The University of Iowa Eight Over 80 Award Winners

Before he became one of the nation's most respected network news anchors, Tom Brokaw spent his freshman year at the University of Iowa. It was an experience he never forgot, and throughout his life, Brokaw has remained a proud Iowa supporter.

Throughout his long career in judicial politics and public law education, William J. "Bill" Daniels has been an unwavering advocate for peaceful conflict resolution, receiving numerous accolades for his community service and leadership.

Jeffrey Knox had a 40-year career as a speech and language pathologist and is a lifelong volunteer who finds joy in giving back to others.

A native of Burlington, Iowa, Robert M. Fleming has parlayed his business acumen into a lifetime of community service and board leadership.

Luanne Puhl shares her love of history, health, and education with the Waterloo community through gifts of time and resources because, she says, "It simply is the right thing to do."

After 39 years of teaching music, Karen Spurgeon embarked on a second career as an award-winning newspaper editor and publisher. However, she still finds time to perform and direct music and to support fine arts and community organizations.

Pamela Willard is a true community servant whose advocacy for public health, nursing, and lifelong learning has helped change lives.

Since his student days in the University of Iowa College of Engineering, Robert "Bob" Wubbena has generously shared his engineering expertise. The civil and environmental engineer remains an active water and wastewater consultant and has established scholarships to help others follow in his footsteps.

A teacher in the Iowa City Community School District for 28 years, Elizabeth Clothier used her experience as a United Kingdom native becoming a U.S. citizen to teach third-grade classes about citizenship.

Nancy and Thomas Hanson have lived lives dedicated to giving back to those less fortunate—and supporting each other in community activism throughout their marriage that now spans more than 60 years.

Ann Howard Jones has built a distinguished career in both choral and orchestral conducting.

James Kimball has strong passions for medicine, aviation, the arts, and economic development.

Jean Lloyd-Jones has devoted much of her life to helping women pursue careers in politics.

Paul McKeen earned an honorary letter from Iowa in 1983 for promoting University of Iowa athletics and establishing the Johnson County I-Club. Since then, McKeen has continued to devote time and energy giving back to his community. McKeen has used his experiences in sales and finance—building three successful companies—to mentor and assist young people in planning and growing their own businesses.

Jerre and Mary Joy Stead are dedicated to impacting others through philanthropy, volunteering, and leadership.

A former student-athlete who came to the University of Iowa on a football scholarship, Orville “Speedy” Townsend made an indelible impact on the Hawkeye state through his work at Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services. Townsend worked for the organization for 42 years—including as a supervisor for 25 years in the Iowa City office.

A former high school English teacher and elementary school librarian, Sexton was influenced by Eleanor Roosevelt, who once urged a group of UI students to better their communities. Sexton has strived to live by those standards, serving as a board member and president of the Friends of the Ferguson Library, where she helped start a used book shop that benefits the library and a program that sends every baby born in Stamford, Connecticut, a book.

The UI professor emeritus of law and president emeritus also served as president of the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago. In 2000, he founded the Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center, which supports nonprofits that provide vital services to their communities throughout the state.

A leader in the dental field for more than 50 years, Curry previously served as UI adjunct dentistry professor, president and trustee for the Iowa Dental Association, and as a member of the Iowa Dental Board. Curry is now a board member for the Iowa Delta Dental Foundation that he founded, as well as for the Delta Dental Plan of Iowa and UI Dental Alumni Board.

The retired professor and chair of the research committee for the Iowa Measurement Research Foundation mentors students and faculty at the UI College of Education. Hoover’s also active in the operation of Senior College, and he and his wife, Myrene (68BA, 81MA, 91PhD), were campaign co-chairs for the UI Stanley Museum of Art.

One of the first graduates of the International Writing Program, Lento taught Japanese literature at Iowa before becoming an intercultural consultant and interpreter. Since retirement, she has twice won the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission Prize for the Translation of Japanese Literature. Lento is now helping create an anthology of modern Japanese poetry to promote its inclusion in American education.

As a former professor of early childhood special education, Sparks-Greif has written a textbook on home visiting for professional health care providers. Her career-long interest in fetal alcohol spectrum disorder has led to her facilitating support groups for parents of affected children. 

The former president of the American Pharmacists Association and past member of the Iowa House of Representatives began Osterhaus Pharmacy in Maquoketa 57 years ago. The president of Maquoketa Art Experience is now helping renew the town’s business district.

With a passion for education and community involvement, Petersen served as president of the Iowa Board of Regents and as co-chair of the original Old Capitol restoration. She also led the Hawkeye/Arena Recreation campaign, acts as a lifetime honorary director for the UI Center for Advancement board, supports the UI Stanley Museum of Art, mentors university presidents, and advises UI students.