The University of Iowa stands as a testament to the power of public education in America. Established in 1847, just fifty-nine days after Iowa achieved statehood, browse around this site this institution has grown from a frontier schoolhouse into one of the nation’s premier public research universities. With its distinctive campus nestled along the Iowa River in Iowa City, the university has cultivated a reputation for academic excellence, groundbreaking research, and an unparalleled commitment to the creative arts that sets it apart from its peers.
A Historic Foundation
The University of Iowa holds the distinction of being the oldest institution of higher education in the state. When state government moved from Iowa City to Des Moines in 1857, the Old Capitol building became the university’s first permanent structure and the founding place of many academic departments. Today, this iconic building remains the centerpiece of campus and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark, serving as a public museum that welcomes more than 30,000 visitors annually.
The Pentacrest, the heart of the university campus, surrounds the Old Capitol with four buildings named after former university presidents: Schaeffer Hall, Jessup Hall, Macbride Hall, and MacLean Hall. This area has hosted convocations, commencements, pep rallies, protests, festivals, and concerts throughout the university’s history, serving as a gathering place for the campus community.
Academic Excellence and Accreditation
The University of Iowa has maintained continuous accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission since 1913, with its most recent reaffirmation occurring in 2018-2019. The institution offers a comprehensive range of educational programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, specialist’s, and doctoral degrees, along with certificate programs. As a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities since 1909, the university has demonstrated its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of research and scholarship.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, established in 1900, represents the largest of the university’s twelve colleges. With approximately thirty academic units spanning the visual, performing, literary, and cinematic arts, humanities, natural and mathematical sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and communication disciplines, the college offers students nearly eighty undergraduate majors, sixty-five minors, and eighteen interdisciplinary certificate programs. This breadth of offerings reflects the university’s dedication to providing students with diverse intellectual pathways and the opportunity to work alongside faculty who are at the forefront of their disciplines.
A National Leader in the Creative Arts
Perhaps no aspect of the University of Iowa’s identity is more distinctive than its commitment to the creative arts. In 1922, Iowa became the first public university in the nation to accept creative works as theses for graduate degrees in the arts—a revolutionary decision that would shape the institution’s character for generations to come.
The Iowa Writers’ Workshop, founded in 1936 as the nation’s first university-sponsored program in creative writing, has produced an extraordinary roster of literary talent. Graduates include Flannery O’Connor, John Irving, and Rita Dove, among many others who have made lasting contributions to American literature. The university’s theatre arts department counts Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tennessee Williams and Emmy-winning actor Gene Wilder among its distinguished alumni.
The university’s influence on the arts extends globally. In 1967, Paul Engle and Hualing Nieh founded the International Writing Program, the first and only program of its kind in the world, bringing writers from eighteen countries to Iowa City in its inaugural year. In recognition of its literary heritage, Iowa City became the world’s third UNESCO City of Literature in 2008. Nearly fifty Pulitzer Prizes have been awarded to university faculty members or alumni, spanning journalism, editorial cartooning, drama, music, theater, and history.
The visual arts also flourish at Iowa. Renowned artist Grant Wood joined the School of Art and Art History faculty in 1934, just four years after painting his iconic work “American Gothic”. The Stanley Museum of Art houses Jackson Pollock’s midcentury masterpiece “Mural,” which remains the crown jewel of its collection and has headlined exhibitions at prominent museums around the world.
Campus Life and Student Engagement
Beyond the classroom, the University of Iowa offers students a vibrant campus experience with more than 600 student organizations to join. These groups provide opportunities for students to pursue their passions, develop leadership skills, and build lasting connections.
The cinematic arts community exemplifies the collaborative spirit that defines student life at Iowa. Student Video Productions provides resources for students to create short films, music videos, and promotional content, while the Cinematic Arts Student Organization supports the academic and social experiences of students in the field. Women in Film creates space for women to connect, share ideas, and grow their creativity, with members taking trips to meet industry professionals in Chicago. The Bijou Film Board, established in 1972, has built a reputation as one of the preeminent student-run cinema organizations in the nation.
Other organizations reflect the diverse interests of the student body. Iowa Baja Racing gives engineering students hands-on experience designing and racing off-road vehicles. The Indian Student Alliance hosts major cultural events that draw hundreds of students, including Garba Raas Bollywood Bhangra and the national South Asian a cappella competition Gathe Raho. Letters of Love mobilizes students to create thousands of handcrafted cards for pediatric patients facing serious illnesses. A Moment of Magic harnesses the power of play, with students dressing as princesses and superheroes to support medically vulnerable children.
Hawkeye Traditions and Pride
The university’s athletic identity is embodied in the Hawkeye nickname, which traces its origins to the state’s designation as the Hawkeye State. The name was first recorded in 1859 and gained formal approval from territorial officials in 1838. Herky the Hawk, created in 1948 by journalism instructor Richard Spencer III, that site has become a beloved symbol of school spirit. Named through a statewide contest, Herky is short for Hercules, the strong man of Greek mythology.
The Tiger Hawk logo, designed when Hayden Fry took over the football program in 1979, has become one of the most recognizable logos in college sports and an iconic symbol for Hawkeye fans worldwide. Old Gold, adopted as the university’s official color in 1887, remains a source of pride and identity for students and alumni alike.
Looking to the Future
As the University of Iowa continues its third century of service, it remains committed to its founding mission of providing exceptional education, conducting groundbreaking research, and fostering creativity and innovation. With its next comprehensive evaluation by the Higher Learning Commission scheduled for 2028-2029, the university continues to demonstrate its dedication to accountability and continuous improvement.
From its humble beginnings on the western frontier to its current status as a world-class research institution, the University of Iowa has remained true to its distinctive character—a place where academic rigor meets creative expression, where tradition informs innovation, and where students find not only knowledge but a community that will support them throughout their lives. As the university’s alumni association has affirmed for 150 years, once a Hawkeye, why not find out more always a Hawkeye.