4 common misconceptions about the University of Iowa

There are many myths and facts about the University of Iowa, Iowa City, and the students who inhabit the area. Some are true: One-Eyed Jake’s offers 21 pitchers of beer for $21 on your 21st birthday (X); the University’s student newspaper isn’t called The Hawkeye because a random newspaper in Burlington, Iowa took the name before the University could; and, there are in fact not ONE but TWO Herky the Hawks. But sadly, there are some very common misconceptions about the campus that should be corrected.

4. Iowa City is the first capital of Iowa.

It was actually Burlington, Iowa. But only technically, if you consider that Iowa was a territory of Wisconsin at the time and not a state. Also, the only a marker in a church exists of what was once a capitol building, and not a prestigious hall with a gold-plated dome resting a top a hill that is clear of all things except other buildings for higher education and Cambus stops.

3. Ashton Kutcher graduated Iowa.

Close, but no proverbial cigar. He did attend the prestigious university, planning on majoring in biochemical engineering-we would have missed that face behind lab goggles-but dropped out after being picked up at The Airliner for modeling, and subsequently moving to New York. (Yet another reason to attend The Hookup Party Part Deux at The Airliner; you might be so gorgeous you can drop out of school.)

2. More the 50% of attending students are from the Chicagoland area.

Lies! Slander and lies, I tell you. First of all, to assume that the majority population of a state school is, in fact, not from the same state is just plain silly. According to the University’s About Iowa page, 58% of students are from Iowa, and 25% are from ALL of the adjoining states. Just so you know, the adjoining states to Iowa include, yes, Illinois, but also Wisconsin, Minnisota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Missouri.

1. Iowa is JUST a party school.

Now, the key word in that sentence is “just.” There are few who would deny that Iowa is a party school, and certainly not the Princeton Review. But the thing is, Iowa is so much more. I’m about to rain some cold, hard facts on this article.

Firstly, we’re in Iowa City, a capital of culture. UNESCO’s third City of Literature in the world, which is evident when you walk down Iowa Ave. and see the quotes from many of Iowa’s greatest writers. Iowa City is advocate.com ‘s third gayest city in the United States. Now, even if you’re not gay, think of all the culture! Speaking of culture, have you noticed the music that this University brings in? If not, you should read more articles by Zach Bingham. If that doesn’t satisfy you that Iowa City is one of the greatest cultural landmarks in the Midwest, perhaps you should check out more events like the Mission Creek Music and Arts Festival.

Secondly, check out our academics. I could go on and on about our amazing writing workshop, the astounding liberal arts program we have, the Tippie College of business, our rigorous nursing program, our top-notch journalism program, or basically any of the other programs  we excel at, but just to it yourself and the U of Iowa Fact Book.

Lastly, the extra-curricular fun. The Big Ten is the only collegiate sports division that, before Nebraska came in and fucked it up, had all of its schools included in the Association of American Universities. As part of the Big Ten, the University of Iowa is part of a the oldest Division 1 sports conference in the nation. For example, let’s look at the football games. Have you been to one? Although drinking is a heavy part of before, during, and after the game, not all 70,585 are trashed at the games. It’s about supporting the team, cheering for the Hawkeyes, and maybe seeing some guys in skin-tight pants beat the shit out of each other.

Featured image from www.universitywallpaper.com