Upper Iowa University

Last updated
Upper Iowa University
Upper Iowa University Official Seal.png
Former names
Fayette Seminary of the Upper Iowa Conference (1857–1858) [1]
MottoDeo Duce
Motto in English
With God For A Leader
Type Private university
Established1857;167 years ago (1857)
Academic affiliations
 Council of Independent Colleges, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
Endowment $15 million (2009) [2]
President Kathy Franken
Academic staff
37
Students2463
Location
Fayette, Iowa
,
U.S.

42°50′17″N91°48′00″W / 42.838°N 91.800°W / 42.838; -91.800
CampusRural, 100 acres (40 ha)
Colors     Blue and white
Nickname Peacocks
Sporting affiliations
 NCAA Division II – GLVC
Website www.uiu.edu

Upper Iowa University (UIU) is a private university in Fayette, Iowa. It enrolls around 3000 students and offers distance education programs that include centers in the U.S., an online program, an independent study program, and formerly had centers in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. UIU has a total student enrollment of more than 3,000 students.

Contents

Upper Iowa offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs with 29 undergraduate majors, including art, business, conservation management, education, human services, information technology, liberal arts, math, nursing, psychology, science, and 6 graduate programs. [3] It operates on two eight-week terms per semester, allowing students to take two classes per term. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

UIU is the only NCAA Division II Athletics Program in the state of Iowa and a member of the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC).

History

Alexander-Dickman Hall, built in 1855, is the oldest building on the Fayette Campus and constructed of native limestone. Alexander Dickman.jpg
Alexander-Dickman Hall, built in 1855, is the oldest building on the Fayette Campus and constructed of native limestone.

In 1854, Elizabeth Alexander, a pioneer living near what is now Fayette, Iowa, proposed the idea of a college to her husband, Robert, who donated $10,000 toward the cause. Their son-in-law, Samuel Robertson, donated $5,000 and 10 acres (40,000 m2) of land. In 1856, the first Board of Trustees meeting was held; articles of Incorporation were adopted; and classes began January 7, 1857.[ clarification needed ] The university was affiliated with the Methodist Church until 1928.

In 1861, a company of male students and faculty members enlisted in the Army to fight in the American Civil War. Student-soldiers participated in 17 major battles, carrying a flag hand-sewn by UIU women students. In 1917, UIU male students joined the armed forces during World War I, while women students organized American Red Cross classes on campus; the UIU gym became a barracks, and the athletic field was the scene of military drills. By 1920, a systematic program of extension work throughout northeast Iowa had begun, with Upper Iowa referred to as "a pioneer in the field." [4] Those students who joined the service to fight in World War II took advantage of the G.I. Bill to complete their education, which dramatically increased Upper Iowa enrollment between 1947 and 1950. Record enrollments were also seen after the Vietnam War (1952–1970). [5]

In 1972, Upper Iowa launched an external degree program that included Independent Study and Online Programs. In 1978, Darcy C. Coyle was named president, a post in which he served until 1984, when he became President Emeritus.

In 1984 to present, UIU expanded to open locations across the U.S. Upper Iowa was approved by the Higher Learning Commission to offer graduate degrees in 1995, and in 1999 started its International Program by establishing centers in Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

The Andres Center for Business and Education was built in 2004 AndresCenter.jpg
The Andres Center for Business and Education was built in 2004

It was also during 1994 to 2003 that UIU underwent an aggressive landscaping and building renovation that brought changes to its Fayette campus. This included the construction of Lee Tower Residence Halls, the acquisition of a new physical plant building and the construction of a recreation center. In 2004, the new Andres Center for Business and Education was built, and Alan G. Walker was appointed the 20th president of the university. During summer 2009, the largest capital improvement project broke ground on the Fayette campus — $75 million — which will include a new student center, suite-style housing, and a Liberal Arts academic building. [6]

