6/6/01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

William Calhoun, vice president for University Advancement, (319) 273-6078

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

Note to editors/news directors: A 200 dpi JPEG image of the proposed McLeodUSA Center is available on the Web at: http://www.uni.edu/pubrel/newsroom/buildings/buildings/Arena%20Exterior.jpg

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Edward J. and Catherine Cassidy Gallagher have made a $500,000 gift to the University of Northern Iowa's "Students First" campaign, to be used toward construction of the McLeodUSA Center. The multi-purpose sports arena will be home to the university's volleyball, basketball and wrestling programs, with seating for 5,000 to 6,000 which could accommodate concerts and other community events.

"This arena is a necessary project, both for the university and for the Cedar Valley," said Ed Gallagher. "It will strengthen the athletic programs at the university, and offer a sizable facility for other community events. It's a win-win situation for UNI and the Cedar Valley."

Gallagher is the senior partner in the Waterloo law firm of Gallagher, Langlas & Gallagher. Past president of the Iowa chapter of the American College of Trial Lawyers, he also is a member of the International Society of Barristers and past president of the Iowa Academy of Trial Lawyers. Gallagher chairs the UNI Board of Trustees, and served on the board of regents of Loras College for nine years. He is now a regent emeritus.

He is past chairman of the board and is now a trustee of the Grout Museum, board member of Covenant Hospital Foundation, board member of Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony and immediate past president of the Community Foundation of Northeast Iowa.

Mrs. Gallagher is a graduate of UNI. She serves on the board of trustees of Clarke College in Dubuque, and is an honorary member of the Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony Guild. She is a past president of the Symphony Guild, past president of Covenant Hospital Auxiliary and a past officer of the Junior League of Waterloo-Cedar Falls.

The Gallaghers provided one of the two lead gifts for the construcion of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on the UNI campus.

UNI's "Students First" campaign has a goal of $75 million for scholarships, academic program support and facilities, including $15 million to build the McLeodUSA Center. Other capital projects include McElroy Hall, which houses the Freeburg Early Childhood Program; a human performance center to be built onto the north end of the UNI-Dome; renovation of Lang Hall and Russell Hall; and equipment for McCollum Science Hall.

The leadership gift phase of the campaign’s local drive is now underway. The Cedar Valley major gift drive kickoff will be later this year.

6/6/01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Rheta DeVries, director, Regents’ Center for Early Childhood Development, (319) 273-2101

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

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Ready to kick off its inaugural year in fall 2001, the Freeburg Early Childhood Program has opened enrollment for its cutting-edge child development program to all interested students. Operated by the Regents’ Center for Early Developmental Education at the University of Northern Iowa, the Freeburg program is housed on the Allen College campus.

The program will serve 66 children, providing developmentally appropriate education in a model facility. A limited number of spaces remain.

"This program will provide high-quality early education for students between age 3 and first grade," explained Rheta DeVries, director of the Regents' Center. "And it also will serve as a training site for preparing future and practicing teachers."

Interested K-1 students who do not live in the Waterloo area will have to apply for open enrollment. There is no cost to attend the K-1 sections. Those enrolling in pre-school will have to pay tuition, as all scholarship money has been exhausted. Tuition is $525 per month.

"We know there is a definite need to work toward improving early childhood care," said Rebecca Edmiaston, assistant professor and research fellow at the Regents’ Center, who noted that the center conducted a preliminary community-wide study of child care facilities during spring 2000. "The study indicated quality is lacking in many places, including support of children's literacy development, encouraging cognitive and academic growth, and understanding how best to meet young children's needs. This program will be a model for everyone interested in improving early child care and education."

The center director will be Jennifer Hartman. The four lead teachers will be Christina Sales, Gwen Harmon, Sherice Hetrick-Ortman and Beth VanMeeteren.

The Freeburg program is a collaborative effort among the Regents' Center, the UNI College of Education, Waterloo Community Schools, Allen College and Allen Health Systems, Tri-County Head Start, the McElroy Trust, private donors and corporate contributors.

For more information or to apply, contact the Regents' Center, (319) 273-2101.

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6/06/01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

LaDene Bowen, senior project manager, UNI Institute for Decision Making, (319) 273-6941

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

Note to editors/news directors: A 200 dpi JPEG photo of Bowen is available on the Web at:

http://www.uni.edu/pubrel/newsroom/photos/bowen.jpg

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- LaDene Bowen, senior project manager for the University of Northern Iowa's Institute for Decision Making, has been elected to the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) board of directors.

IEDC is a new organization formed by the unification of the Council for Urban Economic Development, and the American Economic Development Council. Its purpose is to assist members of respective organizations to develop contacts and networks.

Bowen holds a B.A. in industrial psychology and business administration, has completed a six-year program in organizational management at the University of Colorado, and is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute, University of Oklahoma. Bowen earned her Certified Economic Developer (CED) designation from the American Economic Development Council. Prior to coming to UNI, she was executive vice president and CEO of the Butte, Mont., Chamber of Commerce.

