School Overview

History and Traditions

UNI has a long and rich history of service dating back to the mid-1800’s. In 1866, an orphanage for children affected by the Civil War was established in Cedar Falls. In a few years’ time, it became apparent that the building’s usefulness would shortly be coming to an end as orphans grew up and moved out into the world. Iowans saw an opportunity and seized it; the Iowa State Normal School – an institution created for and devoted to the training of teachers – was founded in 1876. Since its inception, the institution has also gone by the names of the Iowa State Normal School, Iowa State Teachers College, State College of Iowa, and most currently, University of Northern Iowa.