Regents History
Iowa’s 33rd General Assembly created the State Board of Education in 1909 to oversee, coordinate and govern the state’s three public institutions of higher learning, including the State University of Iowa in Iowa City, the Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts in Ames, and the Iowa State Teachers College in Cedar Falls.
The State Board of Education was renamed the Iowa Board of Regents in 1955. The three institutions followed with name changes of their own, beginning with the Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts changing to Iowa State University of Science and Technology in 1959. The Iowa State Teachers College became the State College of Iowa in 1961 and the University of Northern Iowa in 1967. Finally, the State University of Iowa shorted its name to the University of Iowa for common use in 1964.
The Board also previously had oversight of two special K-12 schools, the Iowa School for the Deaf (from 1917 until 2023), and the Iowa Braille and Sight Saving School/Iowa Educational Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired (from 1911 until 2023).
The Board of Regents monthly newsletter will revisit past meetings that spurred important developments in the history of the enterprise. In addition, the lives of past board presidents will be highlighted.
Selected Past Meetings
- September, 1948
- April 10-11, 1950
- June 23-24, 1955
- March 14-15, 1957
- February 25-26, 1960
- September 12-13, 1963
- July 13-15, 1966
- June 12-14, 1968
- January 9-10, 1969
- July 13-14, 1972
- October 19-20, 1972
- November 14-15, 1974
- August 21-22, 1980
- October 19-20, 1983
- September 18-19, 1985
- March 11-12, 1987
- January 20, 1988
- July 18, 1990
- November 17, 1993
- October 8, 1995
- May 21-22, 1997
- December 13-14, 2000
- July 16-17, 2003
- August 3-4, 2004
The University of Western Iowa
The three-year project that united a town, divided a Board, and nearly changed the landscape of Iowa's public education
The Student Regent
Steven Zumbach, the first student ever appointed to the Board, recalls his experience working with Governor Robert Ray, Board President Stan Redeker and others during a tumultuous time in American history.
Board Members 1909-Present (PDF)
Presidents of the Board of Regents
President | Served |
---|---|
Sherry Bates | 2024-Present |
Michael Richards | 2017-2024 |
Bruce Rastetter | 2013-2017 |
Craig Lang | 2011-2013 |
David Miles | 2008-2011 |
Michael Gartner | 2005-2007 |
Robert Downer | 2005 |
John Forsyth | 2004-2005 |
Owen Newlin | 1996-2004 |
Marvin Pomerantz | 1995-1996 |
Marvin Berenstein | 1993-1995 |
Marvin Pomerantz | 1987-1993 |
John McDonald | 1985-1987 |
S.J. Brownlee | 1981-1985 |
Mary Louise Petersen | 1973-1981 |
Stanley Redeker | 1965-1973 |
Alfred Noehren | 1963-1965 |
Harry H. Hagemann | 1958-1963 |
Dwight Rider | 1951-1958 |
Henry Shull | 1941-1951 |
George Baker | 1926-1940 |
D.D. Murphy | 1915-1925 |
J.H. Trewin | 1909-1915 |
President Pro Tems of the Board of Regents
President Pro Tem | Served |
---|---|
Greta Rouse | 2024-Present |
Sherry Bates | 2021-2024 |
Patty Cownie | 2017-2021 |
Katie Mulholland | 2013-2017 |
Bruce Rastetter | 2011-2013 |
Jack Evans | 2008-2011 |
David Miles | 2007-2008 |
Teresa Wahlert | 2006-2007 |
Robert Downer | 2004-2006 |
Deborah Turner | 2003-2004 |