


CEDAR FALLS, IA

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2026
![]()




WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2026
By InsideUNI
50 years ago this February, thousands of curious fans packed into a new one-of-a-kind venue for the first time. On February 7, 1976, the first official event inside the UNI-Dome brought the University of Northern Iowa wrestling team face-to-face with the University of Iowa.
According to the Northern Iowan, “over 10,000 people jammed both the finished and unfinished sides of the new domed stadium” and “everybody was awed by the size and grandeur of the Dome in an article titled “Under the Big Top… the greatest show on earth.”
While the opening of the new venue coincided with the university’s centennial celebration, it was envisioned as much more than a birthday building for UNI’s 100th year… and was instead viewed as an opportunity to provide UNI a renewed sense of identity and build a better community.
By spring, it hosted its first commencement ceremony - the beginning of a tradition that would go on to welcome tens of thousands of graduates across the stage to receive their degree under the fabric roof.
A grand opening was held in celebration of the UNI-Dome on
Sept. 3-5, 1976. It was a weekend filled with festivities, including a concert from Harry Chapin, a dedication ceremony, a football game and an interdenominational religious service.
The vision for the UNI-Dome was championed by then-athletics director Stan Sheriff, whose leadership helped bring the project to life. (Sheriff would later go on to create another iconic domed venue at the University of Hawaii.)
Five decades after that first whistle blew, the UNI-Dome remains one of the most recognizable symbols of the university — home to state tournaments, concerts, community gatherings, youth events and countless memories shared by students, alumni and Iowa residents across the state. Today, the venue accounts for an estimated more than $17 million in economic impact to the Cedar Valley each year.
To learn more about the vision, construction and evolution of the UNI-Dome, explore the full building history maintained by UNI Special Collections and University Archives at https://scua.library.uni. edu/uni-history/building-histories/ uni-dome-1974.

By Estelle Johnson Executive Editor
On Feb. 2, students who reside in the ROTH Apartments received an email regarding hot water in their apartments. A failure in the main hot water heater caused a lack of hot water, and the heater was restored within six hours of the failure.
A temporary set up was made — ROTH residents may have noted seeing a large propane tank outside of the building.
Pete Moris, director of University Relations, wrote in an email “there is no outage, it just takes longer to get hot water to the rooms until we can get the main hot water heater up and running.”
Moris added, “We have the necessary part on order but are still awaiting delivery.”
ROTH residents have noted that the temporary solution is not working as well as it should.
“The ongoing hot water issues in ROTH are really frustrating. We pay a lot of money to live in campus housing; we shouldn’t have to worry about if our shower will be cold or if we can do our dishes,” said junior Elliana Nelson. “We were told there was a temporary solution put in place but there has been limited improvement since it was implemented.”

By Skylar Zimmerman Staff Writer
Founded by UNI alumni, the Cedar Valley LGBTQ+ Coalition is hosting their first Variety Show event this Friday at the Oster Regent Theatre downtown from 6 to 8 p.m. The Coalition is a nonprofit organization located in the Cedar Valley.According to their mission statement:
“We connect with local organizations and resources to provide an affirming space for people who are members or allies of the LGBTQ+ community.”
They hold many different recurring events such as Queer Prom (a dance event for middle and high schoolers), Queerly Beloved (a craft night around Valentine’s Day) and Queersgiving (Thanksgiving event for anyone). They also host pop-up events including Frog and Toad’s Book Club.
Nic and Archer Trip are siblings who are part of the Executive Volunteer Board of the Coalition. They were part of some of the first meetings in 2022 and have helped build up the Coalition to be what it is today
Archer, a 2023 UNI graduate, used to work at the UNI Gender Sexuality and Services office before it was shut down, then turned to the Coalition to continue serving others.
“The vision is about cultivating safe spaces through education and collaboration of community resources,” he said.
He still currently works at UNI as well as part time at St. Timothy’s United Methodist Church as the Youth Ministry Director. He has been the head of Outreach and Advocacy for two years now within the organization. His favorite part of working in the Coalition is working with the youth in the Cedar Valley.
“It’s really eye opening to work with our youth group, as well as working in our teen (group). We worked alongside the Cedar Valley Pride Fest Teen Center and their events, and that was really, really fun to see the stuff that they do and to give them advice, and they give me advice and we work like that,” he said.
In terms of planning, Archer says that the Variety Show could be nothing without Nicole Trip, the Events Coordinator.
Nic Trip graduated from UNI in 2023 as well and is currently working as a therapist in downtown Cedar Falls at Olive Branch Counselling. She got involved as a general member of the Coalition by going to various events.
Nic’s activism journey is rooted in community building. She has always been involved in community work here in Cedar Falls, and only got more involved post-graduate.

