Column: Sharing stories from beloved college experience
I didn’t go to Ohio State.
I was recently shocked and dismayed when an old friend asked what the UIU logo on my ball cap stood for! Is it possible that after 20 plus years of writing general interest articles in the local newspaper that there are still acquaintances who are not familiar with Upper Iowa University? Now it is true that there are hundreds of small colleges and large universities between Granville, Ohio, and Fayette, Iowa. You can get a good education anywhere in the world. But Upper Iowa is unique. And if you are looking for a life changing education, there are several reasons to think about Upper Iowa. Among them are affordability, successful graduates (like me), accessibility (online or on campus), and the opportunity to become part of the worldwide Peacock family.
When I left La Porte City, IA, (population 2,000) for Fayette (population 1,500) in 1965 to attend Upper Iowa about 45 minutes away (being careful to avoid the Amish buggies), I had no knowledge of college life. It was an interesting time in history. Colleges at that time operated in local parentis, that is as legal stand-ins for parents. Women lived in the women’s dorm where they were logged in at 10 p.m. on weeknights (11 p.m. on weekends). Weekend passes required real parental approval. Freshmen wore beanies. Yes, every freshman wore a beanie with the UIU logo on it and was subjected to subtle harassment from upperclassmen for the first couple of weeks.
As a college founded in 1857, (the original building is still in use) there were many traditions. Being kissed under "The Arch" was necessary for a woman to be considered an official "coed." (A service, I might add, I was never asked to render.) Grandma Walker’s Cookie Jar (Grandma being long dead) was always full of her signature molasses cookies. The cookies were almost inedible but when the cafeteria was closed on Sunday night, it was the only game around. Dr. Garbee was the President of the University at that time. An unusual character, he wove the material for his suits (which were handmade and looked it). But by 1969, when I was graduated, everything had changed. Life became much more serious on campus and in the world.
When the Vietnam War ended, enrollment, never more than 1500 students, dropped off precipitously and Upper Iowa was forced to reinvent itself. The leadership decided that since the population of the surrounding area was not large enough to sustain a robust recruiting effort, they would take Upper Iowa to the areas more amenable to the offer of a reasonably priced four year degree. Off-campus facilities were established around the Midwest and overseas. With a strong military tradition dating from 1861 when the Upper Iowa Volunteers marched off to fight for the Union in the Civil War, off-campus programs were established throughout the armed services. The Coordinated Off-Campus Degree Program began in 1973 and thousands of working adults since have been able to earn a four year degree which might not otherwise be available. UIU’s long tradition of off-campus learning paid off during the COVID-19 crisis, causing hardly a blip in educational services.
Upper Iowa University is nothing like it was when I was there. Nearly all the buildings are new. It is one of the most beautiful campuses in the U.S., with landscaping and outdoor art that makes it a wonderful place to live and study. The online program was one of the first in the country and is a robust accredited option to get a four year degree without leaving Granville or anywhere else. I am extremely proud to be an Upper Iowa Peacock and wear my UIU logo gear everywhere. Now you know why. You know I’m right.
This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Column: Sharing stories from beloved college experience
