News Release Archive

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa will host a screening of the movie "abUSed: The Postville Raid" at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 8, in Lang Hall Auditorium. There will be a reception for the director, Luis Argueta, at 7 p.m., Monday, Feb. 7, at My Verona Restaurant, 419 Main St., Cedar Falls.

The movie details the raid on Agriprocessors Inc., the largest kosher slaughterhouse and meat packing plant in the country, by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. It details the lives that were affected by the raid, as well as the story of the town that struggled to survive in its wake. The documentary presents the human face of the issue of immigration reform and serves as a cautionary tale against abuses of constitutional human rights.

The events are sponsored by the Office of the Provost, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, The American Democracy Project, Sigma Delta Pi, UNI Immigration and Migration Studies Program, the Iowa Center on Health Disparities and the UNI Hispanic and Latino Student Union. Both events are free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Mark Grey at 319-273-6496 or mark.grey@uni.edu.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Educators have often said that integrating the arts into their curriculum creates a better learning environment. A new project at the University of Northern Iowa will use music to teach elementary students math.  "Musically Moving Math for Primary Teachers" is designed to provide professional development for integrating the arts into math classes to increase student understanding and achievement in math and movement.            

The project is funded through a grant from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. As a leader in the development of arts education policy and programming, the Kennedy Center is committed to developing educational resources and programs to share with schools across the country.

Amy Hunzelman, director of education and special programs for the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center is leading the project. "We are thrilled to be able to provide training for teachers, classroom demonstrations, and reflection opportunities for teachers to debrief what they observed with Marcia Daft, the Kennedy Center teaching artist," says Hunzelman. "The Gallagher-Bluedorn has a history of successful partnerships with Waterloo Schools and the Kennedy Center since 2003."

Teachers involved with the project are pleased with the results. They find the use of music during math instruction keeps students actively engaged and thinking at higher levels.

"Musically Moving Math has provided primary teachers with classroom instruction that promotes reasoning," said Sherice Ortman, gifted resource teacher with the Waterloo Schools. "Students are fully engaged in developing conceptual knowledge, which is essential in understanding foundational math."

For more information, contact Hunzelman at 319-273-3679.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The Jim McDonough concert, originally scheduled at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, will be held this Sunday, Jan. 30, at 2:30 p.m., in Lang Hall Auditorium on the University of Northern Iowa campus.

Tickets for the performance will be honored. Seating will be general admission. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

At approximately 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 25, a sprinkler pipe located above the GBPAC Great Hall stage was damaged and burst causing water to affect the stage, equipment and surrounding areas. Due to the need for extensive cleanup and equipment checking, the concert was moved. 

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- A 12-kilowatt wind-solar hybrid power station was recently completed at the University of Northern Iowa. Built next to the Industrial Technology Center, south of University Avenue, the station brings together two sustainable sources of energy that will reduce carbon emissions and provide a renewable energy teaching and research facility.

The power station was funded in part by a grant from the Iowa Alliance for Wind Innovation and Novel Development (IAWIND), a partnership of state and local governments, education institutions and the private sector that coordinates research and education in the rapidly expanding wind energy industry. Other funding came from Waverly Light and Power and in-kind contributions.

"Iowa is a wonderful state for wind-solar hybrid projects," explained Reg Pecen, professor of industrial technology, who designed and built the power station with Hong "Jeff" Nie, assistant professor in the department. "This is because its rich 'wind crop' from November through March and its 'sunshine crop' from April through September complement one another for zero-emission electricity generation."

The electricity generated by the hybrid power station is being used as a renewable energy input for a smart-grid-based greenhouse educational demonstration project to aid in teaching and research on smart-grid and energy-efficiency issues. Pecen used the system in a new wind energy class he taught in the fall 2010 semester, and he plans to offer workshops for Cedar Valley area science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) teachers and local farmers who are interested in establishing small-scale wind-solar power systems. "We would like to prove that wind-solar hybrid power systems work well for helping Iowa's very valuable energy independence efforts," said Pecen.

Rich Judas, president of a local wind energy company, Wind Rich Inc., and Chad Hoyt, president of Chad's Electric Inc. worked with Pecen and Nie for the wind tower foundation construction, installation, required state permit and electrical grid connections. Approximately 18,835 kilowatt-hours of wind power and 3,325 kilowatt-hours of solar-power-based electrical energy are being harnessed from the system, keeping approximately 31,025 pounds of CO₂ emissions out of the air each year by using renewable energy sources instead of coal-fired sources.

For more information regarding the power station, contact Reg Pecen, professor of industrial technology, at 319-273-2598 or r.pecen@uni.edu.

Develop a crisis-communication plan that works 

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa Panther Speakers program will offer a free webinar "Crisis Management and Communication- A How-to Approach," presented by Jim O'Connor, executive director of the Office of University Relations, from noon to 12:50 p.m., on Wednesday, Feb. 16.

The webinar allows alumni, business leaders and citizens to engage with UNI from the comforts of their office or home.

When a crisis hits, it's too late to figure out what to do. Your business or organization's reputation and future hinges on your response. You need to be ready. This high-energy presentation will provide guests with a practical, real-world approach to developing and implementing a crisis-communication plan that works.

A Distinguished Member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, O'Connor travels throughout the Midwest speaking about topics ranging from marketing and public relations, to crisis communication, to self-improvement. An accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), he leads UNI's marketing and public relations efforts and is the university's primary spokesperson during crises.

To learn more about the UNI Panther Speakers program or to register for this free webinar, visit www.uni.edu/pantherspeakers.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Six individuals received the University of Northern Iowa Diversity Matters Award in recognition of their efforts to help the university achieve its diversity-related goals. The awards were presented by executive vice president and provost Gloria Gibson during the UNI Town Hall Meeting on Diversity, held Thursday, Jan. 20, in the Old Central Ballroom in Maucker Union.

The 2011 UNI Diversity Matters Award recipients are: Anthony Stevens, director of the Educational Talent Search program; Drake Martin, assistant director of residence education; Inez Murtha, director of the Academic Learning Center; Karen Mitchell, professor of communication studies; Pierre-Damien Mvuyekure, professor of English language and literature; and Steve Carignan, assistant vice president and executive director of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.

Stevens has successfully written grants bringing millions of dollars to UNI to support the university's outreach efforts in Black Hawk County and especially in the heart of urban Waterloo. He has helped thousands of minority, low-income and first-generation students achieve a postsecondary education. Stevens has worked at UNI for more than 30 years and has quietly worked to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity for success.

Martin currently serves on the Student Affairs Diversity Committee and has coordinated numerous diversity programs on campus. He is also in charge of training resident assistants and residence life coordinators on diversity. According to his nominator, Martin challenges his peers to be open-minded and think about all sides of an issue, but always ensures a comfortable environment for everyone. His nominator also highlighted that Martin is genuine and caring, and his love of learning is reflected when he is with others.

Murtha has worked at UNI since 1969 when she became a secretary with the UNI Center for Urban Education (UNI-CUE). According to her nominators, developing and empowering staff members are two of her greatest contributions to UNI. Murtha has dedicated her professional life to mentoring multicultural students, people and communities. She has mentored several staff members throughout their careers and has provided leadership at the state, regional and national levels by presenting at new member training events and editing handbooks for new professionals.

Mitchell's career as a professor did not necessarily have to include a commitment to diversity. However, as her nominators describe, she has committed her life to developing essential human rights and social justice. Her nominator suggests that it is clear that she could have excelled in her work in less political ways, but her commitment to diversity has worked to make a more inclusive environment for everyone.

Mvuyekure has served on the UNI Multicultural Coordinating Council, helping implement several changes that can be seen today, including the Diversity Council. Mvuyekure has contributed to hiring qualified minority faculty and has served as the faculty adviser for the UNI African Union student organization. Additionally, he is the founder of the Black Student Union. According to his nominator, Mvuyekure maintains relationships with underrepresented faculty and staff across campus, helping ensure that their voices are heard.

Carignan has shown leadership in developing social and cultural understanding, as well as an unwavering commitment to diversity. He led efforts to provide a multi-discipline look at lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender issues with the "Standing on Higher Ground" project this year. He is a lifetime member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and has volunteered throughout the Cedar Valley including developing scholarships for minority families. As president of the Downtown Waterloo Rotary, Carignan made special efforts to recruit African-American members. He serves as a volunteer at UNI-CUE for Upward Bound programs and regularly speaks on leadership, learning and creativity.

