Point of Contact for:  

• support for all band programs (Hawkeye Marching Band, Iowa Pep Band, Drum Line, University Band, Symphony Band, Concert Band)

  Kathy Ford is a proud Iowa native, lifelong Hawkeye, and University of Iowa graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies. As a student, she performed in the Hawkeye Marching Band trumpet section and Iowa Pep Band, with memorable experiences that included trips to the 1991 Rose Bowl and Holiday Bowl. Little did she know that those experiences would inspire a career that would ultimately bring her back to the place she loves most.
  
  Today, Kathy serves as Operations Manager for the Hawkeye Marching Band and Band Administrator for several of the university’s largest and most recognizable ensembles, including the Iowa Pep Band, Black and Gold Drumline, Iowa Symphony Band, Concert Band, and University Band. She often says she has “the best job on campus”—and she truly means it. Whether coordinating performances, managing behind-the-scenes logistics, or welcoming prospective students and their families, her favorite part of every day is working alongside the incredible students who make Iowa Bands so special.
  
  Throughout her career, Kathy has had the opportunity to work with faculty, staff, and students across the University of Iowa, including the College of Law, Department of Dance, and School of Music. She is passionate about creating a welcoming, respectful, and supportive environment where everyone feels valued and connected. Her commitment to the university extends well beyond the Band Office through service on the University of Iowa Staff Council, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Staff Council, and numerous committees focused on inclusion, accessibility, staff recognition, and campus engagement. In 2023, she was deeply honored to receive the Hawkeye Marching Band Alumni Recognition Award.
  
  One of Kathy’s favorite aspects of her role has been the extraordinary experiences and lifelong memories that come with being part of the Iowa Bands community. She has proudly “taken back the field” with the Alumni Band at Homecoming, shared the microphone with legendary Hawkeye Marching Band “Golden Voice” Lou Crist, and traveled with Iowa Bands to destinations including Pasadena, Indianapolis, New York City, San Diego, Columbus, Chicago, Minneapolis, Orlando, Nashville, and even Ireland. Through every performance and journey, what has meant the most to Kathy are the lasting friendships, cherished traditions, and enduring sense of community that make Iowa Bands so special.
  
  When she’s not in the Band Office, you’ll likely find Kathy wearing black and gold, supporting the performing arts, cheering on the Hawkeyes, or encouraging the next generation of students to discover all that the University of Iowa has to offer. She feels incredibly fortunate to spend her career giving back to a program that has given her so much.