After finally breaking free from one of the worst winters on record, Iowans were met with an onslaught of wind and rain in 2008: an EF5 tornado ravaged the town of Parkersburg and surrounding countryside and communities on May 25, and  widespread flooding wiped out hundreds of homes and businesses in June.
In the wake of these natural disasters people pulled together. It would be impossible to chronicle all the individual and group efforts—from the sand baggers to the counselors, those who helped friends and family clean and people who served a stranger a bite to eat—but following is a small sample of organized efforts put forth by the UNI community.
Business and Community Services helps people look ahead
UNI’s Business and Community Services division has been working diligently to help businesses and communities affected by the natural disasters answer the question, “What do we do now?”
It is estimated that more than 1,200 small firms in northeast Iowa were affected by the tornado or subsequent flooding. Since the first week of June, the Regional Business Center (RBC) staff members have been listening to the concerns of entrepreneurs and applying the proven strategies of the MyEntreNet rural development systems to engage business owners, both in person and through the online community of more than 2,000 Iowa entrepreneurs. The two most critical needs identified by the business owners, via MyEntreNet intake teams, were for technical assistance and short-term financial relief. RBC staff has rallied other service provider partners and local leadership to expand these efforts and assist the affected business owners over the coming months.
The Institute for Decision Making (IDM) has dedicated substantial resources towards the recovery in Parkersburg and Butler County, offering community and economic development planning assistance; staff members are now poised to extend these services to other communities in northeast Iowa impacted by the flooding.
Strategic Marketing Services (SMS) and the Center for Energy and Environmental Education (CEEE) also plan to aid flood-affected communities. SMS will offer market research assistance to both companies and communities, providing them with the market intelligence needed for recovery. The CEEE has offered to work with area contractors, educating community leaders and individuals on the benefits of rebuilding in an energy efficient manner UNI and McElroy Trust bring pride to Parkersburg.
When Jill Lankford began brainstorming ideas for a summer program for youth, no one knew that one of the nation’s most powerful tornadoes in years would destroy so many homes, as well as the high school, in nearby Parkersburg.
Prior to the tornado, Jill Lankford, research coordinator for the Program for Recreation Research & Service (R2S) in UNI’s School of Health, Physical Education & Leisure Services and instructor in leisure, youth & human services (LYHS), along with Sam Lankford, UNI professor of LYHS, and two graduate students—Domino Chumrley and Erin Cebula—wrote a grant proposal for the McElroy Trust to start a rural recreation program this summer. When the tornado hit Parkersburg, Jill Lankford knew where that program would land.
“Operation Falcon Pride,” named for the Parkersburg school’s mascot, took flight in June. With funding from the McElroy Trust, R2S staff and UNI students provided clinics and activities for youth ages 6 through 12, employment for some teens in Parkersburg to assist with the camp, and the use of UNI’s Wellness Recreation Services and Outdoor Services.
“The response from UNI students has been tremendous,” Jill Lankford said, “with students who had been working as far away as the west coast coming back to help with the project.”
UNI Alumni Association replaces diplomas
The UNI Alumni Association has offered to replace diplomas for graduates who lost their diplomas in natural disasters.
“The little things can go a long way when rebuilding your home and your life,” said Mark Jastorff, director of the UNI Alumni Association. “A UNI diploma represents many things to many people, but mostly it is a statement of achievement and family. We celebrate the UNI family with every degree earned. This is one small way that we can reach out to those affected by the storms and flooding.”
Nearly 60,000 of the 100,000 UNI alumni live, work and pay taxes in Iowa. Alumni interested in obtaining a replacement diploma can make their request by stopping by the Alumni House on West 23rd Street, sending an e-mail to mark.jastorff@uni.edu, or calling 319-273-2171. A PDF version of the form can be found at www.unialum.org.
The replacement diploma will read the University of Northern Iowa regardless of the year of graduation.
Scholarship fund created for UNI students affected by disasters
This summer the UNI Foundation established a scholarship fund for UNI students impacted by disasters.