For more information on the Diversity Town Hall Meeting or the Diversity Matters Awards, contact Terry Hogan, UNI vice president for student affairs and UNI Diversity Council chair, at (319) 273-2332, or terry.hogan@uni.edu.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- At approximately 7 a.m. today a sprinkler pipe located above the GBPAC Great Hall stage was damaged and burst causing water to affect the stage, show equipment and surrounding areas. No one was injured. Due to the need for extensive cleanup and equipment checking, tonight's concert by the Blue Man Group is cancelled.

GBPAC staff are assessing the situation and will make decisions about next steps for ticket holders as soon as possible today. Ticket holders will be contacted by the GBPAC ticket office. The ticket office number is (319) 273-4tix (4849).

At this time, the Blue Man Group shows for Jan. 26 and 27 are still on schedule.

Access to the Great Hall area is limited to cleanup crews. Classes in the GBPAC are not affected. 

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa-- The University of Northern Iowa strives to lead the state and nation in pre K-12 education. One aspect of that goal is the further development of the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) workforce. Each year, UNI partners with the Advanced Technology Environmental and Energy Center (ATEEC) to offer professional development workshops in STEM fields. The workshops are offered through ATEEC's Fellows Institute.

Maureen Clayton, associate professor of biology at UNI, has been leading the program since 2007. Each summer, high school and two-year-college science, math and technology teachers nationwide are invited to participate in workshops centered around a STEM issue. "One of the biggest benefits of ATEEC Fellows is that it allows educators to produce materials that are not only used in their classrooms, but others as well," said Clayton. "We've had educators from more than 30 different countries download materials from our website."

The theme for the 2010 Fellows Institute was flood control. Sixteen educators from across the country explored Iowa flood damage around Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Oakville. "Given the area's recent flooding history, it was a perfect location to host this year's workshop," said Clayton. "There has always been a lot of expertise in the state related to flooding."

During the workshop, participants studied how communities prepare for and respond to flood emergencies. Additionally, natural and engineered flood control measures were examined. Clayton said that although we can't prevent floods from happening, we can reduce the impact they have on the population and environment. Strategic placement of structures away from levies and out of flood plains and planting crops that actively take up water throughout the season are two simple ways to achieve this.

Previous Fellows Institute topics have included wind power, sustainable alternatives for fueling transportation, invasive species and climate change. The ATEEC Fellows Institute is offered under a grant by the National Science Foundation and is developed through a partnership between UNI, the Eastern Iowa Community College District and the Partnership for Environmental Technology Education.

For more information or to download free educational materials, visit www.ateec.org. 

Verizon Foundation awards $10,000 grant to infuse violence prevention strategies into university curriculum 

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – UNI's Center for Violence Prevention (CVP) will celebrate its opening at 1:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 28, at the Center for Multicultural Education, Room 109, at the University of Northern Iowa. The event is open to the public.

The program will include remarks from Ben Allen, UNI president; Gloria Gibson, executive vice president and provost, UNI; Sen. Chuck Grassley; Binnie LeHew, bureau chief of disability and violence prevention, Iowa Department of Public Health; Alan Heisterkamp, Waitt Institute and director of the Mentors for Violence Prevention Institute; and John Flannery, vice president of external and government affairs, Verizon.

Verizon Foundation will announce a $10,000 grant to support the center's programs.

The center will house a Regents-wide campus violence training, curriculum and programming initiative focused on campus violence. The CVP will support the development and dissemination of best practices for responding to and preventing interpersonal violence on university campuses, in K through 12 classrooms and in Iowa communities and the surrounding region.

One of the core missions of the center is to create a regional dissemination site to share research, services and violence prevention education. Verizon's grant will support the center's Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) Leadership Institute.

The MVP program is a gender violence, bullying and school violence approach that encourages young men and women from all socioeconomic, racial and ethnic backgrounds to take on leadership roles in their schools and communities.

"Verizon's support of UNI's new center and the Mentors in Violence Prevention program will allow us to better prepare our aspiring teachers to infuse these strategies and programs into the K through 12 classrooms," said Annette Lynch, director of UNI's CVP.

The CVP is supported by a $700,000 grant from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to focus on decreasing gender violence and will support the center's programs and services. Additional funding includes $115,000 from the Waitt Institute for Violence Prevention located in Sioux City, Iowa and $15,000 from the Iowa Department of Public Health.

The CVP will launch a website in conjunction with the center opening, www.uni.edu/cvp. For more information, contact Annette Lynch at 319-273-2114 or annette.lynch@uni.edu. 

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The three performances of the Blue Man Group at UNI's Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on Jan. 25, 26 and 27 have been canceled.  The Gallagher-Bluedorn is working with Blue Man Group management to reschedule the performance dates. 

Ticketholders should keep their current tickets. If ticketholders are unable to attend performances on the rescheduled dates, they will receive a full refund.

At approximately 7 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 25, a sprinkler pipe located above the GBPAC Great Hall stage was damaged and burst causing water to affect the stage, show equipment and surrounding areas. No one was injured. Due to the need for extensive cleanup and equipment checking, all three concerts have been canceled. 

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The UNI School of Music is accepting registrations for a new class, Musicmania and Me for children in kindergarten through third grade, based on Orff pedagogy. Activities incorporate dancing, singing, improvised storytelling, games and rhythm fun with xylophones, glockenspiels, drums and other small percussion instruments. The spring session will be held Feb. 8 through April 12. Classes will be held in Jebe Hall at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. The cost for the session is $50; the registration deadline is Friday, Feb. 4.

In addition to the Musicmania and Me spring classes, the UNI School of Music offers an ongoing standard curriculum that includes private lessons (beginning through advanced levels) for woodwinds, brass, percussion and piano. Children in elementary school through adults may register for the music lessons.

Other UNI School of Music programs include Kindermusik (for ages 3 months through 5 years), the Little Mozart Piano Program (for ages 4 through 5 years), the UNI Children's Choir (for children in second through seventh grades) and the UNI New Horizons Band (for ages 55 years and older). Registrations for the standard programs and classes are accepted throughout the year.

For further program or registration information, contact Cindi Mason, instructor, UNI School of Music, at 319-273-2142 or cynthia.mason@uni.edu.  

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa School of Music's Concert Chorale, conducted by visiting artist and professor Dyan Meyer, will offer a performance at 3 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 13 at Prairie Lakes Church Worship Center, located on the corner of Viking and Hudson roads. in Cedar Falls. The performance is a fundraising event, to gather financial support for the group's upcoming tour to New York City to perform at Carnegie Hall.

The UNI Concert Chorale will travel to New York from March 17 through March 21. The group has been invited to perform the world premiere of Dr. David Childs' "Festival Te Deum" on March 20, in the Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall. In addition to the premiere work, the Concert Chorale will perform a 30-minute set of its own repertoire.

While admission to the fundraiser performance is free, donations will be accepted before, during and following the performance.

For more information on the fundraiser, contact Dyan Meyer at 319-273-7175. For more information on the tour or other School of Music events and activities, contact Caroline Boehmer 319-273-2028, caroline.boehmer@uni.edu.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa's Lifelong University will offer five non-credit courses this spring.

"Intercultural-intergenerational Listening" will be taught by Melissa Beal, professor of communication studies, from 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesday, Feb. 23. This workshop will focus on listening effectiveness as people interact with members of other cultures and co-cultures.

"The Thinking Eye: A Designer Looks at Visual Art" will be taught by Roy Behrens, professor of art, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Fridays, March 4, 11, 25 and April 1. This is a series of slide talks about art, design, architecture and other types of visual art.

"From Treaties to Speeches: U.S. Diplomacy Between the Wars, 1919-1941" will be taught by Carol Weisenberger, associate professor of history, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. on Wednesdays, March 23, 30, April 6 and 13. This course will examine the efforts to keep the U.S. at peace, including treaties negotiated by the government and speeches by prominent Americans.

"The Basics of Photography" will be taught by Lynn Dykstra, instructor at Malcolm Price Laboratory School, from 3 to 5 p.m. on Thursdays, April 7, 14, 21 and 28. This hands-on course will allow participants to learn about the basic features and functions of digital cameras, discover photo editing and create high-quality photos.