By NI Staff
Students from the Northern Iowan student newspaper, Uprising magazine and the Digital Media production program at the University of Northern Iowa received 20 awards at the annual Iowa College Media Association awards presentation in Des Moines on Feb. 5.
“This was the largest number of ICMA awards our students have received in one year. It was a joy to see newspaper, magazine, and video students all receive several awards for their outstanding work,” said Christopher Martin, professor of Digital Media and co-adviser to The Northern Iowan.
Martin also received the John Eighmey Service Award from the ICMA, which the association’s “most distinguished honor” and “given annually to recognize an individual whose efforts have been instrumental in advancing the quality of media education in Iowa.”
The ICMA, part of the Iowa Newspaper Association, presented the awards at its annual convention in Des Moines.
The winners of UNI’s 20 ICMA awards:
Best Print/Online Profile, Third Place : Emerson Hahn, The Northern Iowan. “Mastering mindset with Doug Schwab.”
Best Written Feature Reporting , Honorable Mention: Lily Munnik, The Northern Iowan. “The Reader’s Cup turns a new page.”
Best Sports Feature Reporting , Honorable Mention: Carter Lust, The Northern Iowan. “Chase Lauman aims for the Panther record books.”

Best Headline Writing , Honorable Mention: Cohen Kamaus, The Northern Iowan.
Best Opinion, Second Place: Bailey Klinkhammer, The Northern Iowan. “What does ‘equity’ really mean?”
Best Review, First Place: Josue Villatoro, The Northern Iowan. “Superman: The savior of superhero
NORTHERN
L011 Maucker Union Cedar Falls, IA 50614 www.northerniowan.com northern-iowan@uni.edu
319.273.2157
ESTELLE JOHNSON Executive Editor johnsecr@uni.edu 319.290.4955
JENNA WESTENDORF Managing Editor westejac@uni.edu 515.776.0176
cinema”
Best Staff Editorials, Second Place: Bailey Klinkhammer, The Northern Iowan. “State legislature aims to restrict faculty, students, not empower them”
Best Print/Online News Photo: Third Place: Josue Villatoro, The Northern Iowan. “Students protest during Applied Engineering
LILY MUNNIK News Editor munnikl@uni.edu
COHEN KAMAUS Sports Editor kamausc@uni.edu
MICHAEL SPAHN Assistant Sports Editor spahnm@uni.edu
LUIS ALVAREZ Spanish Editor alvarlaa@uni.edu
MACI SWANSON Head Photographer maciswan@uni.edu
COHEN HUISMAN Campus Life Editor huismcaa@uni.edu
Building ribbon cutting, Gov. Reynolds is a no-show”
Best Print/Online Sports Photo, First Place: Maci Swanson, The Northern Iowan. “All-Time Attendance Record Shattered”
Best Print Newspaper Front Page, Second Place: Estelle Johnson, The Northern Iowan. “UNI tops 9,200 for two years in a row.”
JENNA WESTENDORF Webmaster westejac@uni.edu
GRANT HOSPODARSKY Associate Multimedia Editor hospodag@uni.edu
CARTER BROWN Associate Multimedia Editor browncck@uni.edu
ADVISERS
ANELIA DIMITROVA anelia.dimitrova@uni.edu
CHRIS MARTIN christopher.martin@uni.edu
CIRCULATION
BETHANY WINGET Circulation Manager
Best Magazine Cover or Special Section Cover, Second Place: Lily Munnik, The Northern Iowan. “Homecoming 2025”
Best News – Public Affairs and Sports Reporting Video Package, Third Place: Micah Gerber, Mason Kalkbrenner. The Northern Iowan. “UNI Sesquicentennial Milestone.”
Best Print Design, Third Place: Uprising Magazine. “Layers of Me”
Best Magazine Cover or Special Section Cover, Third Place: Uprising Magazine. Issue 18.
Best Graphic or Illustration, First Place: Taylor Krull, Uprising Magazine. “The Fear of ‘F’ Word: Feminism.”
Best Use of Social Media, Staff, Uprising Magazine.
Best Video News Programming, First Place: Advanced Digital Media Production: Television Spring 2025 (taught by Prof. Francesca Soans.) “Media for Change S2E3: The Pursuit of Happiness.” Students: Luis Alvarez (producer), Daniel X. Mitchell (producer), Kyle Williams (producer), Karson Kleve, Cameron Rausch, Ethan Vogt, Cade Williams. Best Variety, Music and Comedy Video Program , Honorable Mention: Advanced Digital Media Production: Television Spring 2025 (taught by Prof. Francesca Soans.) “Media for Change S2E5: Media Mayhem.” Students: Luis Alvarez (producer), Daniel X. Mitchell (producer), Kyle Williams (producer), Karson Kleve, Cameron Rausch, Ethan Vogt, Cade Williams.
Best Short Video Documentary, Third Place: Ryder Bates, UNI Media Production. “Mystery Cave Underground: Mapping for the Future.” (Adviser: Prof. Francesca Soans.)
Best Short Film, Honorable Mention: Joshua Fiser, UNI Media Production. “The Ex-Boxer.” (Adviser: Prof. David O’Shields.) The Northern Iowan is the University of Northern Iowa’s independent student newspaper, founded in 1892. Digital Media professors Christopher Martin and Anelia Dimitrova are co-advisers to the newspaper, which receives support in part from UNI student fees. The newspaper’s website is northerniowan.com.
The Northern Iowan is published weekly on Wednesday during the academic year, except for holidays and examination periods, by the University of Northern Iowa, L011 Maucker Union, Cedar Falls, IA 506140166 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. All material is © 2025 by the Northern Iowan and may not be used without permission.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Letters must be less than 300 words in length and are subject to editing. Not all submissions will be printed. Send submissions to northerniowan@uni.edu.
SEND US STORY IDEAS Tell us what’s happening on campus. Email submissions to northern-iowan@uni.edu. Do you want to have an event listed here? Email us at northern-iowan@uni.edu with information about the event to have it featured.

