Date: 01/25/00
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Darryl Taylor, Assistant Professor, School of Music, (319) 273-5879
Vicki Grimes, Office of Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa—“The Importance of Studying African-American Art Song” will be the topic for the Phi Alpha Theta/Department of History Lecture Series at the University of Northern Iowa, at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 2, in Room 115 Seerley Hall.
Darryl Taylor, UNI assistant professor of music, will speak on “the contributions made by African-Americans to art song, and their neglect in performance and teaching, and the necessity to correct this.” Taylor said art song is “written in a western classical style, using the piano and voice. Art song shows a relationship between voice and words, and the intricate relationship between the voice and the piano.”
Taylor is nationally known for his work in African-American art song. He started an organization called the African-American Art Song Alliance. Performers and music students around the world know the organization, which has made UNI a focal point of research in the genre.
The next history lecture will be March 2, when Michelle Mouton, UNI assistant professor of history, will speak on “Non-traditional Parenting, Race and the Nazi State.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Gerri Perreault, director, Leadership Studies Program, (319) 273-6898
Vicki Grimes, Office of Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa— University of Northern Iowa President Robert Koob will discuss leadership views at the first meeting of the “Leaders on Leadership” series at the University of Northern Iowa, Thursday, Jan. 27. The program will run from 3:30-4:45 p.m. in UNI's Schindler Education Center, Room 423. The program is free and open to the public.
The purpose of this series, sponsored by the Leadership Studies Program, is to provide an opportunity to learn about the leadership views and practices of leaders from across a variety of sectors of society, according to Gerri Perreault, director of the Leadership Studies Program.
Two special workshops will also be conducted as part of the series. Greg Buntz, executive director of the Iowa Peace Institute will speak on “Peace-making for Leaders” on Feb 24, at 3.30 p.m. Doug Whittle, performance development manager of Pioneer Hi-bred will present the second special workshop on April 13, at 3.30 p.m. Both workshops are in Schindler Education Center, Room 423.
The next program in the series will be Thursday, Feb. 10. Jon Crews, mayor of the City of Cedar Falls; Bernie Koehrsen, police chief of the City of Waterloo; and Andrea Nechanicky, vice president of the Northern Iowa Student Government, will share their views on government leadership.
Other programs during the spring semester will be held on Feb. 17, March 2, 9 and 30, and April 6.
Those interested in attending are encouraged to call (319) 273-2332 to assist in planning for room space and handouts. For more information, contact the Leadership Studies Program at (319) 273-6898.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Darryl Taylor, assistant professor, School of Music, (319) 273-5879
Gwenne Culpepper, Office of Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
Note to editors: Kevin Maynor is available for phone interviews. Contact Gwenne Culpepper to arrange.
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Kevin Maynor, celebrated bass vocalist, will perform on the University of Northern Iowa campus Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. in Russell Hall Auditorium. The event is part of the university's Black History Month celebration.
Maynor's recital will feature a series of songs dedicated to the life of Paul Robeson, a world-renowned African American scholar, actor, athlete and singer who, during the1940s, became a controversial spokesperson against racism and discrimination.
Maynor has scored successes in more than 40 operatic roles in five languages. He is a Fulbright Award winner and has appeared as soloist with orchestras across the country including the Buffalo Philharmonic, the Fort Worth Symphony, the New Orleans Symphony and the Long Island Philharmonic. He will be accompanied by Robin Guy of the UNI faculty. The event is free and open to the public.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Gary Daters, UNI residence system business manager, (319) 273-2333
Deb Gray, UNI admissions secretary II, (319) 273-2281
Carol Geiger, administrative assistant, Office of the Vice President for Educational & Student Services, (319) 273-2331
Vicki Grimes, Office of Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa—Two University of Northern Iowa employees, Gary Daters, residence system business manager, and Deb Gray, UNI admissions secretary II, have been named recipients of the Sue Follon Exemplary Service Award in the Division of Educational and Student Services (ESS).
The award, now in its ninth year, honors employees in the ESS division who, through their actions and on-going relationships with students and others, exemplify the values reflected in the division's mission statement:
“Our mission is to promote a student-centered university characterized by high academic standards, enriched learning experiences and stimulating student-faculty-staff interaction. We value quality, integrity, caring and teamwork. These values are practiced through leadership and service to students, to each other and to the university community.”
Daters has worked at UNI for 26 years in the Department of Residence, an entity he describes as “dedicated to pursuing the best service it can provide to its customers.” He has also found his job to be challenging and a great experience.
“I enjoy the opportunities that challenge my abilities and appreciate the support that I am given,” Daters said. “I have been fortunate to have worked with many people who have been great friends and colleagues.”
His award plaque describes him as “one who does not seek leadership roles, but works for others to help them be successful in theirs.” And one nominator said of Daters: “Whether it is within or outside of the department, Gary works to help individuals and/or the organization achieve their goals. He is sought out for help and he responds positively and reliably. He listens well to others on the team, asks insightful questions, offers perceptive observations, provides levity and engenders a spirit of optimism and determination.”
Gray has worked in the UNI admissions office for three years and has been described as “someone who exemplifies everything good about UNI.”
Her plaque says she “is a subtle leader who leads by example and models how all employees should conduct themselves. Deb is a very integral part of what makes a very busy office run smoothly, is often unrecognized, but keeps a constant positive outlook and maintains a confident and inspiring attitude.” It also share's another's sentiment that she is “one of the most kind, courteous and service-oriented people I know.”
“It's the best job on campus,” said Gray of her work. “Every day is something new. You just never know what you're going to find.”
Gray said she was particularly pleased to receive the award because it bears the name of, and commemorates, the late Sue Follon, vice-president for educational and student services at UNI from 1985 to 1998, and someone that Gray thought “was a wonderful person at UNI.”
Gray was also very happy because students in the admissions office nominated her for the award. Working with the students is something that she enjoys.
“I get to work with some of the top UNI students who are members of Student Alumni Ambassadors, the UNI Telecounselors, Ethnic Student Promoters and the student employees in the office,” said Gray. Her enthusiasm for the work students do in the office seems to be equally shared for Gray.
“Sometimes people come into your life and you know right away that they were meant to be there,” wrote one nominator. “They serve some sort of purpose, to teach you a lesson or to help you figure out who you want to become. You never know who these people may be...but you know they will affect your life in a special way.”
Gray is married to Steve Gray, Cedar Falls, and has a son, Kyle, a senior management information services major at UNI and a daughter, Sarah, a junior communications major at the University of Colorado.
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