Forever Family
Thank you for nominating your 2023 UNI Forever Family!
We are honored to recognize two Forever Families this year, each at different places in their connection to the UNI community, but with equal enthusiasm and love of the UNI community. Learn more about the Fowler Family, who has a long standing tradition of purple and gold running through their veins for generations, and the Hakes Family is young in their connection to the UNI community and we look forward to seeing them build on their tradition over the years to come.
If you think you know a family would be a great Forever Family, please remember to nominate them next year!
2023 Forever Family #1: The Fowler Family
Info from submission: UNI has been a large part of my life and my families for the last 50+ years. Panther Pride is a large part of my family's identity and UNI brought my family together. It started when my grandma, Sandy, came to UNI when it was called State College of Iowa to become a teacher. My grandma enjoyed her time in Cedar Falls living in Bartlett Hall when it was a dormitory. While at college, she was set up on a blind date with her roommate's brother returning home from the U.S. Army. They met at the Commons for the first time and as they say, the rest is history! They got married and had two kids. Years later my mom came to UNI to study business and in her junior year was a suitemate in the newly opened R.O.T.H with David, a new transfer student who had started his after high school life serving in the U.S. Navy.
The two of them fell in love and are my parents. My upbringing was filled with panther pride as UNI brought my grandparents and parents together. Before leaving the hospital when I was born I was decked out in Panther gear and it hasn’t stopped since. My parents get giddy when they visit UNI because they love it here and make sure to say “Go Panthers!” to those passing by in UNI gear. Throughout my childhood I was continually cheering on the Panthers and coming to Cedar Falls for games. When in Cedar Falls I heard stories of when my grandma was in college and everyone dressed up to go to the dining center. Or my parents who went bike riding on the many trails around campus. When I began looking for colleges the only one I toured and wanted to attend was the University of Northern Iowa. Purple and Gold is in my veins and I am proud to be a UNI student today and carry on the Panther tradition in my family!
2023 Forever Family #2: Hakes Family
Info from submission: My family has always supported me and the decisions I’ve made so when I told them I wanted to go to UNI they were completely on board. My family wants to be there for every cool thing that happens and they love campus even if they haven’t walked the same paths as I’m the first in my family to go away for school and attend a four year university. My family constantly tells me that I am doing great and that I picked an amazing place to fulfill the career I have always wanted to do! My family is fully committed to UNI and to being amazing Panther parents! And siblings of course!