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6/6/01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Jim Swiegert, UNI instructor in teaching/Northern University H.S. Russian instructor, (319) 273-7675

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

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa's Northern University High School won its eighth consecutive state title at the Iowa Olympiada of Spoken Russian, held recently in UNI's Maucker Union.

Thirty NU High students participated. The top three students at each level were named state medallists. In the Individual Spoken Competition, state medallists were: Level Four: (1) Erin McElligatt, (2) Lewis Colburn; Level Three: (1) Jed Ellerbroek, (2) Ryan Hahn; (3) Jenna Davis; Level Two; (1) Sameet Sangha, (2) Hasan Al-Mabuk; Level One: (1) Malcolm Bevel, (2) Rob Williams.

Winners in the Quiz Bowl Competition were first place, Emily Kishman, McElligatt, and Eashaan Vajpeyi; second place, Colburn, Nathan Ohrt, and Lauren Page; third place, Hahn, Charles Johnson, Cam Puetz, and Sangha.

McElligatt and Colburn, as fourth-year medalists, automatically qualify as national finalists. McElligatt's first-place showing qualifies her to join the U.S. National Olympiada Team, which will travel to the International Russian Olympiada in Moscow later this summer. The Olympiada team will have a two-week host family experience in historic Vladimir, Russia, after the event.

For more information contact, Jim Sweigert, UNI instructor in teaching/NU High Russian instructor, (319) 273-7675.

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6/6/01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Leonard Upham, UNI associate professor of teaching and band director, Price Laboratory School, (319) 273-2407

Vicki Grimes, Office of University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Four band students from Northern University Middle School performed recently at the annual Five Seasons Middle School Honor Band Festival at John F. Kennedy High School in Cedar Rapids.

Lucy Weilein, clarinet and Brandon Richmond, trumpet, represented the NUMS sixth-grade class. Seventh-grade students were Alexander Rapp, clarinet and Abhay Nadipuram, French horn.

The students rehearsed with other honor band members and presented an evening concert in the Kennedy Gymnasium.

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6/6/01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Robert Washut, professor of jazz studies, UNI School of Music, (319) 273-6431

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

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa Jazz Band One, directed by Robert Washut, UNI professor of jazz studies, received a Division One (outstanding) rating at the Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival held during the spring semester. The band received perfect scores in each category from all five judges.

The judging panel consisted of distinguished professional jazz musicians: Teri Lyn Carrington, drums; JoAnne Brackeen, piano; Conte Condoli, trumpet; Richard Davis, bass; and Lew Tabackin, saxophone.

Members of UNI Jazz Band One include ____(name)____ from ___(hometown)___ who plays ___(instrument)___. __(Name)__ is one of nine UNI Jazz Band One members also receiving an "Oustanding Musicianship" citation.

Other bands that performed included Central Michigan University, Boise State University (Idaho), Southern Illinois University, Lawrence University (Wis.), University of Texas-Brownsville, University of Notre Dame, Northern Illinois University, Loyola University (La.) and Florida State University.

For more information, contact Robert Washut, (319) 273-6431.

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Note: To obtain a list of the students, please contact the Office of University Marketing & Public Relations at (319) 273-2761.

6/6/01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Christopher Merz, UNI assistant professor of jazz studies, (319) 273-3077

Vicki Grimes, University Marketing and PublicRelations (319) 273-2761

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The UNI School of Music's Jazz Band Two, directed by Christopher Merz, UNI assistant professor of jazz studies, took first prize and was named Outstanding College Jazz Ensemble at the 34^th Annual Eau Claire Jazz Festival, held at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire earlier this spring.

Fred Sturm, director of jazz studies at the prestigious Eastman School of Music, cited the band for its "wonderful mix of repertoire" and declared the band "incredibly well-coached." Other judges commented on the group's "great intonation, balance and dynamics" and stated that Jazz Two's set was truly a superior, first-class performance." Jazz Two competed with seven other bands from Minnesota and Wisconsin colleges and universities.

In addition to the group award, eight band members were cited as outstanding soloists. They were saxophonists Austin Zaletel of Des Moines and Ryan Jeter of Iowa City; trombonists Cory Mixdorf of Eldridge and Bill Schneidecker of Hampton; flugelhornist Phil Hamilton of Ankeny; guitarist Tom Wherrett of Omaha, Neb.; pianist Jonathan Kvam of Sioux City; and, bassist David Altemeier of Fort Dodge.

Other members of the UNI Jazz Band II include __(name)__,__(instrument)__ from __(hometown)__.

For more information contact Christopher Merz, (319) 273-3077.

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Note: to obtain a list of the students, please contact the Office of University Marketing & Public Relations at (319) 273-2761.