The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan
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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan
The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Fast Times at the University of Iowa

Inside and outside of Iowa City’s campus
May 4, 2026

Many students that attend the University of Iowa don’t just spend their time in the lecture hall. From working at their jobs to pumping iron in the gym, from making art to grabbing a drink with their friends after hours, the college experience at Iowa is so much more than overpriced textbooks and assignments due at 11:59 p.m. The college years are about defining your future self.

Club members gather markers and cards during a club meeting of Letters of Love in Tippie College of Business in Iowa City on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025. Over a hundred members gather at each meeting to write letters of support to children with cancer. The organization raised $1,774.57 with custom club hoodies, which were distributed at the meeting. (Ava Neumaier / The Daily Iowan)
Iowa second-years Gretchen Meier and Yasmeen Hussain talk in their dorm in Currier Residence Hall at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa on Monday, April 6, 2026. Meier is a Pre-Dentistry student, while Hussain is in the Nursing program. (Samantha DeFily / The Daily Iowan)
Samantha Khamphilanouvong marks her movements during rehearsal for the Vietnamese Student Association’s Lunar New Year celebration in Iowa City, Iowa. (Jade Vithayasab / SJMC)
From left, James Tinkham, Sam Koch, and Aishah Lyons play a drinking game at their apartment in Iowa City, IA on Thursday, April 16, 2026. (Samantha DeFily / The Daily Iowan)
From left, Connor Vicory, Ian Snopel, and Jay Weltzin-Trainer pose for their tripod camera at Solid Gym on April 1, 2026. (James McCurtis / SJMC)
From left, Connor Vicory, Ian Snopel, and Jay Weltzin-Trainer pose for their tripod camera at Solid Gym on April 1, 2026. (James McCurtis / SJMC)
Samantha Khamphilanouvong uses an airbrush while working on a client’s manicure during an appointment on March 6, 2026, inside her apartment in Iowa City, Iowa. Khamphilanouvong balances running a small nail business with school and extracurricular commitments. (Jade Vithayasab / SJMC)
Samantha Khamphilanouvong uses an airbrush while working on a client’s manicure during an appointment on March 6, 2026, inside her apartment in Iowa City, Iowa. Khamphilanouvong balances running a small nail business with school and extracurricular commitments. (Jade Vithayasab / SJMC)
Maggie Lennon takes a second to breathe while working out at the University of Iowa Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Iowa City, Iowa, on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. “If it’s not hard to do, it’s not worth doing it,” Maggie said, reflecting on her workout. She ran for 20 minutes and is aiming to run a 5k in the spring, with a 10k scheduled for the summer.
Maggie Lennon takes a second to breathe while working out at the University of Iowa Campus Recreation and Wellness Center in Iowa City, Iowa, on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. “If it’s not hard to do, it’s not worth doing it,” Maggie said, reflecting on her workout. She ran for 20 minutes and is aiming to run a 5k in the spring, with a 10k scheduled for the summer.
Austin Beam brushes his teeth in his apartment bathroom in Iowa City, IA on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Beam is a cheerleader at the University of Iowa. (Eddie Tepper / SJMC)
Austin Beam brushes his teeth in his apartment bathroom in Iowa City, IA on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. Beam is a cheerleader at the University of Iowa. (Eddie Tepper / SJMC)
On Friday, Oct. 31, 2025. Many students dressed up in costumes and headed to downtown Iowa City to go to bars such as Reunion Brewery, Brother’s Lounge, Gabe’s, and more. (Clara Jarecke / The Daily Iowan)
Aly Hurley walking through the Visual Arts Buildiing in Iowa City on Sunday Feb. 15, 2026. Hurley is a graduate student at the University studying art history and is heading to a lab to work on a project. (Jolie Archer / SJMC)
Dominic Eastman rests in his dorm after completing his last set of rounds on February 18, 2026. Eastman is a big fan of the titular series Parks and Recreation and watches it as his comfort show before bed. (James McCurtis / SJMC)
Brianne Bonus, Maeve Miller, and Adrianna Culafic hang out in the living room of their house on the Northside of Iowa City, Iowa on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. They have three other roommates. (Samantha DeFily / The Daily Iowan)
Aly Hurley playing pool with Mia Chiligiris at Joes Place in Iowa City on Tuesday, Mar. 10, 2026. Chiligiris is a friend of Hurleys and visiting for the week, so the two got together to hang out, play pool, and catch up with one another. The two used to work together but haven't been able to see each other due to Chiligiris living in Chicago and Hurleys busy schedule. (Jolie Archer / SJMC)
Trivia night is pictured at Hamburg Inn in Iowa City, Iowa, on April 13, 2026. Trivia happens every Monday and is free to the public. (Greta Schaub / SJMC)
Brothers’ mugs are seen in a house on the Northside of Iowa City, Iowa on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. This house holds six people. (Samantha DeFily / The Daily Iowan)
Dominic Eastman's ID and resident assistant Duty Phone set next to each other after Eastman's last shift on February 18, 2026. The university ID and Duty Phone are necessities in the Resident Assistant job and should be kept on his person whenever responding to an incident. (James McCurtis / SJMC)
Julia Correia practices her violin in her home on Friday, March 6, 2026. Julia has an additional major in violin preformance, despite no longer being in the university orchestra, she still finds time to practice. She shared that if she were to stop practicing she would lose her talent. (Alayna Larson / SJMC)