FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact
Cheryl Smith, program associate, College of Natural Sciences, (319) 273-6809
Gwenne Culpepper, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
CEDAR FALLS—STORM, a Science center for Teaching, Outreach and Research on Meteorology, is coming to UNI. The $1.5 million project, funded by a two-year grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), seeks to increase the general public's understanding of the weather.
The project will develop weather activities and curriculum for K-9 classrooms, and training materials for those who use weather information to make decisions.
“We are developing our programming within the context of weather systems common to the Midwest,” said Alan Czarnetzki, UNI associate professor of meteorology and director of the project. “But the results will be transferable to the whole nation.”
In the curriculum area, the project will develop, test regionally and disseminate nationally curriculum materials and activities that incorporate into K-9 classrooms weather imagery and other data easily accessible from the Internet. The team leader for curriculum development is Tim Cooney, professor of earth science and science education.
STORM will also evaluate newly developed computer software from NOAA's Forecast Systems Laboratory. This software will help non-meteorologists determine the possible impact of approaching weather systems on people and property they are responsible for protecting, and then decide what actions are appropriate. Czarnetzki is responsible for this area of the project.
Another part of the project concerns disseminating remotely sensed data about the atmosphere and land use. Recently launched satellites, part of the Earth Observing System, are producing more sophisticated information about how land is being used, and the potential impact of weather systems on land use. Mike Emch, assistant professor of geography, is in charge of this component of STORM.
Many individuals will participate in STORM activities, according to Czarnetzki. A core group of K-9 teachers will develop curriculum materials, decision makers will participate in outreach activities, and UNI undergraduate and graduate students will be involved in all aspects of the project.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Aaron Podolefsky, provost and vice president, (319) 273-2517
Harry Brod, director, UNI honors program, (319) 273-2693
James O'Connor, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
Note to editors/news directors: A 200 dpi JPEG photo of Harry Brod is available via the Internet at: http://www.uni.edu/pubrel/newsroom/photos/brod.jpeg. If you need higher resolution or have other photo needs, please call the UNI Office of University Marketing Public Relations contact listed above.
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa — Harry Brod, associate professor of philosophy and religion at the University of Northern Iowa, has been named director of the university's new Honors Program. Brod, who holds a Ph.D. from the University of California-San Diego, will oversee development of curriculum and student recruitment for the program.
According to Aaron Podolefsky, UNI provost and vice president for academic affairs, honors programs give outstanding students the chance to grow in an environment tailored for academic standouts.
“The UNI Honors Program will be a way for motivated and interested students to have challenging classroom experiences, social connections with other capable students, and close ties with faculty. The program will emphasize interactive discussion and individual initiative,” said Brod.
The program will begin in fall 2001. Eligible high school students are those who have an ACT score of at least 27; graduate in the top 20 percent of their class; or have a GPA of at least 3.65. Students also must provide an essay as part of the admission process. Once the program is in place, current UNI students with a 3.30 GPA will be able to apply.
“Not everyone with ability gets great grades in high school,” said Jay Lees, a UNI associate professor of history, and chair of the committee that developed the program proposal. “Late-bloomers and transfer students deserve a chance too. That's why the program also is open to current UNI students and transfer students. That's also why we will look at the combination of grades, ACT scores and the essay. We want the most complete view possible of each person's potential.”
“The university has received a $200,000 gift specifically designated to provide scholarships for students in the Honors Program,” said Podolefsky. “We'll know more about the specifics of the scholarship portion of the program in the spring.”
Students interested in applying for the UNI Honors Program should contact the UNI Office of Admissions at (319) 273–2281,1-800-772-2073 or visit the UNI Web site at www.uni.edu.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Robert Byrnes, administrative assistant, School of Music, (319) 273-2028
Vicki Grimes, University Marketing and Public Relations, (319) 273-2761
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa —Two University of Northern Iowa music students were recently successful at the State Division of the Iowa Music Teachers Association Collegiate-Artist Piano Competition.
Elena Koshelevskaya, Moscow, Russia, was chosen unanimously as the winner of the competition. Koshelevskaya is a graduate student and studies with Howard Aibel, UNI professor of music. Aibel first heard Koshelevskaya perform at the Ibla Grand Prize International Piano Competition in Italy, where he was a member of the international jury that chose her as one of the top prize winners. She holds a full scholarship and a graduate assistantship. In January, she will represent Iowa in the District Competition that will be held in Minneapolis. The national audition will be held in Washington, D.C.
Jiyoung Chung, a graduate student of Jeongwon Ham, UNI assistant professor of music, was the runner-up at the competition. Chung graduated from the Seoul National University of Arts, Seoul, Korea. She has won awards and prizes at various national competitions, including the Ewha Piano Competition, Yewon Young Artist Competition and the Korean National University of Arts Concerto Competition. She has performed solo in addition to playing with orchestras, such as the Seoul National Symphony Orchestra. Chung has a full scholarship and a graduate assistantship.
Five contestants competed at the state competition from UNI, Simpson College and Wartburg College. Each pianist performed a 55-minute program from all periods, including a piano concerto from memory. The competition was held at Iowa State University's Martha Ellen Tye Recital Hall.
Judges for the event included: Rebecca Shockley, University of Minnesota; Caroline Jennings, St. Olaf College; and Momoro Ono, University of Nebraska.
Koshelevskaya has also been selected as the winner of the 2000 UNI Concerto Competition. She will perform “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini,” by Rachmaninoff, with the UNI Symphony at the Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, April 17, 2001.
For more information, contact Robert Byrnes, UNI School of Music, at (319) 273-2028.
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