In 2015, on the 20th anniversary of the UI Retirees Association, Jean Hood (UIRA president 2010-2011) compiled a history of the organization, with assistance from Ken Starck (UIRA president 2014-2015) and intern Jennifer Dybicz. 

UIRA History, 1995-2015 (PDF)

In 2026, as UIRA celebrated its 30th anniversary, a new document that updates the history from 2015 through 2025 was prepared by Diana Lundell, Director (2023-2026) and Editor of The Gray Hawk (2024-2027).

UIRA History, 2015-2025 (PDF)

Former UIRA Presidents

  • 2025-2026 Lois Cox (Law)
  • 2024-2025 Evalyn Van Allen-Shalash (Office of the Provost)
  • 2023-2024  Deb Cobb (College of Dentistry)
  • 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)