4/23/2026
Upper Iowa University (UIU) celebrated academic excellence during its annual Honors & Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 11, at the Fayette Campus. More than $500,000 in scholarships were awarded through 252 individual recognitions. These funds will support students during the 2026–2027 academic year.
Scholarship recipients were selected based on a range of criteria, including academic achievement, financial need, leadership, and campus involvement. All eligible, actively enrolled students were considered through the Honors & Awards Program. In addition, the University continues to invest in future Peacocks by offering a variety of scholarship opportunities for incoming first-year students.
“The Banquet is truly a momentous occasion that brings together our outstanding Peacock students to celebrate their achievements,” said Dr. Billie Cowley, Vice President of Academic Affairs. “Family members and dedicated faculty in attendance see firsthand the commitment, perseverance, and determination these students bring to their educational journeys.”
This year’s recipients represent the diversity of the University’s student body, including those studying online, in self-paced programs, on the Fayette Campus, and at UIU’s distance learning locations across Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma.
The Honors & Awards Program reflects Upper Iowa’s commitment to academic excellence, student success, and ensuring higher education remains accessible and affordable. The program continues to grow each year, with several new awards introduced for the upcoming academic cycle, including the Burnell Smith Scholarship Fund, Jennifer McCoy Memorial Scholarship, Arguilez Memorial Scholarship, and the Excellence in Experiential Learning Honors Award (ExcEL).
“Establishing a new endowed or annual scholarship is a powerful way to make a lasting impact on UIU students,” said Ashley Gredys, Vice President for Advancement & Alumni Engagement. “It also provides a meaningful opportunity to honor loved ones and celebrate family legacies through education.”
Learn about UIU scholarship opportunities, contributing to an existing fund, or establishing a new award, or contact the Office of Advancement & Alumni Engagement at [email protected] or 563-425-5388.
Recipients
| Student | Hometown | Scholarship/Award |
|---|---|---|
| Addyson Alber | Cedar Rapids, IA | J. Paul and Sharroll Richards Endowed Scholarship & the William F. and La Vonne I. Gutches Student Scholarship |
| Aiden Rodgers | Plainfield, IL | Derek Winker Memorial & the Mike McCready Scholarship Scholarship |
| Allison White | Elkader, IA | Bruce I. Campbell Endowed Scholarship & the Martha M. Moeller Scholarship |
| Allyson Oser | Saint Charles, IA | Dr. Gary McVicker Scholarship & the Excellence in Experiential Learning Honors Award (ExcEL) |
| Amanda Wehrle | Hudson, IA | The Pam Whitmore Endowed Scholarship for Excellence in Student Teaching |
| Andrew Olthoff | North Liberty, IA | Mike McCready Scholarship & the William F. and La Vonne I. Gutches Student Scholarship |
| Bailey Nordyke | Clarinda, IA | Bruce I. Campbell Endowed Scholarship & the The Pam Whitmore Endowed Scholarship for Excellence in Student Teaching |
