By UNI University Relations
You can find ties to the University of Northern Iowa everywhere — all across the country, around the world and very soon, hundreds of feet deep in the Atlantic Ocean.
The USS Iowa submarine was commissioned in Connecticut April 5 and will deploy to sea later this year with 135 sailors on board. Among the group, you’ll find the “Panthers,” one of four crews responsible for conducting security patrols aboard the vessel and ensuring all the sub’s systems are operating correctly.
About 1,000 Iowans were present for the commissioning ceremony to see the vessel off. Among the many dignitaries in attendance was UNI President Mark Nook.
“It was a tremendous honor to represent the University of Northern Iowa for the commissioning of the USS Iowa and all of the events celebrating the ship and its crew in Connecticut,” Nook said. “The level of advanced technology and systems integration we witnessed while touring the vessel was simply incredible. What was even more impressive was the comprehensive knowledge of the crew, who all must know how to perform a myriad of tasks under complex conditions. It also wasn’t surprising to learn from event organizers that the state of Iowa sent one of the largest delegations to ever attend a U.S. Navy commissioning of a state-named vessel.
“I remarked to many folks that this magnificent submarine could fit in between the hashmarks of the football field of the UNI-Dome and is roughly the same length of the field,” Nook continued. “Cheryl and I were particularly honored to see UNI recognized at several locations on the sub, and we let members of the crew know how many folks at UNI were supporting them. In addition to conversations with political and industrial leaders, I also enjoyed multiple discussions with U.S. Navy officials about the opportunities for UNI students and graduates to contribute in our country’s rapidly evolving national security sector. It was a great weekend to be a Panther and represent UNI!”
The Panthers proudly wear UNI gear, including custom-designed USS Iowa caps provided to the crew along with other UNI apparel and baked goods given by a group of alumni and staff in 2021. During the commissioning, the patrol again received care packages of Panther Pride, including stickers and other giveaway items for the sailors’ families.
“UNI has been a huge supporter of the boat from day one in terms of getting us the hats, the trinkets, the t-shirts and all that stuff,” said Mat Tanner, the executive director of the USS Iowa Commissioning Committee.
Only two of the vessel’s crew members have Iowa ties, but that hasn’t stopped the submarine’s members from paying homage to the state. In addition to the Panthers, the other patrols are named for the other Regent universities and a fourth group is known as the Sullivans, in tribute to the Navy’s renowned band of brothers from Waterloo.
The submarine will eventually contain photos and images from the state it is named for, including visuals from the University of Northern Iowa.
“We’ll probably have a picture of the Battleship Iowa on one of the tables,” said Tanner, referring to the retired Battleship USS Iowa that shares its name with the new submarine, now a museum. “We’ll have Sullivan brothers pictures and historical Iowa stuff, maybe a picture of John Wayne thrown in there, just because ‘The Duke’ is from Iowa. It brings out the atmosphere of Iowa on the mess deck. So when the sailors come in and they have their meals, or they have their training, or they’re sitting down relaxing playing cards, there’s Iowa all around them.”
The USS Iowa is a history-making submarine. It’s the fourth U.S. Navy ship and the first Navy submarine to be named after the state of Iowa. Although women have served on submarines for many years, the USS Iowa is the first submarine with accommodations built for women.