How Do Hawkeyes Stay Hawkeyes For Life?

The Hidden Network of Hawkeye Nests Across the World

by Nolan Barrett

It is a common sentiment that those who attend the University of Iowa are Hawkeyes for life. Growing up in a Hawkeye household thousands of miles from Iowa City, I felt this connection from a young age. But how do Iowa grads stay in touch with the university after graduation, and how does that connection benefit students currently enrolled?

One channel often unknown to students is the Iowa Center for Advancement, an independent organization that describes its mission to “advance the University of Iowa through engagement and philanthropy.”

The organization was created when the University of Iowa Alumni Association and University of Iowa Foundation merged in 2018. The non-profit works independently from the University of Iowa to raise money and fund programs that directly impact the university.

Historically, the group has raised money to fund numerous projects in Iowa; notably, the Iowa Memorial Union was funded in large part by the alumni association. More recently, in 2008, the Iowa Foundation raised money to rebuild areas on campus most affected by the devastating flooding. Most impressive was their 4-year “For Iowa Forever More” campaign in which the group raised more than $1.975 Billion.

The money raised by the group is impressive, but the Iowa Center for Advancement goes beyond raising money. Molly Lauber is the Associate Director of Alumni Engagement at The University of Iowa Center for Advancement. Molly oversees the aspect of the center for career advancement that truly keeps Hawkeyes, Hawkeyes for life… the regional Iowa clubs!

Lauber describes her role as “the bridge between the Iowa clubs and the University of Iowa.”

The regional Iowa clubs are an incredible opportunity for former students, supporters, or new Hawkeye families to engage with other Hawkeyes.

“There's probably over 60 Iowa clubs globally,” Lauber said, “and they continue to expand.”

Lauber expanded on what makes the Iowa Center for Advancement and the Regional clubs so unique: “We are one of the first public universities that has incorporated engagement into its campaign goals.”

The Iowa clubs offer unique opportunities to former Hawkeyes and current students. One of these programs is the scholarship fund.

“Our Iowa clubs have the opportunity to create a scholarship fund that's housed here at the Center for Advancement,” Lauber explained.

This fund is a way for former Hawkeyes to engage and support current students from their community at the university.

The function of the Iowa clubs is not solely to raise money, however.

“We never push our clubs to fundraise,” Lauber clarified; instead, the clubs' main goal is to bring Hawkeyes together and build relationships over a shared love of the University of Iowa.

One of these many Iowa clubs is located in Los Angeles, over 2000 miles away from campus, but the Iowa spirit isn't going anywhere. Ellen Faustine is the President of the Los Angeles Iowa club. Faustine, an Iowa Honors Program alumnus, has found new ways to connect with the hawks over 35 years since her graduation.

Faustine described the club's most frequent event: game watches.

“We host game watches at two different locations for football games, large events, such as the NCAA basketball tournament, or other key athletic events,” explained Faustine.

Game watches create an environment where former, current, or incoming Hawkeyes can meet up with fellow fans and families who share a love for Iowa. When Hawkeye athletics come to Los Angeles, the club hosts in-person gatherings like tailgates or post-game meetups for fans of Iowa sports.

Additionally, Faustine and the LA Iowa Club work to support the families of athletes traveling to Los Angeles for games and events.

“Many of the parents travel with the teams, so we make an effort to help them find a place to gather before the games and provide them with resources for when they travel to LA,” Faustine said.

With this push for connectivity between clubs and athletics, the club works to “create more awareness in our community about all the different Hawkeye sports that are coming to LA.”

Faustine gave recent examples: “We had a number of club members attend women's soccer games at UCLA and USC. We did the same when women's gymnastics came out this winter, and we are currently planning social media promotions for the baseball program.”

Faustine has found memories of her time in the Iowa Honors Program, 1986-1990, and still maintains many of the relationships that she fostered during those years.

“I found a lot of support and camaraderie, both academically and socially, through the Honors Program, and those relationships lasted me a long time,” she said.

Now, she is finding new ways to build lifelong relationships within the Iowa Clubs.

“I'm finding now that again, I'm finding people with whom I have a connection, who I would not have otherwise met.” said Faustine.

“The Iowa clubs cross disciplines and communities to help bring people together who have a common connection to Iowa,” she added. “Even just getting their publications, I always felt like I was connected in a way with other local Hawkeyes.”

Life after graduation is always weighing on students’ minds, but the community built at the UI is not one easily abandoned. Iowa clubs offer students a new way to maintain their community and continue to engage with the University of Iowa. The regional Iowa clubs are one of the best ways for Hawkeyes to stay Hawkeyes for life.