The University of Northern Iowa will never forget
Dale F. Gootee. Mr. Gootee worked as an adjunct instructor for the Industrial Technology Department at UNI. He was an intelligent and witty human being and according to his wife Theresa, “He always had something funny to say.”

Dale was born April 10, 1934 in Manchester, Iowa. He served in the United States Marines and was a veteran of the Korean War. After graduating with a Bachelor of Art degree from Iowa State Teacher’s College, he worked for John Deere, retiring in 1988 after 27 years. He taught at Hamilton College as well as The University of Northern Iowa.

Dale was an instructor for screen printing as well as photography, and was always excited to start a new year of classes or return after Christmas break. He loved to travel, especially out west to Colorado with his wife, taking many pictures along the way. Photography was his true passion in life, he would often have students call him to ask questions about a camera or suggestions for taking a picture. His love for photography extended beyond the classroom and into a side photography business.

His students would say they learned a lot from him and that he had a way of making classes fun as well as interesting. He will be missed by students, colleagues, friends, and family alike.

After completing her Bachelor’s Degree in Education Media and a Master’s in Communication and Training Technology Sara Smith is back at UNI, only for a different reason this time. Sara is our new lab assistant in room 18 - the Graphic Communication Laboratory.

During the short time Sara has been with us she has been busy organizing and setting up equipment for students to use. She hopes by helping out in classes and attending Graphics Club meetings, she can welcome students into an environment where they can learn and have fun at the same time.

Sara has gained a lot of great experience prior to rejoining the UNI family. She has worked for John Deere as an in-house software trainer and also ran her own business with her husband called Digital Infinity. Currently she is also teaching a class at Upper Iowa University.

Sara spends most of her free time with her daughter and foster daughter and also enjoys digital scrap booking. Sara strongly encourages everyone to check out the new lab. It’s always changing and becoming more useful to students. Welcome back to UNI Sara!