continued from page 1
“I mean, obviously all volunteer work is rewarding, but when it is so closely tied to some of the identities that I hold, and it’s giving back to the community in a way that I needed when I was younger, like, that is the ideal volunteer position,” said Nic.
Through the Coalition events, she has worked to create events that bring people together, stating that anyone is welcome and encouraged to go even if they do not have identities tied to the LGBTQ+ community.
The CVLGBTQ+ Coalition Variety Show is
the first of its kind. The planning process has been months of time, sweat and emails.
“Like, I’m just excited to see so many people underneath one, you know, roof, all in one building, all, you know, just having fun, just enjoying ourselves,” Nic said.
Nic prioritized getting UNI organizations involved, working to bridge that gap from UNI and the community. Multiple student organizations. such as Mariachi Panteras, Some Assembly Required and Andante Acapella and more, will be performing in this event.
“And the Variety Show is also kind of a way to be like, we’re all people at the end of the day too. We all enjoy theater, we all enjoy singing, and laughing, and you know, watching people on stage, all these different things,” said Nic. Tickets can be bought preshow online, or at the door starting at 5 p.m., house opens at 5:30 p.m., the show starting at 6p.m. with a 10 minute intermission.
Visit their website https:// www.cvlgbtqcoalition.org/ home or their instagram (@ cvlgbtqcoalition) to get in contact.

