BEN JACOBSON
stays a Panther >>page 3
NorthernIowan
2011 The University of Northern Iowa’s student-produced newspaper since 1892
June 10, 2011
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Volume 107, Issue 55
FRIDAY
Cedar Falls, Iowa
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Celebrating the Class of
ADAM PINCKNEY/Northern Iowan
Approximately 1,700 students took part in the spring 2011 commencement ceremony May 7 in the UNI-Dome.
By KARI BRAUMANN Editorial Staff
The UNI-Dome buzzed with the whispers of thousands of attendees as the University of Northern Iowa held its spring 2011 commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 7. Seats on either side of the Dome floor were packed with relatives, friends and onlookers. Originally, UNI was to have three smaller commencement ceremonies this spring. Instead, approximately 1,700 students graduated in a single ceremony so all would have the chance
to hear this year’s commencement speaker, First Lady Michelle Obama. After a welcome from UNI President Ben Allen and David Miles, president of the Iowa Board of Regents, Executive Vice President and Provost Gloria Gibson announced the presentation of the Lux Service Awards. “Each year, the Dean of Students, sponsored by the UNI Alumni Association, presents the Lux Service Award to those undergraduate students who have made a significant difference at the university and who leave a lasting legacy,” Gibson
explained. Each of the three recipients – Darion Watson, an organizational communication major; Jake Rudy, a political science and sociology major; and Adam Haselhun, a political science and political communication major – seemed overcome as President Allen and the first lady presented their awards. Next came the student address, which was delivered by Katie Berge, a double major in biology and the study of religion. Berge reminisced about her grandfather, who always told her, “Remember who
you are.” She highlighted some of her fond memories at UNI, including the fact that “no matter what time of day it is, there is always, always, always somebody vacuuming in the Union.” Berge also urged her fellow graduates to take part in community and government activities wherever they went throughout life. “Remember that you have a say. Remember that you are all Iowans, native or adopted,” she said. Mentioning the nation’s economic problems and other issues facing the United States, Berge assert-
ed that the solutions to these problems “should not and cannot continue to come at the expense of education.” She expressed a hope that this year’s graduates would not forget the effect budget cuts may have had on their education. “As we graduate, if there is one issue that is dear to us and worth our efforts, it is surely the protection of education,” Berge said, drawing applause from the audience. She concluded her speech by encouraging the graduates to always remember their status as Iowans and UNI See COMMENCEMENT, page 4
The University of Northern Iowa’s student-produced newspaper since 1892
Features
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Honoring traditions and Traditions Keepers By BLAKE FINDLEY Staff Writer
In order to recognize students who have recently completed the University of Northern Iowa’s Traditions Challenge, Connecting Alumni to Students (CATS) held a ceremony in the Commons Ballroom on Tuesday, May 3. The occasion included a keynote speech by UNI President Ben Allen. Maggie Miller, a member of CATS’ Traditions Committee, explained that students could earn a pin for completing 25 traditions or a medallion for completing 45. Both the pins and the medallions can be worn at graduation. They would also earn the title of Traditions
Keeper. “There are around 50 possible traditions for students to compete,” continued Miller, a sophomore general studies major. “However, the Traditions Committee is still in the process of revising the book, so there may be some changes for next year.” Erika Durham, a senior leisure, youth and human services major, commented on the benefits of participating in this challenge. “Since (the Traditions Challenge) came about my junior year, I got to look back through my pictures and take a walk down memory lane, cherishing those memories,” said Durham. “The Challenge also gets you to do things you would
not ordinarily do.” “We can now encourage our younger friends to do (the Traditions Challenge),” commented Molly Ledvina, a senior leisure, youth and human services major. “We can make sure they get every experience possible at UNI and not regret anything.” Nicole Combs, CATS’ vice president of traditions, believes the Traditions Challenge is important to the UNI campus because it helps combat the idea of UNI being a suitcase college. She thinks some of those traditions will increase student awareness of various activities across campus, which may encourage them to stay for the weekend rather than go home. In welcoming the recipi-
ents to the ceremony, Hansen commented on the exponential growth in the number of Traditions Keepers from the previous year. “I have big hopes for this. We may need to hold this ceremony in the UNI-Dome next year,” joked Hansen. President Allen, in his speech, also expressed his congratulations and thanks to everyone completing the Traditions Challenge. “The Traditions Challenge is like your personalized ‘Old Gold’ yearbooks. You can take them home and be very proud to show your future children and grandchildren,” commented Allen. “You will remember most the experiences you have across campus.”
