For 100 years, the Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) has been the heart of campus life — where students meet friends, discover opportunities, and create memories that last beyond their time at Iowa.
During the 2025–26 academic year, the University of Iowa recognized the milestone with a yearlong centennial celebration that honored the IMU’s legacy while inviting the university community to be part of its next chapter.
Through events, storytelling, and shared experiences, the centennial was more than a reflection on history — it was a campus-wide celebration of community, connection, and belonging.
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The IMU centennial brought together students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members through a series of events designed to celebrate the building’s impact across generations. Over 3,000 guests attended celebratory events, highlighting the IMU’s continued role as a gathering place for the entire Hawkeye community.
The IMU Centennial Open House welcomed approximately 500 attendees, who enjoyed tours, interactive activities, and a first look at renovation updates.
The IMU Gives Back event, a partnership with the Iowa Hawk Shop and Undergraduate Student Government, attracted over 1,500 happy Hawkeyes who left with free Hawkeye merchandise for their apartments and residence hall rooms.
In partnership with the Campus Activities Board, the 100th Birthday Bash created a festive, student-centered celebration, complete with interactive activities and a retro bowling alley setup, a nostalgic nod to the IMU’s former bowling alley.
The Centennial Gala, with over 300 guests, brought together alumni, students, faculty, and partners for an evening recognizing both legacy and future vision.
From a Grab-and-Go Breakfast welcoming students back to campus, to a Faculty/Staff Coffee Bar, a centennial-themed Lunch with the Chefs, and an interactive IMU Scavenger Hunt, additional events extended the celebration throughout the year and across audiences.
Centennial events honored the IMU’s history while inspiring reflection on what it has meant to generations of Hawkeyes. At the “Make Your Own Time Capsule” event, students wrote letters to their future selves — capturing both their current experiences and their hopes for what lies ahead.
The reflections reinforced a powerful theme: the IMU is more than a building — it is where students find community and shape their college experience.
The centennial also celebrated a legacy of growth and highlighted how the IMU has continuously evolved to meet the needs of students. Since its official opening in 1926, the building has adapted alongside campus life — expanding amenities, supporting student organizations, and remaining a central hub for involvement and connection.
Even through moments of challenge, including the 2008 flood, the IMU has remained a constant that reflects the resilience and spirit of the Hawkeye community.
“One unchanging truth is that the IMU has always adapted. From our memories in decades past to the food pantry and the Collegiate Recovery Program today, it responds to students’ needs in the present tense. And now it enters its second century reinvigorated.” - Lana Zak, BA in political science and journalism and mass communication ’00
That spirit was visible throughout the centennial year as alumni returned to share stories, students created new memories, and the campus community came together to celebrate a shared history.
