Some hopeful news arrived last week as hospitals across the country began administering the first COVID-19 vaccine approved in the U.S. The Food and Drug Administration is expected to clear another vaccine for emergency use this week. Initial supplies of both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines are limited and are only available to health care workers, but last week was widely viewed as an important step in ending a global pandemic.
As Iowa businesses grappled with the challenges of COVID-19 lockdowns and social distancing restrictions, the University of Northern Iowa Business and Community Services were there to quickly adapt its programming to provide vital business assistance in all 99 counties for the 21st consecutive year.
The holidays may look a little different this year, but there are still plenty of ways to spread both holiday cheer and Panther pride this season. From essentials for incoming students, to exciting on-campus experiences, to souvenirs for proud alumni and parents, here are a few fun gift ideas for all the Panthers on your list.
While COVID-19 made for a challenging end to their college careers, our graduating seniors continued to impress with their academic brilliance, strong relationships with faculty and other students, and wide variety of out-of-class experiences to create a strong foundation for their future. These are but a few of our promising Class of Fall 2020 graduates:
UNI NEWS SERVICES – Two spaces within the University of Northern Iowa’s Van G. Miller Family Charitable Foundation Meeting Room will be named in recognition of donors who have greatly impacted UNI Athletics. The TrueNorth Companies Offensive Meeting Room and the Donna and Eldred Harman Defensive Meeting Room will complete the football team meeting room suite.
Construction of the suite is set to begin this winter and be completed in the fall of 2021.
UNI NEWS SERVICES– The University of Northern Iowa Center for Violence Prevention (CVP) and the Iowa High School Athletic Association (IHSAA) have partnered together to provide and support racial justice and gender-based violence prevention programming to Iowa school districts and athletic departments.
UNI NEWS SERVICES — The University of Northern Iowa Online and Distance Education is offering informational webinars for teachers interested in learning more about UNI’s Science Education Master of Arts (MA) degree and prospective students interested in completing their four-year degree entirely online.
UNI NEWS SERVICES – The renovation of the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center has received a $200,000 gift from Cecelia and Jim Mudd, Sr. The gift from the Mudds will support the estimated $14.5 million renovation of the 20-year old facility.
“I never went there without having a wonderful time and enjoying myself immensely, along with Ceceilia. We went there often, and we enjoyed every single minute,” said Jim Mudd, Sr., chairman of Mudd Advertising and chief spiritual advisor for the company.
UNI NEWS SERVICES – The University of Northern Iowa Foundation recorded its highest fundraising total in history, raising over $38.9 million last year.
“In a year unlike any other, UNI alumni and friends came together to support the University of Northern Iowa in record-breaking fashion,” said Jim Jermier, vice president for University Advancement and president of the UNI Foundation. “We are extremely grateful for the support and passion our alumni and friends have for the University of Northern Iowa and our students.”