For 75 years, the University of Iowa Labor Center has delivered high quality education on workers’ legal rights, history, and leadership that empowers working people from across Iowa and the U.S. to improve their workplaces and lives. As the world of work continues to change, the Labor Center serves as a unique and vital hub where workers come together with faculty, students, and national leaders to learn from each other and forge solutions to the most pressing challenges of our time. Each year, we teach over 2,500 participants in over 100 educational programs on our campus and in communities statewide.

If you want to be a part of this important work, donate to our fundraising campaign! Your gift will fund educational programs that empower workers to improve their workplaces and communities.

BECOME AN ANNIVERSARY SPONSOR

Sustain the UI Labor Center

Invest in the future of Labor Center programming by sponsoring the 75th Anniversary celebration with your donation. We do not receive a regular university or state allocation; our programming is sustained with support from people like you. Your sponsorship makes a critical difference in making quality labor education available for the next generation.

Composite picture of Labor Center program participants across the decades

MAY 9, 2026 ANNIVERSARY GALA

An inspiring evening!

On May 9, 2026, over 200 people gathered at the Iowa Memorial Union to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the UI Labor Center. It was an evening of incredible guest speakers, delicious food, talented musicians, and warm conversations with friends of the Labor Center. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event possible!

Check out our beautiful commemorative anniversary journal below! 
- Journal cover custom artwork by MN-based artist Ricardo Levins Morales
- Booklet design by Robyn Hepker of Benson and Hepker Design 

Link to PDF of 75th Anniversary commemorative journal

Celebrating 75 years

For generations, the center has strengthened Iowa workplaces and communities by serving thousands of workers each year with classes on workplace laws, safety, and leadership topics.

Our Story
Students at a Labor Center class Student practicing speech for public speaking Group of people posing for a photograph in 1959 two people standing side by side and smiling Graduates of the 2025 spring Quality Pre-apprenticeship Program retired secretary Sarah Clark checking participants in at a Labor Center school Students at a Labor Center class Group of people gathered for Labor Advisory Committee meeting Students at a Labor Center class Student practicing speech for public speaking Students at a Labor Center class photo from 1980, participants in a program for AFGE CWA Students at a Labor Center class Students practicing their speeches for public speaking Labor center director Paul Iversen with Tech Law clinic professor Megan Graham and two students four women talking together, 1963 Students at a Labor Center class Students at a Labor Center class Two men reviewing educational materials at Labor Center school Group photo of participants of the 73rd Annual Labor Short Course in 2025 Guest instructor Jay Smith teaching a class at the Labor Center A group of people listening to educators give a presentation at the Immigrant Welcome Network Students at a Labor Center class Image of UI Labor Educator teaching students Students of the 2002 CWA advanced leadership school Students at a Labor Center class Students at a Labor Center class Photo of Labor Center educators and friends Men standing around a podium A student giving a short speech at a public speaking class Labor educator teaching students Students at an ATU Chicago class in 2019 5 people at an AFGE event in 1970 Students at a Labor Center class Students of the annual labor short course in 1964 Image of UI Labor Center educator