Joyce Morrow, UNI associate director of financial aid, said that those students affected by the floods and tornado would undoubtedly need assistance beyond that which state or federal aid could provide.
To contribute to the UNI Disaster Scholarship Fund, contact the UNI Foundation at 319-273-6078, 800-782-9522 or uni.foundation@uni.edu. Checks for the fund should be made out to the UNI Foundation with “Disaster Scholarship Fund” on the memo line and sent to 1223 W. 22nd St., Cedar Falls, Iowa 50614-0239. Gifts also may be made online at www.uni-foundation.org.
|
UNI awards three honorary degrees
UNI has bestowed honorary degrees, Doctorate of Humane Letters, on three distinguished alumni: Nancy Aossey, Sheri Greenawald and Robert Yager.
UNI may award honorary degrees to recognize outstanding achievements and attainments that exemplify the goals and ideals of the university.
 Nancy Aossey earned a marketing degree in 1982 and an MBA in 1984, both from UNI. Since then, she has gained national and international recognition for her success as president and CEO of International Medical Corps, a humanitarian organization that provides health care training and relief and development programs worldwide.
Aossey has forged a reputation among international policy makers, becoming increasingly influential as an adviser around the globe on issues of humanitarian assistance. Aossey has been a frequent guest at the White House where she has briefed the president, vice president, and first lady on humanitarian issues. She has testified before the U.S. Congress, served as chairman of the board of InterAction, America’s largest coalition of international relief organizations, and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Pacific Council on International Policy, and USAID’s Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid. She is a commissioner for the Women’s Commission for Refugee Women and Children and a member of the Young President’s Organization.
 Sheri Greenawald is an alumna of UNI’s School of Music. After graduating from UNI she was accepted into the Professional Studies Program at the famed Julliard School in New York. Her career as a professional singer has involved major leading operatic roles under the world’s most famous conductors. These appearances have occurred in the most prestigious international opera houses and concert halls around the globe. She is considered a star in both the opera and classical music fields, as evidenced by her invitations to perform and teach at prominent venues and institutions. Her professional singing has been met with rave reviews and resulted in invitations by leading conductors such as Seiji Ozawa, Daniel Barenboim, Zubin Mehta, and the late Leonard Bernstein.
Greenawald taught at the Boston Conservatory for several years before accepting her current position as director of the San Francisco Opera Center.
 Robert Yager earned a biology teaching degree from Iowa State Teachers College, launching decades of accomplishments in science education. He received master’s and doctoral degrees in plant physiology from The University of Iowa, where he began a paradigm-shaking reformulation of how we think about teaching and learning in science.
Recognizing the increasing necessity for scientific and technologically literate citizens, Yager helped establish the Science-Technology-Society approach to teaching science. It became synonymous with, and an early version of, inquiry teaching that pervades nearly every level of science education today.
Yager brought more than $10 million in science education reform funding to Iowa, and his outreach projects have touched nearly every district in the state. Over the course of his career, Yager served as president of seven prestigious national organizations; he has directed more than 100 National Science Foundation institutes for teachers and workshops for students. He has published more than 600 books, chapters, and research reports. After his 50-plus-year career in the science education department of The University of Iowa, Yager continues to teach, write and research in emeritus status. Yager will be honored during the fall 2008 commencement.
Princeton Review ranks UNI College of
Business Administration as one of the the best
UNI is an outstanding business school for the third consecutive year, according to The Princeton Review. The New York-based education-services company features the school in the just-published 2009 edition of its “Best 296 Business Schools” (Random House/Princeton Review, Oct. 7, 2008).
According to Robert Franek, Princeton Review vice president-publishing, “We select schools for this book based on our high regard for their academic programs and offerings, institutional data we collect from the schools, and the candid opinions of students attending them who rate and report on their campus experiences at the schools. We are pleased to recommend UNI to readers of our book and users of our Web site as one of the best institutions they could attend to earn an MBA.”
“While Princeton Review concentrates on MBA programs, being listed is considered a worthy recognition for the entire school,” said Farzad Moussavi, professor and dean of the UNI College of Business Administration. “This is definitely the case for schools like us where the primary mission is to deliver high-quality undergraduate education.”
