Administration and Financial Services

In Wretches & Jabberers, two men with autism embark on a global quest to change attitudes about disability and intelligence. Determined to put a new face on autism, Tracy Thresher, 42, and Larry Bissonnette, 52, travel to Sri Lanka, Japan and Finland. At each stop, they dissect public attitudes about autism and issue a hopeful challenge to reconsider competency and the future.

Growing up, Thresher and Bissonnette were presumed “retarded” and excluded from normal schooling. With limited speech, they both faced lives of social isolation in mental institutions or adult disability centers. When they learned as adults to communicate by typing, their lives changed dramatically. Their world tour message is that the same possibility exists for others like themselves.

Between moving and transformative encounters with young men and women with autism, parents and students, Thresher and Bissonnette take time to explore local sights and culture; dipping and dodging through Sri Lankan traffic in motorized tuk-tuks, discussing the purpose of life with a Buddhist monk and finally relaxing in a traditional Finnish sauna. Along the way, they reunite with old friends, expand the isolated world of a talented young painter and make new allies in their cause.

From beginning to end, Thresher and Bissonnette inspire parents and young men and women with autism with a poignant narrative of personal struggle that always rings with intelligence, humor, hope and courage.

Softball vs. Indiana State

The group’s jump-to-your-feet show features top hits from a who’s who of the ‘60s including The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Temptations, The Jackson 5, and The Four Seasons, whose story they brought to life every night as Stars in the Original Cast of Jersey Boys.

THE MIDTOWN MEN are Tony Award Winner Christian Hoff, Michael Longoria, Daniel Reichard, and Tony nominee J. Robert Spencer.

Softball vs. Indiana State (double-header)

Regents Staff Excellence Awards are presented annually to those P&S employees from Regents institutions who have made outstanding professional contributions during their careers. Any Regent employee may nominate a deserving P&S employee for this award. Winners will be announced at the P&S Council's Meet the President event in the fall. New this year, an award has been added for Annual-Appointment P&S employees (eligible on even years). 

The UNI community is invited to join the University Sustainability Council to recognize the ongoing sustainability efforts on campus and reflect on what the future holds for sustainability efforts. Father Bud Grant, St. Ambrose University, will be the keynote speaker.

Softball vs. Bradley (double-header)

They are not your father’s wild-haired, juggling, flame-throwing, kilt-and-tutu-wearing performers. Each night, the audience is invited to bring objects to the theater for the Brothers to keep airborne in a challenge that ends either with a pie in the face or a standing ovation. As director/founder/performer Paul Magid says, “Juggling is dropping.” Julia Roberts had to go all the way to India to learn the same thing; you need only see THE FLYING KARAMAZOV BROTHERS.

Softball vs. Wichita State (double-header)

P&S Council monthly meeting. All P&S staff are welcome to attend.