Costs range from $15 to $40, which cover parking passes and course handouts. To register for a class or view a course description, call University Events Coordination at 319-273-5141, or visit www.uni.edu/llu.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- E. Patrick Johnson will be at the University of Northern Iowa as part of the Hearst Lecture Series on Thursday, Feb. 3, in the Interpreters Theatre in Lang Hall, Room 040. He will perform "Pouring Tea: Black Gay Men of the South Tell Their Tales," a solo performance based on the narratives in his book "Sweet Tea" (University of North Carolina Press, 2008).

Johnson has published widely in the areas of race, class and gender, and performance. His first book, "Appropriating Blackness: Performance and the Politics of Authenticity," published in 2003, dealt with cultural, social and political battles over origin, ownership, circulation and performance. The book won several awards. In addition to his published work, Johnson is also a performing artist. He toured his one-man show, "Strange Fruit," around the country between 1999 and 2004.

Johnson is a professor and chair of the Department of Performance Studies and a professor in the Department of African American Studies at Northwestern University. Along with touring "Pouring Tea," he is working on an anthology of black queer performance texts and researching queer sexuality and performance in the black church.

Admission to the performance is free and open to the public, but seating is limited and advanced reservations are suggested. For more information on Johnson, visit www.epatrickjohnson.com, or contact Christopher Martin, professor of communication studies, at 319-273-6118 or christopher.martin@uni.edu.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa's School of Music opera program will offer a performance of Johan Strauss' "Die Fledermaus" at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Jan. 21, at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC) on the UNI campus.

Strauss' comedy revolves around practical jokes, faked identities, long-deliberated revenge and the power of champagne. The performance will appeal to the most schooled opera lover, as well as those new to the art form, with several operetta melodies by guest performers featured in the gala portion of Act II. Renowned for its music and signature waltzes, this operetta includes famous and recognizable tunes such as "The Champagne Waltz," "Adele's Laughing Aria" and "The Czardas."

Stage director Jonathon Thull noted, "The UNI production is using a recently adapted libretto (1989) by John Mortimer. We are further updating our production to Dec. 31, 1999. Traditionally, 'Die Fledermaus' is performed somewhere in Vienna on New Year's Eve, so the quirky antics, twists and turns lend itself for a performance on the eve of Y2K. Tradition blends with contemporary to make this production a unique and effervescent event."

Visiting artist and conductor Jonathan Girard is the musical director for the performance, leading the Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra, while UNI professor Korey Barrett is vocal coach.

The performance is part of the GBPAC's 2010-2011 artist series and features students from the School of Music's opera program. To order tickets, call 319-273-4TIX. For more information on this performance or other School of Music events and activities, contact Caroline Boehmer 319-273-2028, caroline.boehmer@uni.edu.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- A group of entrepreneurial University of Northern Iowa students have received a $1,000 grant from Sam's Club as part of the company's Environmental Sustainability Challenge. The UNI Entrepreneurs Organization, an affiliate of Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE), will use the grant to help Cottonwood Canyon in Waterloo address environmental issues related to waste, recycling, energy and water.

Changes coming to Cottonwood Canyon include a new outdoor cardboard recycling center, a commercial dishwasher and two new EXLERATOR Hand Dryers. The UNI Entrepreneurs also will help replace Cottonwood Canyon's current "to-go" cups with 100-percent biodegradable coffee cups.

UNI senior economics major and UNI Entrepreneurs President Adam O'Leary and freshman management major Jenna Rockweiler are leading the project.

Those who would like more information about this project or how UNI Entprenereurs can help their business, can contact O'Leary at olearya@uni.edu.

UNI Entrepreneurs are supported by the UNI John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center. For more information on UNI Entrepreneurs visit www.uni-e.org.

The UNI John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, a division of UNI's Business and Community Services, provides a range of innovative educational programs and support services designed for student entrepreneurs. The center provides expertise in all stages of business planning and development and serves as a vehicle to bring new products and technologies to market. For more information about JPEC at UNI, visit www.jpec.org, call 319-273-JPEC (5732) or e-mail jpec@uni.edu.

Community Engagement Awards recognize involvement through teaching, research

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Veridian Credit Union is seeking nominations to recognize the outstanding contributions of University of Northern Iowa faculty members to community engagement through research or teaching.

Veridian Credit Union will fund up to five Community Engagement awards from among UNI's five undergraduate colleges: Business Administration, Education, Humanities and Fine Arts, Natural Sciences, and Social and Behavioral Sciences. Veridian initiated the awards in 2006 to recognize the efforts of UNI faculty and inspire more partnerships among faculty, students and community organizations.

Community engagement is defined as the collaboration of the university with the public and private sectors for the mutual benefit of all. This engagement is not simply service or membership, but it is the combination of meeting a community need through teaching and/or scholarship. It includes collaboration with the commercial and nonprofit sectors, special interests or needs, and groups of people affiliated by geographic proximity.

Recipients receive a recognition award and a $1,000 check payable to the approved nonprofit organization of the faculty member's choice. All full-time tenure-track and tenured faculty are eligible.

"Veridian Credit Union is excited to again be sponsoring the Community Engagement Awards in partnership with the University of Northern Iowa," said Jean Trainor, president and CEO of Veridian Credit Union. "Through these awards, it is our hope that we can continue to build a community of learning, innovation and shared leadership."

Community members and UNI faculty, staff and students nominate a UNI faculty member by securing the consent of the nominee, completing the online nomination form at http://www.uni.edu/resources/veridian-award-nomination and providing a letter of recommendation from the community organization with which the faculty member is engaged. All materials must be submitted online by Feb. 18. Additional information about the awards and nomination materials are available at http://www.uni.edu/resources/veridian-credit-union-community-engagement-....

"Incorporating community engagement into research and the classroom puts theories into practice," said Gloria Gibson, executive vice president and provost at UNI. "The community projects some of our faculty undertake simultaneously strengthen them, our students and our community. With the help of Veridian, we're able to recognize these faculty members and further reward the organizations they work with." 

The 2011 Community Engagement Award winners will be recognized at the seventh annual Cedar Valley Nonprofit Awards luncheon on April 15. The luncheon is presented by UNI's American Humanics program, and will take place at noon in the Commons Ballroom on the UNI campus.

Last year's award recipients were Matthew Bunker, associate professor of marketing in the UNI College of Business Administration; Mark Ecker, professor of mathematics in the UNI College of Natural Sciences; William Downs, professor of social work in the UNI College of Social and Behavioral Sciences; Joseph Wilson, associate professor of leisure, youth and human services in the UNI College of Education; and Adrienne Lamberti, assistant professor of English language and literature in the UNI College of Humanities and Fine Arts.

Veridian Credit Union, founded in 1934 in Waterloo, is a not-for-profit financial cooperative owned by its members. The credit union offers a full range of consumer financial services and employs more than 500 Iowans throughout 24 branches, including 13 in the Cedar Valley. For more information, visit www.veridiancu.org or call (800) 235-3228.

New and start-up businesses can enter to win up to $25,000

John Pappajohn, Iowa's premier venture capitalist, has announced the launch of the 2011 John Pappajohn Iowa Business Plan Competition. This is the sixth-annual business plan competition for Iowa sponsored by Pappajohn. Since 2006, more than $250,000 in prizes has been awarded to start-ups across the state. This year, a total of $50,000 will be awarded to the top three submitted business plans: $25,000 for first prize, $15,000 for second and $10,000 for third.

The competition is designed to stimulate business development and provide support for outstanding business plans. The John Pappajohn Iowa Business Plan Competition is open to new and start-up businesses (in business for less than four years).

The first round of the business plan competition will take place between March 1 and April 30. During this time, businesses are invited to submit business information via Angelsoft.net. A link to Angelsoft is available at www.iowabusinessplancompetition.com.

In May, selected companies will be contacted and invited to submit full business plans through Angelsoft. Seven to 10 of these companies will be chosen to present to judges in September. After presentations are completed, three finalists will be notified. Each finalist will prepare a 15-minute presentation to be given at the Iowa Venture Capital and Entrepreneurs Conference (IVCEC) in Des Moines on Oct. 5. Winners will be announced following the presentations.

Nicola Pohl, of LuCELLa Biosciences, runner up in of the 2010 John Pappajohn Iowa Business Plan Competition, said, "The competition really forced us to focus our business plan. It helped us focus our thoughts in terms of how to explain what we do to the rest of the world."

