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Upcoming UICA Events

If you don't see the event you are looking for, please also visit events.uiowa.edu.

January 5, 2026 - January 7, 2026
Hawkeyes at Home: Behind the Scenes at the University of Iowa
12:00 pm - 12:10 pm (CST)
Where: Online Event
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The University of Iowa´s video series debuts three fresh mini-features - each just four minutes long - delivering behind-the-scenes access to some of Iowa´s most fascinating innovations and spaces.

  • Driving Research for Safer Roads (Streaming begins at noon CST on Monday, Jan. 5)
    Explore Iowa´s cutting-edge driving research and how it´s shaping the future of road safety.

  • Hidden Gems of University Libraries (Streaming begins noon CST Tuesday, Jan. 6)
    Discover the unexpected treasures and stories tucked away in Iowa´s library system.

  • Inside Iowa´s Surgical Simulation Labs (Streaming begins noon CST Wednesday, Jan. 7)
    Go behind the scenes of UI Health Care´s innovative training spaces for future surgeons.

Sign up here to receive a reminder ahead of the video debuts. Stream for free from your living room, or wherever you like to tune in, and let Hawkeyes at Home bring these fascinating stories to you.

Contact: Tegan Donahue 319-467-3393

Departments: Special Collections, Carver College of Medicine Research, College of Engineering, University Libraries

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January 16, 2026
Write Now Flash Writing Contest
4:00 pm (CST)
Where: Online Event
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Mark your calendars for the UI Alumni and Friends Flash Writing Contest!
This free, online short story competition is timed and open to a variety of age groups-including a new category for current University of Iowa students! You don´t need to be an Iowa Writers´ Workshop graduate or a published author to join in the fun.

The contest categories are:

  • Grades 3 & 4

  • Grades 5 & 6

  • Grades 7 & 8

  • Grades 9-12

  • Current University of Iowa Students

  • Adult, University of Iowa Alumni

  • Adult, Friends of the University

We´ll provide a genre, character, and object to incorporate into your story. You´ll have 48 hours and 1,000 words to craft your tale.

Contest Dates: January 16-18
Check the contest website on Friday, Jan. 16, at 4 p.m. CST, for complete details and your selection of writing prompts.

The top entry in each category will be featured on the UI Flash Writing Contest website and receive an Iowa-themed writing prize pack!

Questions? Visit Write Now - Flash Writing Contest | University of Iowa Center for Advancement or contact Tegan Donahue at tegan.donahue@foriowa.org.

Contact: Tegan Donahue 319-467-3393

Departments: Center for Advancement

January 22, 2026
Scottsdale Together Hawkeyes Tour
5:00 pm - 7:00 pm (CST)
Where: 7600 E. Gainey Club Dr., Scottsdale, AZ US 85258
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Together, Hawkeyes continue to blaze new trails and fuel discoveries. This fall, we are headed to Scottsdale-and we hope you will join us for a special night celebrating all things black and gold.

You´ll gain insights into the Together Hawkeyes campaign and plans to expand programming to support student success. You´ll also learn about other university happenings as you hear from:

  • Barbara Wilson, University of Iowa president

  • Lynette Marshall, UI Center for Advancement president and CEO

You´ll also have a chance to go back to class for engaging sessions with Christian Pettker, department executive officer and the Jennifer R. Niebyl Chair in the UI Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Tyler Bell, Provost AI Fellow and associate professor in the UI Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Together Hawkeyes Tour and Educational Series
Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026
3:30-5 p.m. Educational Series
5-7 p.m. Reception | Program at 6 p.m.

We will provide appetizers and a hosted bar. We hope to see you in Scottsdale!

Hors d´oeuvres and a hosted bar will be provided. Program begins at 6:45 p.m.

Contact: Sevanah Thomas 319-467-3563

Departments: Center for Advancement

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December 5, 2025 - December 4, 2026
Art & Write Night
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm (CST)
Where: 39-53 East Jefferson Street, Iowa City, IA US 52240
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Join the long, rich, historical tradition of artists creating in our spaces.

