UNI President Mark Nook apologized to students in a letter today for the university's handling of the Waka Flocka Flame concert.

"University leadership was not as transparent and open with students as we should have been about the decision we made to limit ticket sales and change the venue for this weekend’s Waka Flocka Flame concert."

Read the full statement here: president.uni.edu/

UNI Biology students have a new tool to enhance their studies!

Thanks to a $300,000 grant from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust, UNI was able to purchase a micro-CT scanner, a 3D printer and computer work stations to operate the equipment. Now students can digitally dissect countless organisms, revealing the inner-workings of anatomy in precise detail, which can then be reproduced in 3D for further examination.

Read more: https://uni.edu/resources/features/micro-scans-big-opportunities?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=desktop&utm_campaign=uni-feature

Nominate a student leader today!

Students are getting a head start in a career in the nonprofit sector at UNI.

This January, UNI’s Nonprofit Leadership Alliance (NLA) chapter brought home two awards from the Alliance Management Institute’s national conference in Florida, including honors for “Campus Program Excellence for Outstanding Student Association Fundraising” and first place in “Best Practices in a Nonprofit Leadership Alliance Student Association.”

Read more: https://newsroom.uni.edu/unis-nonprofit-leadership-alliance-wins-big-at-national-conference

UNI Alert. UNI will be closed starting at 5 p.m., today, Monday, Feb. 11, and will remain closed until 11 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 12. Faculty may communicate with students on plans for alternative learning activities and/or make-up coursework. During this time, only essential personnel should report to campus. For more information about canceled or postponed events, see uni.edu.

UNI Up Close today was a success! Hundreds of admitted UNI students got the chance to talk with faculty and staff about their major, meet students groups, visit residence halls and learn about their financial aid.

If you missed out, don't worry! There's another UNI Up Close scheduled on Feb. 15. Click the link below to register today!

https://admissions.uni.edu/event/upclose?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=desktop&utm_campaign=uni-feature

Our Admissions staff showed some UNI love to local high school counselors 💜💛 Thank you for all you do to support students on their college journey! #DiscoverUNI #PurpleForLife

Growing up, Meka Mosley never thought of college as an option. But with the help of her high school advisor and a scholarship, she decided to attend UNI. Now, she's thriving as a student and leader on campus.

Read more about her journey here: https://uni.edu/resources/features/%E2%80%98making-it%E2%80%99-first-generation-college-student?utm_source=homepage&utm_medium=desktop&utm_campaign=uni-feature

In case you needed visual proof that this week was, in fact, bitterly, historically cold, check out this photo that assistant professor James Dietrich, director of the Iowa Low-Altitude Remote Sensing Lab, snapped with his drone Tuesday morning.

Dietrich braved the cold to capture this image of a sun dog, an atmospheric phenomenon where sunlight is refracted by ice crystals in the atmosphere.

Stay warm everyone!

Due to the extreme cold weather and closing of campus, the Panther Shuttle has suspended rides starting at 12:30 p.m. Services will resume at 11 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31.

UNI Alert UPDATE: Due to a change in the weather forecast, the UNI campus will close at noon on Tuesday, Jan. 29, and will remain closed through noon on Thursday, Jan. 31. During this time period, only essential personnel should report. Courses taught by eLearning will proceed as scheduled. For more information about canceled or postponed events, see https://uni.edu.

UNI Alert: There will be no classes on campus beginning 5 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 29 through noon, Thursday, Jan. 31. Wednesday, Jan. 30 will be reduced operations; only essential personnel should report. Courses taught by eLearning will proceed as scheduled. For more information about canceled or postponed events, see uni.edu.

It's a story about fighting back from failure, about learning from your mistakes and finding your true passion.

Recent UNI graduate Austin Knapp flunked out of college twice before finding his calling at UNI's Metal Casting Center. Now, he's working a full-time job in the field that he loves. Never give up.

Read more below.

https://uni.edu/resources/features/metal-casting-sparks-success-former-college-drop-out

Attention Panther fans!

Make sure to tune in to America's Got Talent: The Champions to watch UNI alum and Waverly native John Hagen (pictured on the right) perform with his acclaimed group, The Texas Tenors.

The show will air at 7 p.m. on NBC on Monday, January 28. Don't miss this chance to see a fellow Panther compete on one of the country's biggest stages!

The Texas Tenors reached the finals on America's Got Talent in 2009. Let's hope they can do it again!

Our own Center for Urban Education (UNI-CUE) will be honored with a Heritage Legacy Award for outstanding organization Friday to recognize its commitment and impact to the African-American community.

Read more at the link below!

https://newsroom.uni.edu/uni-cue-honored-with-heritage-legacy-award-for-outstanding-organization

Have you seen Gallagher Bluedorn's #KinkyBoots video? We especially love the first scene!

It was an emotional day when UNI awarded incoming freshman Anna Hoins, of Waverly-Shell Rock High School, with the 2019 Sally Gearheart Strottman Memorial Scholarship in Elementary Education.

Hoins was overcome with joy and surprise when Gaëtane Jean-Marie, the dean of UNI's College of Education, announced she had won the $10,000 annual scholarship.

The scholarship is awarded to elementary education majors with high academic marks and track records in extracurricular activities.

"Anna was a clear stand out through the interview process and the committee decision was unanimous," said Colleen S. Mulholland, associate dean of undergraduate studies and student support services. "She has a 'with-it-ness' about her and has a command on what she wants; she also exudes enthusiasm of her chosen career to pursue: Elementary Education. She is heavily committed to her community through her volunteer efforts."

Congratulations Anna! Welcome to UNI!

Today, we honor and celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. #MLKDay

It is our responsibility to continue Dr. King's work and honor the legacies of those who have sacrificed so much to create a better world for future generations.

UNI might be best known for its nationally renowned business and education programs, but our chemistry department is pretty great, too.

Our student chapter of the American Chemical Society was just awarded the highest level of distinction the society offers. Read more at the link below.

https://newsroom.uni.edu/unis-american-chemical-society-recognized-as-outstanding-by-national-organization

On Monday, Jan. 21, we will celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through community service. UNI's Service and Leadership Council will host their annual MLK Day of Service Project. Volunteers are still needed to help prepare 15,000 meals for Northeast Iowa Food Bank's BackPack Program.

This program helps children who experience hunger by providing them a backpack filled with healthy food items. Please consider signing up for this service project to benefit children and families in our community.

Sign up here: http://ow.ly/31ZH30nm1EF