Meet the people who helped shape CSBS
As UNI marks 150 years of excellence, the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences is proud to recognize the individuals whose leadership, innovation and dedication have been instrumental in shaping our college. These profiles highlight faculty, staff, alumni and friends whose vision and contributions continue to strengthen CSBS and advance its mission. Together, their stories reflect both the enduring legacy of our past and the promise of our future.
New profiles will be added throughout UNI’s Sesquicentennial year, in no particular order, so be sure to check back as more stories are shared!
Elinor Crawford
An advocate for women in sports
Her advocacy for gender equity shaped the future of women’s sports at the University of Northern Iowa and collegiate athletics nationwide.
Marvin Carr
Veteran, father and now UNI graduate leaves impact on community
While it’s not uncommon to begin a bachelor’s degree later in life, this U.S. Navy veteran fully immersed himself in the college experience – living in the dorms, working an on-campus job and being involved in several student organizations.
Juanita Wright
From first-generation student to champion for access at UNI
Once one of only five Latinx students, Juanita Wright later built programs that would open the door to a UNI degree to thousands who followed.
AJ Green
The first Panther to play in the NBA
From local courts in Cedar Falls to the McLeod Center and beyond… The first UNI Panther to play in the highest levels of the NBA.
James Gilchrist
The first principal at the Iowa State Normal School
As the first principal of the Iowa State Normal School, James Cleland Gilchrist guided the institution from its opening in 1876 and helped lay the foundation for the university that would become UNI.
2nd Lt. Robert Hibbs, 2nd Lt. Brian Gienau
& Capt. Matthew G. Nielson
UNI ROTC alumni who made the ultimate sacrifice
2nd Lt. Robert Hibbs, 2nd Lt. Brian Gienau and Capt. Matthew G. Nielson gave their lives in service to the nation, leaving a lasting legacy of leadership, dedication and service. UNI’s ROTC program honors their memory through campus memorials and tributes that inspire future generations of cadets and the broader university community.
R. Gordon Hoxie
Waterloo to Washington
From Iowa State Teachers College to the halls of Congress, R. Gordon Hoxie’s lifelong commitment to education and civic engagement shaped both national institutions and his alma mater. His gifts to UNI continue to foster discussion on democracy, leadership and the balance of power.
Laura Ensign
A pioneer who shaped UNI’s earliest years
Laura Ensign arrived in Cedar Falls in 1878, joining the Iowa State Normal School faculty at a moment when the institution was still defining what it would become. Her influence would help shape the academic culture that later grew into the University of Northern Iowa.
William “Bill” Hood
Legacy of Influence
William “Bill” Hood ’62, one of UNI’s first African American students, transformed lives through his decades-long career in education, mentorship and service, leaving a legacy of opportunity that continues to support future teachers and community leaders.
Ruth Bluford Anderson
A trailblazer for women and people of color in higher education
Pioneering educator who built UNI’s social work program while advancing equity and challenging discrimination.
Charles Grassley
Decades of dedication, from Iowa fields to the U.S Senate
The most senior member of the United States Senate started as a political science major at the Iowa State Teachers College.
Bob & Kate Martin
A lifetime of service and scholarship
Bob and Kate Martin dedicated nearly four decades to UNI, leaving a lasting impact through teaching, library leadership, historic preservation, and philanthropy. Their generosity supports scholarships, campus programs, and community initiatives. In 2025, they were honored with the President’s Philanthropy Award for their remarkable contributions to the university and beyond.
James “Jim” McCullagh
Celebrating the Life & Legacy
Jim McCullagh was a beloved UNI social work professor whose life of service, scholarship and mentorship shaped generations of students. Known for his compassion and deep commitment to teaching, he helped establish UNI’s Master of Social Work program and left a lasting legacy through his $1.1 million gift supporting future social workers. His impact continues to resonate across the UNI community.
Pat & O. Jay Tomson
Giving with purpose
Patricia and O. Jay Tomson transformed a lifelong commitment to service into lasting support for violence prevention, empowering UNI students and communities across Iowa to create meaningful change.
Joy Corning
Life of Service to Iowa
Joy Corning led with heart and action, transforming Iowa’s schools, government and communities while fighting for equality and opportunity for all.
Doris Kelley
& Cathy Young
Building a Legacy of Service and Leadership
Bound by friendship and a shared belief in service, Doris Kelley, Rev. Cathy Young and the late Joy Cole Corning turned decades of leadership into a legacy that lives on at UNI — through scholarships, mentorship and the generations of students they continue to inspire.
David A. Whitsett
Psychology professor David Whitsett helped generations of UNI students discover the power of perseverance through the nationally recognized Marathon Class, proving that confidence and achievement begin in the mind.
Ryne Little
Finding His Way at UNI
After transferring to UNI, Ryne Little, 10, quickly found a community that grounded him and helped clarify his path. Influential professors, small classes and meaningful experiences guided him toward a career in public service. Now a deputy sheriff, he continues to apply the lessons and values he formed at UNI.
Olivia Chambers
UNI swimmer turned Paralympic champion
A double major and Honors student, she ascended to the highest level of swimming competition at the 2024 Paralympic Games.
Ross Curnow
UNI Memories That Shape Today
From studying history and completing an honors thesis to leading his fraternity and building lifelong connections, Ross Curnow credits UNI’s vibrant campus life and rigorous academics with preparing him for law school, his career as a law firm partner and the life he leads today.
Megan Zimmerman
A Legacy of Caring
Megan Zimmerman, ’20, has dedicated her career to improving the lives of older adults — from leading Dementia Friendly Iowa and helping launch UNI’s Dementia Simulation House to now teaching the next generation of gerontologists. Guided by strong mentorship and a passion for community impact, she continues to embody UNI’s legacy of caring as both an alumna and educator.