University of Iowa Poem (Alma Mater Vol. 1: The Midwest)

*Iowa Hawkeyes*

When history’s pages sit still—we will write first.
We don’t accept inequality—we right the curse.
This is an equal-opportunity space
Where biases erase and creativity may race.
On Ye Hawkeyes to the Pedestrian Mall!
Where the only thing pedestrian is the walks of us all!
Iowa took the first step to give equal ground
To men and women with options abound.
This sweet land homes the imagination,
Birthing masters of fine arts in our dissertation,
Stating that creativity and genius are kin,
In terms of Big Ten—It’s Iowa for the win.

I-City parties and fights the hardest,
My city is my guide, this spirit—my harvest.
Deep it flows like the Iowa River,
We’re owners of this fire and also the givers.
Black and Gold pride burns inside,
Opponents enter Kinnick and abruptly hide,
They rattle to the rattle of the Hawkeye fleet,
We clap our hands & stomp our feet.
Iowa fights until the game is won,
Then toasts Brass Monkey with shots of rum.
In wrestling we work holds because they can’t hang,
No dynasty can match the Gable’s Gang.

Winning is our history, we should know:
We wrote it.
We win fighting inaction—
Inclusion was voted.
To ensure every student at large has a say,
Hawkeyes are straight, black, white, and gay.
In asking answers from winners of equity,
The initiative to act will hoist a disparity,
Sometimes the high stick to their class and do not act,
So they sit still and class participation slacks.
While the world is waiting to take command,
Like Triumphant Hawkeyes—
We will raise our hand.

You can find the link to the entire four-volume collection of Alma Mater below!