Professional, aspiring, and amateur artists alike, make our museum your muse. The return of this popular program series welcomes guests into the Museum of Natural History's magical gallery spaces after-hours to work on sketching or writing projects with other campus and community artists.

Tell a friend, grab a notebook, and join us on the first Friday of each month. We'll provide a new inspo prompt for each session and will sometimes move about the Museum but we'll always start in Bird Hall on the third Floor of Macbride Hall. Join anytime between 6-8 p.m. and feel free to participate in a themed creation challenge or work on your own project with our exhibits as inspiration. We'll save the last 15-30 minutes of each session to share what we've been working on, connecting with others (optional, of course!).

Please note, the Museum is typically closed during this time, meaning the main entrance to Iowa Hall (atop the large staircase outside on the east side of Macbride Hall) will be closed and locked. All other building doors will be open, offering access to the Ground Floor of Macbride Hall, restrooms, stairs and elevator to the third floor galleries where this program takes place. Bird Hall is located on the third floor of Macbride Hall and can be reached by stairs or by taking the elevator to the third floor of the building.

Special thanks to Blick Art Materials for supplying extra art materials. Make sure to check in with us in Bird Hall to check out a variety of special art tools and supplies.

Contact: Jessica Smith 319-335-3591

Departments: Department of Biology, Department of English, Division of Interdisciplinary Programs, Iowa Writers' Workshop, Iowa Youth Writing Project, Leadership and Engagement, Magid Center for Writing, School of Art, Art History, and Design, Museum of Natural History

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February 14, 2026
Application Deadline: Obermann International Fellowships (Fall 2026)
All Day ()
Where: 111 Church Street, Iowa City, IA US 52245
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The UI Obermann Center for Advanced studies is accepting applications for Fall 2026 Obermann International Fellowships. This program offers dedicated space, time, and funding for interdisciplinary scholars to collaborate on innovative research at the University of Iowa. Up to eight international fellowships will be granted every academic year. Applicants must be active researchers at an accredited institution of higher learning outside of the United States or independent researchers/artists with a track record of excellence based outside of the U.S. Their area of research must have a direct equivalent at the University of Iowa. 

Obermann International Fellows will receive:

  • A $3,000 stipend to help defray the cost of travel and lodging

  • University of Iowa health insurance coverage for the duration of the fellowship

  • Office space at the Obermann Center for Advanced Studies

  • Temporary University of Iowa affiliation, including access to UI libraries

  • Structured opportunities for scholarly exchange (seminars, lectures, introduction to UI researchers, etc.)

  • An official letter of invitation for institutional and visa purposes

  • Information about accommodations and other practical needs

Read more about the program and application process at https://obermann.uiowa.edu/obermann-international-fellowships. Applications for the Fall 2026 semester are due February 14, 2026.

Obermann International Fellowships are funded by the University of Iowa's Obermann Center for Advanced Studies with generous additional support from International Programs.

Contact: Erin Hackathorn 319-335-4034

Departments: Obermann Center, Center for Advancement, International Programs, International Writing Program, Office of the Vice President for Research, Department of Languages, Linguistics, Literatures, and Cultures

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April 18, 2026
Alumni Day 2026
All Day ()
Where: 1 Park Road, Iowa City, IA US 52242
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Return to campus for a day made just for Iowa alumni! Reconnect with classmates, relive campus memories, and celebrate your black and gold pride with Hawkeyes from every generation.

Build your own schedule-from campus tours and inspiring talks to laid-back gatherings and behind-the-scenes experiences.

Mark your calendar and join fellow Hawkeyes for an unforgettable day!

