Chuck Swanson and the staff at Hancher had a germ of an idea. The performing arts organization wanted to work with the UI College of Engineering. Little did they know that they would spread a contagion across the entire state and even down the Mississippi River to New Orleans.

The state chapter of Habitat for Humanity contributed $24 million to Iowa’s economy and accounted for hundreds of jobs, according to a study by the University of Iowa’s Public Policy Center. The report covers Habitat's activities statewide in 2011.

Iowa Summer Rep, the University of Iowa’s professional repertory theatre company, announces a season featuring a tortured pinball wizard and a vibe described as “Father Knows Best squared.” Tickets go on sale Tuesday, May 28.

The University of Iowa Department of Theatre Arts is taking a show on the road this summer, staging free performances of "No Fish in the House" in numerous Iowa communities throughout July.

Get in the Carnaval spirit at the next University of Iowa Museum of Art (UIMA) First Friday on June 7 from 5-7 p.m. Domby, located at 128 E. Washington, will host the celebration with light refreshments and traditional, handmade Carnaval costumes will be on display for guests to enjoy.

The University of Iowa will mark five years since the 2008 floods with public events in communities across Iowa.

UPDATE: Because of the flood situation and closure of the University of Iowa arts campus this week, the UI School of Music has canceled its summer music camp, scheduled to take place June 9-28.

Twenty one future teachers will enter their classrooms armed with iPads and big ideas for using them thanks to an award created by University of Iowa College of Education alumna Linda Baker, who earned her English and secondary education degrees at the UI in 1968.

If you've been to a Hawkeye athletic event over the last four years, chances are good that you've seen Nils Thorson perform. Not as an athlete, but as the guy who sings the national anthem before the start of the game.

The Civil War experiences of six eastern Iowans, including two with links to the University of Iowa and its Old Capitol building, are the focus of a free public lecture set for Thursday, May 16, at 5:30 p.m. in the Hanson Family Humanities Gallery of the UI’s Old Capitol Museum.

Students living in the University of Iowa residence halls can help reduce the amount of landfill waste at move-out by participating in a Year-end Donation Drive on Wednesday, May 15 and Thursday, May 16.

Nearly 5,200 University of Iowa students will receive their degrees during spring 2013 commencement ceremonies May 16-18 and June 7, including dual ceremonies for liberal arts and sciences graduates.