Upper Iowa University

Upper Iowa University (UIU) is a private university in Fayette, Iowa. It enrolls around 900 students and offers distance education programs that include 15 centers in the U.S., an online program, an independent study program, and centers in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. UIU has a total student enrollment of more than 6,000 students with a 24:1 student-to-faculty ratio (based on university-wide enrollment).

Not to be confused with University of Northern Iowa.

Upper Iowa University
MottoDeo Duce
Motto in English
With God For A Leader
TypePrivate
Established1857 (1857)
Endowment$15 million (2009)[1]
PresidentWilliam Duffy
Academic staff
462
Students6,158
Location
Fayette
,
Iowa
,
United States
CampusRural 100 acres (0.40 km2)
ColorsBlue and White    
AthleticsNCAA Division II – NSIC
NicknamePeacocks
AffiliationsCouncil of Independent Colleges, National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities
Websitewww.uiu.edu

Upper Iowa offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in more than 40 majors, including art, business, conservation management, education, higher education administration, human services, information technology, liberal arts, math, nursing, psychology, science, and more.[2] It operates on two eight-week terms per semester, allowing students to take two classes per term. Although accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the university was placed on "on notice" in March 2017 "after staff members at one of its locations for years mishandled academic and financial aid information."[3]

UIU is the only NCAA Division II Athletics Program in the state of Iowa and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC).

History
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. 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 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

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]

Campus

Upper Iowa's traditional 100-acre (0.40 km2) residential campus is in Fayette, Iowa. Fayette County is ranked at 26th in the Midwest list of “Best Places to Live.”[7] Student-faculty ratio is 14:1; teaching is by tenured or full-time faculty of whom nearly 75 percent have doctorate degrees; advising is done by faculty; there are free on-campus tutor centers; and there are more than 40 registered fraternities, sororities, clubs and organizations on campus.

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.

The academic facilities on the Fayette campus are state-of-the-art due to an aggressive renovation of the old buildings over the past decade and new construction currently underway. The Fayette campus has free wireless Internet access. The recreational facilities include free student events, a free fitness center, and free golf at the local 18-hole course. The university has rock wall climbing and specially designed ropes course.

Academics

Upper Iowa University participates in the Higher Learning Commission Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) alternative path for accreditation, has a UIU chapter of the Alpha Chi National College Honor Society, and 165 student athletes were honored in 2010 for academic excellence.[8] Average ACT score is 22; average high school grade point average is 2.94; tuition for 2009-2010 is $22,350, with 100 percent of UIU students receiving need- and/or merit-based financial aid.[9]

Upper Iowa University awards more than $100,000 each year in merit-based scholarships to its current students.[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
Main article: Upper Iowa Peacocks

In 2005, Upper Iowa University was accepted into full membership of the NCAA Division II athletics and became a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Peacock colors are blue and white. UIU was an NCAA Division III member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference until 2003.

Sports teams
Baseball (Men)
Basketball (Men and Women)
Bowling (Men and Women)
Cross Country (Men and Women)
eSports (Men and Women).
Football (Men)
Golf (Men and Women)
Lacrosse (Women)
Soccer (Men and Women)
Softball (Women)
Spirit Squad (Men and Women)
Tennis (Women)
Track & Field (Men and Women)
Volleyball (Women)
Wrestling (Men).

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.

References
  1. 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.
  2. Archived October 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  3. Carl Straumsheim (March 17, 2017). "Upper Iowa University on Notice". Inside Higher Ed. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
  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.
  7. Archived March 5, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  8. "The Official Athletic Website of Upper Iowa University". Upperiowaathletics.com. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  9. Archived March 18, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  10. "2009 Recipients Listed Alphabetically". Archived from the original on 2016-01-01. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
  11. "Upper Iowa University Overall Rankings". Retrieved 2016-12-06.
  12. Gifford, Jody (2012-11-07). "Rob Taylor Wins Iowa House District 44 - Government - Waukee, IA Patch". Waukee.patch.com. Retrieved 2013-12-19.
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