Alumni & Friends
A world of connections
As a department, our goal is to engage and build healthy communities, lifestyles, and organizations. As alumni, you take those academic goals and make them a reality, and you give back. Whether that’s to a fund at the University of Northern Iowa, as a mentor to our students in the field, or as a volunteer in your communities and professions, you are continuing to represent the impact of your Panther education.
Whether it’s a Hall of Excellence induction, sharing a success on the web, or being thankful for the generosity — and impact — of an endowed chair, your stories are part of our story.
Extending Education Outdoors
Education is everywhere. For Ryan Harkema ('04, MA) and Amy Davison ('95, BA, '17, EdD), that has meant working with kids and adults -- and UNI student interns completing their BA degrees -- in numerous settings that take advantage of the outdoors for growth, learning (and fun!).
Leaders in Philanthropy
Emily Hansen, '13, executive director of the BlackHawk Gaming Association, Hannah Luce, '21, executive director of the Waterloo Schools Foundation, and Megan McKenzie, '12, executive director of RJ McElroy Trust, were featured in the 2024 UNI Magazine. The were among a group of six included in the story who manage combined assets of more than $180 million and annual grantmaking of almost $12 million to the Cedar Valley and northeast Iowa.
Purpose Over Profits
Recreation, tourism and nonprofit leadership alumni Matt Salvatore, '02, Annie Simmons, '20, Karin McCann Boutell, '11, and Emily Hanson, '13, helped put a spotlight on a hidden gem of a major in the 2022 UNI Magazine. RTNL graduates are leading the way in making a difference in their communities, from parks and recreation to tourism and nonprofit organizations. And, they're finding that some of these roles are expanding to fill gaps in America's social service net and these alums find themselves on the front lines of providing care, assistance and support.
A Journey in Adaptive Sports
Hannah Lang (BA, '09, MA, '11) has taken her love of outdoor recreation to new heights as she's found a home at the Adaptive Sports Center in Colorado. The former leisure, youth and human services major serves as logistics manager, helping plan trips to the center which provides programming like adaptive skiing and mountain biking for people with disabilities. She attributes her career path to her studies and multiple roles with the Wellness and Recreation Center while at UNI.
The Sky's the Limit
During unprecedented times, Sam Braband (‘10, BA) found his job as a park ranger kept him just as busy as his fellow Alaskans turned to the outdoors. The experience matched his expectations when he discovered what was previously known as the leisure studies major. “The sky was the limit. You’re only limited by your imagination.”
Hall of Excellence Recognizes Achievements
Julianne Gassman was among the 2023 inductees into the Elinor A. Crawford and William R. Thrall Hall of Excellence. Nearly 140 alumni in the areas of kinesiology, health and human services have been honored since 2003. Gassman (MA, '96, youth and human services administration) has been recognized for her leadership in community engagement at UNI, numerous publications, accolades from organizations including the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance and her service as a faculty member since 1997.
Share Your Legacy
A gift to the UNI Foundation greatly adds to the experience of today’s students in these areas:
- Professional development
- Travel
- Technology
- General (housing, materials, student organizations)
Have an idea to contribute? Contact Director of Development Sunni Kegebein at 319-273-4784.