Celebrate 120 Years of Iowa Magazine With These Iconic Covers
On Dec. 15, 1903, 100 homes received a copy of the first issue of Iowa Alumnus, a quarterly publication that cost $1 for a year’s subscription. This marked the start of a 120-year history for Iowa alumni magazines, one that includes multiple name changes, leadership shifts, and a long gap in publication from the late 1920s into the ’40s. But even across centuries, some things never change: campus news and profiles, letters to the editor, sports updates, and a commitment to the University of Iowa alumni community. Check out some of Iowa Magazine’s looks through the decades below.
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December 1903
The State University of Iowa publishes its first issue of Iowa Alumnus.
PHOTO: UI ARCHIVES
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April 1915
The magazine honors Iowa City’s winning baseball teams of the 1870s—made up largely of university students including Charles A. Finkbine (1875BPH, 1877LLB) and Edward C. Finkbine, brothers to Finkbine Golf Course land donor William O. Finkbine (1878BPH, 1880LLB).
PHOTO: UI ARCHIVES
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April 1923
In this issue, Iowa professor Charles E. Young advocates for the growth of the university’s summer session.
PHOTO: UI ARCHIVES
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October 1948
New mascot Herky the Hawk makes his first appearance on the cover of The Iowa Alumni Review.
PHOTO: UI ARCHIVES
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December 1958
A cover commemorates the Hawkeyes’ appearance in the 1959 Rose Bowl, in which a Randy Duncan (59BA)-led Iowa team won 38-12 against the California Golden Bears.
PHOTO: UI ARCHIVES
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October-November 1969
The magazine introduces the alumni community to UI President Sandy Boyd (81LHD), who presided over campus from 1969–81 during a time of student and societal unrest.
PHOTO: UI ARCHIVES
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August-September 1971
Iowa Alumni Review features a photo of students canoeing on the Iowa River near the newly built Hancher Auditorium, Voxman Music Building, and Clapp Recital Hall.
PHOTO: UI ARCHIVES
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February-March 1981
A composite of images taken from the Voyager 1 space probe during its journey in 1980 to Jupiter and Saturn celebrates the UI’s involvement in the NASA mission.
PHOTO: UI ARCHIVES
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Summer 1995
Iowa Alumni Quarterly profiles legendary Hawkeye wrestling coach Dan Gable.
PHOTO: UI ARCHIVES
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June 2006
Iowa Alumni Magazine covers the aftermath of an F2 tornado that ripped through Iowa City and damaged the Alpha Chi Omega sorority house.
PHOTO: UI ARCHIVES
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