John Garber of IDx, also a runner up in the 2010 competition, said, “It's given me ideas to continue to develop the business and make it more appealing to investors and users.”

Even businesses that don't win benefit from submitting a business plan. In an interview with the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier, Neal White, of Cohesive Creative and Code said, "It's interesting to go through that process, knowing the time and effort you've put in developing a plan that will be reviewed and examined by people who are qualified and respected in that regard."

Assistance with business plan entries is available at the Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers located at Drake University, Iowa State University, North Iowa Area Community College, the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa; the Small Business Development Centers throughout the state; and the business accelerators in Des Moines, Red Oak, Spencer, Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Mason City.

The John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Centers provide entrepreneurial education and business support, partnering with agencies like the Small Business Development Center, the Iowa Department of Economic Development, Entrepreneurial Development Centers and local entrepreneurs to assist with funding and other business needs.

Rules, eligibility, timelines and assistance information are available at the competition website, www.iowabusinessplancompetition.com.

For additional information about the competition visit www.iowabusinessplancompetition.com or contact one of the JPEC centers via the contact information below.

Drake University John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center

Debra Bishop

515-271-3818

deb.bishop@drake.edu

Iowa State University John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center

Judi Eyles

515-296-8283

eyles@iastate.edu

North Iowa Area Community College John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center

Jamie Zanios

641-422-4111

zaniojam@niacc.edu

University of Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center

David Hensley

319-335-3999

david-hensley@uiowa.edu

University of Northern Iowa John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center

Randy Pilkington

319-273-5732

randy.pilkington@uni.edu

Note: Below is contact information for the three winners of the 2010 competition.

Energy Control Technologies, Inc.

Energy Control Technologies (ECT) develops control system solutions that provide one year payback on energy efficiency projects for machinery and industrial processes. ECT was started in 2008 and is based in West Des Moines.

Contact: Nikhil Dukle

515-223-1635

ndukle@energycontroltechnologies.com

www.energycontroltechnologies.com

IDx

IDx is working to commercialize low-cost eye disease screening tools that have been developed at the University of Iowa. IDx was founded in 2010 and is based in Iowa City.

jgarber@eyediagnosis.com

www.eyediagnosis.com

LuCELLa Biosciences, Inc.

LuCella Biosciences provides custom carbohydrate-based reagents to accelerate immunology, biology and vaccine discovery. The company was founded in 2008 and is based in Ames.

Contact: Nicola Pohl, President

515-294-6032

npohl@lucellabio.com

www.lucellabio.com

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --The UNI Suzuki School will offer beginning violin/viola class for students ages 3 1/2 to 6 1/2. The spring session will begin with classes for parents on Tuesday, Jan. 18; group sessions will be added for the students with their parents.  Individual lessons will begin at the end of February.

Registration forms can be downloaded from the school's website, www.uni.edu/music/suzuki,  and should be submitted by Jan. 14.

The school offers Suzuki-method music instruction with trained teachers for students of all ages including adults and all levels in violin, viola, cello, flute and guitar. The school provides theory instruction, performance opportunities and ensemble participation including the Northern Iowa Junior Orchestra. 

For more information about the Suzuki School, contact Suzuki coordinator, Cathy Craig at (319) 273-2508 or cathy.craig@uni.edu, or visit www.uni.edu/music/suzuki. 

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- "Our World in Focus," UNI Museums' annual photography contest and exhibition, will open at 2 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 8, with a reception and awards ceremony at the University Museum, located at 3219 Hudson Road in Cedar Falls.

 On display through Jan. 29, the theme of this year's exhibit is "Artistry in Nature" and will feature works from amateur photographers of all ages across Iowa.

Photos had to be taken in Iowa, and participants could submit only one photograph to the competition. There were two age divisions: Youth (ages 17 and under) and Adult (ages 18 and above). Only amateur photographers' works were eligible for prize consideration, and images were judged for creative content, composition and quality, as well as appropriateness of the image and the artist's statement to the category.            

First, second and third place prizes will be awarded for each age division. Contest winners will be announced at the opening reception and awards ceremony at the University Museum.

Admission is free, and the museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. For more information, visit www.uni.edu/museum.            

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa—At a time of the year when many Iowans are starting to think about New Year's resolutions, they may think about quitting smoking. The Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH) Division of Tobacco Use Prevention and Control funds programs to support Iowans who are trying to quit using tobacco products. The University of Northern Iowa's Center for Social and Behavioral Research (CSBR) is a primary research partner for the division. CSBR conducts applied research designed to assist public agencies in answering questions about public opinion and the impacts of their programs.

CSBR has worked on several tobacco-related studies with the IDPH Tobacco Division. Two of these studies are the Iowa Adult Tobacco Survey (Iowa ATS) and the Iowa Tobacco Cessation Program Evaluation. Results from the 2008 Iowa ATS found that 14 percent of adult Iowans are current cigarette smokers. This represented a significant decrease from 23 percent in 2002. In the 2008 study, 83 percent of current smokers said they want to quit. 

For those who want to quit, IDPH provides free tobacco cessation counseling to Iowans through Quitline Iowa, a telephone hotline. Disa Cornish, program evaluator at CSBR, said that results of the Iowa Tobacco Cessation Program Evaluation conducted by CSBR show that approximately 20 percent of Quitline Iowa callers successfully quit smoking cigarettes.

Gene Lutz, director of CSBR, said working with a division of state government that is focused on improving the health of Iowans has been a very positive experience. "Reducing the negative consequences of tobacco use takes a combination of informed public policy, prevention programs, cessation treatment and a willingness to use objective data when making decisions," said Lutz. "Working with the Iowa Division of Tobacco Use Prevention and Control is a perfect example of how our center seeks to connect UNI's research resources with efforts to address important issues for the state."

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa Center for Multicultural Education (CME) will host events in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 17, 2011. At 9:30 a.m. in the CME, Dwight Watson, dean of the College of Education, will speak to students who are participating in a Day of Service. These student-volunteers will participate in service projects throughout the Cedar Valley community.

At 7 p.m. at the CME, Watson will speak on the life and legacy of Dr. King. Watson will also discuss the impact King's teachings have had on his own life. A reception will follow Watson's presentation.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Watson at 319-273-2717 or dwight.watson@uni.edu.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa Gallery of Art will present the invitational group exhibition "What You Will" from Monday, Jan. 10, through Wednesday, Feb. 2. Three lectures will be offered in association with the exhibition, which is part of a yearlong series of events featuring UNI Department of Art alumni titled "Time is Ripe." Lectures are sponsored in part by the UNI Alumni Association.

"What You Will" is an invitational group exhibition honoring Saturnalia, an ancient winter tradition celebrating revelry, misrule and inversion. The exhibition was conceived as an homage to the Iowa winter by way of Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" in which traditions are upended and witty rebellion is valued above all. "What You Will" draws on the current work of 12 very different artists and designers whose work reflects this spirit of rebellion, guile and playful abandon.

Participants include the following: Gillian Christy (B.F.A., 2002), Noah Doely (B.F.A., 2005), Pam Echeverria (B.A., 1975 and M.A., 1980), Sarah German (B.F.A., 2006), Inok Kalkwarf (B.F.A., 2005 and M.A., 2006), Matt Kelleher (M.A., 1997), Abinadi Meza (B.A., 1999), Chawne Paige (B.F.A., 2001), Angela Pease (B.F.A., 2003), Tyler Speicher (B.A., 2006), Trent Stainbrook (B.F.A., 2003) and Margaret Whiting (B.A., 2002).

In addition, the following lectures will be presented at 7 p.m. in Kamerick Art Building South, room 111: Inok Kalkwarf on Jan. 12 with a talk titled "Discovering Identity through Cultural Synergy," Margaret Whiting on Jan. 18 with a talk titled "Art as a Medium for Environmental Awareness" and Angela Pease on Jan. 26.

Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday; and noon to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday.  The gallery is located at the northeast corner of Hudson Road and West 27th Street, Cedar Falls, on the main floor of Kamerick Art Building South.  For more information call 319-273-3095 or visit  www.uni.edu/artdept/gallery/.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Just before Thanksgiving, Epsilon Theta, the University of Northern Iowa's chapter of Pi Sigma Epsilon (PSE), donated school supplies and T-shirts to students in Runaway Bay, Jamaica. The donations went to the New Vision School, a school with dirt floors and no running water.

