Contact:
Bill Calhoun, UNI vice president for Advancement, (319) 273-2487
Bruce Tiemann, senior manager of External Relations, McLeodUSA, (319) 790-6196
James O'Connor, UNI Office of Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
Note to editors/news directors: 200 dpi JPEG images of: UNI Students First campaign logo; McLeodUSA logo; Clark and Mary McLeod; McLeodUSA Center (exterior artist's concept); McLeodUSA Center (interior artist's concept); Robert Koob, UNI president; Bill Calhoun, UNI vice president for Adancement; Rick Hartzell, UNI athletic director are available via the Internet at: http://www.uni.edu/pubrel/newsroom/photos.html. Additional photos from today's news conference will be uploaded as well. If you need higher resolution or have other photo needs, please call the UNI Office of Public Relations contact listed above. Audio cuts from the news conference will be available on the Radio News Network newsline by noon at 800-635-6397 or 319-273-6397.
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The University of Northern Iowa today announced receipt of the largest gift in the institution's 124-year history. Clark and Mary McLeod, on behalf of McLeodUSA, will donate $4 million to help build a new sports arena on the UNI campus.
According to UNI President Robert D. Koob, this is the lead gift to support construction of the $15 million McLeodUSA Center, which will become the primary performance venue for UNI intercollegiate men's and women's basketball, volleyball and wrestling.
“This arena will be the first visible element of a collaboration between UNI and McLeodUSA to promote student excellence,” said Koob. “Other elements of this collaboration may include internships, technology enhancements, scholarships and other opportunities.”
“UNI is committed to its students and to serving the state of Iowa,” said Clark McLeod, chairman and chief executive officer, McLeodUSA. “We have a similar commitment. Our future growth will depend on our ability to attract and retain people who are willing to grow, who value relationships , and who have the passion and commitment to be the best they can be. Iowa needs to keep these people here in the state. We see this gift as an investment. It's an investment in the University of Northern Iowa and it's an investment in future opportunities for all Iowans.”
According to UNI Athletic Director, Rick Hartzell, the arena will contain approximately 5,000 to 6,000 seats and will be located on the campus's west side, near the UNI-Dome and Wellness/Recreation Center. Once funds are secured, construction is expected to take approximately 24 to 36 months.
“UNI has some of the best student athletes, coaches and teams of any institution in the Midwest,” said Hartzell. “What we don't have is a facility to match our people in these programs. The McLeodUSA Center will be one of the best of its size in the nation; an outstanding facility in which to showcase our quality student athletes and athletic programs.”
The McLeod gift also is the lead gift to the UNI Foundation's $75 million “Students First” campaign – the next phase of a recent, highly successful scholarship campaign that exceeded its goal, raising $14 million. The new, broader “Students First” campaign will focus on scholarships, academic programs and facilities.
“This facility will serve the communities of the Cedar Valley,” said Bill Calhoun, UNI vice president for Advancement and president of the UNI Foundation. “Similar to the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, the McLeodUSA Center will be another result of a successful private/public partnership between UNI and the Cedar Valley.”
New construction covered by the Students First campaign will include the McLeodUSA Center; R.J. McElroy Hall, the university's new early childhood education facility on the Allen College campus, in Waterloo; and a human performance center. Facilities needing renovation or equipment are Russell Hall, Lang Hall and McCollum Science Hall.
According to Calhoun, the official campaign kickoff will take place in 2002. The university's last major campaign ended in1995, raising more than $33 million, and exceeding its goal of $25 million.
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