 9,200 students currently enrolled. some really high peaks.” See DEI RALLY, page 2 Northern Iowan executive JACOB editorKURT Estelle President Nook emphasized how the work Johnson, and managing editor Jenna Westendorf, he does would not be possible without the many met with UNI President Mark Nook in the Lang hands of UNI leaders. Custodians, food service Hall TV studio on Friday, Sept. 12. There, they workers, faculty, students and staff – everyone at discussed the sesquicentennial anniversary, homeUNI plays their part in making UNI special. coming events and more university business. “There’s always so much focus on what Nook shared with the editors that he conhappens when a particular leader’s here … but the tinues to look forward to honoring the university’s work is done by the entire campus,” said Nook. proud past, and celebrating a bold future as UNI “People know who I am, but the work is really done marks its sesquicentennial anniversary and homeby so many other people.” coming. Nook is looking forward to celebrating Preparations for the sesquicentennial celeamong students, faculty and staff at UNI. Nook bration began in 2017. UNI celebrated 50 years as added, “Being able to be a part of what everybody a university that year, and President Nook aimed to on this campus does, the way people are celebratlay the groundwork for what would soon come to be ing, what they are remembering and what they are a year-long celebration – most importantly, how to thinking about for our future, what our faculty and
See BSU KICKBACK, page 3
See HOMECOMING, page 5
staff are thinking about and working on, and what they’ve done to lay this path in the first place.” This sesquicentennial year features old traditions in new ways – such as honoring UNI’s biggest donors in the Gallagher Bluedorn, rather than the typical location, Maucker Union. Nook added, “The foundation and alumni celebrate our significant donors during a big celebration in November, and we’ve moved that to homecoming week so we can honor them then.” Homecoming celebrations will take place this weekend, on Friday Oct. 3 and Saturday Oct. 4. Students are welcome and encouraged to participate in the slew of events occurring this week. Nook reminds students that the university is a unique place, and encourages them to engage and take advantage of the opportunities they have. From a late night dance to UNI athletic games, homecoming has something for every student to enjoy. Find the full schedule of events at https://homecoming.uni.edu/
See PANTHER FOOTBALL, page 11