9/28/01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

William Calhoun, vice president for university advancement, (319) 273-6078

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

UNI Foundation kicks off Cedar Valley major gift drive of "Students First" campaign

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa Foundation kicked off the Cedar Valley major gift drive for its $75 million "Students First" campaign Sept. 24, with an on-campus rally for volunteers. The goal for the drive is $2 million.

Speakers for the event were Robert Koob, university president; Rick Hartzell, UNI athletic director; Rex Eno and Joy Cole Corning, national campaign co-chairs; and Rick Young, chair of the Cedar Valley portion of the campaign.

"This campaign's success is imperative to help ensure a bright future for UNI, the Cedar Valley and Iowa," explained Koob. Earlier this month, Koob and his wife Yvonne made a $100,000 lead gift to the campus phase of the campaign. That gift will be given over the duration of the campaign.

Edward Gallagher Jr., chair of the UNI Foundation, noted, "President Koob's gift to the campaign is yet another example of the visionary leadership he has provided both for the campus and this entire community."

Eno said the "Students First" campaign is expected to be completed by January 2005. The campaign has a goal of $75 million for scholarships, academic program support and facilities, including $15 million to build the McLeodUSA Center, a multi-purpose sports arena for basketball, volleyball and wrestling. 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.

And according to Young, the foundation has raised more than half the funds already, including approximately $11 million for the McLeodUSA Center. The leadership gift phase of the campaign’s local drive is now underway. The national kickoff will take place during fall 2002.