Tales out of School Class Project

This class project was coordinated by Professor Brian Rumsey (Department of History).

In the Spring 2026 semester, History of Iowa students researched this history of the University of Northern Iowa using primary source documents and help from Special Collections and University Archives. The students used their research to write and record podcasts based around the historical UNI events and time periods they learned about. The banner image and cover images for this collection are from the University Archives Photograph Collection.

This project was completed during UNI's Sesquicentennial celebration. The University is celebrating 150 years of service.

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First Woman Professor at UNI

Yaretzi Aleman

Hi guys, I am Yaretzi, your host for this week on Tales out of School. Join me today, as I will be talking about Laura Ensign, the first female professor at the University of Northern Iowa. We will be covering her struggles for equality, and overall, the struggles all women went through when breaking the traditional education roles in Iowa.
Tales out of School: Women's Literary Societies and Local Sororities

Imogen Bengs and Paige Hibbs

This podcast focuses on the history of women’s literary societies and local sororities at the school that would later become the University of Northern Iowa. Notable organizations discussed include the Alpha Society, the first women’s literary society at the school that also produced the first student newspaper, and several local sororities that were only located at UNI. The podcast utilizes a discussion based style to convey information about the topic.
Creation of the Towers at UNI

Locke Bloomquist

This podcast piece is a brief monologue about the creation of the Towers Complex at UNI. It delves into the history of the Dancer and Bender high-rise dormitories, and weaves the tale of the numerous problems surrounding the projects. It also discusses some of the greater history behind the expansion of housing in the United States, and the way that this influenced the creation of the Towers Complex.
History of the Northern Iowa Mascot and its Role

Brayden Butler

In this podcast, Dr. Rumsey and I go into the evolution of the UNI team namesake, along with the mascot UNI would have. Through UNI’s rich history, the school would have to change with the times by abandoning the name of the Iowa State Teachers’ College pedagogues into the University of Northern Iowa Panthers. We discuss how these changes are reflected not only in the name and mascot but also in their role with the students and Cedar Valley community.
Carl Magee: The Extraordinary Life of a Forgotten UNI Alumni

Liam Christensen

This podcast is about the life of Iowa State Normal School graduate Carl Magee. Magee began as a teacher in Carroll, then a lawyer and oilman in Tulsa, before helping break the largest political scandal in United States history up to that point. Magee lived an extraordinary life, but is mainly forgotten on the campus of UNI today, despite maybe his most noteworthy feat: the invention of the parking meter.
Restoring Iowa’s Natural Beauty: The Tallgrass Prairie Center and the University of Northern Iowa’s Impact on Iowa’s Native Prairies

Laura Comstock

Iowa was once covered in sprawling prairies as far as the eye could see, but after white settlers moved to the state, the majority of the prairie was converted to agricultural land. Prairie reconstruction and restoration efforts are essential to preserving and bringing back Iowa's native landscape. The University of Northern Iowa has a long history of prairie conservation and management efforts, culminating in the establishment of the Tallgrass Prairie Center that works with prairies all across Iowa today.
The Climb: UNI's Transition to Division I

Lucas Dinger

This podcast examines the University of Northern Iowa's transition from Division II to Division I athletics. It explores the motivations behind the move, the financial aspects of a team making this transition, the competitive success of UNI since becoming a Division I program, and how the shift transformed the university's identity, through the perspectives of coaches and students at UNI. The podcast concludes by discussing the future direction of this project.
UNI Curriculum and the Needs of Iowa

Collin Heath

This podcast describes a broad overview of the University of Northern Iowa's curricula over the history of the institution. The podcast also describes how the programs offered at the university have changed, reflecting the needs of Iowa and its people. It follows the school's origin as a normal school focusing on teacher education, to a state university offering a wide selection of majors while staying true to its roots.
The UNI October Moratorium

George Kimmich

The Moratorium to End the War in Vietnam was an important part of the anti-war movement during Richard Nixon's presidency, occurring throughout the United States, and the University of Northern Iowa was no different. This podcast zooms into the very first Vietnam Moratorium at UNI, occurring on October 15th, 1969, and the events that lead up to one of UNI's greatest tests of free speech.
UNI History of Basketball

Andrew Mayer

This podcast explores the history and impact of Northern Iowa basketball, from the program’s early beginnings to its rise as a respected Division I team in the Missouri Valley Conference. It highlights influential coaches Greg McDermott and Ben Jacobson, memorable NCAA Tournament runs in 2010, 2016, and 2026, and the iconic upset of Kansas in 2010. The podcast also examines the growth of women’s basketball at UNI, the impact of Caitlin Clark’s visit to Cedar Falls, and the program’s lasting influence on the UNI and Cedar Falls communities. Also includes an interview with a manager from the 2025-2026 men's basketball team
Tales Out of School Podcast: WAVES

Aubrey Olsen

This podcast summarizes the lives and duties of the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) trainees during their time at the Iowa State Teachers College, now known as UNI. The podcast covers the daily lives of the trainees, the impact it left on them, and even the controversies that surrounded the topic of the WAVES program. To tie into the rich history of UNI, the podcast covers the effects that the WAVES program left on the Iowa State Teachers College during and after World War II.
Tales out of School: President Seerley

Benen Pantier

My podcast covers the development of my website. I cover many things about it, for example how the development was going at the time of recording. I had issues at the time like adding images and such. I also covered some interesting tidbits of the project such as the old pictures of Sherley completed and it seemingly standing alone.