Soifer receives philanthropist award from UNI

To the Press

Charles City native Scott Soifer was recently awarded the UNI Alumni Emerging Philanthropist Award.

This award recognizes an individual or a couple, no older than 50 years of age, who have provided philanthropic support and creative leadership to the university.

Soifer received the award at a ceremony at the University of Northern Iowa on Nov. 16, when the college presented distinguished awards, including four 2018 Heritage Honours Awards and four 2018 President’s Philanthropy Awards.

Soifer is owner and president of McSoifers Inc. He owns and operates 12 McDonald’s restaurants in northeast and north central Iowa, including the ones in Charles City and New Hampton.

Originally from Charles City, his parents, Sam and Barb, were the original owners, and then when they passed Scott took over the organization. Soifer also serves on the board of directors of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois.

“He is an ambitious entrepreneur of integrity and holds his restaurants to a high standard of service and cleanliness,” UNI said of Soifer in a press release.

Soifer is a member of the UNI President’s Club, which includes donors who provide extraordinary financial support for the facilities, programs and scholarships at UNI. His support of UNI focuses on Panther athletics and the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, and he is also a member of the Panther Scholarship Club.

Soifer and his wife, Lisa, are both members of the UNI class of 2003. Lisa is a former social worker, now a full-time mom. The Soifers have three children.

UNI distinguished award winners on Nov. 16 are as follows:

2018 Heritage Honours Award Winners
Steven M. Heilmann, Ph.D. (’69): Alumni Achievement Award; Matthew J. Bries (’09): Young Alumni Award; William D. Calhoun (’79): Alumni Service Award; James L. Kelly, Ph.D.: Honorary Alumni Award.

2018 President’s Philanthropy Awards Winners

Sue E. Stedman (’67): Purple and Gold Award; Scott Soifer (’03): Emerging Philanthropist Award; Stanley J. and Marcia C. Walljasper: Faculty and Staff Award; Black Hawk County Gaming Association: Corporate and Foundation Award.