Alumni & Friends

Campaign

Magazine

Give

Alumni & Friends

Campaign

Iowa Magazine

Give to Iowa

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).

Join an Alumni Network

Make a Gift

Join our Email List

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.