4/1/02

News Brief

Following is a story lead and the University of Northern Iowa sources who can best address this topic. Feel free to contact the sources directly.

UNI 'Arts in April' artist on hand

John Heidersbach, the local artist who created the mock Mona Lisa painting being used for the UNI "Arts in April" celebration, will be on hand during the kick-off Monday, April 1, at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. The event begins at 5:30 p.m., and Heidersbach will sign complimentary copies of the piece during the celebration.

Heidersbach's painting is based on Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa," but includes several twists. Mona Lisa is dressed in a UNI sweatshirt, and behind her stands the UNI-Dome. A 200 dpi image of his painting can be found at http://www.uni.edu/pubrel/newsroom/photos/AIAart.jpeg

Heidersbach was recently named Artist of the Month by Liquitex, a worldwide supplier of acrylic paints and art materials. He is an instructor at Hawkeye Community College.

Contact:

Michelle Coleman, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

 

 

 

4/1/02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Anelia Dimitrova, associate professor, Communication Studies, (319) 273-5899

Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

Note to editors: Robert Fisk will be available for interviews at 6:15 p.m. Those interested in speaking with him should contact Gwenne Culpepper at (319) 273-2761.

UNI hosts acclaimed journalist and bin Laden interviewer

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Robert Fisk, acclaimed correspondent for the "London Independent," will speak at the University of Northern Iowa, at 7 p.m. Monday, April 8, in the Lang Hall auditorium. His presentation is titled, "9-11: Ask who did it, but for heaven's sake, don't ask why."

Fisk has twice interviewed Osama bin Laden, now in hiding after masterminding the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. Scheduled to speak at UNI in October 2001, Fisk was instead sent to cover the war in Afghanistan. While there he was severely beaten by an angry mob.

Fisk's presentation is sponsored by the UNI chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. The public may attend at no charge.

###

4/1/02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Carol Fletcher or Mona Milius, UNI Department of Residence, (319) 273-2333

Thomas Hockey, UNI professor of astronomy and science education (319) 273-2065

Vicki Grimes, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

UNI continues Arts in April activities Thursday, April 4

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa will continue its spring celebration, "Arts in April," Thursday, April 4, with a series of events focusing on cuisine, the arts and outer space.

The dining centers' Spring Taste Fest will begin the day's offerings and feature a variety of foods. Dining centers are open as follows: Piazza at Redeker, 5 to 7 p.m.; the Commons, 4:45 to 6:15 p.m; and the Towers, 5 to 6:45 p.m. Cost is $6.90 for those who do not have a meal ticket. The public may attend.

A question-and-answer session for "Way Out There in Space," an exhibition of satellite-produced and computer-enhanced images from space, will take place from 7 to 7:45 p.m. in UNI's Rod Library. The photos are on display throughout the month of April in the main floor lobby cases of the building. Jonnie Becker, UNI earth science teaching major from Nashua, will discuss the exhibit. Weather permitting, patrons will meet in the lobby of McCollum Science Hall at 8 p.m. before moving to the observatory for star gazing. These events are free of charge and open to the public.

There will be an opening reception and gallery talk at 6:30 p.m at the University Museum for, "We Are Not Gypsies: The Roma of Slovakia," an exhibition by photographer Matthew Kollasch. At 7:30 p.m. network sportscaster Greg Gumbel will speak in the Great Hall of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center.

Also at 7:30 p.m. will be an All-School Band Festival in Butzier Auditorium of the Price Laboratory School. At 8 p.m. a concert by the UNI Chamber Singers begins in Davis Hall of the GBPAC. Art educator Peter London will present the Hearst Lecture in the Art Auditorium of the Kamerick Art Building at 8 p.m., and a comedy show featuring Jon Reep and Buzz Sutherland begins at 9 p.m. in the Maucker Union Expansion.

For a full listing of UNI Arts in April events, visit the UNI Web site at www.uni.edu.

4/1/02 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Rorie Spill, assistant professor of political science, (319) 273-2465 Vicki Grimes, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

UNI to host Hoxie Forum on Judicial Selection Wednesday, April 3

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- A distinguished panel of judicial law scholars, judges and political experts will gather at the University of Northern Iowa Wednesday, April 3 for the Hoxie Forum on Judicial Selection. The forum, from 3 to 6 p.m. in Seerley Hall Room 115, is free and open to the public. Rorie Spill, UNI assistant professor of political science and forum coordinator, said the forum's focus will be on scrutiny of nominations to the federal court at all levels, including the controversy surrounding current nominees and the delay in nominees. The first session, from 3 to 4:15 p.m., will feature a panel of eminent scholars in the field, moderated by Kermit Hall, president of Utah State University. He has written several books on the courts and judicial selection, lectured internationally on a number of legal issues and been the recipient of numerous grants, fellowships and honors. Most recently, he received Utah's Best Hands-On Leader Award. Panelists will include Gregory A. Caldeira, Distinguished University Professor and University Chaired Professor of Political Science at Ohio State University, who has studied the lobbying activities of organized interests in federal judicial nominations. Also, Elliot Slotnick, professor and associate dean at Ohio State University; Charles Shipan, associate professor, University of Iowa; and Christine Nemachek, assistant professor, Iowa State University. The second session will take place from 4:30 until 6 p.m. It will feature U.S. Senator Charles Grassley; Judge Michael Melloy, Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit; Chief Judge David Hansen, Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit; and Nan Aron, president and founder of The Alliance for Justice, a national association of nearly 60 environmental, civil rights, mental health, women's, children's and consumer advocacy organizations. Forum participants will also attend a lunch with honors students from the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences and a dinner in conjunction with the event. For more information contact Rorie Spill at (319) 273-2465. ###

4/1/02

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Lou Honary, director, ABIL, (319) 352-5218

Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

UNI's ABIL Research Program hosts special day for farmers

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa's Ag-Based Industrial Lubricants (ABIL) Research Program will host its annual Farmers' Day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 5, at the ABIL facility, 400 Technology Place, Waverly.

A program, featuring Lou Honary, director of the ABIL program, and Lesley Lloyd of Pioneer International will run from 2 to 3 p.m. Honary plans to discuss progress in biobased lubricants, and Lloyd will discuss specialty crops and products.

Honary said the event will give area farmers and other interested individuals a chance to tour the facility and see the latest in research and development of high-tech biobased lubricants, specifically soybean-based greases.

Guided tours begin at the top of each hour throughout the day.

Farmers' Day is free and open to the public. For more information, call ABIL at (319) 352-5218.

###

4/1/02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Gayle Pohl, associate professor, communication studies, (319) 273-6308

James O'Connor, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

UNI PR students elected to top national offices

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- For the second straight year, three members of the University of Northern Iowa Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) were elected to national offices within the PRSSA.

Those elelcted are Ciara O'Brien of Dubuque, vice president of professional development; Chris Knudson, of Clarksville, vice president of public relations; and Roman Gaponenko, Moscow, Russian Federation, national Web master.

Along with the three new officers, Dirk Munson, Cedar Falls, current PRSSA national president, will serve as immediate past president.

###