Over 100 flags are on display on the Iowa Memorial Union Pedestrian Bridge to recognize the international students on campus.
Andy Mitchell and Aadit Tambe, The Daily Iowan
The University of Iowa kicked off a new event on Monday morning to celebrate the university’s international students — a population of students that has declined in recent years not just at the UI, but across the U.S.
Throughout Homecoming week, a flag for every country represented by UI students will fly from the bridge.
The nearly 120 flags are installed by faculty and student members of the UI Army ROTC every morning at 7 a.m. and taken down every evening at 5 p.m. by members of the Veteran Student Association.
The flags will be removed at the end of the day on Friday and will be reinstalled for five to-be-determined days during the spring semester.
The dedication ceremony was led by a number of speakers, including UI President Bruce Harreld, UI Student Government President Hira Mustafa, and Graduate/Professional Student Government President Dexter Golinghorst.
“Starting a new tradition I think is something special,” Harreld said. “We’re open to the world. Always have been and always will.”