James F. Lubker Research Award

The Lubker Award was created to honor Dr. Jim Lubker, Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders (1995 - 2009), Dean of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts (1995 - 2005), and Interim Executive Vice President and Provost (2005 - 2009) at UNI. This award is an annual cash prize recognizing a UNI faculty member for excellence in their area of research and scholarship, including creative and performing arts. 

Nominees must be a tenured member of the University of Northern Iowa faculty with at least five years of full-time service at the time of nomination. Faculty are limited to receiving the award every ten years. 

2025 Award Winners
Division of Graduate Studies

Required Actions

Due Dates

Department Head may nominate one faculty member to the Dean (include faculty CV). 

October 17, 2025 @ 4:30 PM

Deans consult with college senate to select nominees. Note: There are a maximum of two nominees from COE, CSBS, and CBA, and four from CHAS. Deans should email the name(s) of the selected nominee(s) to Graduate Studies (gradcollege@uni.edu).

November 3, 2025 @ 4:30 PM

Graduate Studies informs the nominees of selection and requests materials. 

November 21, 2025 @ 4:30 PM

Nominees submit materials

February 6, 2026 @ 4:30 PM

How to submit your required materials

  1. Submit documents as PDF files ONLY to gradcollege@uni.edu.
  2. Include your full last name, first name initial and the award title in the folder (Example: DOE, J. Lubker Award)
  3. Include cover sheet with signatures, CV, and narrative - “The narrative is a brief written statement (1-2 pages) describing the nominee’s key activities, projects, achievements, recognition, or contributions related to the award criteria"
  4. One "Support letter" (separate from the nomination letter or email) must be written on official letterhead and signed by the individual providing the support. This letter should be sent directly to: gradcollege@uni.edu. 

Previous Recipients - Lubker Research Award

  • Jolene Zigarovich (2024-2025)
  • Timm Kidd (2023-2024)
  • Kenneth Atkinson (2022-2023)
  • Aleksander Poleksic (2021-2022)
  • Christopher W. Larimer (2020-2021)
  • Deborah Gallagher (2019-2020)
  • Martha Reineke (2018-2019)
  • Michael D. Waggoner (2017-2018)
  • Tammy Gregersen (2016-2017)
  • David G. Surdam (2015-2016)
  • Mohammed Rawwas (2014-2015)
  • Carl Thurman (2013-2014)
  • Angeleita Floyd (2012-2013)
  • Kent Sandstrom (2010-2011)
  • William Downs (2009-2010)
  • Harry Brod (2008-2009)