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Read stories of Hawkeyes making a difference in Iowa and around the world.

Get involved and join the University of Iowa community. Choose from a variety of programs, events, and groups—on campus and off—to fit your Hawkeye experience.

Your gift to the University of Iowa makes a difference. By giving to your Iowa passion, you help change the lives of our students, our community, and the world.

The University of Iowa Center for Advancement helps UI friends and alumni stay connected, get involved, and give back.

Home Distinguished Alumni Awards

The University of Iowa Distinguished Alumni Awards

This fall, four exceptional Hawkeyes will join the long list of luminaries who have received the University of Iowa's highest alumni honor. Since 1963, the UI has recognized its world-changing exemplars with the Distinguished Alumni Awards.

From musicians and humanitarians to policy advocates and clinicians, the 2025 recipients continue the tradition of Hawkeye excellence and will be celebrated during Iowa's Homecoming week.

AWARDS TIMELINE

Nominations for the 2026 awards opened in May 2025 and will close on January 31, 2026. The Distinguished Alumni Awards Committee will meet in April 2026 to review all nominations and make the annual selections. The Distinguished Alumni Awards will be presented during Iowa's Homecoming week (Fall 2026).

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2025 Award Recipients

Simon Estes (86BM)

Achievement Award

Bass-baritone opera star Simon Estes has lived his dream of �peace through music� by championing education, health care, and artistic integrity. Along the way, the globally renowned singer has touc...

John Gilbert (82BA)

Hickerson Award

Few individuals have had a more profound influence on the University of Iowa marching bands than John Gilbert. Over the course of 35 years, Gilbert volunteered extensively with the Hawkeye Marching...

Keith Krell (81DDS, 83EndoS, 83MS)

Service Award

Throughout his 43-year career and beyond, Keith Krell has improved endodontic dentistry and his community as a clinician, consultant, mentor, and teacher. The Army National Guard veteran has volunt...

Andrea (Jansa) Woodard (07BA)

Recent Graduate Award

As a leader in government relations and community organizations and an advocate of the University of Iowa, Andrea (Jansa) Woodard has been an influential community builder for the state of Iowa.

Our latest bookshelf picks include new releases from former basketball coach George Raveling and novelists John Sandford and Sanjena Sathian.

Top 10 Iowa Magazine Stories of 2018

With the start of a new year upon us, it's time to look back at your favorite University of Iowa stories from 2018. Here are Iowa Magazine's top 10 most-read articles of the year: The Nomadic Life (spring 2018) Hawkeye football favorite Paki O'Meara (10BA) finds ultimate freedom in backpacking around the world, taking photos that inspire a sense of wonder. PHOTO COURTESY PAKI O'MEARA Kinnick at 100 (summer 2018) This past summer marked two historically significant dates for Hawkeye fans: the 100th anniversary of the birth of Nile Kinnick (40BA), and the 75th anniversary of his tragic death. In memory of Iowa's favorite son, scholar, and Ironman, we look back on his life and legacy. Ahead of the Game (spring 2018) The Iowa football team becomes the first in the nation to equip the majority of its players with a state-of-the-art new helmet designed to improve player safety. PHOTO: MARK STASTNY Hollywood U (fall 2018) Alumni success in TV and film shines the spotlight on Iowa's? flourishing screenwriting program. ILLUSTRATION: FABIEN GILBERT / ARTISTIQUE INTERNATIONAL Mountain Roots (spring 2018) Nearly 80 years ago, an unlikely UI mountain-climbing club emerged from the cornfields of Iowa to become one of the most active in the world. Now the next generation of outdoorsmen continue in their Hawkeye family's footsteps. PHOTO COURTESY EBERT FAMILY The Secrets of Sleep (fall 2018) UI doctors and researchers work to shine light on the third of our lives we spend in the dark. Illustration: John Emigh Fry's Dream Team (fall 2018) FRYFest honors Hayden Fry's legendary 1983 coaching tree. PHOTO: UI ATHLETICS Going the Distance (spring 2018) UI-trained dentist Deb Carneol (92DDS) completes seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. PHOTO: MARK CONLON/WORLDMARATHONCHALLENGE.COM At 105, Our Oldest Hawkeye? (spring 2018) Catherine Shaw Shors (35BSC), who earned her business degree from Iowa more than eight decades ago, celebrated a milestone birthday in May. 1936 HAWKEYE YEARBOOK A Heroic Homecoming (spring 2018) Avengers: Infinity War director Joe Russo (92BA) receives a superhero's welcome at his alma mater. PHOTOS: Justin Torner

Alumni Affinity Groups and Affiliated Alumni Networks

Iowa alumni with shared connections are invited to join an affinity group. Some of these organizations are an extension of student interests, like Alumni Band or Dance Marathon Alumni Group.

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NOTICE: The University of Iowa Center for Advancement is an operational name for the State University of Iowa Foundation, an independent, Iowa nonprofit corporation organized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, publicly supported charitable entity that works to advance the University of Iowa. Please review its full disclosure statement.

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