“Best 296 Business Schools” has two-page profiles of the schools with write-ups on their academics, student life and admissions, plus ratings for their academics, selectivity and career placement services.
Gilchrist Hall is back and better than ever
After three years of renovations, Gilchrist Hall—home of the Sue Follon Student Services Center—reopened this fall, with students welcoming back the one-stop shop for student services and many UNI employees returning to permanent office space.
In October 2005, arsonists set fire to Gilchrist Hall. Due to smoke damage to the building’s ductwork and asbestos containment system, restorations were needed, and the building was vacated. After years in temporary locations, offices and departments displaced during the renovations began returning to Gilchrist Hall in July, continuing through early September.
Gilchrist Hall now houses: Academic Advising, Office of Admissions, Office of Business Operations, Career Services, Office of Compliance & Equity Management, Financial Aid Office, Human Resource Services, Office of International Programs, Study Abroad Center, Iowa Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Department of Public Safety, Office of the Registrar and the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.
Lab School has character
UNI’s Malcolm Price Laboratory School (PLS) was one of the top 25 finalists for the 2008 National Schools of Character awarded by the Character Education Partnership in Washington, D.C.
The school was named a 2008 State School of Character by Iowa’s Institute for Character Development and Iowa Department of Education, having also earned this recognition in 2007 for its character education program. The recognition is presented to schools that have developed and sustained a comprehensive character-development initiative at the school.
“Years ago, PLS students, staff and parents established our core values called ‘PLS Guidelines for Success: Respect, Learning, Responsibility, Attitude and Integrity,’” said Clare Struck, counselor at PLS and coordinator for its character education program. “We instill in our students and teachers the importance of being responsible and caring citizens.”
UNI Alumni Association presents 2008 Hertiage Honours Awards
The UNI Alumni Association recognized three alumni for their accomplishments and their service to the university with the 2008 Heritage Honours Awards.
 Nancy Powell, a 1970 graduate of UNI, currently living in Kathmandu, Nepal, received an Alumni Achievement Award, recognizing outstanding professional accomplishments. Powell, the U.S. Ambassador to Nepal is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service Class of Career Minister.
 Adrienne Hallett of Washington, D.C., a 1997 graduate, received the Young Alumni Award, recognizing graduates 40 years of age or younger who have excelled in their profession and demonstrated commitment to their community. Hallett is a member of the professional staff of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on Labor, Health & Human Services & Education.
Emeritus faculty members Carl (B.A. ‘51 and M.A. ‘59) and Wanda Wehner (B.A. ‘52 and M.A. ‘66), of Cedar Falls, received the Alumni Service Award, recognizing graduates who have shown long and continuous service to their community and the university.
Richard O. Jacobson Human Performance Center dedicated
 The Richard O. Jacobson Human Performance Center was dedicated in early May as a premier facility for the UNI athletic training program and other School of Health, Physical Education and Leisure Services (HPELS) programs. The HPC main level includes a state-of-the-art athletic training facility for intercollegiate athletics, a hydrotherapy pool, a classroom specifically designed for conducting sports evaluations and a cadaver laboratory, something no other athletic training program in Iowa has.
Offices for orthopedic physicians and physical therapists with Cedar Valley Medical Specialists are located in the HPC. UNI undergraduate students participate in field experiences with the professionals in those offices who work with patients of all ages.
The second level of the HPC houses HPELS programs that are supported by external funding through grants, gifts and donations, or contract for services agreements throughout the world.
Botanical Center celebrates 70 years, new addition
The UNI Botanical Center, formerly the Greenhouse, celebrated the opening of its new addition—and its 70th birthday—in April.
This latest round of renovations added 1,000 square feet to the facility and includes a new research classroom, a research greenhouse, new mechanicals, new benches throughout to hold the plants, and an area known as a head house, which consists of a potting space and supporting work space for students and staff.
“These renovations provide much needed new space for the staff and faculty,” said Kavita Dhanwada, associate professor of biology. “I think students will especially enjoy working and doing research in such a great environment.”
|
