Campaign Partners

A pioneer Iowa broadcaster, R.J. McElroy's influence remains strong in the Cedar Valley, years after his death. The R.J. McElroy Trust was founded in 1965 and is located in Waterloo, Iowa. Since its creation, the Trust has funded a broad range of educational programs to benefit youth of all ages. Literally thousands of young people in northeastern Iowa thank R.J. McElroy for the influence he has had in their lives.

McElroy's vision has extended to the University of Northern Iowa. The Trust has been a generous partner in the university's Students First campaign's capital project initiatives.

The University of Northern Iowa's Early Childhood Education Center was given a boost with a $1 million grant to help build the facility. Linda Klinger, Executive Director of the McElroy Trust, says "Through the years, the Trust has done its best to fulfill R.J. McElroy's wishes through numerous scholarship, student loan, fellowship, and internship programs." "While these programs have helped literally thousands of young people achieve their goals, it has become more and more apparent to us that far too many youth are in no position to utilize McElroy programs because they have fallen so far behind in their educational development. In the future, the Trust hopes to have an impact on educational development much earlier in the lives of young people and is particularly excited about the potential for this McElroy initiative in the field of early childhood education."

The Trust offered a challenge grant for the Students First campaign's McLeod Center. The UNI Foundation met this challenge and will receive $1 million for the additional $2 million it raised.

The R.J. McElroy Trust is truly an important partner in the Cedar Valley.

The Gallaghers

Ed and Cathy Gallagher's love for their community and for UNI has changed the face of campus. The Gallaghers are known throughout the Cedar Valley for their generosity and UNI is fortunate to have benefited from their experience and philanthropic spirit.

Ed Gallagher is senior partner in the Waterloo law firm of Gallagher, Langlas & Gallagher and chairs the UNI Foundation Board of Trustees. Cathy Gallagher is a UNI graduate and serves on numerous boards.

Once again the Gallaghers have assumed leadership roles in Students First the campaign for the University of Northern Iowa with their recent $500,000 gift toward McLeod Center. The multi-purpose sports arena will be home to the university's volleyball, basketball and wrestling programs, with seating for 6,000 to 7,000 people. "This arena is a necessary project, both for the university and for the Cedar Valley" according to Mr. Gallagher. "It will strengthen the athletic programs at the university, and offer a sizable facility for other community events. It's a win-win situation for UNI and the Cedar Valley."

Tom and Maureen Porth

Pictured: Tom and Maureen Porth, right, with Campaign volunteers Bob and Marybeth Dieter, left, at the September 24, 2002 kick-off of the Students First Cedar Valley Major Gift drive.

A way to say thank you

As original investors in McLeod Center, Tom and Maureen Porth believe in the vision of Coach Eldon Miller and the University of Northern Iowa to build a facility that will serve both the University and the Cedar Valley community. Their gift of $250,000 has inspired investments from donors around the Cedar Valley and beyond.

In addition to their financial investment, Tom and Maureen give generously of their time to ensure the project's success. Tom has served on the Athletic Club's Board of Directors and both he and Maureen are on the Students First Campaign's Leadership Advisory Council. In this capacity they meet with potential investors, build awareness of the campaign and provide input as the Foundation develops fundraising strategy.

Tom and Maureen own Matco Restaurants Inc., which operates eight Village Inn restaurants, four in Iowa and four in Kansas.

"We're not originally from the Cedar Valley," Tom Porth says, "but we've found it's a great place to call home. This is a way that we can say thank you to the local community for all the support they've shown us. We feel this project will benefit everyone in the Cedar Valley."

The Hinson Family

The late Charlotte and William Hinson were long-time supporters of UNI and the Cedar Valley community. Both attended Iowa State Teachers College in the 1930's. Their son, Richard and daughter, Carol Driver, are also UNI alums and trustees of the Hinson Family Fund.

William H. Hinson served as President of Hinson Manufacturing Company until it was sold to Royal Industries. Mr. Hinson, who died in 1997, was an active supporter of the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony, along with his wife, Charlotte, who passed away in 2004. Together they played in the Symphony for 44 years. Their love for music has resulted in a $250,000 gift toward Russell Hall's renovation. Russell Hall is home to the UNI School of Music and the acclaimed Jazz Band One, and houses a series of rehearsal rooms, offices, studios, classrooms and an auditorium. Projected cost of the renovation is $8.2 million. This renovation project is part of the university's $100 million "Students First" campaign.

In addition to their gift to the Students First Campaign, the Hinsons established two scholarships at the University of Northern Iowa and supported construction of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.