| Braxten Westendorf | Waverly, IA | Andres Education Scholarship & the J. Paul and Sharroll Richards Endowed Scholarship |
| Caitlin Backes | Edgewood, IA | Andres Education Scholarship & the Stevens Family Endowed Scholarship |
| Cara Farnam | Lincoln, IL | William F. and La Vonne I. Gutches Student Scholarship |
| Carsen Sparrow | Saint Ansgar, IA | Bruce I. Campbell Endowed Scholarship & the William "Bill" Prochaska Endowed Scholarship |
| Dylan Edeker | Clarksville, IA | Bruce I. Campbell Endowed Scholarship |
| Ella Huffman | Cedar Falls, IA | Ivadell Brause Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Education & the The Perry Scholarship for Excellence in Teaching |
| Ellie Modaff | Albany, WI | Dr. J. D. Parker and Nellie K. Parker Scholarship |
| Emma Tautges | Brainerd, MN | J. Paul and Sharroll Richards Endowed Scholarship |
| Emma Batterson | Cedar Falls, IA | Scott and Bobbi Lebin Endowed Scholarship & the William F. and La Vonne I. Gutches Student Scholarship |
| Eric Kenesie | Kenosha, WI | Faculty Appreciation Endowed Scholarship |
| Erica Goeden | Sioux City, IA | William F. and La Vonne I. Gutches Student Scholarship |
| Fern Babinski | Grand Rapids, MI | The Paul and Margaret Pickett Scholarship |
| Hannah Van Houten | Panora, IA | Bruce I. Campbell Endowed Scholarship |
| Jacob Yarbrough | Eldridge, IA | Andres Education Scholarship |
| Jasheana Tracey | Des Moines, IA | Thomas Parker Goebel and Helen Goebel Scholarship & the Martha McCoy-Weatherspoon Endowed Scholarship |
| Jasmyn Edwards | Oelwein, IA | Dr. G. C. Baker Memorial Scholarship in Science & the Northeast Iowa Charitable Foundation Scholarship |
| Jessica Patterson | Center Point, IA | Bruce I. Campbell Endowed Scholarship |
| Jimi Jo Allen | Guthrie Center, IA | Ivadell Brause Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Education |
| Josephine Foster | Caledonia, MN | Andres Education Scholarship & the Burnell Smith Scholarship Fund (Non-Endowed) |
| Joshua Buettner | Monroe, MI | Ivadell Brause Memorial Endowed Scholarship in Education & the Ron Crooker Facilities Endowed Scholarship |
| Joshua Beardsley | Panora, IA | Martha M. Moeller Scholarship |
| Joshua Webb | Roland, IA | Thomas Parker Goebel and Helen Goebel Scholarship & the Excellence in Experiential Learning Honors Award (ExcEL) |
| Joslynne Plath | Forest City, IA | J. Paul and Sharroll Richards Endowed Scholarship & The Excellence in Education Scholarship |
| Kate Potter | Galesburg, IL | The James H. Olsen Biology Scholarship & the Irene Humphrey Anderson Scholarship in English |
| Kate Risse | Fairbank, IA | The Stuart and Roberta Dunkel Annual Scholarship & the Lloyd Pleggenkuhle Memorial Scholarship |
| Katie Kraft | Londonderry, NH | William F. and La Vonne I. Gutches Student Scholarship |
| Kendyl Lodermeier | Goodhue, MN | Lew Churbuck Scholarship |
| Landyn Buster | Grimes, IA | The John and Reta Coleman Achievement in Science Award |
| Leah Flugel | Detroit Lakes, MN | William F. and La Vonne I. Gutches Student Scholarship |
| Lydia Campion | Bettendorf, IA | The Excellence in Education Scholarship |
| Magann Bjornson | Farmington, MN | J. Paul and Sharroll Richards Endowed Scholarship & The Perry Scholarship for Excellence in Teaching |
| Marcus Coleman | Coralville, IA | Mrs. Ina Johnson Memorial Scholarship |
