11/04/02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Sharon Smaldino, professor of curriculum and instruction, (319) 273-3250
Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
UNI educational communications/instructional technology programs meet national standards
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa's master's programs in educational technology have met national standards set by the Association of Educational Communications and Technology (AECT). These programs will be considered nationally recognized programs upon accreditation by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).
Sharon Smaldino, professor of curriculum and instruction, said meeting these professional standards is an indicator of a quality program that prepares graduates for future professional positions.
Only about 30 such programs nationwide have achieved this distinction, and UNI's will be the first in Iowa to do so under the new standards. The program will be recognized during the AECT international convention in Dallas later this month.
Smaldino said a NCATE team will be on campus during fall 2003 to evaluate UNI's teacher education programs.
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11/4/02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Leah White, UNI director of forensics, (319) 273-7200
Vicki Grimes, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
Note to editors/news directors: A 200-dpi color JPEG image of Penny O'Connor is available on the Web at http://www.uni.edu/pubrel/newsroom/photos/O'Connor.jpg
UNI instructor inducted into National Forensic Association Hall of Fame
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Penny O'Connor, instructor in communication studies at the University of Northern Iowa, has been honored for dedication to competitive collegiate public speaking with induction into the National Forensic Association Hall of Fame.
In presenting the award, O'Connor was cited for her "success and spirit as a former UNI competitor and coach" and "the support she has continued to show for UNI forensics, as well as the greater forensic community."
The NFA Hall of Fame, established in 2000, recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to forensics as student competitors who continue to maintain support of the activity after graduation.
A native of Alton, Iowa, O'Connor was nominated by Margaret Kaszonyi, UNI individual events speech coach; Bill Henderson, former director of forensics at UNI; and Leah White, UNI director of forensics.
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11/04/02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Tim Klatt, associate director of recreation, (319) 273-7120
Jeff Tamplin, men's soccer club coach, (319) 273-2327
Melissa Barber, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
UNI men's soccer club finishes successful year
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The University of Northern Iowa men's soccer club recently finished its season at the Midwest regional tournament in Minneapolis, Minn. They defeated Minnesota State - Moorhead 3-0, and went on to beat Minnesota State - Mankato 4-0, but fell to the University of Minnesota 0-2 in the tournament semifinal.
This was the first year that the UNI men's soccer club has been a member of the Association of Collegiate Club Soccer. UNI's team includes players from Iowa, Illinois, Texas, Louisiana, England, Japan and Russia.
UNI finished the season with a 12-5-2 record, which left them ranked in the top five regionally and in the top 15 nationally.
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11/4/02
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Juanita Wright, assistant director of admissions, (319) 273-2281
Vicki Grimes, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
UNI students get a 'Jump Start'
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Nearly 100 minority students recently received a "jump start" in making a smooth transition from high school to the University of Northern Iowa to increase their potential for success and graduation. The UNI Jump Start Program began the week before the start of the fall-semester classes with a five-day orientation designed to acquaint first-year and transfer minority students with campus life while introducing them to other Jump Start participants, UNI students, staff, and faculty.
Features of the program to aid the students in their academic success include: pre-selection of fall courses based on academic record and prospective major; enrollment in the "Strategies for Academic Success" course designed to help students develop effective study techniques; learning communities where students take classes with other Jump Start participants; and, cluster housing, which provides the opportunity for students to be assigned a Jump Start roommate or a residence hall "house" with several other Jump Start students.
Jump Start students for the fall 2002 semester are ___(Name)__ of ___(Hometown)___.
The program has tripled in size since its inception in 1998 and past participants credit the program for their academic successes. "It helped me get things started," said Korie Frazier, a senior elementary and middle education major from Davenport who came to UNI as a freshman "It's a great support system for new students. The support didn't just stop after my first year, I've been supported the whole time I've been at UNI."
Teresa Ponce, a senior management information systems major from Pleasanton, Texas, participated in the program. Ponce said the program "Opens you up to people you need to know for academic assistance. The people who work with the program make you feel really welcome and at home, and whenever you need them they will always make time for you."
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Note: to obtain a list of the students, please contact the Office of University Marketing and Public Relations at 319273-2761.