Ledvina felt her experience at UNI was enriched by taking on the Traditions Challenge, and agreed with Allen about passing down the resulting memories. “Participating in this challenge has provided me with the opportunities to participate in many activities I would not have necessarily chosen to do,” said Ledvina. “Also, I was able to meet many new, great people, which is one of my favorite things about this. And as President Allen commented, I have a great many entertaining stories to tell my future kids. The Traditions Challenge was so worth it.”
Panther Portraits
ADAM PINCKNEY/Northern Iowan
Graduating students look on as the First Lady Michelle Obama gives her commencement speech. Obama spoke about family, service and having an openness toward new opportunities.
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BRAD EILERS
Editorial Staff
L011 Maucker Union Cedar Falls, IA 50614 www.northern-iowan.org Friday, June 10th, 2011 Volume 107, Issue 55
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NORTHERN IOWAN
ADAM PINCKNEY/Northern Iowan
First Lady Michelle Obama addressed the class of 2011 during the spring commencement ceremony May 7.
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Editorial Assistants at the Northern Iowan are a team of volunteers who assist the Copy Editor in reviewing content.
The Northern Iowan is published semiweekly on Tuesday and Friday during the academic year; weekly on Friday during the summer session, except for holidays and examination periods, by the University of Northern Iowa, L011 Maucker Union, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0166 under the auspices of the Board of Student Publications. Advertising errors that are the fault of the Northern Iowan will be corrected at no cost to the advertiser only if the Northern Iowan office is notified within seven days of the original publication. Publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertisement at any time. The Northern Iowan is funded in part with student activity fees. A copy of the Northern Iowan grievance procedure is available at the Northern Iowan office, located at L011 Maucker Union. All material is copyright © 2010 by the Northern Iowan and may not be used without permission.
Sports
The University of Northern Iowa’s student-produced newspaper since 1892
Friday, June 10, 2011
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Volume 107, Issue 55
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Sports Editor
Two months ago Ben Jacobson announced he would remain as the University of Northern Iowa’s head men’s basketball coach after rumors swirled that he was a candidate for the University of Missouri head coaching vacancy. “I like the group of guys we’ve got coming back, and the guys we have coming in,” Jacobson said in April, looking ahead to next year’s Panther basketball team. “We’ve had success,” Jacobson added at the time. “That’s the reason why some people have become interested in me or in our program.” Three weeks ago, on May 15, Jacobson was in a similar situation, only this time he turned down Texas A&M University and an opportunity to coach what he called a “top-20 basketball team in the country.”
Age: 40 Hometown: Mayville, N.D. Head Coaching Experience: 5 years Overall Record: 109-56 MVC Record: 57-33 MVC Regular Season Championships: 2 MVC Tournament Championships: 2 Record against in-state rivals: 11-10 NCAA Tournament Appearances: 2 NCAA Tournament Record: 2-2 Annual Salary: $450,000
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Jacobson meets with Texas A&M, chooses to stay at UNI By BRAD EILERS
About Ben Jacobson
Cedar Falls, Iowa
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I don’t know what (Texas A&M’s) plans were, if they were going to offer me the job or not or if they had already offered it to Billy Kennedy … I don’t know that part of it, but I felt great when I called them and said, ‘I appreciate it but I’m staying at Northern Iowa.” Ben Jacobson UNI head basketball coach
Jacobson became a coveted coaching candidate after leading UNI to back-to-back Missouri Valley Conference championships in 2010 and 2011, as well as a trip to the Sweet 16 in the 2010 NCAA Tournament. Jacobson has compiled a 109-56 record in his five years at the helm of Panther men’s basketball. Texas A&M introduced Murray State’s Billy Kennedy as its head coach on May 16.