Zach Riesberg , a junior marketing major from Carroll and PSE president, and Stephanie Smith, a senior communication/public relations major from Emmetsburg and PSE  executive vice-president delivered the clothes on Nov. 24. Riesberg and Smith traveled down what appeared to be more of a trail than a road in order to reach the school. They spent time interacting and playing with the children, jumping rope, playing soccer, finger painting and making paper airplanes.

"It was a humbling and heartwarming experience to see the connections made between us and the little kids despite the cultural and economic differences that stood between us," Smith said. 

The trip was sponsored by the Southwestern Company.

PSE is a student organization within the College of Business Administration at the University of Northern Iowa. It is a national professional fraternity for students of any major who want to pursue marketing, sales management and personal selling careers. To learn more about PSE, visit www.uni.edu/studentorgs/pse/.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --The University of Northern Iowa's Electrical Engineering Technology program has been accredited by the Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, Inc., the recognized accreditor of college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering and technology. ABET accreditation demonstrates a program's commitment to providing students with a quality education.

Reg Pecen, professor and program coordinator of electrical engineering technology, discussed the importance of this accreditation, "The ABET-TAC accreditation process is a demanding periodic evaluation of a program that the facility and I are excited to have completed.   This shows the high quality of education and satisfaction among students, alumni and industries that hire our graduates."

According to Joel Haack, dean of the Colleges of Humanities & Fine Arts and Natural Sciences, "We seek accreditation for a program in order to make a degree in that program as valuable for its students as possible. ABET accredits engineering and technology programs across the country. This program is the only technology program in the state of Iowa to receive ABET accreditation."

Accreditation is a voluntary peer-review process that requires programs to undergo comprehensive, periodic evaluations. The evaluations, conducted by teams of volunteer professionals working in industry, government, academia and private practice within the ABET disciplines, focus on areas such as program curriculum, faculty, facilities and institutional support.

One of the key elements of ABET accreditation is the requirement that programs continuously improve the quality of education provided. As part of this requirement, programs set specific, measurable goals for their students and graduates, assess their success at reaching those goals and improve their programs based on the results of the assessment. According to Dave Burger, the UNI program's industrial advisory board chair from Rockwell Collins Inc., "This program at UNI has been developing professionals for several years who have been employed and promoted in companies throughout the Midwest. The ABET accreditation substantiates the integrity of the education and potential of graduates pursued by employers."

For more information about UNI's Electrical Engineering Technology program, visit www.uni.edu/indtech/eet or contact Reg Pecen, professor of industrial technology, at 319-273-2598 or r.pecen@uni.edu.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa will host its annual fall commencement ceremony at 10 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 18, in the McLeod Center. More than 900 students who have completed their degrees during the fall semester are eligible to participate in the ceremony. This year's commencement speaker is Jenna Humpal, an individual studies major from Ridgeway.

Immediately following the ceremony, there will be a reception in the UNI-Dome with light snacks and beverages. Graduates and guests are encouraged to attend. There will also be areas set up for families and graduates to take pictures.

This year, the university is taking several steps to make the ceremony more environmentally friendly. For the first time, the Commencement RSVP, cap and gown ordering, and graduation application forms are available online only. The university has done this in an effort to reduce paper usage and the university's carbon footprint.

Additionally, the UNI Department of Military Science will host its annual Fall Commissioning Ceremony at 8 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 18, in the Great Reading Room in Seerley Hall. Four cadets will be commissioned as U.S. Army lieutenants. This year's guest speaker is Col. James "Jay" Wolff, commander of the 95^th Civil Affairs Brigade. Family and friends are invited to arrive anytime after 7:30 a.m. and to stay for refreshments immediately following the ceremony.

For more information, visit http://www.uni.edu/commencement/ or contact Philip Patton, university registrar, at 319-273-2244 or philip.patton@uni.edu

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa will host Kindergym, an informal learning program focusing on the development and refinement of motor skills. The program will be offered Saturday mornings from 9 to 9:50 for 4 and 5 year olds and from 10 to 10:50 for 2 and 3 year olds. Kindergym will be held Jan. 29 through March 5, in the Wellness & Recreation Center main gym on the UNI campus.

Physical activity stations will focus on age-appropriate movement skills that encourage success in a fun atmosphere. Because Kindergym is a parent/child program, parents are requested to attend the sessions with their child.

The registration fee is $30, which includes an official Kindergym T-shirt. The program is directed by Katie Farwell, program assistant in the Department of Health, Physical Education & Leisure Services. For more information about Kindergym or to register, contact Rip Marston, professor in the Department of Health, Physical Education & Leisure Services, at 319-273-6882 or ripley.marston@uni.edu.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- University of Northern Iowa alumni are invited to apply for a 2011 Merchant Scholarship. Merchant Scholarship recipients must be attending or planning to attend an accredited graduate or professional school at an educational institution as a full-time student.

Scholarships of $2,000 to $4,000 are awarded on the basis of ability, achievement, character, potential and service to society.

Applications and instructions for applying are available online through the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost for Academic Affairs at www.uni.edu/vpaa, click on Resources.

Deadline for completed applications is March 1. Contact Merchant Scholarship coordinator Coleen Wagner with any questions at 319-273-2518 or coleen.wagner@uni.edu.

The scholarships are awarded from a trust established in 1951 to honor Frank Ivan Merchant and his sister, Kate Matilda Merchant. Frank was a professor of Latin and Greek and served as head of the Department of Foreign Languages at UNI, then Iowa State Teachers College.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Dean Mundy, a professor of communication studies at the University of Northern Iowa, will present "The Spiral of Advocacy: How State Based Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Advocacy Organizations are Defining a Modern Social Movement Through their Campaigns for Equality" at noon, Monday, Dec. 6, as part of the CROW (Current Research on Women's Studies) Forum. The forum will be held at the Center for Multicultural Education, Room 109A, located in Maucker Union.

Mundy will discuss the importance of state-based advocacy organizations to the LGBT movement and how these organizations craft their communication strategies. State and local organizations account for the majority of success found by advocacy groups, and Mundy will discuss how these organizations communicate, their strategy and how these strategies can inform good public relations practice.

Mundy teaches public relations courses at UNI. He recently received his Ph.D. from the University of North Carolina. He has 10 years of corporate experience, working for Andersen Consulting, the Coca-Cola Company and Nortel Networks.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Phyllis Baker, director of women's and gender studies, at 319-273-7102, or phyllis.baker@uni.edu.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa Gallery of Art will present "B.F.A. Group Exhibition" featuring the works of five students from Thursday, Dec. 9 through Saturday, Dec. 18. An opening reception is set for Thursday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. The exhibition and reception are free and open to the public. 

The following students are exhibiting:

Jill Buenzow of Waterloo is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in painting. The artist states, "I create paintings by recycling my old works of art that are then used to set guidelines and stand as mental maps for my recent works. This exhibition contains abstract paintings that have an atmospheric space for the viewers to explore via color and texture."

E. Christiana Byrne of Mason City is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in jewelry/metals. Byrne's exhibition is titled "Nostalgia." Byrne grew up in a house filled with antiques and family stories. The exhibition is, therefore, a visual narrative on the items we keep for memories' sake and the ancestors we carry with us.

Jason Corbett Fogue of Des Moines is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art Education with an emphasis in performance art and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in photography. The artist uses a documentary approach to portraiture and believes that by presenting the subject in this direct manner the character of the sitter can be read more objectively by the viewer. Also, by utilizing large-format film, the larger size of the portraits invites closer inspection of fine detail. This body of work utilizes the sport of boxing to explore male identity and persona.

Laura Anne Huisinga of Cedar Rapids is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in graphic design. Huisinga's exhibition titled "Revamp: All Things Altered Anew" stresses clean, open designs and represents the culmination of her time at the University of Northern Iowa. Combining her passion for design and the environment, she "hopes to plant the seed of change in order to end wasteful behaviors."

Sarah Kolar of Spirit Lake is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with an emphasis in sculpture. Kolar is an artist continually intrigued by the contrasting interior and exterior views of forms in sculpture as well as the process contributing to their creation. She states, "my current work is large-scale sculpture created out of rod wire and woven cloth emphasizing the volume and organic nature of the forms."

Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday; and noon to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday. The gallery is located at the corner of Hudson Road and West 27th Street on the main floor of Kamerick Art Building South. For more information, call 319-273-3095 or visit www.uni.edu/artdept/gallery.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The University of Northern Iowa's New Horizons Band (NHB) will perform a winter concert at 7:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 13, in the Great Hall of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. Roger Becker, retired band director from New Hampton, will be the euphonium soloist for "Morceau Symphonique" by Alexandre Guilmant. The New Horizons Dixie Land Combo will perform "Big Band Dixie," arranged by Bob Lowden, with NHB.

Members of the Dixie Land Combo are Jerry Mahacek, trumpet; Carol Gordon, clarinet; Betty Winther, tenor sax; Marg Shaffer, trombone; Jim Moeller, tuba; and Rita Losh, drums. Other selections include "Washington Greys," by Claudio Grafulla, and "It's Christmas," arranged by Warren Barker. A reception will be held in the Performing Arts Center lobby immediately following the concert.

The NHB is sponsored by the UNI School of Music and the UNI Community Music School. The group includes members ages 50 and older with various musical backgrounds who travel from all across Iowa to rehearse and perform. The band started in 1999 with 17 members and has a current membership of more than 80. Diana Blake, retired music educator and director of the NHB, said new members are welcome to join the group. 

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Blake at 319-352-3007 or Cindi Mason, NHB administrative assistant, at 319-273-2142.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa-- The holiday season is upon us and along with it comes plenty of decorations, including lights, wreaths and trees. The costs of these decorations are not only a heavy burden on your checkbook but the environment as well. The University of Northern Iowa's Center for Energy and Environmental Education (CEEE) has started the "Reclaim Your Holidays: Practical Ways to Create Meaning" initiative, which offers several easy tips for Iowans to reduce their carbon footprints during the holiday season.

Susan Salterberg, program manager at the CEEE, says that implementing one or more environmental practices will not only give your celebration some green but save you money as well. "A great way to reduce your eco-footprint this winter is to use a real, locally grown tree," said Salterberg. "Real trees sequester and store carbon, reducing the effects of global climate change during the seven years it takes for them to mature on a tree farm."

According to the CEEE, one of the easiest investments you can make this winter is switching your family to compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs. CFL bulbs use 75 percent less electricity and last 10 times longer than incandescent light bulbs. For your decorative lights, the CEEE suggests LED (light-emitting diode) lights would use 90 percent less power than traditional holiday lights. Another way to lower your energy bill around the holidays is to use power strips, which easily prevent wasteful power consumption.

Another easy way to "go green" this year is to send your holiday greeting cards and party invitations electronically. "There are several Internet websites available to help with your holiday letters or party invitations, but a cleverly worded e-mail can do the trick as well," said Salterberg.

The "Reclaim Your Holidays" initiative is funded by grants from the Resource Enhancement and Protection Conservation Education Program and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Solid Waste Alternatives Program aimed at helping Iowans create more meaningful holidays.

For more information, visit www.reclaimyourholidays.org. 

New service tailored to each client's needs 

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Whether change is imminent or being longed for, the University of Northern Iowa Executive Development Center offers a new service to guide businesses and organizations through the complex decisions needed to expand and solidify their visions for the future.

The center's Business Planning Retreats expose leadership teams to new ideas; challenge them to see the "big picture," to think in new and different ways and visualize the future; and ask them to be innovative in practical, results-focused ways. 

"This program offers guidance and expertise from faculty in UNI's internationally accredited College of Business Administration, brainstorming sessions with successful business leaders or a combination of these and other services to help re-energize and launch businesses to greater success," said Kim Recker, program manager for the UNI Executive Development Center. "We can tap into a deep pool of intellectual capital through UNI's faculty and business contacts, and create a customized event that will help the company's senior leadership make decisions to move the business forward."

Retreats can be held anywhere in Iowa. Executive Development Center staff will work with the business to determine location, length of retreat and other logistics. Cost will vary and depend upon the number of people attending, the number of instructors and consultants, lodging, meals and other factors.

Retreat agendas are shaped around the businesses desired outcomes and goals.

Sample topics include:

• Power and Politics -- When Analytical Decisions Encounter Corporate Politics
• Discovering Intellectual Capital -- Critical Thinking and Strategic Choices
• Establishing and Leveraging Strategic Alliances
• Gaining Sustainable Competitive Advantage Through People
• Innovation and Corporate Growth Relationship
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Marketing and Marketing Research
• Strategic Alignment
• Strategic Information Technology

To schedule or discuss how your business could benefit from a Business Planning Retreat, contact Recker at 319-273-5851 or execdev@uni.edu.

The Executive Development Center is a program of Business and Community Services, a division of the UNI College of Business Administration.     

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Young Peoples Dance Theatre (YPDT), a before- and after-school program offered to boys and girls in several area elementary schools, will host its annual Fall Dance Festival at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, in the Wellness/Recreation Center, Room 84, on the University of Northern Iowa campus.

The event will include an evening of folk dancing as the young dancers demonstrate multicultural dances they learned during the fall session.  The children's families will then learn the steps and dance  with their children.  In addition, there will be a guest performance by the UNI International Dance Theatre, under the direction of Daniel Wells, UNI instructor in physical education. 

YPDT offers a variety of dance forms with an emphasis on creative movement and folk dancing during the fall session.  Through the YPDT program, students develop dance and movement skills, express feelings through movement, work cooperatively with others, maintain or improve physical fitness, expand creative skills, and gain an understanding of dance in different cultures, indicates Cynthia Herndon, UNI professor of physical education and dance and director of YPDT. 

The children involved with the YPDT program attend Edison Elementary in Waterloo; Malcolm Price Laboratory School, Lincoln and Orchard Hill elementary schools in Cedar Falls; and Janesville and Dike-New Hartford elementary schools. Instructors for the program are UNI students who receive academic credit for their leadership in the program.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The UNI Museums will host "An Old-Fashioned Schoolhouse Christmas," from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 2, at the Marshall Center School, an original one-room Iowa schoolhouse, located on the University of Northern Iowa campus, at the corner of West 23^rd and Indiana streets, Cedar Falls.

The evening will focus on how Christmas was celebrated in the 1940s and will include caroling, homemade crafts, costumed interpretations and story time. Museum staff will recreate an old-fashioned one-room schoolhouse celebration.

"This annual activity offers a return to Christmases past," said Diane Schupbach, education coordinator for the UNI Museums. "It's a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a simpler time and to celebrate the seasons."

The cost is $1 per person and is open to the public. To register, call 319-273-2188 by Tuesday, Nov. 23. For more information about the museums and future events, call 319-273-2188 or visit www.uni.edu/museum.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa-- The foundry industry often uses sand binders as molds for metal casting despite the harmful emissions they produce. The University of Northern Iowa's Center for Advanced Bio-based Binders (CABB) has been working to develop innovative binders made from renewable agricultural feedstocks, which significantly reduce pollution.

According to Jerry Thiel, director of UNI's Metal Casting Center, CABB works to develop polymers (natural or synthetic materials such as plastics) based on agricultural or natural materials as opposed to those based on oil. "The ultimate goal of CABB is to reduce the United State's dependence on foreign oil by offering bio-alternatives," said Thiel.

CABB has had success using corn to create polymers, which has a very low environmental impact and greatly reduces green house emissions. In addition to the environmental advantages of bio-based binders, the foundry industry also benefits from having more effective and lower-cost products. Additionally, bio-based binders provide a new market for agricultural materials.

Scott Giese, associate professor of industrial technology at UNI said the CABB program also offers practical hands-on experience for students. "The CABB initiatives support the academic components of the manufacturing technology program at UNI and provide experiential learning opportunities for undergraduate students," said Giese. "We currently have about 10 students working for the CABB."

The UNI Metal Casting Center is a nationally recognized leader in foundry research, applied technology and technical business assistance. Funding for the center comes from the state and federal government along with contract research from private industry.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The youth and family theatre production "Mother Hicks" will be presented at 7:30 p.m., Dec. 2, 3 and 4, and at 2 p.m., Dec. 4 and 5, at the University of Northern Iowa's Strayer-Wood Theatre.

Set in southern Illinois during the Great Depression, "Mother Hicks" tells the story of three outsiders -- a foundling girl, a deaf boy and an eccentric recluse, Mother Hicks, who is suspected of being a witch. The tale, told with poetry and sign language, chronicles the journeys of these three to find themselves, and each other, in a troubled time.

