UNI News - November/December, 2004

1.  A Note from the E-Newsletter Editor

We have released our December issue of UNI News early to give our readers advance notice regarding upcoming events.

2.  Give the Gift of Panther Pride!

This holiday season, Panther fans can take advantage of several new merchandise offerings from the Alumni Association. T-shirts, sweatshirts, and youth items are available, and members receive discounts on most items. Visit http://www.unialum.org/merchandise.shtml to order.

3.  Upcoming Alumni Events
The Alumni Association is sponsoring several upcoming alumni events. You won't want to miss out on these great opportunities to meet other alumni and reconnect with UNI! 

November 18 – Celebrate the Purple in Your Life – Dubuque, IA

December 4 – UNI vs. Loyola pre-game event – Chicago, IL

December 9 – Mason City Alumni Event

December 10 – Nominations due for Heritage Honours Awards

December 11 – UNI vs. UMKC pre-game event – Kansas City, MO

December 12 – Chicago Annual Alumni Holiday Brunch

January 7 – Regents Universities Job Fair – Des Moines, IA

January 18 – UNI vs. SMS pre-game event – Springfield, MO

January 29 – UNI vs. Drake pre-game event – Des Moines, IA

February 9 – UNI vs. Creighton pre-game event – Omaha, NE

For more information on these events or to register online, visit http://www.unialum.org/events.shtml. We hope to see you soon!

4.  Admissions Launches New Personalized Web Site

UNI’s Office of Admissions recently launched a new online tool to help prospective students learn more about the University and assist in the college decision-making process. Called PAWS, the Web site provides interactive communication between the student’s personal interests and what UNI has to offer. The site features four main areas of information – academics, student organizations, financial aid, and residence life. Profiles on students, faculty, and alumni provide a personalized view of UNI. Site visitors also have the ability to save the site with their personal preferences and areas of interest. To view the site, visit http://www.uni.edu/paws.

5.  Upcoming Job Fairs offer Opportunities for Students and Alumni

The 9th Annual Regents Universities Iowa Job Fair will take place at the Polk County Convention Complex in Des Moines on Friday, January 7. The fair is sponsored by the Alumni Associations of Iowa, Iowa State, and UNI. The fair is open to all students and alumni looking for internships and full time employment. For more information about the fair, or to find out how your business can participate, visit http://www.regentsjobfair.org or call 888-UNI ALUM.

The annual UNI Job & Internship Fair will take place in Maucker Union in Cedar Falls on Wednesday, March 2. This event is sponsored by UNI Advising & Career Services and is open to all students and alumni. More than 70 organizations will be on hand to discuss open positions and internship possibilities. For more information about the fair, or to find out how your business or organization can participate, visit http://www.uni.edu/acs and click on Fairs, or call 319-273-6857.

6.  “America’s Lost Landscape” Documentary Premieres in Des Moines

Alumni and friends in the Des Moines area are invited to attend a showing of “America’s Lost Landscape: The Tallgrass Prairie” on Monday, December 6 at 7:00 p.m. at the Iowa Public Television Maytag Auditorium. The feature-length documentary is directed by Daryl Smith, professor and director of UNI’s Native Roadside Vegetation Center. It is narrated by Annabeth Gish, critically-acclaimed film and television actress. Featuring breathtaking cinematography, original music and moving narrative, the film covers one of the world’s great ecosystems and its transformation from natural landscape to farmland. There is no charge to attend, but seating is limited. To make a reservation, call the UNI Foundation at 800-782-9522. For more information on the event and the film, visit http://www.uni.edu/~lostland.

7.  McLeod Center Construction Begins

During Homecoming weekend, hundreds of alumni and friends gathered south of the UNI-Dome for the McLeod Center groundbreaking ceremony. The Board of Regents approved the construction plan at their November meeting, and construction is underway. Fundraising efforts, including the Wall of Champions campaign, continue in order to add essential features to the facility. The Wall of Champions provides a way for alumni and friends to become a permanent part of this exciting facility. Donors of $1,000-$4,999 will have an inscription of their choosing displayed on a wall tile, and donors of $5,000 and above will be featured on an additional donor recognition wall. For more information on the McLeod Center fundraising efforts, or to view the video of the groundbreaking ceremony, visit http://www.uni-foundation.org.

8. UNI’s Legislative Agenda for 2005
The 2005 legislative session is scheduled to begin January 10th. The Regents universities are working together to carry their message to the state legislature. The Board of Regents (BOR) is requesting support for two main initiatives during this session. They are asking for $40 million to support the Partnership for Transformation and Excellence. This Partnership would allow for stable, moderate tuition for Iowans and would allow the universities to adequately fund educational programs and services. The BOR is also requesting $15 million for deferred maintenance at the Regents universities. These funds would correct fire system deficiencies and fund repair items that have not been addressed due to past budget cuts. For more information on the upcoming legislative session or to join UNI’s grassroots legislative organization, UNITE, call Stacey Christensen at 319-273-3170, or send an e-mail to stacey.christensen@uni.edu.

* University Resources *

UNI Alumni Association – http://www.unialum.org

UNI Merchandise – http://www.unialum.org/merchandise.shtml

Update Your Contact Information – http://www.unialum.org/update.shtml

Alumni & Friends Network – http://www.unialum.org/network.shtml

UNI Homepage – http://www.uni.edu

Athletics – http://www.unipanthers.com

UNITE – http://www.uni.edu/govrel/unite/

UNI Foundation – http://www.uni-foundation.org

Campus Arts, Events, and Exhibits - http://www.uni.edu/resources/arts/arts.shtml

University Calendar - http://access.uni.edu/acal/

Archived issues of UNI News - http://www.unialum.org/proserv/archive.shtml