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Home Distinguished Alumni Awards Distinguished Alumni Award Winner

Distinguished Alumni Award

David W. Belin

1994 Friend Award

David W. Belin, a Des Moines attorney, has been the driving force behind the creation of the Connie Belin National Center for Gifted and Talented Education at the University of Iowa.

Ranked as one of the nation's 100 most influential lawyers by the National Law Review, Belin is perhaps best known for his work as counsel for the Warren Commission that investigated the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

In 1978, Belin began working with the University of Iowa, formulation plans that led to the development of programs to meet the needs of gifted and talented students. His efforts culminated in 1988, when the Iowa Board of Regents established the Connie Belin National Center for Gifted and Talented Education. Named in honor of his late wife, Connie, a dedicated leader in education and former member of the Iowa Board of Regents, the Belin Center specialized in the educational needs of exceptionally talented children in just six years, the Center has earned national recognition for its innovative work in providing outstanding educational programs for gifted students and in training teachers to work more effectively to meet the needs of these students.

David Belin made these opportunities possible. A member of the UI Foundation's Presidents Club, he has contributed substantial funding for the center's support, as well as for a number of related UI programs, such as the Connie Belin Fellowship Program for Gifted Educations and the Invent, Iowa! Program. In addition to his own generosity, Belin has taken an active role in encouraging others to support the university and has assisted in attracting more than $2.5 million in external support for the UI, most of it for the benefit of gifted and talented education programs.

About Distinguished Alumni Awards

Since 1963, the University of Iowa has annually recognized accomplished alumni and friends with Distinguished Alumni Awards. Awards are presented in seven categories: Achievement, Service, Hickerson Recognition, Faculty, Staff, Recent Graduate, and Friend of the University.

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Add these new releases by Iowa Writers' Workshop alumni Jamel Brinkley, Curtis Sittenfeld, and Ada Zhang to your reading list.

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Top 10 Iowa Magazine Stories of 2018

With the start of a new year upon us, it's time to look back at your favorite University of Iowa stories from 2018. Here are Iowa Magazine's top 10 most-read articles of the year: The Nomadic Life (spring 2018) Hawkeye football favorite Paki O'Meara (10BA) finds ultimate freedom in backpacking around the world, taking photos that inspire a sense of wonder. PHOTO COURTESY PAKI O'MEARA Kinnick at 100 (summer 2018) This past summer marked two historically significant dates for Hawkeye fans: the 100th anniversary of the birth of Nile Kinnick (40BA), and the 75th anniversary of his tragic death. In memory of Iowa's favorite son, scholar, and Ironman, we look back on his life and legacy. Ahead of the Game (spring 2018) The Iowa football team becomes the first in the nation to equip the majority of its players with a state-of-the-art new helmet designed to improve player safety. PHOTO: MARK STASTNY Hollywood U (fall 2018) Alumni success in TV and film shines the spotlight on Iowa's? flourishing screenwriting program. ILLUSTRATION: FABIEN GILBERT / ARTISTIQUE INTERNATIONAL Mountain Roots (spring 2018) Nearly 80 years ago, an unlikely UI mountain-climbing club emerged from the cornfields of Iowa to become one of the most active in the world. Now the next generation of outdoorsmen continue in their Hawkeye family's footsteps. PHOTO COURTESY EBERT FAMILY The Secrets of Sleep (fall 2018) UI doctors and researchers work to shine light on the third of our lives we spend in the dark. Illustration: John Emigh Fry's Dream Team (fall 2018) FRYFest honors Hayden Fry's legendary 1983 coaching tree. PHOTO: UI ATHLETICS Going the Distance (spring 2018) UI-trained dentist Deb Carneol (92DDS) completes seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. PHOTO: MARK CONLON/WORLDMARATHONCHALLENGE.COM At 105, Our Oldest Hawkeye? (spring 2018) Catherine Shaw Shors (35BSC), who earned her business degree from Iowa more than eight decades ago, celebrated a milestone birthday in May. 1936 HAWKEYE YEARBOOK A Heroic Homecoming (spring 2018) Avengers: Infinity War director Joe Russo (92BA) receives a superhero's welcome at his alma mater. PHOTOS: Justin Torner

UIVA Alumni Organization

The UIVA Alumni Organization serves and connects alumni and students who share the common bond of military service.

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