| Marcus Evans | Elkader, IA | The James H. Olsen Biology Scholarship |
| Melanie Mejia | Palmdale, CA | The Dr. Austin J. Goldsmith Book Scholarship |
| Morgan Hendrickson | Cedar Falls, IA | Dr. Gary McVicker Scholarship |
| Nathan Behne | Mitchellville, IA | CRC Press Freshman Chemistry Achievement Award, the Eischeid Athletic Scholarship, & the Thomas Parker Goebel and Helen Goebel Scholarship |
| Ryley Hartman | Oelwein, IA | J. Paul and Sharroll Richards Endowed Scholarship & the Joyce A. Lang Teacher Education Scholarship |
| Shelby Martin | Fayette, IA | Thomas Parker Goebel and Helen Goebel Scholarship |
| Stephany Castillo | Bakersfield, CA | The Dr. Austin J. Goldsmith Book Scholarship |
| Ty Pflughaupt | Walker, IA | Thomas Parker Goebel and Helen Goebel Scholarship |
| Aadhithya Vetriselvan | Chennai, India | Babcock Scholarship & the Dr. Louise P. Herring Scholarship |
| Aaliyah Comadore | McKinney, TX | Jennifer McCoy Memorial Scholarship |
| Addison Webber | Rowley, IA | Darwin Dean Endowed Scholarship |
| Alec Battien | Cedar Rapids, IA | John Kinley Emergency and Disaster Management Scholarship |
| Alex Ray | Monticello, IA | American Legion of Iowa Foundation Scholarship |
| Alex Suarez | South Sioux City, NE | The Brooke Kerns Endowed Scholarship |
| Alisha Dahlstrom | Hawkeye, IA | Northeast Iowa Charitable Foundation Scholarship |
| Allison Smith | Protivin, IA | William R. Cook Accounting Scholarship |
| Alyssa Setliff | Flatwoods, LA | Dr. J. M. and Zinita Dickman Murphy Scholarship |
| Amanda Kerner | Postville, IA | Clark/Bowen Endowed Scholarship |
| Anna Zobel | Eldorado, IA | Ruth Manuta Memorial Scholarship |
| Annika Kent-Thomas | Fayette, IA | Northeast Iowa Charitable Foundation Scholarship |
| Anthony King | Lamont, IA | Lloyd Pleggenkuhle Memorial Scholarship |
| Areli Campos Morales | Fayette, IA | Pande Scholarship |
| Arianna Kolowski | Fort Sill, OK | Military Family Fund Scholarship |
| Arianne Gerwing | Cashton, WI | The Hoyt R. & Winifred Appelman Young Scholarship Fund |
| Arnas Kurakinas | Klaipeda, Lithuania | Babcock Scholarship |
| Ben Mabb | Wadena, IA | Kenneth J. & Sharon L. (Reisch) Erickson Scholarship Fund |
| Binh Truong | Fairfield, IA | Excellence in Experiential Learning Honors Award (ExcEL) |
| Brandon Lund | Lakeville, MN | Margaret Share Kerfoot & the Zecha-McCauley Scholarship Scholarship |
| Bristol Finley | Audubon, IA | Excellence in Experiential Learning Honors Award (ExcEL) |
| Brittany Ziegler | Saint Olaf, IA | Foster Cass Foundation Student Scholarship |
| Brock Voyna | Cresco, IA | William R. Cook Accounting Scholarship |
| Brooke Krogmann | Manchester, IA | Lloyd Pleggenkuhle Memorial Scholarship |
| Brooke Miller | Ottumwa, IA | Zecha-McCauley Scholarship |
| Cadie Wolf | Lake City, MN | Dr. Louise P. Herring Scholarship, Excellence in Experiential Learning Honors Award (ExcEL), & the Kauten Scholars Award |
| Cael Reichter | Hawkeye, IA | Carlton W. Knight and Maxine B. Knight Endowed Scholarship |
| Cael Bridgewater | Walker, IA | Leota Didier Scholarship |
| Cale Knight | Cresco, IA | Excellence in Experiential Learning Honors Award (ExcEL) |
| Caleb Mcgee | Fayette, IA | LocaliQ Graphic Design & Marketing Scholarship & the Northeast Iowa Charitable Foundation Scholarship |
