History of University of Iowa in Timeline

The University of Iowa, established in 1847 in Iowa City, is the state's oldest and largest public research university. It comprises 12 colleges, offering over 200 fields of study and 7 professional degrees. As a major research institution, it contributes significantly to various academic disciplines and serves as a prominent center for higher education in Iowa.

1909: Creation of the Iowa Board of Regents

In 1909, the Iowa General Assembly created the Iowa Board of Regents to govern the University of Iowa, Iowa State University, the University of Northern Iowa, and other institutions.

1922: Accepting creative projects as theses for advanced degrees

In 1922, under the leadership of Carl Seashore, the University of Iowa became the first university in the United States to accept creative projects as theses for advanced degrees, setting a new standard in graduate education.

1923: George Gallup Graduates with BA

In 1923, George Gallup, who would later found the Gallup Poll, graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

1925: George Gallup Graduates with MA

In 1925, George Gallup graduated from the University of Iowa with a Master of Arts degree.

1928: George Gallup Graduates with PhD

In 1928, George Gallup graduated from the University of Iowa with a PhD.

1929: Iowa Stadium Opens

In 1929, Iowa Stadium opened as the home of the University of Iowa's football program.

1932: First university to use radio in education

In 1932, the University of Iowa became the first university to utilize radio (and later television) in education, marking a pioneering step in integrating media into the educational system.

1936: James Van Allen Graduates with MS

In 1936, James Van Allen, a physicist and discoverer of the Van Allen Belts, graduated from the University of Iowa with a Master of Science degree.

1936: Iowa Writers' Workshop Founded

In 1936, the Iowa Writers' Workshop was founded at the University of Iowa.

1936: Founding of the Iowa Writers' Workshop

In 1936, the University of Iowa's Program in Creative Writing, known as the Iowa Writers' Workshop, was founded, becoming the first creative writing program in the country and a prototype for many others.

1938: Tennessee Williams Graduates with BA

In 1938, Tennessee Williams, a leading 20th-century playwright, graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

1939: James Van Allen Graduates with PhD

In 1939, James Van Allen, who discovered the Van Allen Belts, graduated from the University of Iowa with a PhD in Physics.

1939: Nile Kinnick Wins Heisman Trophy

In 1939, Nile Kinnick won the Heisman Trophy.

1947: Flannery O'Connor Graduates with MFA

In 1947, Flannery O'Connor, a novelist and author of numerous short stories, graduated from the University of Iowa with a Master of Fine Arts degree.

1947: Thirteen Pulitzer Prize winners after 1947

Since 1947, the Iowa Writers' Workshop has produced thirteen Pulitzer Prize winners.

1951: Albert Bandura Graduates with MA

In 1951, Albert Bandura, the originator of social cognitive theory, graduated from the University of Iowa with a Master of Arts degree.

1952: Albert Bandura Graduates with PhD

In 1952, Albert Bandura graduated from the University of Iowa with a PhD.

1953: U.S. Atomic Energy Commission experiments with iodine-131

In 1953, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission conducted experiments examining the effects of iodine-131 administration in pregnant women scheduled for abortions.

1954: Jewel Prestage Graduates with Doctorate

In 1954, Jewel Prestage graduated with a master's and a doctorate, becoming the first African-American woman to earn a Ph.D. in political science.

1955: Gene Wilder Graduates with BA

In 1955, Gene Wilder, a comedic film and television actor, graduated from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Theatre Arts.

1960: Thomas R. Hanson

In 1960, Thomas R. Hanson graduates and later funds the Hanson Center for Technical Communication with $800,000.

1963: U.S. Atomic Energy Commission experiments with iodine-131

In 1963, the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission conducted experiments examining the effects of iodine-131 administration in infants.

October 1964: University name change

In October 1964, the Board of Regents approved the use of "The University of Iowa" for everyday usage, while the legal name remained the State University of Iowa (SUI).

1966: First Big Ten institution to promote an African American to administrative vice president

In 1966, the University of Iowa became the first Big Ten institution to promote an African American, Phillip Hubbard, to the position of administrative vice president, signifying a milestone in diversity and inclusion.

1967: John Irving Graduates with MFA

In 1967, John Irving, a novelist, graduated from the University of Iowa with a Master of Fine Arts degree.

1970: Recognition of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Allied Union

In 1970, the University of Iowa became the first state university to recognize the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Allied Union, marking a significant step towards inclusivity.

1973: Luther Utterback Graduates with MFA

In 1973, Luther Utterback graduated with a Master of Fine Arts degree.

1977: Dan Gable Begins Tenure as Head Coach

In 1977, Dan Gable began his 21-year tenure as the head coach of Iowa's men's wrestling team.

1977: Iowa Stadium Renamed Kinnick Stadium

In 1977, Iowa Stadium was renamed Kinnick Stadium in honor of Nile Kinnick, the 1939 Heisman Trophy winner.

1986: Field Hockey National Championship

In 1986, Iowa's field hockey team won the national championship, marking their most successful achievement.

November 1, 1991: Campus Shooting

On November 1, 1991, a shooting occurred on the University of Iowa campus, resulting in six deaths, including the perpetrator, and one injury, making it one of the deadliest campus shootings in United States history.

