University of Northern Iowa commencement to take place Saturday, Dec. 21, in the UNI-Dome

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Some 650 of the more than 1,000 fall semester candidates for degrees will participate in commencement ceremonies at the University of Northern Iowa, Saturday, Dec. 21, at 11 a.m. in the UNI-Dome.

The ceremony will include students graduating from Continuing Education and Special Programs; the Colleges of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Humanities and Fine Arts, Natural Sciences, Business Administration and Education; and the Graduate College.

UNI President Robert Koob will preside over the ceremonies and confer degrees on the students. Jay Edelnant, professor of performance studies, is the commencement marshal. The recognition of honors and awards will be conducted by Aaron M. Podolefsky, provost and vice president for academic affairs.

The ceremony will begin with a processional, followed by a recognition of honors and awards, a student address by a commencement candidate and the presentation of candidates. Delivering the student address at the ceremony will be Krista Leigh Todd, candidate in biology, from Washington, D.C.

Candidates for degrees will be presented by the deans of their respective colleges: John W. Somervill, Graduate College; Farzad Moussavi (interim dean), College of Business Administration; Rori Carson (associate dean), College of Education; James F. Lubker, College of Humanities and Fine Arts; Kichoon Yang, College of Natural Sciences; Julia Wallace, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences; and, James Bodensteiner (interim dean), Continuing Education and Special Programs.

Gretta Berghammer, professor of theatre, will read the candidates' names, and Marcus Haack of Iowa City, president of the UNI Alumni Association Board of Directors, will welcome the new graduates on behalf of the association. Music will be provided by the University Brass Ensemble, conducted by Rebecca Burkhardt, associate professor of music.

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12/12/02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Leah White, UNI director of Forensics, (319) 273-7200

Vicki Grimes, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

UNI speech team wins awards at regional tournament

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Students on the University of Northern Iowa's Individual Events Speech Team recently placed fifth at the Mid-American Forensic League Tournament, missing fourth place by just one point. The tournament took place Nov. 16 at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Several UNI students received individual awards. Amy Larsen, a senior from Ankeny, placed third in impromptu speaking and fourth in informative speaking; Sara Gronstal, a junior from Council Bluffs, placed fifth in poetry interpretation; Danielle Dick, a junior from Dayton, placed second in prose interpretation, and fifth in program oral interpretation; and Phil Rippke, a sophomore from Moville placed fourth in impromptu speaking.

For more information, contact Leah White, director of Forensics at (319) 273-7200.

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12/12/02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Leah White, UNI director of Forensics, (319) 273-7200

Vicki Grimes, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

UNI speech team members finalists at fall tournaments

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Students on the University of Northern Iowa's Individual Events Speech Team recently were finalists at the Age of Aquarius Invitational at Ball State University, and the L.E. Norton Invitational at Bradley University.

At the Ball State Competition, Amy Larsen, a senior from Ankeny, placed fourth in communication analysis and was a semi-finalist in impromptu speaking. At Bradley, she won the communication analysis event with a speech analyzing the recent protest of Chevron Oil Company by a group of Nigerian women. At the Ball State competition, Sara Gronstal, a junior from Council Bluffs, placed fifth in informative speaking.

Teams from across the nation attended the Ball State tournament in preparation for this spring's championships. According to Leah White, assistant professor of communication studies, and director of forensics, with the exception of the national championship, the tournament at Bradley University was "the most competitive and prestigious tournament the UNI team attends."

For more information, contact White (319) 273-7200

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12/12/02

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Jascenna Haislet-Carlson, marketing director and theatre publicist, Theatre UNI, (319) 273-6387

Melissa Barber, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-2761

Off-Hudson reading staged by Theatre UNI

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- Theatre UNI's off-Hudson series of staged readings continued on Tuesday, Dec. 3 with Edward Albee's "The Play About The Baby."

The play was directed by Jay Edelnant, UNI professor of theatre. Cast members included (NAME), a (MAJOR) from (HOMETOWN). Kiersten Malo of Cedar Falls and Barbara Hess of Sumner were stage managers.

Note: to obtain a list of the students please contact the Office of University Marketing and Public Relations at 319.273.2761.