Ryne Little, ’10, didn’t start his college journey at UNI, but he found his footing here. After starting at community college and then transferring to the University of Iowa, he discovered the environment didn’t exactly fit. “I kind of got lost in Iowa City,” he said. “It didn’t really mesh well with what I needed.”

Frequent weekend visits to Cedar Falls, where his longtime girlfriend attended UNI, eventually led him to transfer — a turning point in his academic life. “That’s where I really started to kind of find my way through the program,” he recalled. UNI’s atmosphere clicked instantly. “I really enjoyed the campus life there … the smaller classes, the more one-on-one experience.”

Little majored in history, drawn to the subject by a lifelong interest sparked growing up in a military family. By the time he reached UNI, he hoped to become an educator. At the heart of his academic experience was professor John Baskerville, who provided guidance during a challenging time. “He kind of knew I was going through some stuff,” Little said. “Dr. Baskerville helped put me on the right path. I think about those classes we had with him often.”

He also fondly remembers the humor and teaching style of professor Thomas Connors, particularly a course on political cartooning. “I remember not really understanding, like, what are we going to do?” Little said. “But then I got really into that course. It was really entertaining.” The class offered a deeper insight into cultural and political history, a perspective that stayed with him beyond college.

Outside academics, Little found grounding in everyday campus life. He played intramural softball and spent hours in the library, a “safe place to go, where you could get some work done.” Meals at the old 23rd Street Market with the woman who would later become his wife are among his fondest memories. “That’s the UNI experience: a smaller, more intimate space,” he reflected.

After graduating in 2010, Little moved to Colorado as his wife pursued her Ph.D., carrying with him lessons in focus, problem-solving and responsibility. “When you’re a student, whether you’re an alumni or not, you’re representing the university,” he said, a principle he continues to honor in his career.

Today, Little is a deputy sheriff in Madison County, Iowa, and has been a public servant for 17 years, including completing two police academies in two states. His drive comes from a clear purpose: helping people in crisis. “Being there to help someone who’s normally not in a good moment in their lives … you have to be ready to change, adapt and learn,” he said.

As UNI marks 150 years, Little reflected on the institution’s lasting impact. “UNI reminds me of what it is to be an Iowan,” he said, noting his appreciation for Cedar Falls, the Cedar Valley and the welcoming campus environment.

To current students, his advice is to balance technology with real experience: “Put the phone down. Get out there and experience life. Touch it, see it, smell it.” He also stressed the importance of community. “Just be kind to each other. You won’t believe how far that’ll go.”

Looking back, Little says the only thing he might change is the pace at which he moved through college. “I wish that I would have taken a little more time,” he reflected. “It felt like a blink of an eye.”

Even with a busy life and young family, he still enjoys returning to UNI, most recently for homecoming, and continues to take pride in his connection to the university. “I’m proud to be a UNI alum,” Little said.  And as he serves his community each day, he remains guided by the leadership, empathy and perseverance he developed at UNI — a reminder that the path you find in college can help shape the way you serve the world.