As University of Iowa alumni descend on campus to enjoy a full weekend of Homecoming events, this year’s celebration is taking on special meaning for one Hawkeye.
Jeffrey Kueter holds the unique distinction of experiencing Homecoming as a UI student and an IOWA club leader—and now as president and chief executive officer of the UI Alumni Association (UIAA). The Cedar Rapids native and former president of the George C. Marshall Institute in Arlington, Virginia, began his new position on July 31.
Kueter reflects on what it means to come full circle, why it’s important for alumni to stay connected, and the opportunities the UIAA offers for them to stay involved.
What personally and professionally attracted you to this position?
The opportunity to work for Iowa alumni, to learn their stories, and provide the means to bring them together to benefit each other, Iowa’s students and faculty, and the university we all love.
You’re originally from Cedar Rapids and received a bachelor of arts in political science from the UI. What is it like to return home?
Even though my wife, Tracy, also a former Iowa student, and I had lived away from Iowa for 20 years, our volunteer service—in support of the Iowa alumni group in Washington, D.C ., or in the various roles we filled for the university—always helped us keep connected to Iowa. In a sense we always had two homes. But, returning to Iowa permanently is very exciting.
How have things changed since your time at the UI? Also, what has stayed the same?
The campus is always changing. New buildings, new businesses, and new people can be found easily, but balancing that is continuity. Old Capitol, the Pentacrest, the library, the hospitals, the stadiums, and other iconic structures all are basically the same as they were when I was a student. The spirit is what persists the most over time and has stayed the same – a love of place, a love for the community, and the desire to retain hold of a piece of that once you leave.
What is the role of the UIAA and how is it funded?
The alumni association connects alumni with each other and to the university. Through programs, activities, information tools, and other means, we strive to inform alumni about opportunities to engage with and benefit from each other and provide the means for them to deepen their ties with the UI, as well as the faculty and students.
The UIAA is funded by membership dues, additional charitable contributions from alumni, sponsorships, affinity programs, and support from the University of Iowa.
As the new president of the UIAA, what excites you about the year ahead and what do you see as the challenges facing the association? Also, what is your vision for the association in 5 or 10 years?
Traveling the state of Iowa and across the United States to meet with Iowa’s alumni is the most exciting part right now, as well as our work on campus to grow future alumni through our programs to engage students. As the year progresses, I look forward to planning a successful venture to a very nice bowl destination for fans of the Hawkeyes, expanding our programs across the state so our alumni in Iowa have more opportunities to hear from and interact with us and the UI, and growing our activities for alumni that reside outside the state. The key challenges are similar to those shared by every individual—time and resources. Our programs and activities are some of many that individuals can chose from and we will have to work hard to make them creative, unique, and compelling to capture the attention of busy people. And, like any endeavor, you have to have resources. But we’re confident we can plan activities and programs that our alumni and other supporters will find valuable, interesting, and informative.
Why should people become members of the UIAA?
Supporting the UIAA allows friends and alumni to remain involved and connected with the UI, but, even as important, with each other. Contributors are demonstrating support for their alma mater, staying involved with the life of the university, creating a community of people with shared experiences and beliefs, networking with other alumni, UI faculty and students, and, lastly, accessing a plethora of benefits we have assembled for their use. Engaged alumni enhance the national reputation and continued success of the University of Iowa.
The UIAA’s national network of IOWA clubs offers a home away from home for Hawkeyes whose lives and careers have taken them away from Iowa. You were president of the Capital IOWA Club in Washington, D.C. Tell us what makes IOWA clubs so special.
Iowa Clubs are a representation of the spirit of Iowa in their communities. They enable Iowa’s alumni to regularly interact with each other around events and activities unique to their localities and in support of Iowa faculty and students when they visit those areas. Additionally, they are a ready-made network for our alumni and students to employ as they pursue their professional aspirations. They are also special because the Iowa Clubs are entirely volunteer-driven.
In what other ways does the UIAA help alumni stay connected?
Through a variety of products that inform friends and alumni about activities on campus and the accomplishments of students, faculty and, of course, other alumni. Iowa Alumni Magazine is a signature product, but alumni use our website, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media sites, too.
Even more important are the connections alumni make with each other and with us (and the UI). The IOWA clubs are a great way to do that, but we support a host of other ways too. The Iowa Voyagers travel program, for example, brings people together to experience the world while having that shared Iowa tie to connect them along the way. Plus our Lifelong Learning and Senior College programs allow alumni to continue to benefit from the knowledge and expertise of UI faculty and staff.
Q: What’s the meaning of the UIAA’s tagline, Once a Hawkeye…?
The line is intentionally left open-ended to evoke a response from the reader. Every person’s Hawkeye story is unique and reflects their individual experiences with the university. For some, it means a family tradition of supporting the Hawkeyes; for others, it’s about the friends they made as students, the faculty that mentored them, or the relationships they forged as alumni, no matter where in the world they now find themselves.
Q: What is your message for UI alumni who have such a strong presence all over Iowa, around the country and the world?
Find a way to stay connected! Whether its simple and passive or more active, staying connected provides you with the opportunity to alter your level of involvement as your circumstances warrant. Your involvement with Iowa will always return more to you than you give to it.
How does it feel to be able to experience Homecoming this year at the UI, as a student, an IOWA club leader and now the president of the UIAA?
Homecoming is a most special time as an alumnus. The UIAA originally formed nearly 150 years ago as a means for alumni to celebrate commencement with the new graduating class. It was announced as a way for faithful alumni to embrace the new generation and re-establish ties to the preceding generations. Homecoming reflects the same message, one that endures over time.
How does it feel? Really, really good. Every day offers a new chance to reach out to alumni and find new and innovative ways to get them involved.
Why is it great to be a Hawkeye?
Hawkeyes are committed and passionate; they are people whose loyalty to their teams and their university runs deep and is easily expressed. They have an abiding sense of community and a desire to be together.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I wish all our alumni, parents, students, and friends a great Homecoming weekend!
ON IOWA and GO HAWKS!!