Cedar Falls Couple Donates $10 Million to University of Northern Iowa

Mark Nook, the President of the University Northern Iowa, made an announcement this morning that's being celebrated today, but will benefit the university years into the future.

Nook announced this morning that Karen and David Takes of Cedar Falls are making a $10 million gift to the school. David is a 1981 alumnus of UNI and the past chair of the UNI Foundation's Board of Trustees.

The $10 million gift will support the UNI Mascot Outreach Endowed Fund, which supports the students involved with the mascot program at the university. Some money will also go toward capital projects in the future at UNI, while some will also be included in the Takes Endowment. The couple started that endowment in 2015. It supports students in business at UNI, allowing them to get international experiences and to increase their cultural intelligence.

In a statement from the UNI Foundation, David Takes said,

As long-time residents of Cedar Falls and as a proud alum, we are extremely grateful for everything the University of Northern Iowa and Panther Nation have brought to our family and our community at large. The benefits we enjoy are truly priceless, and it is with this sense of gratitude that Karen and I make this commitment. For people who maybe haven’t been to UNI in the recent past, take time just to re-educate yourself about what is currently going on here. When you do, be prepared to be impressed.