12/19/01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Bob Pesek, program director, Culture and Intensive English Program, (319) 273-2853

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

UNI CIEP program offers scholarships for residents who need help with English

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- The Culture and Intensive English Program at the University of Northern Iowa is offering scholarships to cover 50 percent of tuition costs for the spring 2002 semester. The scholarships are for foreign-born residents of Waterloo and Cedar Falls who need assistance with English language skills. Students do not need to major in any particular area, and do not need to attend classes full time.

For more information on the scholarships, contact Bob Pesek, program director in CIEP, (319) 273-2853.

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12/19/01

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:

Cheryl Smith, associate UNI coordinator, Iowa Space Grant Consortium, (319) 273-6809

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

UNI, through space consortium, helps fund Cedar Falls High School robotics team

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa -- A contribution of $1,000 from the Iowa Space Grant Consortium, specifically from the University of Northern Iowa, one of its four academic members, will help the Cedar Falls High School robotics team enter the US FIRST Robotics competition.

The competition, sponsored by the FIRST Foundation (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), is designed to demonstrate that engineering and science can be captivating, according to Kenton Swartley, the team's faculty advisor.

During the six-week project, the teams design, construct and control a remotely operated vehicle for a sports-based playoff. The CFHS team of 15 students, two teachers and several engineers from local industries will begin work on their robot Jan. 5, 2002, after receiving rules and specifications from FIRST.

The team will compete in the St. Louis regional competition April 4-6, and if they qualify, they will go on to the National Championships in Orlando, Fla., April 25-27. The winning team will receive a trophy.

The Iowa Space Grant Consortium is a NASA-supported organization aimed at increasing interest in aerospace education and research. In addition to UNI, its academic members are Iowa State University, the University of Iowa and Drake University.

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