An anonymous gift of $1,000, a boost from the UI Foundation (now the Center for Advancement), and a band of determined retirees led to the formation of the UI Retirees Association in 1995.

From the outset, UIRA leadership—with Arthur Canter as first president—welcomed both staff and faculty into its membership.

In 2015, Jean Hood (UIRA president 2010-2011) compiled a history of the UIRA to mark its 20th anniversary, with assistance from Ken Starck (UIRA president 2014-2015) and intern Jennifer Dybicz.

Download UIRA History (PDF)

Former UIRA Presidents

  • 2023-2024  Deb Cobb
  • 2022-2023  Ed Dove (Biomedical Engineering)
  • 2021-2022  Carolyn Wanat (Education)
  • 2020-2021  Sam Cochran (University Counseling Service)
  • 2019-2020  Emil Rinderspacher (Admissions)
  • 2018-2019  Sue Otto (World Languages, Literatures and Cultures)
  • 2017-2018  Michael Barron  (Admissions)
  • 2016-2017  Nancy Hauserman (Business)
  • 2015-2016  Beverly Robalino (Facilities Management)
  • 2014-2015  Kenneth Starck (Journalism and Mass Communication)
  • 2013-2014  Richard E. Walton (Dentistry)
  • 2012-2013  Nancy Williams (Office of the Provost)
  • 2011-2012  J. Kenneth Kuntz (Religious Studies)
  • 2010-2011  Jean Hood (Iowa State University Extension Services)
  • 2009-2010  Penny Hall (Speech Pathology and Audiology)
  • 2008-2009  Richard Stevenson (Business)
  • 2007-2008, David Thayer (Theatre Arts)
  • 2006-2007  Karole Fuller (Museum of Natural History)
  • 2005-2006  Sara C. Wolfson (Education)
  • 2004-2005  Richard Gibson (Facilities Services)
  • 2003-2004  Beatrice Furner (Education)
  • 2002-2003  Eleanor Anstey (Social Work)
  • 2001-2002  Kathie Belgum (Law)
  • 2000-2001  Lee Shope (Information Technology Services)
  • 1999-2000  Jim Clifton (Medicine)
  • 1998-1999  Sam Becker (Communication Studies)
  • 1997-1998  Harold Engen (Counselor Education)
  • 1996-1997  Joan Cantor (Psychology)
  • 1995-1996  Arthur Canter (Psychiatry)