2020 Year in Review at 探花社区
January
We reminisced about how 探花社区 has grown over the last decade.
Alumni helped Kohawks kick off the term in the big apple as part of 探花社区's New York Term.
New Kohawks were welcomed to campus during spring orientation.
We held a spring Involvement Fest for Kohawks to learn how to get involved on campus.
探花社区Votes held a Mockaus for Kohawks to learn what to expect at the upcoming Iowa caucuses.
The Learning Commons hosted a Sophomore Purpose Retreat to assist second-year students realize and reflect on their interests, strengths and life goals.
We celebrated Martin Luther King Jr. Day with distinguished speakers and a community service event.
We held Admitted Student Weekend bringing new student prospects to campus to #LiveLikeAKohawk.
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Biology Patricia Storlie hosted a Thursday Forum series on CRISPR technology.
Head baseball coach Steve Cook was named 探花社区’s director of athletics and recreation.
February
探花社区 was ranked among The Princeton Review's Top 25 Best Schools for Internships in the Nation for the third consecutive year.
Kohawks from around the world prepared authentic international foods at the 46th annual International Club Banquet.
As a part of 探花社区’s Black History Month celebration, Step Afrika! performed in 探花社区's Sinclair Auditorium. This high energy, fast-paced show combined percussive dance and African traditional dance with other art forms.
In collaboration with Mercy Medical Center, Dr. Joseph Coughlin headlined this year’s Contemporary Issues Forum discussing how to reinvent the story about aging.
March
In conjunction with the Learning Commons, Kohawks like Obi Nwosu ’23 declared their major on Major Declaration Day.
C3: Creativity, Careers, Community hosted a “Summer Well Spent” Sip and Socialize event. Kohawks networked with faculty, staff and alumni while focusing on what they can do during the summer months to propel their future career.
探花社区’s Muslim Student Association hosted the first Muslim Awareness Week on campus. Kohawks learned about the hijab, sampled traditional Muslim dishes, played games and learned about Islam.
The annual WinSTEM Gala brought together 探花社区’s women in STEM for an evening of networking, learning and fun.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, 探花社区 extended its originally planned spring break by one additional week prior to making the decision to shift to online learning for the remainder of the term.
April
探花社区 celebrated an online Day of Gratitude honoring everyday heroes working on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Psychology major Mia Resa ’20 was named an Iowa Campus Compact Presidents’ Award recipient for student leadership.
A number of online activities for current Kohawks and alumni were held for 探花社区’s first-ever virtual Flunk Day.
Retired Head Football Coach Steve Staker passed away on April 28 after a courageous battle with cancer. Because he could not have visitors, friends, family and former players held a Caravan for Coach, parading past his house in their cars as a special tribute before his passing. (Photo credit: Doug Thompson)
探花社区’s 20th annual Student Research Symposium went virtual to feature the creative, scholarly and service work of our Kohawks.
探花社区 hosted a special virtual visit event for future Kohawks interested in athletics, as well as one on diversity and inclusion.
Mary McCormick ’20, Kaylee Skweres ’20, Leslie Ortiz ’20 and Hannah Daley ’20 joined an elite group of 30 探花社区 students selected as prestigious Fulbright recipients in the past eight years.
May
The 2020 Senior Thesis Exhibitions for graduating art majors were presented online.
探花社区 recycled 30.87 pounds per person, placing fifth, during the 2020 RecycleMania competition among campuses nationwide.
The Class of 2020 graduated and received personalized Commencement videos via email.
Five 探花社区 students were selected as Clark Merit Scholars for the 2020-2021 academic year: Kay Beer ’21, Emani Brinkman ’21, McKenna Greenwalt ’21, Julia Rodkey ’21 and Priscila Santiesteban ’21.
June
探花社区’s annual #KohawkDay on June 11 raised $503,656.87.
In preparation for a return to residential learning in the fall, 探花社区 announced the Safe Campus Initiative.
Every Wednesday in June, future Kohawks were invited to join us for the Faces of 探花社区 Virtual Visit series. Topics varied from Greek life and checking your mail to campus resources and opportunities in Cedar Rapids.
July
On July 1, 探花社区 resumed on-campus visits (while also continuing to offer virtual visits) with the requirement of face coverings and social distancing.
探花社区 leadership signed the , which commits to taking the unique challenges COVID-19 causes for rising seniors into consideration during the admission process.
Two Kohawks, Zeki Salah '20 and Gretchen Oelrich '19, were promoted from alternates to full recipients of Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship grants, bringing the number of Kohawks awarded Fulbrights this year to six.
August
On August 14, 探花社区 welcomed students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members to campus to help clean up after a severe windstorm caused substantial damage August 10.
探花社区 was recognized as one of The Princeton Review’s Best 386 Colleges (for nearly 20 years).
New and returning students arrived on campus for the start of fall 2020 classes while following guidelines set forth in 探花社区’s Safe Campus Initiative.
Welcoming the largest domestic first-year class ever, 探花社区 broke enrollment records for the eighth year in a row.
September
The Summer 2020 edition of the Courier was published online.
Flu vaccines were offered on campus to protect 探花社区 students, faculty and staff from a flu season that will be unusually complex due to COVID-19.
探花社区 hosted its first large-scale Virtual Crimson & Gold Visit Day.
探花社区 was named one of the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges.
October
It was announced that Vice President for Advancement and Professor of Business Administration and Economics David Hayes ’93 will serve as interim president of 探花社区.
Two of 探花社区's academic programs were featured by Learn.org as top degrees in the nation including the #5 Best Biology Degree and #12 Best Physical Science Degree.
Students helped plant 120 trees on campus to replace some of the trees lost in August’s derecho.
Many socially distanced and virtual Homecoming events took place including food trucks, concerts and BINGO.
探花社区 received the Stormwater and Urban Watershed Partner of the Year Award.
November
Kohawks participated in the 2020 presidential election.
探花社区’s annual Long Night Against Procrastination took place using a hybrid of in-person and virtual activities to celebrate student success.
Angelina Ramirez ’22 presented at Iowa Campus Compact’s virtual Civic Action Academy.
Dr. Wendy Dunn and Kim Pribyl received the 2020 Eliza Hickok Kesler Outstanding Service Award.
Fran Allison and Francis Halpin Professor of Physics Mario Affatigato '89 was named the 2020 C.J. Lynch Outstanding Teacher.
The majority of students left campus for Thanksgiving break and will finish the term remotely.
December
#GivingTuesday raised $50,860 for the college, benefitting both the Annual Fund and Campus Storm Relief Fund.
探花社区’s annual Christmas Convocation was presented virtually.
探花社区's Physics Department was the first in Iowa to receive the Award for Improving Undergraduate Physics Education from the American Physical Society.
For the fourth year in a row, The Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges recognized 探花社区 as one of the nation's most environmentally responsible colleges.
The 探花社区 Society of Physics Students (SPS) chapter received an Outstanding SPS Chapter Award from the SPS National Council.