In May 2023, in response to a worsening financial situation, the university cut its academic programs in sociology, information systems, information technology, intensive English and sports administration, several of its sports programs and two of its satellite campuses. [7] The university's accreditor issued a public disclosure notice to warn the public about the university's financial distress. [8]

UIU Campus and town of Fayette

Upper Iowa's traditional 100-acre (0.40 km2) residential campus is in Fayette, Iowa; a small town of 1,200 residents in the county of the same name, in far northeast Iowa. In 1984, the former Fayette Community School District merged with the larger North Fayette County Community Schools, headquartered in the nearby county seat town of West Union. In 2018, North Fayette itself merged with the Valley Community School District, to form the North Fayette Valley Community Schools, leaving Fayette with neither an elementary nor a secondary school. Consequently, Fayette is one of the few communities in the nation with a university but no public school within its boundaries. [9]

The Fayette campus is primarily for undergraduate students, but a master's degree in education is also offered, along with two-week IXEL classes in the summer. Students can choose from 40 majors, with the most popular being Elementary Education and Teaching, Marketing/Marketing Management, General, and Natural Resources/Conservation. The Pleggenkuhle Prairie, donated by the Pleggenkuhle family to UIU, is 3 acres (12,000 m2) of virgin prairie northwest of Hawkeye. It is used as a teaching tool for students to learn about the prairie ecosystem and to conduct prescribed burns and research projects at the site.

Academics

Upper Iowa University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It has a chapter of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society. [10]

Distance education

Upper Iowa Distance Education includes 15 center locations across the U.S. in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Louisiana and Wisconsin, an Independent Study program, as well as an Online Program recognized by GetEducated.com Best Buy Rankings since 2007 and the Online Education Database (OEDb) Online College Rankings since 2007.

UIU Center locations offer the flexibility of evening and weekend classes with a classroom experience. Independent Study and Online programs offer education "anywhere, anytime." Over 40 undergraduate courses and graduate degrees (MPA, MBA, MHEA) are offered, with the option of mixing classroom and online courses.

International program

Upper Iowa University has two international education centers located in the Pacific Rim. UIU offers undergraduate programs in business, communication and psychology to learners in Hong Kong and Malaysia. Through on-site faculty, faculty exchange, and visiting lecturers, UIU offers a program with a high level of academic rigor and quality.

In addition, UIU also offers a full on-line Master of Business Administration program with global access for students, as well as study abroad opportunities.

Rankings

Upper Iowa University was ranked by U.S. News & World Report in the category for 2017 Best Online Bachelor's Programs - 128th [11]

Athletics

Upper Iowa athletic teams are the Peacocks. The university is a member of the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) since the 2023–24 academic year. The Peacocks previously competed in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC; now currently known as the American Rivers Conference since the 2018–19 academic year) of the NCAA Division III ranks from 1922–23 to 2002–03, and the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) from 2006–07 to 2022–23. Their colors are blue and white.

Upper Iowa competes in 22 intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports began baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, soccer, track & field and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, bowling, cross country, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field and volleyball; and co-ed sports include cheerleading, dance, eSports, spirit squad and shotgun sports.

Notable alumni

The statue of Colonel David B. Henderson stands in front of the Upper Iowa University library. Andrew Carnegie donated $25,000 to the university to honor his friend. Coverphoto.jpg
The statue of Colonel David B. Henderson stands in front of the Upper Iowa University library. Andrew Carnegie donated $25,000 to the university to honor his friend.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northwestern College (Iowa)</span> Christian college in Orange City, Iowa

Northwestern College is a private Christian college in Orange City, Iowa, that is Reformed, evangelical and ecumenical. Established in 1882, it offers more than 135 academic programs and enrolls over 1,700 students in undergraduate, graduate and online programs.

The University of Southern Indiana (USI) is a public university just outside of Evansville, Indiana. Founded in 1965, USI enrolls 9,750 dual credit, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students in more than 130 areas of study. USI offers programs through the College of Liberal Arts, Romain College of Business, College of Nursing and Health Professions and the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education.

