Upper Iowa University establishes Excellence in Teaching Awards

Former Fredericksburg, New Hampton, Cresco, Bettendorf, Estherville educators/coaches provide initial gift

Fayette, IA (08/30/2019) — During its recent Matriculation Convocation, Upper Iowa University (UIU) announced the establishment of the Roger and Alice Mangan Excellence in Teaching Annual Awards. Beginning in August 2020, one rising junior faculty member and one senior faculty member will receive a financial stipend and a commemorative plaque for their exemplary teaching. In addition, a larger wall-mounted plaque featuring the names of these and future honorees will be placed in the Student Center at UIU's Fayette Campus.

"This award exemplifies the University's commitment to excellence in teaching all of its students," alumnus Roger Mangan said. "Alice and I wanted to not only create an award honoring an exceptional UIU faculty, but also provide an additional incentive for new faculty aspiring to join its excellent instructional staff at UIU.

The Mangan's provided the initial gift for the establishment of the Excellence in Teaching Award. The UIU Faculty Development and Welfare Committee will begin accepting award nominations/applications in January 2020, before presenting their recommendations to Provost Dr. P. Joan Poor. The first Roger and Alice Mangan Excellence in Teaching Annual Awards are scheduled to be presented during the August 2020 UIU Matriculation Convocation.

"Each time we return to Fayette, Roger and I are flooded with so many great memories of UIU and the entire community," Alice said. "We are especially proud that today's students share similar opportunities as we did in benefiting from the commitment of UIU's outstanding faculty and staff."

A native of Chicago, Illinois, Roger Mangan graduated from UIU in 1962 with a bachelor's degree in history with minors in political science and French. A four-time Peacock wrestling letter winner and 2014 Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, he won Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships at 147 pounds in 1959 and 1960.

Mangan started a 16-year teaching and coaching career in Fredericksburg, Cresco, Bettendorf and Estherville, Iowa. He later became an educational consultant for the Mississippi Bend Area Education Agency in Davenport, Iowa, before moving to Littleton, Colorado, with his wife, Alice, and two daughters in 1976. Upon moving to Colorado, Roger opened a "scratch" State Farm Insurance agency. He credits Alice, who has worked along his side for 43 years, as being essential in helping develop the agency into one of the largest State Farm agencies in the Denver metropolitan area. Roger has served on the UIU Board of Trustees since 2018.

Alice (DeLong) Mangan followed in the footsteps of her mother and aunt and four uncles who also graduated from Upper Iowa with degrees in education. A Maynard, Iowa, native, Alice helped organize UIU's first drill team before earning a physical education degree in 1961. Her first teaching position was at New Hampton, Iowa, where she taught grade 3-12 physical education and led the Girl's Recreation Association, drill team and cheerleaders, and was honored to be chosen to be one of the first Iowa P.E. teachers to give the "President Kennedy's Physical Fitness test." When in Estherville she continued to teach elementary physical education and also opened the Busy Bee preschool in Estherville in 1966.

Longtime supporters of UIU academic programing and athletics, the Mangans previously pledged $100,000 in an effort to further strengthen the Peacock wrestling program. The gift continues to spur additional funds raised from other UIU wrestling alumni and fans.

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