Center for public engagement, leadership development and archival stewardship approved at UNI

The center will honor the legacy of Chuck and Barbara Grassley following the Senator's retirement from Congress

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The Iowa Board of Regents has approved the establishment of a university-wide center at the University of Northern Iowa dedicated to public engagement, leadership development, archival stewardship, civic engagement and public programming. The center will be officially named the Chuck and Barbara Grassley Center when Senator Grassley retires from public office.

This center will build upon the extensive collection of Senator Charles Grassley's papers housed at UNI and reflects the university's commitment to preserving the legacy of public service, civic leadership and government while inspiring future generations of students.

The collection of Senator Grassley's papers is one of the nation's most comprehensive collections documenting the career of a sitting member of Congress. The archive includes records from Grassley's service in the Iowa House of Representatives, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, providing students, researchers and historians with an unparalleled record of nearly seven full decades of public service.

"This center will preserve Senator Grassley's lifetime of service to the people of Iowa and the nation," said UNI President Mark Nook. "He has never lost sight of the values that shaped him, including those he developed as a student at Iowa State Teachers College. Through this center, future generations will have the opportunity to learn from a remarkable career dedicated to public service, civic engagement and accessibility."

Senator Grassley earned his bachelor's degree in political science in 1955 and his master's degree in 1956 from Iowa State Teachers College, now the University of Northern Iowa. As the first of five children in his family to attend college, his educational journey began on a small family farm in Butler County before leading to one of the longest and most distinguished careers in American public service.

Barbara enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa in the fall of 1954. She took time off to raise their children and to participate in her husband's campaigns for the Iowa Legislature and the U.S. Congress. She returned to UNI in 1981 and earned her accounting degree in 1983. In addition to serving as a devoted advocate for her family and her husband's work, Barbara has also proudly supported her alma mater through the years and has been a longtime fan of UNI Athletics.

First elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 1958, Grassley later was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1974 and was later elected to the U.S. Senate in 1980. Now serving his eighth Senate term, Grassley is the Senate's most senior member and the sixth-longest-serving senator in United States history.

UNI is developing a comprehensive fundraising and implementation strategy to support the center's long-term sustainability. Funding is expected to include philanthropic gifts, endowment earnings, university support, grants, sponsorships and program revenue.