UNI receives $15 million gift to transform teacher education

UNI President Ben Allen has announced the largest gift in the school’s history. 

Des Moines businessman, Richard O. Jacobson is donating $15 million to the College of Education to benefit UNI students and faculty as well as pre-K through 12 students in Iowa and the nation.

Jacobson said, "UNI is renowned for the quality of teachers it produces. It has an outstanding program for preparing principals and superintendents, and the university's leadership has demonstrated their vision, expertise and dedication to pre-K through 12 education. I hope this gift will strengthen and create educational opportunities that will enable all of Iowa's children to achieve success as individuals and contributors to the larger community and society."

As part of the gift, Jacobson is creating a $5 million endowed scholarship in honor of President Allen to attract talented, accomplished students who have the potential to be excellent teachers. The remainder of the gift will support endowed faculty positions, faculty and student research and an annual education summit, among other initiatives. 

President Allen said, "We have embraced pre-K through 12 educational leadership as a top priority at UNI. This extraordinary gift affirms our commitment and provides the resources we need to support innovation and leadership in education. I am deeply grateful to Dick for helping us transform education in Iowa and for helping Iowa regain its national leadership in pre-K through 12 education."

Upcoming Event:

7:30 p.m., March 13 - Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra performs with members of the Cedar Valley Chamber Music Festival in the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.