FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
UNI Office of Alumni Relations, (319) 273-2355
Jennifer Noehl, UNI Lux Award coordinator, (319) 273-6409
Vicki Grimes, UNI Office of Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa —The University of Northern Iowa is celebrating the achievements of students and alumni during Homecoming 2000, now through Saturday, Sept. 30.
Donna and Eldred Harman, Waterloo, will be the UNI Homecoming Parade marshals Saturday, Sept. 30. For more than five decades, the Harmans have helped fund scholarships, given to the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center project and the Early Childhood Development Center. Donna, a 1947 graduate of UNI, and Eldred have served on the UNI Alumni Board of Directors and are active members of the UNI Presidents Club. They are also longtime season ticket holders for football and basketball games.
“We've always helped out with Homecoming events, but it's really exciting to be involved in this way,” said Donna.
In addition to the week's activities, two UNI students will be honored with the UNI Lux Service Award. The award is given to one male and one female undergraduate student who best represent the ideal of service to the university community. Eric Hansen, Garner, and Kelly Van Veldhuizen, Hull, will be the recipient's of this award. Three finalists will also be recognized: Shannon Perry Wieland, Grimes; Nick Arnold, Iowa City; and Ryan Traetow, Waverly.
Hansen is the son of Mark and Lynelle Hansen, Garner. He received his bachelor of arts
degree in accounting in May 2000. While at UNI, Hansen served as a resident assistant and community advisor, as well as an active member of BASIC, a campus ministry group.
“Eric is a tremendously talented young man, whose vast array of inspirational abilities have shown thousands of students that it is possible to be a responsible scholar, an off-the-wall kind of guy socially and a devoutly spiritual person — all at the same time,” said Drake Martin, Hansen's supervisor and UNI assistant director of residence, education.
Van Veldhuizen is the daughter of Dale and Katie Van Veldhuizen, Hull. She is a senior majoring in political science and English and plans to graduate in December. While at UNI, Van Veldhuizen has been a member of student government and served as a Senior Class Council co-chair last
spring. She also serves as a Student Alumni Ambassador and volunteers off-campus in the Cedar Valley area.
“Kelly is a true light,” said Connie Hansen, UNI student outreach coordinator. “She has overcome more obstacles in recent years than most people face in a lifetime. She literally can run circles around most students on campus today, and she does this all from the confines of her motorized wheelchair. She has made her peers, as well as myself, better people.”
Arnold is the son of David Arnold and Deb McMann. He received his bachelor of arts degree in history in May 2000.
Wieland is the daughter of Connie and Larry Slaight of Overland Park, Kan., and Randy and Linda Perry of that area. She received her bachelor of arts degree in therapeutic recreation in May 2000, and is a student at Des Moines University-Osteopathic Medical Center.
Traetow is the son of Eugene and Mary Traetow. He is a senior communications major and plans to graduate in December.
The awards are presented by the UNI Alumni Association, the UNI Foundation and the Homecoming Committee.
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