Hundreds of enthusiastic patrons and well-wishers from across the country—including local, state, and national leaders—gave a standing ovation to the University of Iowa's new Hancher Auditorium during a grand opening ceremony on Friday, Sept. 9.

The day marked the culmination of eight years of recovery and rebuilding after a devastating flood destroyed the UI's old Hancher Auditorium in 2008. 

Those on hand Friday shared stories with one another, and with Hancher Executive Director Chuck Swanson, about their memories of the old auditorium and about how much the new performance space would mean to the campus and the state of Iowa.

"Even if we are not performers ourselves, all of us in the university community are part of Hancher—we are all part of creating the environment here for the performing arts to take wing in ways we've never experienced before," UI President Bruce Harreld said during the dedication ceremony. "And that goes for all of our audience members, private donors, and public leaders as well. We are all Hancher."