Influenza is breaking out across campus and across the country.
In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted flu activity as ranging from high to very high in over 50% of U.S. states at the beginning of the new year. Iowa is among the majority with a rating of high at the beginning of January.
Student Health Clinic Director Sarah Behrends describes some current and common flu trends.
“At the Student Health Clinic, most of the influenza cases we are currently seeing are Influenza A,” Behrends said. “We are beginning to see some cases of Influenza B as well. This pattern is consistent with typical flu seasons, as Influenza A usually circulates earlier, with Influenza B emerging later in the season.”
Despite the CDC’s high rating of flu activity in Iowa and Behrends recognition of current cases of Influenza A and B at UNI, the flu feels more like a simple commonality to sophomore, Alissa Briggs.
When asked if she was nervous about getting the flu, Briggs said, “Not really, I feel like it’s just kind of … a sickness that goes around.”
Though some can likely relate to Briggs, others can likely relate to sophomore Avery Enright.
“I have had it [the flu] before, and it’s not the best … I do think it’s pretty contagious, so I was pretty afraid,” Enright said.
She noted her past flu experience and general nervousness about getting it again as her reasoning behind getting the flu shot this year.
“I got it to keep myself
safe,” Enright said. Behrends encourages students to get the flu shot for the same reason.
“It is strongly recommended that college students receive a flu vaccine each year, if they are able to do so,” said Behrends.
She also cites the CDC when noting that: “The first and most important step in preventing flu is to get a flu vaccine each year. Flu vaccine has been shown to reduce flu-related illnesses and the risk of serious flu complications that can result in hospitalization or even death.”
Along with this recommendation backed up by the CDC, students choose to get a flu shot for a number of reasons. For example, fifth-year student Kiera Jackson said that she got a flu shot for others in her life.
“I have some family members that are really immunocompromised, and also one of my friends just had a baby, so I really wanted to not give her the flu,” Jackson said.
While a number of students do get the flu shot, others do not, for a variety of reasons.
“I’ve just never gotten the flu shot, but I’ve also never gotten the flu,” Briggs said.
All in all, getting the flu shot is a choice that each person makes for themself.
However, there are also a number of other ways to avoid getting sick, especially at this time of year.
“The CDC also recommends everyday preventive actions (like staying away from people who are sick (distancing), covering coughs and sneezes, frequent handwashing, and taking steps for cleaner air) to help slow the spread of

germs that cause respiratory (nose, throat and lungs) illnesses like flu,” said Behrends.
If you would like to get a flu shot, the Student Health Clinic still has the
flu vaccine available and is accepting walk-ins or you can schedule an appointment online through their patient portal or by calling 319-273-2009 and selecting option #2. For more infor-
mation, visit wellbeing.uni. edu/student-health/appointments.

Escrito por Estelle Johnson
Melissa Jordan, Traductora, estudiante del curso SPAN 3016
Translation for Heritage Speakers
En la época en la que la diversidad, la equidad y la inclusión están bajo ataque, es importante más que nunca que tomemos el tiempo para celebrar e investigar la historia de los afroamericanos.
El mes de la historia afroamericana empezó originalmente en 1915 gracias al trabajo de Carter G. Woodson, quien no solo dedicó su vida a investigar la historia de las personas negras, sino que también fundó la Asociación para los Estudios de la Vida e Historia de las personas Afroamericanas (ASALH, por sus siglas en inglés). Woodson es notable por haber empezado el mes de la historia de las personas negras, pero primero existió la semana de las personas Negras, cuya primera edición fue en febrero de 1926.
Según la Asociación para los Estudios de la Vida y Historia de los Africamericanos, a medida que los jóvenes afroamericanos fueron más conscientes de sus conexiones con África, en 1960, la Semana de las Personas Negras fue reemplazada por el Mes de la Historia de las Personas Negras. La semana de las personas negras se convirtió oficialmente en el mes de la historia afroamericana en 1976 y ha sido reconocida por todas las administraciones federales, tanto demócratas como republicanas.
El 31 de enero de 2025, el presidente Donald Trump emitió una proclamación reconociendo el mes de febrero como el mes nacional de la historia afroamericana, como se ha hecho desde 1976. El veinte de febrero de 2025, hubo un evento en la Casa Blanca donde el presidente dijo: “Bienvenidos a la Casa Blanca, aquí nosotros celebramos el mes de la historia afroamericana con orgullo”. Sin embargo, existen muchos artículos de opinión diciendo que a Trump de verdad no le importa, especialmente porque su administración está trabajando activamente para quitar la historia afroamericana de los libros de texto y las bibliotecas. No sólo la historia afroamericana, sino también las palabras que activamente tratan de proyectar las voces de las personas que tienen

