Upper Iowa University is revved up for a 'Peacock Pride' Homecoming

Fayette, IA (09/27/2021) — Upper Iowa University (UIU) is all revved up for its "Peacock Pride 2020NE" Homecoming celebration through Sunday, October 3. In addition to all of the classic traditions, UIU will host its first Peacock Show & Shine as part of the weeklong festivities. Alumni and community members are invited to show off their classic cars or trucks from 10 a.m. - noon Saturday, October 2, in the Dorman Gym parking lot at its Fayette, Iowa, Campus.

2021 Homecoming Grand Marshal Dennis Murdock and the Homecoming royalty will lead the parade in downtown Fayette at noon Saturday. To submit a parade entry, visit uiu.edu/homecoming.

A UIU alumnus and Board of Trustee member, Murdock compiled over 45 years of experience in the electric utility industry at Central Iowa Power Cooperative (CIPCO) before retiring as its chief executive in 2017.

"It has been a tremendous privilege to serve as a Board of Trustee at my alma mater and being asked to serve as this year's grand marshal caps off all of my Peacock experiences," Murdock said. "I continue to reap the benefits of my UIU education and the successes I have enjoyed throughout my life were made possible due to my ongoing relationship with this great university."

Dennis and his wife, Marlene, established the Dennis and Marlene Murdock Leadership Scholarship and Dennis and Marlene Murdock Adult Learner Scholarship funds in 2018. The endowed Leadership scholarship is awarded to a rising junior or senior student pursuing an advanced degree at UIU's Fayette Campus. Recipients are nominated by a staff or faculty member in recognition of leadership attributes demonstrated by service to UIU clubs and organizations, Student Government Association, residence life, tutoring, and/or other extracurricular campus involvement.

Meanwhile, the Adult Learner endowed scholarship fund is awarded to adult learners at UIU's center locations. Recipients are nominated by a staff or faculty member in recognition of their ability to overcome obstacles in pursuit of an education and selected by a small committee of staff and faculty who primarily serve adult learners.

"It has been my great honor to work with Dennis over the past several years," Upper Iowa University President William R. Duffy II said. "The service and leadership he has provided to the University as a proud alumnus and former Board of Trustee president is unmeasurable, and I certainly look forward to working with him as a continuing member of the Board."

The traditional pep rally, coronation, and bonfire will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 30, in the Peacock Pavilion tailgating area. The 2021 Homecoming king and queen candidates are Kylee Champlin, Atlantic, Iowa; Charisma Herr, Saint Paul, Minnesota; Jaden Schweinefus, Ossian, Iowa; Maggie Streightiff, Hayfield, Minnesota; Sydney Wilcox, Shiocton, Wisconsin; Lucas Duax, Dubuque, Iowa; Andrew Paskey, York, Pennsylvania; Terrell Powell, Tallahassee, Florida; Laith Smith, Wapello, Iowa; Zach Wegmann, Solon, Iowa. In the case of inclement weather, the pep rally and coronation will be held in Dorman Gym.

Additional "Peacock Pride 2020NE" Homecoming Week events and activities are as follows:

Tuesday, September 28
Chalk It Up
The UIU community is invited to put their school spirit on display by decorating their sidewalks and driveways.

Wednesday, September 29
Ice Cream Social
Free ice cream from 2 - 3:30 at Grace Meyer Square on Fayette Campus.

Thursday, September 30
Patriotic Day
The paintings and drawings of University of Mary Hardin-Baylor assistant professor of art Stephanie Chambers will be featured during an art reception from 3:30 - 5 p.m. at Bing-Davis Memorial Gallery. Refreshments will be served.

A Patriotic Day Welcome Home Dinner will be held from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. in the Andres Atrium. This all-class reunion dinner is complimentary, hosted by the Alumni Association, and a perfect way to start the weekend. RSVP required.

Friday, October 1
UIU Spirit Day
A Homecoming picnic will be held from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Student Center Servery. Join fellow Campus community members for a BBQ lunch. Outdoor seating will be available. Cost is $6.50 or one meal swipe.

Join the School of Arts and Sciences in viewing student research project posters at the Research, Internship and Creative Endeavors program from 1 - 2:30 p.m. at Baker-Hebron Hall, Garbee Hall and Liberal Arts Building.

The ninth annual President's Fundraising Ball is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. As the University continues to look 'Onward and Upward,' visit uiu.edu/presidentsball for additional information.

Saturday, October 2
Game Day
The Archives Takeaway Display & Social opens at 8:30 a.m. in the Student Center. Persons who RSVP may discover featured photos and articles of themselves gathered from the UIU Archives. Coffee will be available for guests. Alumni are also invited to share their UIU experiences and visit the Henderson-Wilder Library for more info on alumni accounts and how to search for articles. For additional information, contact UIU Archives at 563-425-5722 or archives@uiu.edu.

The Alumni Awards & Honor Class Brunch will be held at 9:30 a.m. in the Student Center Ballroom. This year's alumni awards and recipients include: Service to University - Marcia Andrews '79, Fayette, Iowa; Service to Community - Jon Miller '75, Pella, Iowa; Service to Country - Dietrich Denali Cerna '11, SFC, US Army, (Retired), Grand Prairie, Texas; Professional Accomplishment - David Stevens '77, McKinney, Texas; Emerging Alumni - Hadeel Osman Suliman '14, Khartoum, Sudan. In addition to the Alumni Award Honorees, the Heritage Society Members, and the classes of 1970 and 1971 will be recognized. All alumni and guests are welcome to attend.

Live Music featuring Beau Timmerman will be held from noon - 3 p.m. in the tailgate area.

Kickoff for the UIU Homecoming football game vs. Southwest Minnesota State University is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Harms-Eischeid Stadium.

Sunday, October 3
Peacock Soccer
The Peacock men's soccer team will face University of Wisconsin-Parkside at 2 p.m. at Pattison Field.

Additional information and a full schedule of Peacock Pride 2020NE activities and events, can be viewed at uiu.edu/homecoming.

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