Schindler Education Center (1970)
The University of Northern Iowa was founded as a training school for teachers. When its curriculum was modified to include liberal arts degrees in 1961, the university decided to construct a building concentrated on education courses. In July 1965, the Board of Regents approved funding for planning Unit 1 of an education center. In August 1967, the Board approved a project request for $1.98 million for the new building. About three-quarters of the budget came from appropriations and one-quarter came from a federal grant. In September 1968, architects Thorson, Brom, Broshar and Snyder of Waterloo presented plans for the Education Center to the Regents. Unit 1 would be an 81,000 square feet, six-level structure providing flexible teaching space, administrative and faculty offices, classrooms, a media center and clinics. Construction was scheduled to begin spring 1969.
The Regents approved the master plan for Unit 1 in May 1969. They then approved a $2.45 million project budget for Unit 2 in July 1969. The 66,700 square foot, two-story Unit 2 building would have two large lecture rooms, clinics and classrooms. Construction began on Unit 1 in summer 1970 with an occupancy date set for fall 1972. Work began on Unit 2 in 1971 with an occupancy date set for fall 1973.
Portions of Unit 1 opened for the fall semester 1972, while construction crews continued to work in other portions of the building. One of the features of the new building was a communications system described by Professor Robert Hardman as "the most complex television system in the state of Iowa." The system would allow classroom-by-classroom viewing of media in many formats. Unit 2 opened for fall semester 1973.
A number of problems arose after the opening of the new center. Bricks on some of the landscaped berms near the building caved in when the earth underneath them subsided. There were comments on the lack of windows in classrooms, white “blackboards’ and malfunctioning fire alarms. Although the communications system was installed, the university lacked funds and personnel to operate it. The system did not become operational until early 1976.
With the communication system implemented, the university planned a week of dedication activities for April 5-10, 1976. Events included presentations by Professors Ralph Scott, Howard Vander Beek, Charles Dedrick, Donna Thompson, and Basil Reppas, as well as Gordon Cawelti (’51), executive director of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. The formal dedication ceremony on April 8, 1976 included president of the Board of Regents Mary Louise (Anneberg) Petersen, President John Kamerick, Provost James Martin and Dean of the College of Education Howard Knutson.
The building complex was known as the Education Center for the first 20 years. On May 13, 1990, it was re-named the Schindler Education Center in honor of Dr. Alvin W. Schindler (’27). Schindler spent most of his career teaching at the University of Maryland. Dora Hood Schindler (’24) donated $1 million to UNI in memory of her husband.
Schindler Education Center has undergone two significant remodeling projects. In 1987, the east deck was replaced, and from 2015-2017 the entire building interior was remodeled to meet educational standards.
Compiled by Library Assistant Susan Witthoft; edited by University Archivist Gerald L. Peterson, July 1996; substantially revised by Gerald L. Peterson, with research assistance by Student Assistant Emily Candee and scanning by Library Assistant Gail Briddle, November 2002; updated February 10, 2015 (GP); updated by Library Associate Dave Hoing, November 2017; photos and citations updated by Graduate Assistant Eliza Mussmann April 4, 2023; content revised by Library Assistant Hannah Bernhard, February 2026.