The Chimney Swift is a small aerial insect-eating bird that is in serious decline, primarily due to loss of habitat and food. To help provide nesting habitat and allow students to study these birds, we would like to raise money to construct a Chimney Swift tower on the Fayette campus. The tower would also have an informational kiosk to teach people about this fascinating bird and UIU's connection to its most famous researcher.

One of the early ornithologists to study Chimney Swifts was Althea Rosina Sherman (1853-1943), an illustrator, educator, and writer born in National, Iowa. Sherman took classes at Upper Iowa University in Fayette and then continued her education at Oberlin College, where she graduated in 1875. She travelled the world and explored different careers before returning home to National to care for her ailing parents.

While teaching in the National schools, Althea Sherman became a pioneer in the study of Chimney Swifts. She hired carpenters to build a tower to attract and observe the nesting birds. This allowed Sherman to be the first person ever to witness and record their entire nesting cycle. Her Chimney Swift Journals, covering 18 years and more than 400 pages, form the cornerstone for all subsequent swift research.

A chimney swift tower on the Fayette campus would allow students to study these fascinating but declining birds and we need your help.

The collective power of the Science alums significantly makes an impact. With ten donations we will unlock additional funding from the Upper Iowa Audubon Society, the Iowa Ornithologists’ Union, and Iowa Audubon.  Showing your support is just one more example of how donors have made a difference for UIU.

Thank you Paul for your consideration in protecting this species and UIU history. Visit us on campus in Baker Hebron on your next visit to Fayette.

Dr. Paul Skrade
UIU Department of Science & Math 
Delano Professor of Science 
Associate Professor of Wildlife Biology