Meet the people who helped shape CSBS

William Lang

The professor who wrote UNI's history

Some educators leave their mark in the classroom, and others shape the institution as a whole. This UNI history professor did both.

Frances Webster

The first female instructor

Iowa State Normal School’s first female instructor… inspiring students, implementing modern teaching and creating a space for students to thrive.

Mickye Johnson

Empowering students to pursue higher education

For more than 30 years, he empowered first-generation and low-income students to pursue higher education and transform their futures.

Irene Eaton

Irene Eaton: "Ma Commons" knew every name and face on campus

Irene Eaton knew everyone at UNI by name — and everyone adored her for it. Crowned “Most Favorite Girl” and welcomed into the l-Club alongside the top athletes, she was the heart of campus life.

Iradge Ahrabi-Fard

An educator who built champions

A young educator from Iran came to the Iowa State Teachers College and became a celebrated professor and championship coach.

Patty Stockman

One of the best college softball pitchers in Iowa history

Known for her “UNI-first mentality,” she’s regarded as one of the best college softball pitchers in Iowa history.

Nancy Powell

From a small-town classroom to American diplomacy

Before becoming America’s first woman ambassador to India, she learned leadership through teaching in an Iowa classroom.

Brenda Bass

CSBS dean, 2012–present

Family studies scholar who has expanded experiential learning and interdisciplinary collaboration while guiding the college into new areas of growth and opportunity.

Philip Mauceri

CSBS dean, 2009–2012

 Political scientist who guided the college through major milestones while emphasizing academic excellence, hands-on learning and the enduring value of the liberal arts.

John W. Johnson

 Interim CSBS dean, 2008–2009

Historian who provided thoughtful leadership while building a lasting legacy through his scholarship, teaching and support of students.

Julia Wallace

CSBS dean, 1999–2007

Psychologist and gerontology scholar who advanced academic innovation, faculty excellence and a student-centered culture as the first woman to lead the college.

James Chadney

Interim CSBS dean, 1998–1999

Anthropologist and longtime faculty member who brought deep institutional knowledge and academic leadership to the college during a pivotal year.

Aaron Podolefsky

CSBS dean, 1990–1998

Anthropologist and sociologist who strengthened academic programs and interdisciplinary connections before advancing to leadership roles at UNI and beyond.

Donald Whitnah

Acting CSBS dean, 1989–1990

Distinguished historian and longtime UNI leader whose teaching, scholarship and dedication to students left an enduring mark on the university.

John Deegan

CSBS dean, 1986–1989

 Political scientist and former EPA project officer who championed research and the role of higher education in addressing complex public issues.

Jerry Stockdale

Acting CSBS dean, 1985–1986

Sociologist and longtime department leader who provided continuity and positioned the college for its next chapter.

Robert E. Morin

CSBS dean, 1972–1985

Psychologist and academic leader who guided the college through its formative years and laid the foundation for today’s College of Social & Behavioral Sciences.

Paul Buchheit

Following the game home

From UNI athletic training graduate to the major leagues, Paul Buchheit has built a career caring for some of baseball’s best. Now director of medical services and head athletic trainer for the Philadelphia Phillies, his path came full circle in 2026 when baseball brought him back to Iowa for MLB at Field of Dreams.

Erma Plaehn

A pioneer for political science and women in higher education

She led the movement that created a standalone political science department, becoming one of the first women to lead a department at a leading university.

Glenda Gates Riley

A pioneer of women’s history

UNI historian who taught Iowa’s first women’s history course, co-founded the state’s first women’s Studies program and reshaped how women’s experiences in the American West are understood.

Rochel R. Rittgers

Advancing athletic training through care, education and leadership

UNI alumna who built a nationally respected career at Augustana College, the U.S. Olympic Training Center and through professional service, earning induction into the Elinor A. Crawford and William R. Thrall Hall of Excellence

Robin Lund

Turning movement science into a competitive edge

Former UNI kinesiology professor and volunteer baseball coach who pioneered a research-driven approach to pitching development, helping transform Iowa baseball before taking his biomechanics-based methods to Major League Baseball with the Detroit Tigers.

Jake Schaefer

Renewing workplace culture.

Two-time UNI graduate who turned a career in counseling into Cedar Valley Counseling Services and Renewed Minds Consulting, helping individuals and organizations build more collaborative, supportive cultures.

John C. Weld

Making history come alive for generations of students.

Final-class graduate of Iowa State Teachers College who taught history for more than four decades, inspired generations of students and now supports future history teachers through a scholarship in his name.

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.