| Candace Marple | Donahue, IA | Ken Keenan Memorial Scholarship |
| Carley Jonker | Marion, IA | The Hoyt R. & Winifred Appelman Young Scholarship Fund |
| Carsyn Grage | Iowa City, IA | Thomas Parker Goebel and Helen Goebel Scholarship |
| Carter Pontius | Coon Valley, WI | Killbreath-Timmerman Football Endowed Scholarship |
| Caylie Peterson | Carlisle, IA | Lucille Dickman Scholarship |
| Caylor Hoffer | Denver, IA | Leota Didier Scholarship |
| Chloe Erikson | Genoa City, WI | Kauten Scholars Award |
| Christian Cutsforth | Waucoma, IA | The John William Dickman Prize |
| Christian Vincent | Fort Madison, IA | The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship |
| Christopher Schneider | New London, MN | Kauten Scholars Award |
| Corrina Voigt | Decorah, IA | Michael David Selgelid Memorial Scholarship |
| Dajahnae Hicks | Waterloo, IA | Chalena Marie McCoy Memorial Scholarship |
| Dalton Dibert | Lansing, IA | Northeast Iowa Charitable Foundation Scholarship |
| Daniel Robinson | Tiffin, IA | Pande Scholarship |
| Dayimwende Ouedraogo | West Branch, IA | Pande Scholarship |
| Dominic Salibi | Iowa City, IA | Charles Morgan Scholarship |
| Donavan Howard | Naperville, IL | Pande Scholarship |
| Dupree Whitney | Des Moines, IA | Csomay Endowed Scholarship |
| Eleinor Kalb | Dubuque, IA | John & Honorine Falb Family Scholarship |
| Eliana Callies | Rochester, MN | Excellence in Experiential Learning Honors Award (ExcEL) |
| Elizabeth Chlupach | Urbandale, IA | Dennis and Marlene Murdock Adult Learner Scholarship |
| Ella Perkins | Bourbonnais, IL | Drs. Eugene E. & Mildred Everts Garbee Award |
| Emily Buckingham | Fredericksburg, VA | Bill & Sharon Duffy "Changing Lives" Scholarship & the Lucille Dickman Scholarship |
| Emma Munson | Lansing, IA | Kenneth J. & Sharon L. (Reisch) Erickson Scholarship Fund |
| Erica Conger | Town and Country, MO | Margaret Share Kerfoot Scholarship |
| Evan McClure | Waukee, IA | Blanche Cole Gloss Memorial Scholarship |
| Franklin Tobar | Cameron, NC | Clark/Bowen Endowed Scholarship |
| Gage Dunker | Lena, IL | Arguilez Memorial Scholarship |
| Garrett Konz | Caledonia, MN | John Rippe Scholarship & the Kauten Scholars Award |
| Gracee Tompkins | Lost Nation, IA | The Herz Scholarship Fund |
| Graedan Sullivan | Elkhart, IA | Mary Kimball Endowed Scholarship & the Sodexo Campus Services Scholarship |
| Gunnar Sims | Decorah, IA | Excellence in Experiential Learning Honors Award (ExcEL) & The Upper Iowa University Grace Meyer Scholarship |
| Hannah Moeller | Newhall, IA | Stivers Leadership Scholarship & the Kauten Scholars Award |
| Hannah Koehn | Fayette, IA | The Forrest G. and Margaret L. Moore Endowed Scholarship |
| Hannah Smith | Clay Center, KS | Drs. Eugene E. & Mildred Everts Garbee Award |
| Hatoon Albatineh | Iowa City, IA | The Hoyt R. & Winifred Appelman Young Scholarship Fund |
| Haylie Hutchinson | La Quinta, CA | Belknap Baker Family Scholarship & The Brooke Kerns Endowed Scholarship |
| Heather Engstler | Britt, IA | Kauten Scholars Award |
| Hudson Ivey | Shawnee, KS | The Mrs. Richard Otley Improvement Award |
| Isaiah Maker | Strawberry Point, IA | Northeast Iowa Charitable Foundation Scholarship |
| Jaccob Romero | Fresno, TX | John William Dickman Endowed Scholarship |
