3-4-2021

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THURSDAY, APRIL 5

THURSDAY, MARCH 4

VOLUME 114, ISSUE 42

VOLUME 117, ISSUE 38

LECTURE

COMEDY NIGHT

WOMEN’S BBALL

NEWS PAGE 2

CAMPUS LIFE PAGE 4

SPORTS PAGE 6

The latest Aldo Leopold lecture discusses environmental and climate justice.

GBPAC to host an in-person audience for comedians Orlando Leyba and Tammy Pescatelli.

The UNI Panthers defeat Evansville Aces on senior day.

Spring commencement moves in-person CAROLINE CHRISTENSEN Staff Writer

In an announcement that brought relief to many in the graduating class, UNI has reversed its decision to hold an all-virtual spring commencement. On Monday, March 1, the university announced that it will now be hosting a limited in-person commencement ceremony May 7 and 8 in the UNI-Dome. UNI public relations manager Steve Schmadeke said that the lowering COVID-19 case numbers in the state and region were one factor that led the university to reconsider an in-person commencement. However, there is still a chance current commencement plans could change due to the nature of the pandemic and changing guidelines. Senior digital communications major Mili Saliu, creator of the petition that received over 2,000 signatures urging

TONI FORTMANN/Northern Iowan

The UNI-Dome is set to be the location of three separate in-person commencement ceremonies this spring.

the university to reconsider an in-person ceremony, was excited to hear the university was reversing its initial decision. “I was so flabbergasted,” Saliu said. “When I got the email saying commencement was going to be held in the

Dome and in three separate ceremonies, as I said in my letter, I was just shocked. I was like, ‘wow; I can’t believe they are actually going to hold it.’” The announcement sent out by the university outlined how the ceremony would be

Athlete award for scoring the most points. Cooper finished second in the 60-meter dash, while winning the 200-meter dash as well as anchoring the championship 4x400 relay team. The other members of this team were Connor Blough, Sven Van Den Bergh and Seb Gearhart. Graduate student Darius King also received a specialty award, receiving the Most Valuable Field Athlete award for having the highest NCAA ranking in a field event. King was the champion in the shot put, throwing 64 feet, 10.5 inches, good for ninth in the NCAA. King also finished third in the weight throw, an event that was won by UNI’s Kyler Yodts. Parker Kiewiet received the Freshman of the Year award for most points scored by a freshman. Kiewiet finished second in the long jump, jumping 24 feet, 0.25 inches, and he also finished

fourth in the heptathlon. Also in the heptathlon, UNI sophomore Thai Thompson finished in second place. UNI head coach Dave Paulsen was also recognized, receiving the Coach of the Year award. In other all-conference finishes for the men, freshman Brendan Safley took home first place in the pole vault, vaulting 15 feet, 9.25 inches. Senior Eli Hicks finished third in the 200-meter dash, running a time of 21.89 seconds. Sophomore Jack Sumners was third in the 60-meter hurdles, finishing in 8.00 seconds. Van Den Bergh, who also ran on the victorious 4x400 relay, took third in the 400-meter dash in 49.08 seconds, and Yodts, who was victorious in the weight throw, also took third in the shot put at 57 feet, 0.75 inches.

conducted in accordance with COVID-19 safety restrictions. Three separate ceremonies are to be held for the respective bachelor’s and master’s candidates, organized by college. The ceremonies will be held in the UNI-Dome, and

a virtual commencement will also take place that weekend. Graduates can choose to participate in both in-person and virtual ceremonies. The modified ceremony will announce the names of the graduates as they cross the stage. Professional photography will be available, and social distancing and masks will be required for all in attendance. “These modified commencement events are being designed to safely celebrate the accomplishments of our graduates and protect the health of our campus community,” the university’s statement read. “It’s important to note that while we are excited to recognize our graduates and honor their hard work, we will continue to monitor public health information and guidelines to ensure this event can occur safely.”

Panther men win second conference title, women finish 3rd DAVID WARRINGTON

Sports Writer

From Friday, Feb. 26 through Sunday, Feb. 28, the UNI-Dome was host to the 2021 Missouri Valley Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship meet. The Panthers managed to find a lot of success throughout the weekend. In the team standings, the men came out on top, scoring 167.5 points to win their second consecutive and 14th overall conference championship, while the women finished with 107 points, which was enough to secure third place. Individually, a total of 21 Panthers received all-conference recognition for finishing within the top three in their respective events, and four Panthers received specialty awards. Senior Tayshaun Cooper was awarded the Most Valuable

See TRACK & FIELD, page 6

See COMMENCEMENT, page 2

TONI FORTMANN/Northern Iowan

Several of the UNI women finished in all-conference positions at the 2021 Missouri Valley Confeerence Indoor Track and Field Championship meet.


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