University of Iowa

ra Javaheri was figuratively existing in the middle of her triangle of happiness - literature, translation, and English - when she realized that something was missing in her life's literary work. For someone who always has had a Farsi book to read in one hand and an English one to translate in the other, she hadn't yet shared the impactful stories of Iranian authors with the world.

The Writing University conducts a series of interviews with writers while they are in Iowa City participating in the various University of Iowa writing programs. We sit down with authors to ask about their work, their process and their descriptions of home.

Victoria Priola is determined to uncover the mysteries behind prehistoric textiles and ceramic textile tools. The Pennsylvania native and 2023 Archaeology of Portugal Fellow is currently in her sixth year at the University of Ioaw's Anthropology the graduate program, studying ancient textile production in southwestern Iberia during the Copper Age and early Bronze Age (approximately 3000-2000 BCE).

For Glen Waters II, growing up in Dallas as a reserved child, nothing unlocked creative expression quite like poetry and music. "Poetry was a space where I could express myself freely and get over some of my insecurities, as someone who was in speech therapy for a decade," he recalls.

On a late evening in the University of Iowa's North Hall, students like University of Iowa alumnus Clara Ng quietly stoop over long tables draped with large sheets of paper. Slow, methodical strokes of brown walnut ink transfer from brush to paper to form classic Roman letters, while a large chalkboard at the front of the room demonstrates proper forms, each one flocked by small annotations of the various angles.

On a late evening in the University of Iowa's North Hall, students like Louisa Eastley quietly stoop over long tables draped with large sheets of paper. Slow, methodical strokes of brown walnut ink transfer from brush to paper to form classic Roman letters, while a large chalkboard at the front of the room demonstrates proper forms, each one flocked by small annotations of the various angles.

19 students have been named recipients of the Stanley Award of International Research. The awards are given annually to outstanding students in all academic fields for the pursuit of foreign research, learning activities in international studies, and career interests abroad.

To celebrate the ingenuity, resilience, and innovation of student researchers at the University of Iowa, the Office of the Vice President for Research is again sponsoring the Dare to Discover campaign. The annual program this year highlights the work of 80 undergraduate, graduate students and postdoc students who are making waves in a wide variety of discliplines across the academic spectrum.

Kristen Rohli always wanted to go to a graduate school that felt like her hometown of Baton Rouge, La. On her recruiting visit to the University of Iowa, Rohli needed only one day to choose Iowa City as her home-away-from-home.

Esme Gibson is a graduate student in the Department of Community and Behavioral Health and works as a research assistant examining bicycle safety behavior. She is also a member of the nationally ranked University of Iowa field hockey team and has received multiple All-Big Ten and All-American honors.

More than 1,100 current University of Iowa students participated in the 30th annual student-led Dance Marathon , generating more than $1.4 million for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital. Dance Marathon has generated more than $35.8 million in its history.

Lia Love is a third-year undergraduate public health student. She's also an outstanding member of the University of Iowa Women's Track and Field team. Lia recently answered some questions about her interest in public health, balancing commitments as a student-athlete, and her involvement with groups and organizations outside of school and track.

More than 950 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa named to the president's list for the 2023 fall semester. President's list status was earned by one first year undergraduates during the 2023 fall semester; 182 second year students; 308 third year students; and 484 fourth year students.

More than 7,900 undergraduate students at the University of Iowa were named to the dean's list for the 2023 fall semester. Dean's list status was earned by 1,810 first year undergraduates during the 2023 fall semester at Iowa, 1,773 second year students, 1,940 third year students, and 2,458 fourth year students.

The University of Iowa awarded nearly 1,700 undergraduate, graduate and professional students degrees at the close of the 2023 fall semester. Thirteen percent of the undergraduates graduated with multiple degrees - a 2 percent increase over a year ago - and, as a group, undergraduates posted a cumulative GPA of 3.22 - another year-over-year increase - during their stay at Iowa. The oldest degree recipient was 72 years ago; the youngest 18.

Lauren Egan was one of a select group of undergraduate and graduate students-plucked from a pool of 88 applicants-who collaborated with Josh Parkinson, whose credits include the HBO comedy Eastbound and Down and AMC horror series The Terror, on this world-building. A major in English and creative writing and cinema, Egan gleaned valuable real-life lessons from Parkinson and a range of guest stars who had honed their writing chops at Iowa.

University of Iowa doctoral candidate Prarthana Parepalli planned to present her dissertation in mechanical engineering a month ahead of the anticipated arrival of her second child. Mother Nature had other ideas.

Carter Shockey says the communities he discovered at the University of Iowa will have a lasting impact on his life. The sport and recreation management grad aims to facilitate similar bonds in his professional career.

Reed Zahradnik knew he wanted to work for a Major League Baseball team. He says the opportunities he found at the University of Iowa showed him how to do it.

By graduating in December, Will Corbin places himself in the inaugural cohort of UI students earning a degree in risk management and insurance. He's already employed by a brokerage close to his hometown in central Iowa.

Despite switching majors early in her University of Iowa experience, Liv Plowman has no regrets. She is now looking forward to her first job as an elementary art teacher in rural Iowa.

Eight students will address their peers as they fill the role of student speaker at the University of Iowa's various fall 2023 commencement events. These campus leaders share their thoughts on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Later this week nearly 1,700 University of Iowa students will receive their degrees during in-person and livestreamed commencement ceremonies, beginning with the College of Education's undergraduate and Teacher Education Program recognition Dec. 14 and concluding with the College of Engineering undergraduate ceremony Dec. 17.

David Ramotowski, a civil and environmental engineering student, won this year's Three Minute Thesis competition, in which graduate students share their research in three minutes or less to a general audience. Samuel Taylor and Maaz Musa named runner-ups.

Zach Graham feels an obligation to serve others. That helps explain why Graham, a third-year student in dental surgery in the University of Iowa College of Dentistry and an Army Veteran, has been named a 2023 Pat Tillman scholar.

Nanea Estrella is grateful for Iowa fans' support for her neighbors in Lahaina, Hawaii, whose community was devastated by wildfires. That outpouring reinforces the Tippie College of Business student's decision to be a Hawkeye.

It's Homecoming Week on the University of Iowa campus and the students responsible for all things Homecoming are busy, really busy.

The University of Iowa continues to attract high-achieving students. This fall's incoming first-year class, totaling 5,064 students, has topped previous records with an average high school grade-point average (GPA) of 3.83. The average high school GPA for the classes of 2026 and 2025 were 3.82 and 3.81, respectively.

Kelli Tosic is proud of her mother, former Hawkeye and Olympian Jenny Spangler, yet she looks forward to writing her own name in Hawkeye history.

Earlier this month more than 600 University of Iowa undergraduate, graduate, and professional students received their degrees. These Hawkeyes have engaged, excelled, and stretched to reach their goals.

A practicum gives University of Iowa students exclusive behind-the-scenes access to the inaugural Chicago event and a chance to pitch promotional campaigns to NASCAR executives.