Contact: Kate Sojka 319-467-3884

Departments: Carver College of Medicine, Center for Advancement, College of Law, College of Pharmacy, College of Public Health, Medicine Alumni

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Former Hawkeye Football Player Officiates His Third Super Bowl

Scott Helverson acted as a back judge at this past February's matchup between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals. PHOTO Ben Liebenberg/NFL Scott Helverson (86BBA) has reached the Super Bowl?the pinnacle of his profession?three times since trading in his football helmet for a whistle. Helverson, who has been an NFL referee since 2003, most recently served as back judge during this past February's Super Bowl between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cincinnati Bengals. He previously was back judge in the 2008 and 2011 Super Bowls. "It's the ultimate goal every year?to work the Super Bowl," says Helverson, who calls Norwalk, Iowa, home. "As an official, it's something you strive to do every year?be No. 1 in your position. That takes preparation, hard work, and some luck." Helverson, who walked on at Iowa, became a two-year letter winner for Iowa football and was a frequent target of quarterback Chuck Long (85BBA). So many of the lessons Helverson learned from head coach Hayden Fry stick with him to this day. "The little things make a big difference, and that's extremely important when you officiate," says Helverson. "Team building, of course, is an important part of football, and it's important for our seven referees on the field and our person in the replay booth to work well together. We spend a lot of time preparing for the season and preparing for every game. For me, it's important to know my position and own my position on the field." Helverson recently sat down with Iowa Magazine to discuss Iowa football and his rewarding career as an official. Iowa was 36-12-1 during your four years at Iowa. What are some of your favorite memories? The memory people remember the most is the ruled no catch in the back of the end zone during the No. 1 Iowa vs. No. 2 Michigan game in Iowa City in 1985. Coach Fry always liked to tell everyone that game was the reason I became an official. It's kind of karma that I'm an official now. How did you get into officiating? I met a guy named Bob Holliday, who was a Big Eight official at the time. He knew my background and told me that I'd make a great official. At the time, I had no desire to be an official. I was working with a friend of mine as an assistant football coach at Des Moines North High School. Fast forward, my friend Tom O'Boyle took a new job with Des Moines Roosevelt High School and couldn't take any assistants along with him. I had Bob's phone number, called him up, and he told me I was refereeing Iowa State's spring football scrimmage the next day and wouldn't take no for an answer. I went out and bought a referee's shirt, pants, shoes, socks, and a hat, along with a whistle and a flag. I fell in love with it. I started working high school games and worked my way up before getting a shot in the NFL. What makes officiating enjoyable for you? Everything. No two games are the same, but every game is a challenge and has a different feel. One week might involve a great running team, next week might be a great throwing team, or the following week you might have two teams that aren't very good. There are so many challenges every week. Can you walk us through a typical week as an NFL official? Each week, we get a situational test that we're required to do. They get more complicated every week. In addition, we all do some scouting of both teams prior to traveling to the game site on Friday. We will look at offensive and defensive formations and just prepare for anything that a team might do that is unusual or unique. On Saturday, we will meet for three hours as a crew. We talk about rules, video review, the prior game, the upcoming game, and then go out for dinner as a crew on Saturday night. On Sunday, we arrive at the stadium three hours prior to kickoff. We walk the field to see if there is anything dangerous to the players?for instance, holes in the field or TV stands too close to the action. We meet with the chain gang. We meet with the timers. We have security meetings. And then we play the game. After the game, we get a thumb drive, which is the TV version of the game. I'll spend whatever time I have on the airplane watching the game?watching every position of every play. I critique the game myself, but the NFL also critiques every play of every game and gives us a grade for the game. And then we do it all over again. What are your favorite officiating memories? I've worked a lot of championship games, and that's something that brings me a lot of pride. Super Bowl 42 is a pretty good memory?undefeated New England Patriots against the New York Giants. I was the calling official on the David Tyree one-handed helmet catch late in the game that helped the Giants upset the Patriots. Outside of the three Super Bowls, I officiated the 2000 college football championship between Oklahoma and Florida State. Prior to having my first Super Bowl, I worked a great AFC championship game between Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. I also had the first game after Hurricane Katrina at the Superdome in New Orleans; that was a crazy game and those fans made it a tremendous environment. I also worked in arena football for 13 years and had three championships, along with three Alonzo Stagg bowls (Division III championship games) and many high school championship games.

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