The production is directed by Gretta Berghammer, professor of drama and theatre for youth. Costumes were designed by Carol Colburn, professor of theatre design and production; scenery was designed by Mark A. Parrott, assistant professor of theatre design and production. Eric Lange, theatre department head and associate professor of theatre design and production, designed the lighting; Diana Garles, senior general theatre major, designed the hair and make-up. The stage is managed by Michaela Nelson, junior general theatre major.

Tickets are $16 for general admission and free for UNI students with their uCard. Tickets can be purchased from the Strayer-Wood Theatre lobby box office between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The box office will be open one hour before curtain time.

For more information, call the Strayer-Wood Theatre box office at 319-273-6381 or visit their website at www.uni.edu/theatre.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Northern Iowa is accepting applications for the Alderman Scholars Program.  Awards of up to $6,000 per year for up to four years are intended to assist needy, worthy and appreciative students who are majoring in, or are intending to major in, a field of study within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

The scholarship program is open to incoming freshman, transfer students and current UNI students.  The deadline for application is Feb. 1.

Departments within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences are Applied Human Sciences; Geography; History; Political Science; Psychology; Social Work; and Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology.

The Alderman Scholars Program was established by a grant from the Everett Alderman Endowment.  The scholarships are in memory of Alderman's wife, Marthe Benzon Alderman, and his parents, Gertrude Welty Alderman and A. Bruce Alderman.

For more information, call 319-273-3584 or visit http://www.uni.edu/csbs.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa's College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS) is accepting applications for the SBS Scholarship Program from high school seniors who will enter the university in the fall of 2011. Scholarships of up to $6,000 per year for up to four years will be awarded.

The SBS scholarship will be awarded on the basis of academic merit. Applicants will be judged by high school records, performance on standardized tests, academic honors and achievements, and other evidence of academic accomplishments and promise. To be considered for the scholarship, applicants should be ranked near the top 15 percent of their graduating class and have scored 27 or above on their ACT.  A Regent Admission Index (RAI) score of 290 or above will also be accepted. 

Recipients of the SBS scholarship must major, or intend to major, in a field of study within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. The departments include Applied Human Sciences; Geography; History; Political Science; Psychology; Social Work; and Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology.

The deadline for application is Jan. 10, 2011. More information and applications are available at www.uni.edu/csbs/ or by calling 319-273-3584.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The UNI School of Music will host the annual Varsity Men's Glee Club Christmas Variety Shows on Dec. 3 and 4. The concerts will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 3, and at 1:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 4, in the Great Hall in the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC) on the University of Northern Iowa campus.

The Glee Club, under the direction of John Len Wiles, will present the concerts as part of a celebration of the 50^th anniversary of the Men's Glee Club at UNI. In addition to the men of the Glee Club, this year's concert will feature the UNI Children's Choir. More than 100 alumni are returning to sing with the Glee Club during the Saturday shows.

Musical selections will include a variety of holiday favorites such as "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year," "Carol of the Bells" and "Silent Night." The evening will also include a visit from Santa Claus.

All seats for these concerts are reserved. Individual tickets may be purchased in person at the Gallagher-Bluedorn box office, by calling 319-273-4TIX or 877-549-SHOW (7469), or at www.unitix.uni.edu.

Other alumni events include a Campanile tour at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 4 as well as an alumni reception and banquet beginning at 5 p.m., Dec. 4, in the Central Ballroom in Maucker Union. The cost is $40 per Glee Club alumnus and $25 per guest. Every past Glee Club director will be honored at the banquet, which will give alumni the chance to reconnect with their old directors.

For more information on this event or the UNI School of Music, contact Caroline Boehmer, administrative assistant for the UNI School of Music, at 319-273-2028 or caroline.boehmer@uni.edu.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The Northern Iowa Food and Farm Partnership (NIFFP) at the University of Northern Iowa will host harvest markets from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 20, and Saturday, Dec. 18, at the Cedar Falls Community Center, 528 Main St., Cedar Falls. There will also be a harvest market from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Waverly Civic Center, 200 1^st St. NE, Waverly.

All markets will feature a variety of locally produced food. Various winter-storage crops, including squash, potatoes, apples and root vegetables, will be available, as well as meat, honey, baked goods and jams.

"Buying locally doesn't have to end with summer -- root vegetables, greens, apples, squash, preserves and more are available well into the fall and winter," emphasized Andrea Rissing, program assistant for the Center for Energy & Environmental Education. "Shopping at late-season markets is a great way to find fresh and delicious food for holiday meals, give farmers more opportunities to sell their products, and strengthen our local food economy and community."

For more information regarding the harvest markets, contact Rissing at 319-273-7883 or andrea.rissing@uni.edu.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa--The holiday season is upon us and along with it comes the stress of finding that perfect gift. The University of Northern Iowa's Center for Energy and Environmental Education (CEEE) has started the "Reclaim Your Holidays: Practical Ways to Create Meaning" initiative, which offers environmentally friendly and fiscally sound tips on holiday shopping.

The "Reclaim Your Holidays" initiative encourages a variety of green practices, such as inviting Iowans to shop at local stores that specialize in used items. These include antique stores, consignment shops, thrift stores, used bookstores and pawnshops. Buying used items will save money, support the local economy and reduce shipping emissions and packaging waste.

Susan Salterberg, program manager at the CEEE, says that buying used gifts is very rewarding not only for the environment but for your checkbook as well. "Iowans love the sheer practicality of saving 80 percent on a product, and as ecological issues become better known, the environmental benefits make used gifts a draw."

The Main Street Exchange, a Cedar Falls consignment shop, has seen a steady increase in sales during its 18 months in business. "People often tell me that they aren't going to pay $300 for an item when they can get it in great condition with us for $100," said Craig Wood, whose family owns the store. "Children's clothing is very popular, because kids grow so quickly that the items are often hardly worn. It's great to be able to recycle these items."

The CEEE also offers ideas for clearing clutter and reducing stress around the holidays. Consumable gifts such as wines, cheeses, breads, jams and chocolate produce a very minimal amount of waste and make nice gifts as well. Experiential gifts like tickets to a game and passes to a show or zoo are also great gift ideas that won't cause clutter. "No expert needs to tell us that experiential gifts often hold more value and are remembered longer than material ones," said Salterberg.

Additionally, buying environmentally friendly gifts can help your friends and family reduce their carbon footprint. Some examples include fair trade coffee, stainless steel water bottles, soy candles, clothes drying racks, pressure cookers, rain barrels and organic cotton towels. According to Salterberg the most important rule when buying green is to select gifts that will be valued and used and not ones that will land in the garbage after the holidays.

Additional green gift ideas, including printable gift certificates to use as experiential gifts, may be found at www.reclaimyourholidays.org.

The "Reclaim Your Holidays" initiative is funded by two grants aimed at helping Iowans create more meaningful holidays, one from the Resource Enhancement and Protection Conservation Education Program for $32,957 and another from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Solid Waste Alternatives Program for $17,676.

Enrollment deadline is Jan. 14

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa's Executive Development Center is now accepting registrations for the 2011 Leadership Development Certificate Program. The program consists of 10 full-day sessions held between Jan. 26 and May 18.

The Leadership Development Certificate Program is designed to transform good managers into great leaders. Participants are challenged to change from thinking like a manager to thinking like a strategic leader. Session topics include: strategic planning, big-picture decision making, finance for leaders and leading through changing times.

Participants interact with class members from a variety of backgrounds and industries.

"In a recent survey, more than 95 percent of past participants noted the program improved their job performance, and 90 percent stated the program increased their confidence in their leadership ability," said Kim Recker, program manager for the UNI Executive Development Center.

Four hours of graduate or undergraduate credit is available upon completion of this course. Tuition is $3,150, which includes all training materials, meals and parking.  Businesses can purchase one enrollment at full price and enroll a second person from the same organization for half price. Tuition for non-profit employees is $1,575. 

UNI Alumni Association members receive a 10-percent discount.  This program may also qualify for tuition reimbursement programs and Iowa Jobs Training Programs 260E and 260F. 

For more information or to enroll, contact UNI's Executive Development Center at 319-273-5851 or execdev@uni.edu. Certificate program classes are limited to 20 participants.

For more than 20 years, UNI's Executive Development Center has provided comprehensive, current and relevant management and leadership training to working professionals to improve and maximize their performance and results in today's challenging and competitive business world. The Executive Development Center is a program of Business and Community Services, a division of the UNI College of Business Administration.     

