UNI News - August 2001

Convocation Draws Champion of Justice as Keynote Speaker

On August 29th, UNI will host convocation with Morris Dees as keynote speaker. Dees is chief trial counsel and co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center, a non-profit group that specializes in lawsuits involving civil rights violations and racially motivated crimes. His speech is titled "Responding to Hate: Voices of Hope and Tolerance" and it will be delivered at 3:30pm in the UNI-Dome. Convocation was resurrected last year to emphasize the importance the beginning of the higher education process and to welcome new and returning students and faculty. For more information, please contact the office of University Marketing and Public Relations at 319-273-2761.

UNI Celebrates 125th Anniversary at the Iowa State Fair

The Iowa State Fair gears up in Des Moines on August 9th and continues through August 19th. UNI will be celebrating its 125th Anniversary at various fair events and festivities. The UNI booth will be located in the Varied Industries Building and all alumni and friends are encouraged to stop by and show their Panther spirit! UNI will also be participating in the Fair Parade on August 8th. If you are interested in participating, please contact Stacey Christensen at 319-273-3170.

New Student Bash 2001

The UNI Alumni Association will once again host a welcome event for incoming freshmen and transfer students on the day before classes begin. "New Student Bash 2001" is scheduled for August 26, 2001 from 4-8 pm. The event will be held in Lawther Field, in the heart of UNI's campus, and will feature free food, games, activities, and musical entertainment. The Student Alumni Ambassadors will participate as volunteers for the days' activities. 1500 new students are expected to attend.

UNI Foundation Receives over $400,000 for Russell Hall Renovation

The UNI Foundation has received over $400,000 of the 2 million needed for the renovation and addition to Russell Hall. The School of Music has become one of the University of Northern Iowa's signature programs. As a result of this success, the School of Music has vastly outgrown and matured beyond the capabilities of Russell Hall in its current configuration. 80% of all music instruction takes place in Russell Hall and all music students spend the majority of their training and practice time in this building. The Russell Hall component of the "Students First" campaign will provide critically needed rehearsal and performance space, a student lounge, and a jazz studio with recording capabilities. These improvements will give students quality space in which to prepare for careers as teachers and performers. With alumni and community support, Russell Hall will be one of the best music facilities of its size in the nation. For more information, contact Diane Curtis at (319) 273-7114 or diane.curtis@uni.edu.

UNITE Organizes Alumni & Friends in Support of UNI

UNITE (UNI Together for Education) is a grassroots legislative network that was formed to recruit, educate and mobilize members to deliver the University's key concerns and messages. Organizers engage alumni and friends to positively impact legislative decision making about the importance of public higher education for Iowa's future. The upcoming legislative session looks to be another difficult year for UNI, which follows a year with an unprecedented budget cut of $5.3 million from UNI's operational budget. UNITE volunteers prove to be essential as demand for state funds continue to increase. If you would like more information on how you can become involved, please contact the office of Governmental Relations at 319-273-6144 or visit their web site at http://www.uni.edu/govrel/unite.

New 2000 Panther Marching Band CD

The Panther Marching Band will soon release its second annual CD, "The 100th Anniversary Edition." This new CD contains the show music from the 2000 marching season, including Malaguena, Channel One Suite, When a Man Loves a Woman, Get It On, God Bless the Child, James Bond Theme, Goldfinger, For Your Eyes Only, Live and Let Die, and the music of the Blues Brothers. Of course, the recording includes our own UNI Fight Song and Alma Mater. Both Panther Marching Band CD's are available through the UNI School of Music and the University Bookstore. For additional information or to place an order, contact Carolina Wilson at 319-273-2025 or email carolina.wilson@uni.edu.

Upcoming Alumni Club Events

Several Alumni Club events are scheduled for this summer and early fall. If you are in one of these areas, please join us for fun, food, and reminiscing about the good ol' days at UNI! If you would like more information on one of the following events, please call the Alumni Relations Office at 1-888-UNI-ALUM. We hope to see you there!

August 11 - Chicago Alumni Club Lunch and Chicago Cubs Baseball Game

August 18 - Phoenix Alumni Club at a Diamondbacks Baseball Game

September 8 - Tailgate before UNI vs. Iowa State football game in Ames

September 13 - Cedar Rapids/Iowa City Alumni Club: private movie showing at IMAX theatre

September 15 - Tailgate before UNI vs. Stephen F. Austin football game in Nacogdoches, Texas

Have You Moved?

Have you moved recently? If so, the Alumni Association may not have your current contact information. The Alumni Relations office receives several phone calls and e-mails every day from people trying to locate old friends from their days on campus and we can't help them if we don't have current information. You will also be sure not to miss a copy of the Northern Iowa Today, the quarterly university publication that provides stories about alumni and events affecting the University. To update your information, please call the Office of Alumni Relations toll free at 1-888-UNI ALUM or send an e-mail to patricia.smith@uni.edu.