para celebrar el mes de la historia
cosas para contar.
La verdad es que el mes de la historia afroamericana es más que una celebración. Sirve para honrar a los millones de personas negras que han perdido su vida a causa de la esclavitud, la hambruna y el agotamiento. Sirve para recordarnos a las personas blancas que nuestros antepasados se aprovecharon de… personas. Personas reales con vidas y sentimientos. No solo sujetos o trabajadores, sino personas con emociones y dolores físicos.
Shamira Turks, la presidenta de programas del Black Student Union de UNI dijo que “el mes de la historia afroamericana (BHM, por sus siglas en inglés) es importante para mí porque enfatiza la comunidad, la resiliencia y el crecimiento colectivo de todos, especialmente durante un tiempo cuando la diversidad, la equidad, y la inclusión están siendo atacados. BHM es un mes dedicado a honrar los esfuerzos, los logros y las experiencias vividas de las personas negras. Es una celebración holística del pasado, el presente y el futuro, recordándonos que la diáspora de personas negras es más grande que la narrativa de opresión que frecuentemente domina las conversaciones”.
Turks añadió, “El mes de la historia afroamericana recalca la perseverancia ante la adversidad y sirve para recordarnos que lideremos con empatía, fuerza y propósito. Como presidenta de programas del
Black Student Union, me encanta poder ayudar a crear la agenda de BHM y contribuir a las decoraciones y la programación de eventos para elevar las voces negras. En un campus como UNI, donde la diversidad todavía está creciendo, este trabajo refuerza la importancia de la visibilidad, la representación, y la garantía de que los estudiantes afroamericanos se sientan vistos, valorados y celebrados”.
Las personas blancas se aprovecharon de otros seres humanos. Ahora debemos admitir nuestra responsabilidad y hacer lo que nuestros antecesores no hicieron, que es escuchar y aprender. Lee libros de la historia negra, infórmate de la legislación y, lo más importante, habla con tus amigos africano-americanos y asegúrate de que están bien. Todas las personas tienen una historia y todas las personas son impactadas de manera diferente por los cambios legislativos.
La historia afroamericana existe en la Universidad del Norte de Iowa también. El Centro de Educación Multicultural fue fundado por siete estudiantes (los 7 de UNI) que protestaron de manera pacífica para conseguir un espacio seguro para los estudiantes minoritarios. Esto es todo gracias al trabajo de los 7 de UNI y de otros apoyos estudiantiles.
Aquí en UNI, nosotros tenemos una unión de estudiantes (Black Student Union, BSU) que tienen muchos eventos
planeados para el mes de la historia afroamericana. La Unión de Estudiantes Africanos en UNI está trabajando a lado de BSU para estos eventos, incluyendo “Family Feud”, que tiene lugar el 4 de febrero a las 6 p.m. en la University Room, ubicada en el sótano de Maucker Unión. El once de febrero, estudiantes, facultad, empleados, y miembros de la comunidad pueden ir a Texas Roadhouse en Cedar Falls, en University Avenue, donde UNI BSU va estar recolectando fondos. Texas Roadhouse va a donar el 10% del total de sus ventas a BSU. No solo estás apoyando una organización estudiantil, ¡también vas a comer unos pancitos deliciosos de Texas Roadhouse!
BSU también está planeando un evento de patinaje en el día de San Valentín, que va a tener lugar en el gimnasio del WRC, aquí en el campus. El evento es desde las 2 p.m. hasta las 5 p.m., y, si tienes más preguntas o necesitas acomodaciones, manda un correo electrónico a bsu@uni. edu.
El 18 de febrero, BSU invita a los estudiantes a ir a “soulful connections”, que va a ser en la University Room, ubicada en el sótano de Maucker Unión, desde las 6 p.m. hasta las 8 p.m. Es una oportunidad donde los estudiantes pueden establecer contactos y cenar con sus colegas. El último evento del mes presentado por BSU es la cena y celebración formal anual del
mes de la historia afroamericana. El tema de la cena es “Un brindis por el cambio”, y va a tener lugar en los Maucker Unión Ballrooms desde las 7:30 p.m. hasta las 9:30 p.m. el 26 de febrero. Si quieres ir a este evento, por favor viste con ropa formal.
Te dejo con esta última cosa para pensar este mes. “Siendo una mujer blanca o un hombre blanco, ¿cómo puedo ayudar?”
Piensa en tus palabras y acciones este mes. Toma tiempo para apoyar a los que más lo necesitan. En este momento de la historia el silencio es violencia. Necesitamos juntarnos y aprender cómo ser empáticos.
Sé amable, y deja que la gente sepa que te importa. Sigue a tu corazón… si algo se siente mal, interviene. La gente blanca tiene la fuerza y el privilegio de ponerse en situaciones incómodas. Usa esa fuerza para entender que las cosas que tú haces no pueden ser hechas por la gente que estás representando.
No seas solo un testigo. Si ves algo, di algo. Haz tu parte en apoyar a tus otros seres humanos. Mi mamá siempre decía “solamente no seas una persona mala… es así de simple.”


