Academic strengths, welcoming community make new UI faculty feel right at home

Can people really ever have the best of both worlds? Five new University of Iowa faculty members seem to think so.

The University’s academic environment—a devotion to the arts and humanities, a strong health care campus, and an emphasis on research—attracts innovative teachers and cutting-edge researchers, and the Iowa City area’s strong sense of community makes them feel at home right off the bat.

“The community here is very intimate,” says Theresa Armstead, assistant professor in the Department of Community and Behavioral Health in the College of Public Health. Socializing requires little more than an appetite for homegrown food: “Almost everyone goes to the farmers market,” Armstead says.

Hancher's 2008–09 season boasts global culture, local ties

The 2008–09 performing arts season at The University of Iowa’s Hancher Auditorium carries the theme of “It’s chemistry,” which signifies the connections between the artists onstage, the buzz in the auditorium, and the bond between performer and patron.

“We always strive to provide a wide range of programming and I think our upcoming season does that,” says Judith Hurtig, Hancher Auditorium artistic director. “I truly think there is something on the Hancher schedule for everyone: great jazz, family events, classical music, dance, world music—and Judy Collins and Kathy Griffin.”

Photo feature: Behind the scenes at Maintenance and Landscape Services' shops

In 2008, Operations merged with Maintenance and Landscape Services to create a new department, Building and Landscape Services. This unit, which resides within Facilities Management, is dedicated to building maintenance, custodial service, and landscape services. The department also provides central shop services, including the carpenter shop, sheetmetal shop, and paint shop. fyi spent some time inside the shops to bring you your fix of things being fixed.

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