| Jacob Goedken | Lamont, IA | Iowa Society of CPAs Outstanding Accounting Major Award |
| Jaidyn Duvel | Decorah, IA | Excellence in Experiential Learning Honors Award (ExcEL) & the Zecha-McCauley Scholarship |
| Jameson Kaiser | Madrid, IA | Kauten Scholars Award |
| Jayce Klug | Stewartville, MN | Mary Kimball Endowed Scholarship |
| Jaydin Dettman | Elkader, IA | Foster Cass Foundation Student Scholarship |
| Jayla Kelly | Colfax, LA | Belknap Baker Family Scholarship |
| Johnathan Moore | Denham Springs, LA | Belknap Baker Family Scholarship |
| Jordan Mcmahon | Minneapolis, MN | Helen J. Monserud Scholarship in Sociology |
| Josiah Minikwu | Postville, IA | Kidd Family Scholarship |
| Justin Clark | La Porte City, IA | Clark/Bowen Endowed Scholarship |
| Kaden Kremer | Independence, IA | Northeast Iowa Charitable Foundation Scholarship |
| Kai Poindexter | Muscoda, WI | Linda Haines Endowed Scholarship |
| Kalasinh Sihabouth | Janesville, WI | Military Family Fund Scholarship |
| Kale Miller | Waverly, IA | Warren W. Morgan Scholarship for Business Majors |
| Kennadi Butikofer | Hawkeye, IA | Excellence in Experiential Learning Honors Award (ExcEL) |
| Kennedi Frost | Johnson City, TN | Robert H. Rewoldt Endowed Scholarship |
| Kody Calmer | Boone, IA | Extended University Scholarship |
| Kyler White | West Union, IA | Excellence in Experiential Learning Honors Award (ExcEL) & the William F. and La Vonne I. Gutches Student Scholarship |
| Laci Lauer | West Union, IA | Excellence in Experiential Learning Honors Award (ExcEL) |
| Lakeisha Bell | Gonzales, LA | Pande Scholarship |
| Landon Boisen | Rosemount, MN | The Mrs. Richard Otley Improvement Award |
| Landon KasaKaitas | Elk Mound, WI | Kauten Scholars Award |
| Lila Renner | Cedar Falls, IA | The Upper Iowa University Grace Meyer Scholarship & the Kauten Scholars Award |
| Lindsey Davis | Fontanelle, IA | William "Bill" Prochaska Endowed Scholarship |
| Logan Wright | West Liberty, IA | Andres Business Scholarship |
| Lucero Torres | Davenport, IA | The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship |
| Macy Alderson | Graettinger, IA | Martin & Julie Games Cheer & Dance Scholarship |
| Madison Arispe | Forest City, IA | Beecher Beal and Bertha Beal Roberts/Thomas R. Roberts Student Scholarship |
| Mara Sivley | Lake Stevens, WA | Kidd Family Scholarship |
| Marcus Champagne | Cannon Falls, MN | Sodexo Campus Services Scholarship |
| Marwa Karoumia | Moline, IL | Ruth Manuta Memorial Scholarship |
| Mason Harter | Fairbank, IA | Crandall Family Scholarship |
| Matas Dumalakas | Klaipeda, Lithuania | Babcock Scholarship |
| Mathyas Hernandez | Liberal, KS | Ron Crooker Facilities Endowed Scholarship |
| Mayla Kiebach | Toledo, IA | Dr. J. M. and Zinita Dickman Murphy Scholarship |
| McKenna Diermeier | Elk Mound, WI | The John William Dickman Prize |
| Meghan Wheeler | Slaughter, LA | Pande Scholarship |
| Mindy Brauner | Cedar Rapids, IA | Dennis and Marlene Murdock Adult Learner Scholarship |
| Morgan Block | Sumner, IA | The Upper Iowa University Grace Meyer Scholarship |
| Nick Mueller | Peoria, IL | The Herz Scholarship Fund |
| Nolan Carl | Galesburg, IL | Csomay Honors Award |
| Nolan Cushion | Randalia, IA | Lloyd Pleggenkuhle Memorial Scholarship |