The 47-year-old Kennedy briefly served as an Aggies assistant in the early 1990s and went 10753 as the head coach at Murray State. Kennedy is expected to make at least $1 million annually in College Station, roughly twice Jacobson’s current salary in Cedar Falls. Although Jacobson withdrew his name from consideration for the Aggies head coaching position, it wasn’t until after he met with Texas A&M officials in his home state of North Dakota on the night of May 14 that he did so. Jacobson and UNI athletic director Troy Dannen were unavailable for contact; however, Jacobson did sit down for a one-on-one radio interview with UNI’s play-by-play announcer Gary Rima on May 17 to answer some questions pertaining to Jacobson and the Texas A&M coaching search. “I did what I felt was best in this situation for (my wife) Dawn and the boys and our family going forward,” said Jacobson. “Texas A&M contacted us and asked if we’d be interested in the job that they had open. That was on Wednesday (May 11) or Thursday (May 12) and we said, ‘Let us know how the next couple days go.’ “Friday afternoon (May 13) and Saturday morning (May 14) they said they would like to sit down and talk with me about their job opening and I told them I would be willing to listen. We met on Saturday night and on Sunday they were going to make a decision. “I don’t know what (Texas A&M’s) plans were, if they were going to offer me the job or not or if they had already offered it to Billy Kennedy … I don’t know that part of it, but I felt great when I called them and said, ‘I appreciate it but I’m staying at Northern Iowa.” The meeting with Texas A&M gave Jacobson an “opportunity to think about a lot of things” but by the next morning he knew he wanted to stay at UNI.
“It’s been a great place for Dawn and I and the boys, and we know it’s going to continue to be that way because of the great support that we’ve got as well as the guys we’ve got on our team and the guys we’ve got coming in.” Jacobson was also asked about how this may impact future recruiting.
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This is a terrific job (at UNI). In addition to that, it’s a great fit because we’re able to recruit young guys with a lot of character who come from great families. The people on campus and the people in the community really appreciate how hard the guys work.” Ben Jacobson UNI head basketball coach
“We’ve had a number of (Bowl Championship Series schools) that have reached out to us (over the past two and a-half years) … and I’m still here and I plan on staying here. “I think that would tell recruits and their families that ‘hey, this guy has had a number of opportunities and a number of BCS schools contact him and he told every one of them he doesn’t even want to talk with them, he’s met with one of them and at the end of the day he told them he wanted to stay at Northern Iowa.” “This is a terrific job (at UNI),” said Jacobson. “In addition to that, it’s a great fit because we’re able to recruit young guys with a lot of character who come from great families. The people on campus and the people in the community really appreciate how hard the guys work. “Like I said, this is a terrific job … we’re going to work hard to keep this at the highest level we can and we’re going to do it together.”
