3/7/02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Mark Grey, director, New Iowans Program, (319) 273-6496
Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
UNI professors take community leaders to Mexico
CEDAR FALLS -- The best way to understand another individual is to walk a few miles in their shoes. That's why faculty members from the University of Northern Iowa, and community members from areas with high Latino populations, participated in a unique one-week seminar that allowed them to visit the native villages of many Mexican immigrants.
Mark Grey is a UNI professor of anthropology and director of the New Iowans Program that
helps communities work with growing immigrant and refugee populations.
He said this trip is actually the second he’s made to Mexico. The first was in June 2001, when UNI faculty went with community leaders from Marshalltown and Postville. This time around, they took more leaders from Marshalltown.
The group arrived in Villachuato, Mexico, on Feb. 20, where participants lived with host families for several days to learn about the local community, family life, the economy, health and health services, religion and education systems.
"We are getting an influx of new citizens through immigration. To welcome these new Iowans effectively, there must be an understanding of culture," said Grey. "You have to understand who the people are before you can make worthwhile policies regarding them."
Grey and Anne Woodrick, a UNI associate professor of anthropology, who co-directs the New Iowans Program, were accompanied to Mexico by: Ken Anderson, director, Marshalltown Chamber of Commerce; Betty Bolar, instructor, Marshalltown Community College; John Cahill, Marshalltown Hospital staff; Sister Chris Feagan, St. Mary’s Church; Sandy Burke, chair, Marshalltown Diversity Committee; and Tom Renze, principal, Woodbury Elementary School.
Grey recently authored a book, "Welcoming New Iowans," to augment the program. He and co-author Woodrick, are now working on a version of the book written specifically for Christian churches. The two have approached Jewish and Muslim leaders to discuss versions written for those populations. Another is being written, in conjunction with UNI's Global Health Corps, for healthcare providers.
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3/08/02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Darryl Taylor, associate professor of voice, (319) 273-5879
Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
UNI honors voice professor
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Darryl Taylor, associate professor of voice at the University of Northern Iowa, will be honored during an event Monday, March 11, at 6 p.m., in the Commons ballroom and lounge. Keynote speaker will be UNI President Robert Koob.
Taylor came to UNI in 1996. Since then, he has established a college branch of the George Walker Society of Music, the only one in Iowa; made substantial contributions to minority recruitment efforts; developed a series for guest artists; established a Web site for the African American Art Song Alliance; and been instrumental in bringing to campus a number of world-class opera singers.
Cost for the dinner is $25. To make a reservation, call the School of Music, (319) 273-2024. Dinner may be purchased at the door the night of the event as well. Proceeds will fund upcoming conference attendance for members of the George Walker Society of Music.
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3/7/02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Annette Lynch, director, UNI Women's Studies Program, (319) 273-7195
Vicki Grimes, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
CORRECTED RELEASE
UNI Women's Studies Film Series to look at Muslim women in the West Monday, March 11
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The UNI Women's Studies Film Series, in celebration of Women's History Month, will continue with "My Journey, My Islam" on Monday, March 11 at 3:30 p.m. Free and open to the public, it will be shown in Room 225 of the Curris Business Building.
The film presents experiences of Muslim women in the Western world. The Women's Studies Program has chosen global feminism as the theme for Women's History Month.
The series will continue on Monday, March 25, with a film entitled, "Women With Open Eyes."
For more information contact the Women's Studies Program, (319) 273-7102.
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