| Olivia Smedley | Independence, IA | Robert H. Rewoldt Endowed Scholarship |
| Olivia Hamblin | Cedar Rapids, IA | The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship |
| Owen Maas | Kaukauna, WI | Edward L. Paine and Gertrude Pease Paine Scholarship |
| Preston Klostermann | Robins, IA | Roger & Alice Mangan Wrestling Scholarship |
| Ramon Turner | Waterloo, IA | Linda Haines Endowed Scholarship |
| Reagan Echard | Garnavillo, IA | Extended University Scholarship |
| Rio Johnson | Atlantic, IA | Csomay Honors Award & the Dennis and Marlene Murdock Leadership Scholarship |
| Ryker Cooksley | West Union, IA | Excellence in Experiential Learning Honors Award (ExcEL) |
| Ryne Woods | Batavia, IL | Dr. Larry Seals Scholarship & the Irma K. Ledgerwood Endowed Scholarship |
| Samantha Otto | Le Mars, IA | American Legion of Iowa Foundation Scholarship |
| Samuel Frailey | Elkader, IA | Bruce I. Campbell Endowed Scholarship |
| Santana Walker | Milwaukee, WI | LaVerne McCoy Scholarship |
| Sara Laster | Dousman, WI | May (Cliff) Davig Endowed Scholarship |
| Sarah McGee | Cresco, IA | The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship |
| Savannah Weiss | Oelwein, IA | Charles G. Bell Endowed Scholarship in Art & the Northeast Iowa Charitable Foundation Scholarship |
| Seth Dudley | Iowa City, IA | Linda Haines Endowed Scholarship & the Thomas Parker Goebel and Helen Goebel Scholarship |
| Shae Moncada | Elgin, IA | Joe Menges Scholarship in Business Administration & the Northeast Iowa Charitable Foundation Scholarship |
| Shelby Johnson | Davenport, IA | Caudle-Holmes Scholarship |
| Stephanie Cink | Madison Lake, MN | Excellence in Experiential Learning Honors Award (ExcEL) |
| Sydnee Nelson | Saint Paul Park, MN | William "Bill" Prochaska Endowed Scholarship |
| Sydney Moser | Monona, IA | The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship |
| Tanner Arjes | Clarksville, IA | Beecher Beal and Bertha Beal Roberts/Thomas R. Roberts Student Scholarship & the Roger & Alice Mangan Wrestling Scholarship |
| Tate Lamm | New London, IA | Csomay Honors Award |
| Tate Carlson | Boone, IA | Excellence in Experiential Learning Honors Award (ExcEL) |
| Temekia Tyler | Alexandria, LA | Paul “Spike” and Merriam Kelly Scholarship Fund |
| Teyion Oriental | Glendale Heights, IL | Beulah Combs Thompson Scholarship & the Ron Crooker Facilities Endowed Scholarship |
| Treyton Ackman | Spencer, WI | Roger & Alice Mangan Wrestling Scholarship & the William "Bill" Prochaska Endowed Scholarship |
| Tura Dalu | Albertville, MN | Joe and Janet (Olson) Brady Scholarship |
| Tyler Nolder | Grundy Center, IA | Burnell Smith Scholarship Fund (Non-Endowed) |
| Tyson Stevens | Le Roy, MN | Jacob D. Burling Memorial Scholarship & the Kauten Scholars Award |
| Whitney Bailey | Fayette, IA | William F. Baker Science Memorial |
| William Benedict | River Falls, WI | Andres Business Scholarship |
| William Bunda | Pocahontas, IA | Andres Business Scholarship |
| William Miller | Lanesboro, MN | Kauten Scholars Award |
| Wyatt Powell | Monona, IA | Northeast Iowa Charitable Foundation Scholarship |
| Xavier Kirton | Cedar Rapids, IA | Excellence in Experiential Learning Honors Award (ExcEL) |
| Zachary Kiffmeyer | Oshkosh, WI | Zecha-McCauley Scholarship |
