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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 Student Impact Grant Recipients

Student Impact Grant Recipients

Student Impact Grants help Hawkeyes experience, learn, and discover important lessons outside the classroom. Past recipients show you cannot always anticipate when a unique idea is going to arise—or when it will inspire action or creation. Support from the Iowa Impact Fund helps in the pursuit of new and exciting ventures. Read the stories of two Student Impact Grant recipients.

For a More Accepting Community

An image from Nachte Raho, a celebration partially funded by an Iowa Student Impact Grant.

Ridhi Jani

In an effort to celebrate and share Indian culture with the University of Iowa community, the Indian Student Alliance (ISA) hosts a series of charitable, cultural, educational, and social events each year. "Spreading diversity and cultural awareness is extremely important to us," says Ridhi Jani, president of the Indian Student Alliance.

The group’s yearly showcase event, Nachte Raho, is one of the largest Bollywood fusion dance competitions in the Midwest. Eight of the best university dance teams from around the nation come to Iowa and perform. The Student Impact Grant helped pay for a top-notch venue, Hancher Auditorium, and secure judges for the competition.

For a Better Quality of Life

Sandra Castillo

Tackling real-life problems and gaining hands-on experiences are important for future engineers, including Sandra Castillo. Through her work with the University of Iowa chapter of Continental Crossing—which helps communities in developing countries construct footbridges— Castillo spent five weeks in Nicaragua repairing two suspended bridges.

Thanks to the Student Impact Grant, Castillo was able to pay for lodging, meals, medical and health expenses, and equipment for the trip. "Your support made my experience accessible and affordable," says Castillo. "Your generosity is helping change the world and making a difference in the lives of so many students."

Learn how to apply for the Student Impact Grants.

If you are interested in helping provide students with more opportunities like these, please support the Iowa Impact Fund.

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The University of Iowa celebrates distinguished military members ahead of Veterans Day.

Helping Future Hawkeyes Fight for Iowa

As an undergraduate student at the University of Iowa, Stephen Paulk, MD (69BS, 73MD, 78R), tutored student-athletes in multiple science courses. While his work was instrumental in helping Hawkeyes thrive in the classroom, Dr. Paulk?s part-time tutoring position also played a vital role in his success at Iowa and beyond. ?Working as a tutor gave me some financial assistance when I needed it most,? says Dr. Paulk, a native of Harlan, Iowa, who started off as a dental student before pursuing a medical degree. After completing his general surgery residency in 1978, Dr. Paulk went on to an auspicious medical career that has now spanned 40 years and two Midwestern states. Dr. Paulk and his wife, Amy, live in Portage, Wisconsin, and have six children and nine grandchildren. Throughout his time as a general surgeon, Dr. Paulk has always looked back fondly on his Iowa experience and continues to be grateful for the quality education he received. ?Fourteen years of my life was spent in Iowa City?going to undergraduate, medical school, and surgical training?so I have a lot of great memories,? says Dr. Paulk. ?My experiences at Iowa produced a very satisfying career, and the people at Iowa helped me and mentored me long after I graduated. I?ve always been very appreciative of my Iowa education.? For more than 40 years, the Paulks have showed their love for the UI by attending numerous Hawkeye football games and by giving back to support Iowa?s student-athletes. More recently, the Paulks finalized plans to support football, golf, and track and field scholarships in a unique way by gifting a remainder interest in a portion of their Iowa farmland. By creating a retained life estate, the Paulks were able to transfer ownership of one of their farms?located in Shelby County, Iowa?to the UI but retain lifetime use. It?s a win-win for the Paulks. They not only receive an income tax deduction, but they retain control over the farm as long as either one is still living. Had the Paulks simply left the farm to the UI in their will, they would not have benefitted from a significant income tax deduction. For the Paulks, it?s their way of helping Hawkeye student-athletes Fight for Iowa. ?Amy and I are big Hawkeye fans, and my professional career was based upon what I learned at the University of Iowa,? says Dr. Paulk. ?This is a great way to give back so that others can succeed.?

Student Philanthropy and Grants Opportunities

We offer many opportunities for Hawkeyes to engage with philanthropy and learn how it positively impacts their college experience.

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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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