College of St. Joseph was a Private Roman Catholic liberal arts college in Rutland County, Vermont. It occupied a 117 acres (0.47 km2) wooded campus. Although the college was accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education, it was placed on probation in August 2018 because of the college's financial challenges. It closed at the end of the spring 2019 semester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Concordia University, St. Paul</span> Private Lutheran university in St. Paul, Minnesota

Concordia University, St. Paul, is a private university in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was founded in 1893 and enrolls nearly 5,600 students. It is a member of the Concordia University System, which is operated by the second-largest Lutheran church body in the United States, the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod. The school was a two year college until 1964. The present name Concordia University, St. Paul was adopted in 1997.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Joseph's University (New York)</span> Private college in Brooklyn and Long Island

St. Joseph's University, New York is a private Catholic university in New York State, with campuses in Brooklyn and Long Island. The university provides education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, offering degrees in more than 54 majors and other programs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Great Lakes Valley Conference</span> NCAA Division II college athletic conference

The Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) is a college athletic conference affiliated with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) at the Division II level. Its fourteen member institutions are located in the U.S. states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, and Missouri. There are also four associate members who participate in sports not sponsored by their home conferences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quincy University</span> Private Franciscan university in Quincy, Illinois, U.S.

Quincy University (QU) is a private Franciscan university founded in 1860 in Quincy, Illinois.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Urbana University</span> Defunct college in Urbana, Ohio

Urbana University was a private university specializing in liberal arts education and located in Urbana, Ohio. In its final few years, it was purchased by Franklin University and was a branch campus of that university.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Indiana University East</span> Public university in Richmond, Indiana, U.S.

Indiana University East is a public university in Richmond, Indiana, a regional campus of Indiana University that serves the eastern Indiana and western Ohio area. Established in 1971 by the Indiana University Board of Trustees, IU East enrolls over 4,000 students on its five-building, 174-acre campus and in online classes. IU East has 60 academic degree programs, offering bachelor's and master's degree programs and certificates in areas of Business and Economics, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, Natural Science & Mathematics, Informatics, General Studies, Nursing and Health Sciences, and Social Work.

Indiana University Northwest is a public university in Gary, Indiana. It is one of seven regional campuses of Indiana University and was established in 1963. The university enrolls approximately 3,500 degree-seeking traditional and non-traditional students along with 1,800 dual-credit students.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">York University (Nebraska)</span> Private university in York, Nebraska

York University is a private college affiliated with the Churches of Christ and located in York, Nebraska. It was founded in 1890.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bellevue University</span> Private university in Bellevue, Nebraska

Bellevue University is a private university in Bellevue, Nebraska. It opened in 1966 as Bellevue College and from the outset has focused on providing adult education and educational outreach. As of 2011, 80% of its undergraduates were aged 25 and over. The university has over 10,000 students enrolled in a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs.

McKendree University (McK), formerly McKendree College, is a private university in Lebanon, Illinois. Founded in 1828 as the Lebanon Seminary, it is the oldest college or university in Illinois. The school was renamed McKendree University beginning in the 2007–08 academic year. McKendree enrolls approximately 1,960 students representing 25 countries and 29 states. In the undergraduate program, on average there are 51% females and 49% males. The institution remains affiliated with the United Methodist Church.

Maryville University of St. Louis is a private university in Town and Country, Missouri. It was originally founded on April 6, 1872, by the Society of the Sacred Heart and offers more than 90 degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels to students from 50 states and 47 countries. The school's name is derived from the shortening and altering of "Mary's Villa" when the school opened as an all women-school in the country outside of the order's original downtown St. Louis location in 1872. In 1961 it moved to suburban St. Louis and in 1968 began admitting men. Since 1972 the university has been governed by a board of trustees consisting mostly of members of the laity, although five of the trustees are always associated with the Society of the Sacred Heart. The school's athletic nickname is now the Saints.

