FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Mike Bobeldyk, Maucker Union program coordinator, (319) 273-2683

Vicki Grimes, UNI Office of Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

Native American musician and performance troupe to perform at the University of Northern Iowa, Sept. 12

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa —Robert Mirabel, Native American musician considered one of the leaders of the Native Flute renaissance, will perform in the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center's Great Hall, at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 12.

Mirabel's music is described as a combination of several forms of popular music. These forms include rock, folk, hip-hop, African, techno, all with a Native American influence.

“My first language is Taos, and even though I write lyrics in English, I use the language differently, and structure things in a metaphorical manner that's closer to the way my people use language,” said Mirabel.

He has made several albums for different labels and has traveled the world. Over the years, he has studied West African drumming, voodoo rhythms from Haiti and Celtic music.

The performance is free and open to the public as part of UNI's Diversity Week celebration. For more information, contact Mike Bobeldyk, Maucker Union program coordinator, at (319) 273-2683.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Mike Bobeldyk, Maucker Union program coordinator, (319) 273-2683

Vicki Grimes, UNI Office of Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

Diversity Week to be celebrated at the University of Northern Iowa, Sept. 9-15

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — The University of Northern Iowa's annual Diversity Week will be held, Saturday, Sept. 9-Friday, Sept. 15, to explore and celebrate the social issues, customs and entertainment of different cultures.

• On Saturday, Sept. 9, actor, singer and dancer Gregory Hines will perform at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, at 7:30 p.m.
• On Monday, Sept. 11, a cultural festival will be held in the Maucker Union Plaza, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. A variety of ethnic foods and information will be offered as well as the Caribbean music of Tropical Breeze, a steel drum band.
• On Tuesday, Sept. 12, Rose Vasquez will speak on “Changing Faces in Iowa: Recognizing our Responsibility to Diversity,” 3 p.m., in Maucker Union Expansion B. Vasquez is the director of the Iowa Department of Human Rights. Recent projects have included the status of Iowa's Asian and Pacific Islander community and the Latino Snapshot Project of Central Iowa. She also is co-chair of the Lt. Governor's Statewide Diversity Committee.
• Also on Tuesday, Sept. 12, Robert Mirabel and the Native American Performance Troupe will perform at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, 7 p.m. (see related story)
• On Wednesday, Sept. 13, a student panel of international students will discuss the challenges of studying in a foreign country. The panel will meet in the Maucker Union Hemisphere Lounge, 3:30 p.m.
• Also on Wednesday, Sept. 13, Drew Farnsworth will speak on the topic of “The Changing Face of America,” 7 p.m., in Maucker Union Expansion B. Farnsworth will discuss future business opportunities, the importance of learning from the past, individual responsibility and the potential of multiculturalism to an international perspective.
• On Thursday, Sept. 14, a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered Association (LBGTA) panel will discuss thoughts and concerns on issues affecting gay and lesbian students. The panel will meet in the Maucker Union Hemisphere Lounge, 3:30 p.m.

1. • On Friday, Sept. 15, the Coalition-Building Across Race: An Interactive Report from the Cedar Valley Women's Unity Coalition, will be held at noon in Maucker Union University Room South. The program focuses on coalition-building between white women and African American women as a means to build common ground, reduce racism, promote personal growth and address community concerns. Participants will preview a video based on the local coalition group's experiences, receive practical tips on coalition-building and learn from the difficulties the group experienced.
   • Also on Friday, Sept, 15, the Stir Friday comedy troupe will perform at 7 p.m. in Maucker Union Expansion.
   • And, on Saturday, Sept. 16, a dance sponsored by Kappa Alpha Psi will be held, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., in Maucker Union Expansion A and B.

For more information, contact Mike Bobeldyk, Maucker Union program coordinator, at (319) 273-2683.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Lt. Col. Michael DePuglio, UNI Department of Military Science, (319) 273-6220

James O'Connor, Office of Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

Note to editors/news directors: This will be a very visual event. The ceremony will start at precisely 2 p.m. with a flyover by U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jets in the “odd man out” formation. We also expect the man who Hibbs rescued to attend the event.

UNI to memorialize alumnus and Vietnam War hero

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – A memorial to honor U.S. Army 2^nd Lt. Robert J. Hibbs, University of Northern Iowa alumnus, Cedar Falls native and Medal of Honor recipient, will be dedicated at 2 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 19, outside UNI's West Gymnasium. Scheduled speakers include Iowa Gov. Thomas Vilsack, U.S. Senator Charles Grassley, UNI President Robert Koob and dignitaries from the U.S. Army. The Hibbs family also will attend.

Hibbs graduated from UNI in 1964 and began his tour of duty in Vietnam in 1965. On March 5, 1966, he was in control of a 15-man ambush patrol in Don Dien Lo Ke. While providing cover for a wounded soldier fleeing enemy machine guns, Hibbs was mortally wounded. The Medal of Honor citation was presented to his mother, Betty Tjepkes, in January 1967. Hibbs is the only UNI graduate to receive the Medal of Honor.

“It's only appropriate that the university recognizes its most decorated soldier,” says Army Lt. Col. Michael DePuglio, head of UNI's Department of Military Science. “He's been an unsung hero for 34 years.”

The memorial, a lighted flagpole with a commemorative plaque, will be located in the grassy area outside the main entrance of the West Gymnasium, which houses the UNI Reserve Officer Training Program (ROTC) Panther Battalion. The ceremony will include a ribbon cutting, a wreath presentation, music by the UNI Woodwind Quintet, and a fallen soldier tribute by the Panther Battalion cadets.

The UNI Panther Battalion spearheaded the memorial project. Within weeks of the March 6 ceremony to begin the fundraising project, the goal of $17,000 was met through private contributions. In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place in the Great Hall of the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center. For more information, contact DePuglio at 3-6220.

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