William “Bill” Hood, ’62,  was a pioneer in education, a committed mentor and a guiding presence in his community. One of the first African American students at UNI, Hood was born in Moline, Illinois, on May 21, 1933. He graduated from Davenport High School in 1951 before serving in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1954 to 1957.

His college journey was not easy. During his first quarter, Hood’s father passed away, and he left school to help support his mother before returning a year later. He, his wife Gwen and their two young children lived in Sunset Village, better known as the Quonset huts, while he completed his degree. Hood often said his greatest challenge was being poor, but he described those years as “a joyful sacrifice.”

After earning his bachelor’s degree in social science in 1962, Hood received a master’s in social work from the University of Iowa in 1968. Though he first pursued teaching, his work at the Mental Health Institute in Independence opened the door to social work. There, mentors recognized his gift for working with young people and encouraged him to continue his education. Hood often credited those mentors, including UNI professor Erma Plaehn, for giving him what he called a “bump up” when he needed it most.

He later became the first African American teacher at Mount Mercy College and served as vice president for student affairs from 1982 to 1992. He also led Harambee House until his retirement in 2004, mentoring students and young leaders both there and through the Jane Boyd Community House.

Inspired by those who helped him as a student, Hood and his wife created several scholarships, including one for UNI students in social science teaching. That scholarship, open to students of any race or background, reflected Hood’s belief that financial need should never stand in the way of becoming a teacher. “A lot of people helped me along the way, and I’ve never forgotten that,” Hood said. “I believe we are blessed in this world to bless others.”

Hood was inducted into the Iowa African American Hall of Fame in 2013 and recognized with the History Makers Award in 2015.

He passed away on Jan. 7, 2017, leaving a lasting influence on UNI, Cedar Rapids and the many lives he touched.
 

“I enjoyed getting to know Bill during his campus visits. He enjoyed visiting with our future teachers,” said Chad Christopher, coordinator of social science and history education. “Because of his generosity, our program continues to thrive, carrying forward a legacy of opportunity and excellence.”