Union High School alum Caleb Olson (second from right) pictured during Upper Iowa University’s Honors & Awards Banquet held on April 12 in Fayette. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

FAYETTE – Upper Iowa University (UIU) celebrated academic excellence during its annual Honors & Awards Banquet on Saturday, April 12, at the Fayette Campus. More than $432,000 in scholarships were awarded through 212 individual recognitions including the following local students:

-Caleb Olson of La Porte City was awarded the Ken Keenan Memorial Scholarship.

-John Pranger of La Porte City was awarded the The Paul and Margaret Pickett Scholarship.

Scholarship recipients were selected based on a variety of criteria, including academic merit, financial need, leadership, and student involvement. Over 4,000 currently enrolled undergraduate students who meet the Honors & Awards Program criteria were considered. In addition, UIU offers several scholarship opportunities for incoming freshmen, helping future Peacock students get a strong start in their academic journey.

“This special occasion formally recognized the academic achievements of our deserving students,” Ashley Gredys, Vice President for Advancement & Alumni Engagement, said. “It was a privilege to celebrate alongside their families and the dedicated members of our faculty and staff.”

The banquet also honored the generosity of UIU’s scholarship donors and representatives. Many had the opportunity to present their awards in person, fostering a memorable and meaningful connection to their recipients.

“The Honors & Awards Program reflects our commitment to academic excellence and the long-term success of our students,” Gredys added. “These scholarships help make higher education more accessible and affordable for all.”

Financial support will be distributed to students during the 2025-2026 academic year.