11/19/01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Guy Sims, associate director, Maucker Union, (319) 273-2683

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

UNI hosts 'Celebrate the Season'

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- "Celebrate the Season," the University of Northern Iowa's revamped holiday celebration, takes place at 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 13, in the Maucker Union Expansion. The event is designed to include winter celebrations of several cultures and religions.

Featured will be explanations of holiday celebrations observed by Muslims, East Indians, African Americans, Latinos, and those of the Christian and Jewish faiths. Following will be a series of interactive games, activities and displays allowing attendees to learn more about the topics covered. Santa Claus will make his traditional visit.

Guy Sims, associate director of Maucker Union, said the decision to change the celebration was borne of a need to be inclusive. "This is a special season for lots of people, of lots of faiths, and lots of cultures," he said. "We wanted an opportunity to showcase the kind of diversity this season brings."

For more information about "Celebrate the Season," contact Guy Sims, (319) 273-2683 or visit the university's Web-based calendar, www.uni.edu/acal.

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