Earlier this semester, we asked some students to write thank you notes to faculty and instructors who made a difference during your time at Iowa. We recorded them reading the letters for the first time.

You can’t complain when you have a cookie in your mouth. That’s one of the reasons why Josh Smith bakes and shares cookies with his coworkers at the University of Iowa, and has for many years.

In her two decades of working in the University of Iowa’s Recreational Services department, Angela Charsha-Harney has seen firsthand how health and happiness are connected. So, when one of her personal training clients was diagnosed with dementia, she dove headfirst into research on how to best help him — both inside and outside of his time exercising.

Patrick Johanns, Tippie College of Business associate professor of instruction, has a side gig as Santa Claus during the holiday season to spread cheer to area children.

Edudzi “Eddie” Etsey, UI associate athletics director for technology and data analytics, began the nonprofit Eddies Teddies to provide educational and health resources to children in Ghana.

On the last day of fall classes 50 years ago, the December weather was so delightful that University of Iowa School of Music professor Bob Yeats and his tuba students decided to stage a spontaneous holiday concert on the Pentacrest lawn. 

University of Iowa faculty and staff shared gratitude for colleagues who have made a positive impact this year.

The University of Iowa has created an Accessibility Task Force to comply with a new U.S. Department of Justice rule under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, requiring accessible web content and mobile apps by April 24, 2026.

Representing eastern Iowa in the U.S. House of Representatives for three decades, Leach developed a close connection to the UI, eventually serving as a faculty member in the College of Law and as interim director of the Stanley Museum of Art.

On Dec. 19—22, more than 1,700 University of Iowa students will receive their degrees during in-person and livestreamed commencement ceremonies, beginning with the College of Education’s undergraduate and Teacher Education Program recognition Dec. 19 and concluding with the College of Engineering, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and University College ceremonies on Dec. 22.

Construction of a new roundabout along Newton Road is nearly complete and will open the week of Dec. 16, barring any unforeseen complications. Only minor landscaping in the center of the roundabout remains.

A University of Iowa search committee has announced the third candidate for the next dean of the College of Law.