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COMMENCEMENT continued from page 1
graduates. Following Berge’s address, President Allen introduced the first lady. “At the University of Northern Iowa, we take pride in being leaders in education and service to our state and nation and are honored that you, a leader in many of these same causes, would come and share your thoughts with us today,” Allen told her. Obama began by promising those in attendance an Interlude Dance break if her address went on too long, joking that she had been practicing “that ninja robot part.” She recalled her family’s time spent in Iowa on the Election 2008 campaign trail and her experiences meeting and talking with Iowans. “ ... The more that I shared my story with all of you and you shared your stories with me, the more I realized that what truly connects us is our shared values. In the end, there is so much more that unites us than divides us,” Obama commented. Obama highlighted four of these values as she addressed the graduates: the power of family, the value of service to others, following one’s passion and openness
to new people and experiences. The first, family, is a value that Obama said “is in many ways the most important” but “also the most often taken for granted.” “Nothing will sustain you like family,” she affirmed. “ ... These are the folks who made you who you are. These are the folks who will stand by you no matter what life throws your way.” In discussing the second value, service, Obama told the students that “many of you could give this part of my speech yourselves because you’ve been living this value every day of your lives.” She touched on examples of service UNI students have performed and the importance of honoring military service members and their families. The first lady noted that the process of discovering one’s passion in life doesn’t end with opportunities at UNI and shared her own experiences, encouraging the graduates “to find that career, that calling, that makes you feel alive.” Finally, Obama asked the students to maintain a sense of openness and curiosity about new experiences and those who are different. She discussed the “kaleidoscope of talents, passions and experiences” represented by
UNI students, mentioning several 2011 graduates and distinguished alumni. “I would urge you to be curious abut those who have experiences different from yours. Learn from them. Let their ideas challenge your own assumptions and perspectives. But at the end of the day, don’t ever lose sight of what makes you unique,” Obama said. Before the awarding of degrees, members of the Class of 1961 in attendance were recognized as new inductees to the Alumni Association’s Golden Graduate Society. This year’s 50-year class is unique in that it was the last to graduate from this institution under its previous name of Iowa State Teachers College. The school became known as the State College of Iowa in summer 1961 before becoming the University of Northern Iowa in 1967. After all the students’ names had been read, President Allen congratulated the newly minted UNI graduates and exhorted them to carry the “spirit and tradition of academic excellence and pride in purple in gold” throughout their lives. He closed his final remarks by echoing the first lady’s words and thanking the family and friends of the graduates in attendance.
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ADAM PINCKNEY/Northern Iowan
Graduating senior Katie Berge was the student speaker who addressed the class of 2011.
“In a very real sense, much of the honor of this commencement belongs to you: the parents, spouses, partners, relatives and friends of the graduates,” Allen said, asking the aforementioned to stand so they could be recognized. Leanne Hotek, a political science and philosophy double major and Purple and Old Gold award recipient, said after the ceremony that she is proud to be a UNI graduate. “It feels wonderful – kind of surreal,” she said. Hotek commented that she enjoyed Obama’s address. “The one thing I’ll remember most (about today) is the first lady’s speech. I think that she’s just so well-poised and such a respected person in the United States and I personally now really look up to her. I did before, but now especially after hearing her talk today,” Hotek explained. “It feels pretty good” to be a UNI alumnus, said Geoff Bueker, an economics major. “Just sitting in there, it just kind of hits you, how many good people are here,” Bueker said, “so it’s nice to be a part of that, in the same distinction with them.” Bueker also enjoyed the first lady’s speech and thought the ceremony went smoothly, especially the
Classifieds
reading of hundreds of names. “They were really good. Those readers had a tough job; I’m not gonna lie. ... If I was doing it, it would have been really rough. I would have butchered a lot of names,” he laughed. Maria Guevara, a psychology major, said she will always remember “the happiness in the air” at the ceremony. Though she has graduated, Guevara’s plans aren’t set in stone yet. “(I’ll) work a little bit, figure out what I want to do and then go to grad school,” she said. Bueker said he will begin searching for a job now that his academic career is over, but “it’ll be nice just to relax for a little bit with no worries over your head of things to get done or projects that have to be due.” Hotek, whose future plans include finding an internship and attending graduate school, is ready to apply what she’s learned. “I guess I’d have to say the thing I’m most looking forward to is using my education and experience I’ve received here at UNI and also in my past 22 years of life and putting it to work toward wherever my career or life may take me,” Hotek said.
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FOR SALE / FOR RENT 3BR house 616 18th St. Cedar Falls. 2 bath, 2 living rooms, W/D, cable, internet. No pets. Call 319-415-5812
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