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa--Iowa City area residents will learn ways to create a richer, more meaningful holiday season while at the same time greening their celebrations at a 12:05-12:55 p.m. Lunch and Learn presentation on Friday, Nov. 12, in Room 112, University of Iowa University Services Building (USB) in Iowa City. USB is located east of the Iowa River on Madison and Prentiss streets.

Participants will explore ways to minimize stress during the holidays by practicing self-care and creating holidays where they live according to their values. In addition, they will learn examples of green gifts, such as baskets of Iowa-made wines and battery-free bike lights. Other "green" examples include gifts of experience. Many experiential purchases—such as giving yoga lessons or tickets to a show—cause less damage to the environment.  Plus, studies show the thrill of experiences stays with us longer than when our money is spent buying products.

To enroll in this free course, e-mail Susan Salterberg, an instructor from the University of Northern Iowa. Put "Register for Reclaim your holidays" in the subject line and send to susan.salterberg@uni.edu. Questions can be directed to Salterberg via e-mail or phone (337-4816).

Street parking is available near USB, and there is also parking on Madison Street behind the Johnson County Jail.

The event is sponsored by the University of Northern Iowa Center for Energy & Environmental Education, the University of Iowa Office of Sustainability, Iowa State University Extension, the Iowa City Landfill & Recycling Center and Iowa City Public Library.  The sessions are funded in part by the Resource Enhancement and Protection Conservation Education Program and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Solid Waste Alternatives Program.  

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Applications are being accepted for the Just for Kicks (JfK) program’s ninth annual Panther Pride Indoor Futsal Soccer League. Futsal is the official indoor soccer game of the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA, soccer's international governing body.

Session one starts Saturday, Dec. 4, and ends Saturday, Jan. 29. Session two begins Saturday, Feb. 5, and ends Saturday, March 5. Games will take place on the UNI campus in the Wellness & Recreation Center (WRC) gymnasiums and the West Gym, and in the gymnasium at Malcolm Price Lab School near the UNI campus.

The JfK program is open to ages 5 through adult. Teams must have at least seven players to participate. JfK will also host a Little Stars program to teach soccer skills to kids ages 5 to 8.

The team registration fee includes a $50 deposit to secure division placing. This deposit is refunded at the end of the program or applied to the tournament fee. The individual registration fee for youth participants is $40 per player for the first session and $55 for the second session. Fees include a Just for Kicks T-shirt and pay for gym space, referees and administration of the program. UNI students plan and manage this event.

To register, go to www.uni.edu/jfk. Send registration and payment to Just For Kicks, UNI WRC 220B, Cedar Falls, IA 50614. For more information, email JfK at unij4k@gmail.com

The Panther Pride Indoor Futsal Soccer League is hosted by the Leisure, Youth and Human Services Division within the University of Northern Iowa’s School of Health, Physical Education & Leisure Services.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – As part of American Education Week, the University of Northern Iowa will recognize the School Administrators of Iowa 2009-2010 Administrators of the Year and the 2011 Iowa Teacher of the Year during the UNI football game at 6 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 13, in the UNI-Dome.

Distinguished educators attending the game include Molly Boyle ('96), 2011 Iowa Teacher of the Year, Brookview Elementary School, Waukee; Roger Wilcox, Fine Arts Administrator of the Year, Waverly-Shell Rock Community Schools; Helen Snell, Central Office Administrator of the Year, Maquoketa Community Schools; Joel Pedersen, Middle Level Principal of the Year, Davis County Middle School; Terry Hurlburt ('96), Elementary Principal of the Year, Brookview Elementary School, Waukee; Diane Campbell, Assistant Principal of the Year, Muscatine High School; and Jere Vyverberg, Superintendant of the Year, Waverly-Shell Rock Community Schools.

"I often say that education is not only hard work, but heart work," said Dwight C. Watson, dean of the College of Education. "Nationally, there is great debate about the education profession and the quality of teaching and student learning. There has never been a more appropriate time than now to recognize the achievements of our teachers and education leaders. As the largest teacher education programs in Iowa, it's an honor to recognize these outstanding educators."

UNI has a 134-year history in teacher education and is involved in many state and national efforts to enhance teacher preparation and student learning. UNI is a leader in pre-K through 12 education issues and has graduated nearly 17,000 alumni educators worldwide.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa Panther Speakers program will offer a free webinar "Health Literacy in a Changing America," presented by Michele Devlin, professor and director of the Iowa Center for Health Disparities and Mark Grey, professor and director of the Iowa Center on Immigrant Leadership, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., on Thursday, Nov. 18.

The webinar allows alumni, business leaders and citizens to engage with UNI in the comforts of their own home or office.

Studies reveal that 50 percent of all adults in the United States have low health literacy and have difficulty understanding basic healthcare information. This increases the risk of unnecessary treatments, illness and medical errors. This webinar will define health literacy and discuss strategies for individuals and organizations to improve their ability to understand and express health information more effectively.

Grey founded the Iowa Center on Immigrant Leadership in 1999 and has since become a widely recognized authority on immigration. He also has expertise in the area of contemporary health issues. Devlin has significant experience in dealing with health literacy. This past summer she traveled to Haiti to help victims of the recent earthquake there and was able to take her experiences back with her.

To learn more about the UNI Panther Speakers program or to register for this free webinar, visit www.uni.edu/pantherspeakers.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa--The Iowa floods of 2008 called attention to a major environmental problem in a dramatic way. A new program at the University of Northern Iowa aims to improve educators' environmental teaching skills and the understanding of the underlying causes of flooding problems. The program "Rain, Runoff, and Rivers: Understanding Watersheds," will include weekend workshops for educators on this topic.

"A watershed is the land that water flows across or under on its way to a stream, river or lake. When a watershed becomes overloaded with water, we call it a flood," said Carl Bollwinkel, professor in UNI's Center for Energy and Environmental Education (CEEE). Bollwinkel is also the director of Environmental Issues Instruction (eii), a program in the CEEE. According to Bollwinkel, the purpose of the program is to help educators and their students understand watersheds and the differing beliefs about how to resolve issues arising from flooding. Additionally, the program helps participants and their students learn to take appropriate action to mitigate future flooding.

More than 72 Iowa educators will attend the workshops to gain teaching resources about flooding. According to Bollwinkel, communities that were flooded are still holding meetings dealing with flooding issues; however, few are relating these matters to young people. "A long term solution must include instructing youth about dealing with rain, runoff and river problems and issues," said Bollwinkel.

The eii program is funded by grants from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Iowa Department of Transportation Living Roadway Trust Fund (LTRF), Iowa Resource Enhancement and Protection Conservation Education Program (REAP-CEP) and Keep Iowa Beautiful.

Registration is currently open for several upcoming workshops including one Nov. 12 through 14 in Pleasant Hill, Iowa and one Feb. 11 through 13 at Mt. Vernon, Iowa. Each workshop has an April update session. The cost of the program, including two hours of graduate credit, is largely covered by the grants.

For more information, contact Bollwinkel at 319-273-2783 or visit http://www.uni.edu/ceee/eii.

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa--The University of Northern Iowa is completing final preparations to host 2010 Iowa High School Football Championships at the UNI-Dome. Thousands of Iowans travel to UNI for the annual event, which kicks into high-gear with the semi-final games starting Thursday, Nov 11.

"With the incredible amount of traffic generated by the games, we strongly recommend that those traveling east on U.S. Highway 20 to Cedar Falls take the exit just past Dike and come to the UNI-Dome on West 27^th Street," said Dave Zarifis, director of UNI Public Safety. "Taking this route will reduce travel time to the UNI-Dome and decrease traffic congestion on Hudson Road."

Local motorists also are encouraged to avoid Hudson Road and University Avenue immediately before and after the games. A full game schedule can be found at iahsaa.org/football.

Directions for those traveling east on U.S. Highway 20:

1. Take Exit 220 (Grundy Road/Black Hawk County Road D18) and travel north on D18 (University Avenue) to Cedar Falls.

2. Turn left onto Union Road. Follow Union Road north to West 27^th Street (Black Hawk County Road D17).

3. Turn right onto West 27^th Street (D17). Travel east on 27th Street to the UNI-Dome.

Special traffic signs will be located at key turnoffs.