As the University of Iowa prepares to celebrate the Class of 2025, we would like to recognize and appreciate the outstanding faculty and staff who have played pivotal roles in shaping the success of our graduating students.

Cinematic Arts graduating students, Reed Niebaur and Angel Boateng will speak at the morning and afternoon ceremonies.

After an award-winning stint as a photographer with The Daily Iowan and the opportunity to document a historic women’s basketball tournament run, Grace Smith is continuing to pursue creative visual storytelling — and to photograph a favorite Iowa baller.

In his two first semesters at the University of Iowa, cinematic arts associate professor of instruction Patrick Wimp brings his expertise in the film industry to his students.

Arman Hodasefat, teaching assistant in the Department of Cinematic Arts and an independent filmmaker, utilizes the support systems that make filmmaking so accessible in Iowa City.

The Bijou Film Board is a non-profit, student-run organization dedicated to the exhibition of independent, foreign, and classic cinema.

Paula Amad, an associate professor of film studies in the Department of Cinematic Arts, was selected by the Council on Teaching to receive the 2025 Hubbard-Walder Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Dean Bakopoulos, associate professor in the Department of Cinematic Arts, currently teaches “Topics in Screenwriting” and is working on developing an introductory course in TV writing for non-majors.

Associate professor Chris Goetz explores video games and identity, while professor and DEO Michael Cowan introduces students to new types of animation and animation from around the world in his general education course CINE 2626: History of Animation.

Alicia Rau and Cole Gaffney are nominated in the categories Best Children’s Music Album and Best-Spoken Word Album, respectively.