Parade
Welcome to Panther Country!
Saturday, Oct. 21 | 10 a.m.
Main Street, Cedar Falls
Wrangle your group, department or business to join us for a celebration of Panther Country! Whether your definition of Panther Country includes a Stetson hat and cowboy boots or just a lot of purple and gold, we want to see you show your Panther pride!
The parade begins at 10 a.m. and will go from 6th and Washington streets, turn on Main Street to head to 2nd Street, then travel by the Riverfront Plaza and head down State Street, ending at 4th Street.
2023 Grand Marshal
Judith Finkelstein
The University of Northern Iowa is proud to announce the grand marshal for the 2023 Homecoming parade will be Judith Finkelstein. Finkelstein's Panther Pride began when she completed her two-year teaching certificate in 1952. She went on to graduate again in 1968 from UNI and is a former faculty member in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.
Finkelstein began her career at UNI right after her graduation as an instructor at Malcolm Price Laboratory School. After receiving her PhD, she went on to teach curriculum and instruction courses while maintaining her position at Price Lab. In 1988, she served as the interim director of the Regents’ Center for Early Developmental Education. After leaving the Regents' Center, she taught full-time in curriculum and instruction until her retirement in 2008.
In addition to her legacy as a faculty member, Finkelstein’s generosity speaks volumes about her commitment to UNI’s success. She has invested in multiple campus units and projects, including a gift to the Schindler Education Center renovation. She also supports Rod Library, the Regents' Early Childhood Center, Sturgis Youth Theatre and others. She is a 2022 recipient of the Alumni Service Award, part of the Heritage Honours Awards.
Parade Emcees
Rick Coleman
KWWL News Sports Director
Tara Thomas-Gettman
Director of Strategic Communication for the City of Waterloo