Edgewood College is a private Dominican college in Madison, Wisconsin. The college occupies a 55 acres (22 ha) campus overlooking the shores of Lake Wingra.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University of Houston–Victoria</span> Public university in Victoria, Texas, U.S.

The University of Houston–Victoria (UHV) is a public university in Victoria, Texas. It is part of the University of Houston System. Its campus spans 20 acres (8.1 ha) in Victoria with a satellite location at UHV Katy. Founded in 1971, UHV has an enrollment of over 4,300 students.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Andrews University (North Carolina)</span> Private Presbyterian college in Laurinburg, North Carolina, U.S.

St. Andrews University is a private Presbyterian university in Laurinburg, North Carolina. It was established in 1958 as a result of a merger of Flora MacDonald College in Red Springs and Presbyterian Junior College; it was named St. Andrews Presbyterian College from 1960 until 2011 when the college changed its name to St. Andrews University. That same year, it merged with Webber International University of Babson Park, Florida. It is also home to the St. Andrews Press. In 2013, St. Andrews added its first graduate program, an MBA in business administration.

Benedictine University at Springfield in Springfield, Illinois was a branch campus of Benedictine University, whose main campus is in Lisle, Illinois. It offered accelerated associate, bachelor's and graduate programs through the university's School of Graduate, Adult and Professional Education.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upper Iowa Peacocks</span>

The Upper Iowa Peacocks are the athletic teams that represent Upper Iowa University, located in Fayette, Iowa, in intercollegiate sports at the Division II level of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), primarily competing in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) for most of their sports since the 2023–24 academic year. The Peacocks previously competed in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) from 2003-04 to 2022-23, and the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference of the NCAA Division III ranks from 1922–23 to 2002–03. Their colors are blue and white.

Westcliff University (WU) is a private, for-profit university in Irvine, California. Founded in 1993, it offers bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees, as well as certificate programs and continuing education courses.

References

  1. ↑ "Timeline of UIU History". uiu.edu. Upper Iowa University. Archived from the original on 14 December 2022. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  2. ↑ As of June 30, 2009. "U.S. and Canadian Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2009 Endowment Market Value and Percentage Change in Endowment Market Value from FY 2008 to FY 2009" (PDF). 2009 NACUBO-Commonfund Study of Endowments. National Association of College and University Business Officers. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 14, 2017. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Undergraduate Programs/Certificates - Upper Iowa University". www.uiu.edu. Archived from the original on October 25, 2011.
  4. ↑ Alderson, S. 1965. The Palimpsest, vol. XLVI, no. 3, pp. 166/167.
  5. ↑ Regan, S. 2008. The Pioneering spirit: Upper Iowa University celebrating 150 Years 1857-2007. Cedar Rapids: WDG Publishing.
  6. ↑ "Upper Iowa University: Affordable, scholarships, financial aid, accelerated degree programs". Archived from the original on 2009-08-19. Retrieved 2009-08-21.
  7. ↑ Jett, Tyler (2023-05-25). "Declaring 'financial exigency,' Upper Iowa makes more cuts, laying off professors, deans". Des Moines Register . Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  8. ↑ "Public Disclosure Upper Iowa University Designation: Financial Distress" (PDF). Higher Learning Commission . Retrieved 2023-09-11.
  9. ↑ "Best Places". www.pfbestplaces.com. Archived from the original on Sep 19, 2009. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
  10. ↑ "The Official Athletic Website of Upper Iowa University". Upperiowaathletics.com. Archived from the original on 2014-09-19. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  11. ↑ "Upper Iowa University Overall Rankings". Archived from the original on 2016-12-20. Retrieved 2016-12-06.
  12. ↑ Gifford, Jody (2012-11-07). "Rob Taylor Wins Iowa House District 44 - Government - Waukee, IA Patch". Waukee.patch.com. Archived from the original on 2013-12-19. Retrieved 2013-12-19.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.