7/6/01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

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

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Chris Nietupski, a May 2001 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, and a 1997 graduate of West Branch High School, is the first UNI student to receive the Golin Harris International Internship Award. Golin Harris International, is one of the nation's leading public relations firms. Nietupski is pursuing his internship in the firm's Chicago office.

Nietupski graduated cum laude from UNI with a B.A. in communications/public relations, an emphasis in sports promotion and a minor in business concepts. He also received six awards for outstanding leadership in the UNI chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and Public Relations Interns Develop Expertise (PRIDE), the UNI student-run public relations firm.

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7/6/01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Joann Vaske, executive director, The FINE Foundation, (515) 261-0004

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

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

http://www.uni.edu/pubrel/newsroom/photos/agran.jpeg

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Martin Agran, University of Northern Iowa professor of special education recently was inducted into the Iowa Academy of Education (IAE).

Agran is a nationally recognized leader in the field of special education for individuals with severe disabilities. He has co-authored eight books, 17 book chapters and published approximately 50 articles in major refereed journals. Additionally, he is the co-editor of the American Association on Mental Retardation "Innovation" series and is on the editorial board of five refereed journals. Agran also has served as a Fulbright scholar in the Czech Republic.

IAE promotes the use of research in education practice and policy. The information developed by IAE is made available to educators and legislators to help develop new educational policies and procedures.

The IAE, supported by the FINE (First in the Nation in education) Foundation, a private nonprofit organization, is dedicated to improving student leaning through the use of educational research. Agran is one of 18 IAE members. Members are selected based on the quality and impact of their contributions to the research in their respective fields.

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