By Estelle Johnson Executive Editor
If you’re even slightly into any form of social media, you are very aware that Super Bowl 60 occurred on Feb. 8, 2026 — and the halftime show was performed by Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican Grammy-award winning artist.
This performance was special, as it was an ode to Puerto Rican culture. Elements that honored Puerto Rico were performers dressed as sugar cane plants, as well as Bad Bunny, whose given name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio — wearing a jersey featuring his last name. Ocasio also held and waved the Puerto Rican flag with pride.
The entire country has an opinion on the halftime show performance. Some loved it, some absolutely hated it and some people felt impartial about the entire show. It’s the same three opinions every year.
Personally, I understand why people didn’t like the
show. It is impossible to please every party that views the Super Bowl. It’s the same as last year — not every person liked Kendrick Lamar … and that is okay.
What’s not okay is ignoring the entire message of the performance, and choosing to hate on something you didn’t even witness. You can feel however you want about the singing — everything in that manner is subjective. The major message should not be subjective, as it’s something many of us have heard our whole lives.
The message that appeared on the screen behind Ocasio’s performance was “Love is greater than hate.”
Currently, those who were opposed to the halftime performance are showing their true empathetic abilities. Instead of smiling at a live wedding and cheering on diversity, people have chosen to be hateful and ignore the entire point of the performance.
America is, or was, known as a “melting pot” country — meaning that thousands of people from all of
the countries live, work and raise their families here. We’ve turned to a point where now, we turn diversity away, and scare those who are attempting to promote diversity. Not to mention, Puerto Rico is American territory. So … nice try saying it’s not an American halftime show.
I am a white woman with German and Swiss heritage. America is my home, but it’s not my home. Yes, I was born and raised here — but I look European. Nobody who is originally from North America is white … colonizers are white.
The biggest thing that we are missing in today’s world is love. We’ve lost the action of treating others with respect and kindness. Every side of every political party is guilty of treating their opponents with disrespect — even if you are personally not guilty, the entirety of the party is.
We need to do better.



By InsideUNI
When David W. Wilson decided to give back to the University of Northern Iowa, he did it in a way that would forever change the institution. His $25 million gift — the largest donation in UNI history — established the David. W. Wilson College of Business, marking the first named college at UNI and setting a new standard for excellence.
Long before Wilson became chairman and CEO of Wilson Automotive, one of the largest privately held auto dealership groups in the United States, Wilson was a small-town kid in Traer, first exposed to entrepreneurship through a paper route for the Des Moines Register and Waterloo Courier and mowing lawns.
Wilson attended UNI and worked a series of blue-collar jobs to pay for his way through college. He graduated in 1970 with a degree in philosophy and a minor in business – a well-rounded education that challenged him to think deeply and ask hard questions.
Through determination and ethical leadership, Wilson rose from a lower-middle-class background to national success.
He started in the service department of a car dealership, one day accidentally ruining the engine of a car. To pay them back, he picked up a job as a salesman, which eventually turned into a manager position.
After a plan fell through to start his own dealership with a friend, he packed his bags and moved to Arizona.
When his car started making weird noises, the dealership quoted him a high repair bill, so he walked into the sales office and got a job to secure an employee discount!
Four years later, he was a partner in that dealership and eventually owned 12 dealerships.
In 1999, he established the Wilson Chair of Business Ethics, marking the first million-dollar donation received by the College of Business.
The endowed faculty position has since educated generations of students about ethical decision-making and served as a trusted resource on business ethics for the wider community.
“David Wilson is an impressively inquisitive man,” said Farzad Moussavi, emeritus dean of the College of Business.
“He has inspired successive UNI presidents and business deans to reflect seriously on the important societal role that contemporary higher
education must assume. So the College of Business is a better place, thanks to the hard questions
Dave has been asking over the years.”
In 2005, he was inducted into the Horatio Alger Association, an organization that honors leaders who have achieved remarkable success despite facing adversity.
Others to receive the honor include Ronald Reagan, Maya Angelou, Buzz Aldrin and Clarence Thomas.
Unveiled during UNI homecoming week in 2023, David’s historic gift fuels strategic initiatives and invests in faculty and students.
It also established the Wilson Endowment for Integrity and Excellence, designed to advance business ethics education and ensure UNI graduates continue to thrive and lead in a rapidly changing business landscape.
In addition, a portion of his gift established the Wilson Scholars Fund, providing renewable scholarships for students from Tama County, including Traer, his hometown.
“The things you appreciate most are those things that take the longest to achieve,” he said. “There is no better satisfaction than knowing you earned something,” Wilson said.
ESTELLE JOHNSON

