The answer to this week’s trivia question (“What former UI art professor painted these famous works?”) is: Grant Wood.
Grant Wood was a faculty member at the University of Iowa School of Art From 1934 until his death in 1942 at age 50. Born in Anamosa, he studied art in both America and Europe, eventually adopting a Realism-influenced style seen in his most…
The game of football had seen some significant changes just before the first Homecoming contest was held against Wisconsin on November 23, 1912. The length of the field was changed from 110 yards with no end zones to 100 yards plus two 10-yard end zones. In addition, teams now had four downs to advance the ball instead of three, and a…
The answer to this week’s trivia question (“This is a view from which UI building?”) is:
Seashore Hall.
As several astute commenters have pointed out, the building served as the original University Hospital from 1897-1929. After the hospital moved to the west side of the Iowa River, the structure was converted to classroom space and renamed East Hall. Finally, in…
The answer to this week’s trivia question (“Which two dorms on the University of Iowa’s west campus are connected by an underground tunnel?”) is:
Quadrangle and Rienow Residence Halls.
Quadrangle was finished in 1920, partly financed by the United States Department of War and intended for use as military barracks during World War I. Rienow was built in 1966, and its counterpart—Rienow II—was…
The University of Iowa had just taken possession of the Mayflower Apartments on Dubuque Street. Originally constructed in 1966 as a private apartment building, Mayflower offered room for over 1,000 students and suite-style living, where a kitchen and bath were shared with an adjoining room.
After weathering floods in 1993 and 2008, Mayflower has been repaired, renovated, and reopened to continue…
For the first time since 1952, the tradition of having students walk across the stage as their name was read was reinstated at the spring commencement ceremony, held in the Field House. Previously, students had stood up in their seats with classmates from their college.
“I thought it should be changed because it’s important to recognize people for their accomplishments,”…
The answer to this week’s trivia question (“How many Big Ten titles and Rose Bowl appearances did the Hawkeyes secure under Hayden Fry?”) is three titles (1981, 1985, 1990) and three Rose Bowls.
Fry left an indelible mark on an Iowa football program that had 17 straight losing seasons before he was hired. He also had the visitors’ locker…
The UI set a date of March 1991 for the start of construction on the new College of Business building. The $33.5 million facility was notable for being built on the only remaining undeveloped plot of land on the main campus. The architects for the project limited the height of the structure to four stories to avoid visually overwhelming nearby…
The Iowa Board of Regents approved the UI’s renovation plans for Kinnick Stadium. The $80 million plan included a new press box, club seating, an expanded plaza area, additional restrooms, and more concession stands. Completed in 2006, the project drew positive feedback for modernizing the facility while preserving the stadium’s charisma and tradition. Says Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz: “New…
The answer to yesterday’s trivia question (“What is Iowa’s state nickname?”) is the Hawkeye State.
Judge David Rorer of Burlington found the name in James Fenimore Cooper’s novel, Last of the Mohicans, and used it to refer to the state’s residents. Publisher James Edwards, also of Burlington, used the term to honor Chief Black Hawk, leader of the Sauk and Fox…
