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“Let’s meet at Bergs” was a common greeting across campus for seven decades.

On College Hill since 1923, Berg College Drug was a favorite spot for a Coke date. Even though the soda fountain was removed in the early 1960s, Berg’s was still a gathering place for lively discussions. Robert Berg owned the College Hill landmark until his retirement in 1993.

Students and faculty stopped at Berg’s for a soda and daily conversation, which ranged from Bob’s love of UNI’s jazz program to campus politics. Whatever the conversation’s focus, Bob always ended with “We are so fortunate to live in Cedar Falls and to be able to enjoy all the university has to offer the community.”

Bob and his wife, Shirley, BA ’50, also played a major role in ensuring there was plenty for others to enjoy. Hugh Pettersen, owner of Henry W. Myrtle on the Hill said, “Bob was a good fellow willing to contribute to whatever would benefit the Hill. He had a passion for jazz and was especially supportive of the College Hill Arts Festival.”

While Bob managed the store and found opportunities to improve life on the Hill, Shirley volunteered. Shirley’s generosity benefited organizations such as Goodwill Industries, Sartori Memorial Hospital Auxiliary, Black Hawk Pharmacists Auxiliary, Cedar Falls Chamber of Commerce, UNI Alumni Association, Waterloo/Cedar Falls Symphony Guild and Rosewood Estates. She was also the American Cancer Society executive director for 35 years.

Bob died in October 2006 and Shirley died in February 2007, but their impact, both to UNI and the Cedar Valley, will not be forgotten. Now students who never knew them will be their beneficiaries through a bequest of $373,000 to the University Vision Fund.

UNI Foundation President Bill Calhoun, said, “Robert and Shirley Berg were purple through and through. Our students are fortunate to be the recipients of their generosity.”

UNI music students benefit from $360,000 gift

A $360,000 gift from the estate of Susan A. Akerman, BA ’64, will provide scholarships to students in UNI’s School of Music. The Susan A. Akerman Endowment Fund was established through the UNI Foundation.

Akerman, who had lived in Littleton, Colo., died in 2005. In making her estate plans, Akerman said she had fond memories of her days at UNI. The scholarships she received as a student helped her succeed in college and she wanted other students to have the same opportunities.

“Star scholarships, which have been created in Sue’s memory, will be offered to the most talented students pursuing their dreams to be music educators,” said John Vallentine, director of UNI’s School of Music.

Through the Akerman gift, UNI will provide annual scholarships, renewable for four years, to outstanding student musicians. “These scholarships will provide important support to students, who will join the ranks of experienced teachers. Because UNI has the largest number of graduates teaching music in the state of Iowa, the Akerman scholarships will continue to benefit Iowa’s schools. The award is a wonderful and lasting tribute to Sue Akerman’s legacy,” Valentine said.

Carver Grants Support Math and Science Programs

The Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust awarded two grants to the University of Northern Iowa to support science and math teaching programs.

The UNI Physics and Science Education Professional Development and Outreach Instructional Technology Integration program received $215,083 to create an equipment loan program for physics education in secondary science education classrooms.

The funds will provide resources for the 16 Iowa secondary science teachers participating in the 2006-08 UNI Physics Resources and Instruction for Secondary Science Teachers (PRISST) program. These teachers will receive training to teach physics and will have access to mobile labs, computers, projectors, digital camcorders and other scientific equipment and software. These funds will also create and support model physics and science classrooms at UNI and Price Laboratory School with the latest innovative and interactive instructional technology resources.

A second grant of $120,704 was awarded for mathematics teachers training. Over the next two years, the project will prepare high school mathematics teachers to implement Iowa’s new standards-based mathematics curriculum. The first year is devoted to preparing a professional development DVD and designing training workshops. The second year will be spent conducting workshops at area education agencies to prepare teacher trainers who will work with high school mathematics teachers in their districts.

“As an historic leader in education, the University of Northern Iowa sees the shortage of math and science teachers as a critical issue for the state,” said UNI President Ben Allen “With the cooperation of the Carver Trust, we hope to address that need and enhance student performance in math and science.”