1994: Work by Sol LeWitt

In 1994, Sol LeWitt created the artwork "2-3-1-1", which became part of the University of Iowa's public art collection.

1997: Dan Gable Ends Tenure as Head Coach

In 1997, Dan Gable ended his 21-year tenure as the head coach of Iowa's men's wrestling team.

May 2004: Joins Chicago Climate Exchange

In May 2004, the University of Iowa joined the Chicago Climate Exchange as part of its green initiatives.

2004: Dale Chihuly's artwork

In 2004, Dale Chihuly created the artwork "Forest Amber and Gilded Chandelier", which became part of the University of Iowa's public art collection.

2004: Englert Theatre Contract

In 2004, the University of Iowa established an annual $25,000 contract with the Iowa City Englert Theatre to host concerts and performances.

2008: Flood Damage

In the summer of 2008, flood waters breached the Coralville Reservoir spillway, causing significant damage to over 20 major campus buildings at the University of Iowa.

January 2009: UNESCO City of Literature Designation

In January 2009, UNESCO designated Iowa City as the world's third City of Literature, incorporating it into the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.

April 2009: Student Garden Opens

In April 2009, a student garden was opened at the University of Iowa.

2009: El Anatsui's artwork

In 2009, El Anatsui created the artwork "Anonymous Creature", which became part of the University of Iowa's public art collection.

October 29, 2010: UIowa Sustainability Targets Proposed

On October 29, 2010, UI president Sally Mason proposed the "2020 Vision UIowa Sustainability Targets," the university's first sustainability plan.

2011: Peter Randall-Page's artwork

In 2011, Peter Randall-Page created the artwork "Ridge and Furrow", which became part of the University of Iowa's public art collection.

2012: Art Building West Reopens

In 2012, Art Building West at the University of Iowa reopened after repairs were completed following flood damage.

2015: Selection of Bruce Harreld as President

In 2015, the Iowa Board of Regents selected Bruce Harreld as president of the University of Iowa, sparking criticism and controversy due to his limited academic experience and the search process.

2016: Opening of Visual Arts Building, New Hancher Auditorium and New Voxman Music Building

In 2016, the new Visual Arts Building opened adjacent to Art Building West, while the new Hancher Auditorium and the new Voxman Music Building opened near downtown Iowa City and the main campus on South Clinton Street.

2017: Repeal of the 'Art in State Buildings Program'

In 2017, the Iowa State 'Art in State Buildings Program' was repealed. This program was one of the first percent for art programs in the United States and contributed to the University of Iowa's extensive public art collection.

2018: Research and Development Spending

In 2018, the University of Iowa spent $511 million on research and development, ranking it 51st in the United States, according to the National Science Foundation.

2019: America's "Best Value College"

In 2019 the University of Iowa was ranked as America's 99th "Best Value College" by Forbes.

2020: University of Iowa Sponsored Merit Scholarship awards

In 2020, University of Iowa is a college-sponsor of the National Merit Scholarship Program and sponsored 24 Merit Scholarship awards.

2020: Elimination of Varsity Athletic Teams

In 2020, the University of Iowa eliminated three varsity athletic teams—men's gymnastics, men's swimming and diving, and men's tennis—after the 2020–21 academic year due to a projected deficit caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020: "2020 Vision UIowa Sustainability Targets"

In 2020, the University of Iowa was working with its first sustainability plan: "2020 Vision UIowa Sustainability Targets,".

July 15, 2021: Barbara J. Wilson becomes president

On July 15, 2021, Barbara J. Wilson began serving as the 22nd and current president of the University of Iowa.

2021: Graduate school rankings

In 2021 graduate school rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked Iowa's Carver College of Medicine tied for 20th in the U.S. for primary care and tied for 34th for research, its College of Public Health tied for 19th, its College of Pharmacy tied for 18th, its College of Law tied for 27th, and its Nursing School tied for 21st. Additionally, nine University of Iowa graduate programs were ranked among the top 25 in the United States.

2021: Freshmen ACT and SAT scores in 2021

In 2021, among enrolled freshmen who submitted ACT scores, the middle 50 percent composite score was between 22 and 29. For those who submitted SAT scores, the middle 50 percent composite scores were 1140-1330.

2021: Class of 2025 Enrollment Statistics

In fall 2021, for the Class of 2025, the University of Iowa received 22,434 applications and accepted 19,340 (86.2%), with 4,521 enrolling, resulting in a yield rate of 23.4%.

2021: Research Expenditures at Iowa

In fiscal year 2021, research expenditures at the University of Iowa totaled $818 million, highlighting its classification among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".

2021: National Merit Scholars in 2020–2021 academic year

In the 2020–2021 academic year, 31 freshman students were National Merit Scholars at the University of Iowa.

2022: UIowa Categorized as "more selective" by U.S. News & World Report

In 2022, the annual ranking of U.S. News & World Report categorized UIowa as "more selective."

2024: Forbes Ranking

For the 2024-25 report, Forbes ranked the University of Iowa 155th out of the top 500 rated private and public colleges and universities in America.

2025: U.S. News & World Report Ranking

In 2025, the University of Iowa tied for 98th among national universities, tied for 46th among public universities, placed 113th among "Best Value Schools," tied for 4th for Nursing and tied for 394th in "Top Performers on Social Mobility" by U.S. News & World Report.