Atsushi Nishijima/A24

By Josue Villatoro Staff Writer
With another knockout from filmmaker Celine Song, 2025 has been a terrific year for cinema, and seeing the industry bloom this beautifully is something worth recognizing with grace.
After her acclaimed debut, “Past Lives,” Song returns with her second theatrical release, “Materialists,” reaffirming herself as a perceptive voice in emotional maturity.
Pulling away from conventional romantic comedy tropes, Song delivers a social commentary on modern dating and emotional connection.
The film stands as one of 2025’s most accomplished releases and one of the decade’s most notable romance films.
Song directs with patience and restraint, blending satirical observations of New York’s dating scene with a thoughtful critique of materialistic priorities in contemporary relationships.
Director of photography Shabier Kirchner returns, bringing a refined visual style that complements the film’s themes of wealth and class.
Rather than criticizing individuals outright, the screenplay focuses on how financial status and social performance can obscure emotional intimacy and shared history.
Once again, Song explores the tension between idealism and realism, emphasizing that imperfection is an unavoidable and necessary part of
the human experience.
Dakota Johnson delivers one of her strongest performances to date, continuing her return to films with depth and substance. With the right material, she proves herself more than capable of leading a film with nuance and confidence.
Chris Evans offers a grounded and emotionally accessible portrayal, revealing a softer side rarely seen in his larger-than-life roles. He leans fully into his dramatic range, creating a character many viewers will find relatable.
Pedro Pascal, meanwhile, shifts away from his grand, iconic screen presence to play a quietly charismatic figure positioned as the film’s idealistic partner. Rather than serving as a cliché rival, Pascal’s character acts as a thoughtful counterpoint to Evans’.
Both men are written with surprising emotional layers, making it difficult to favor one over the other. That balance is a testament to the strength of Song’s writing.
The film refuses to take sides, presenting all three characters as flawed but deeply human. Their imperfections allow them to grow organically, a reflection of the empathy Song hopes audiences will extend to themselves. Conversations unfold with honesty and patience, prioritizing emotional truth over plot-driven urgency.
Without delving into spoilers, the film also tackles urgent contemporary issues through a sub -
plot involving a character portrayed by Zoe Winters.
While the storyline is handled with care and thematic importance, it disrupts the pacing at times and may spark debate over whether it belonged as a separate film or should have been more streamlined within the final cut.
“Materialists” is the kind of film modern audiences need, though some may overlook it due to its emphasis on introspective dilemmas rather than spectacle or conventional romantic fantasy.
Song distinguishes herself as one of the few filmmakers actively addressing dating insecurities faced by men, while also examining how certain ideals of possession and status can foster toxic expectations. The film advocates for emotional well-being across genders, presenting a balanced and nuanced discussion of modern relationship dynamics.
Ultimately, “Materialists” speaks to those navigating singlehood, reassuring viewers of their inherent worth and urging them not to let anxiety define their pursuit of connection.
A thoughtful and artistically assured drama, the film functions as an anti-rom-com, deconstructing genre absurdities while offering a sharp critique of wealth idolization through elegant direction and confident writing from Song.
“Materialists” is now available to stream on HBO Max and Hulu.



By Cohen Kamaus Sports Editor
On Feb. 8, the UNI wrestling team traveled north to take on South Dakota State in a Big 12 clash. The Panthers, who have battled injuries up and down the lineup all year, were looking to defeat the Jackrabbits for the second time this season. The two teams squared off last month at the NWCA National Duals Championship in the UNI-Dome, with the Panthers coming out on top in a close, intense battle.
This time was no different.
The Panthers struck early and often, winning six of the ten matches, including Adam Ahrendsen’s upset win at heavyweight to seal the victory. The win gave the Panthers their tenth dual victory, which is the first time since 2009-11 that the Panthers have won double-digit duals in consecutive seasons.
Brandon Paez got the nod at 125 for the Panthers. Paez, a Las Vegas native and a graduate of Lisbon High School, has wrestled in open tournaments all season, and got his first start in the dual lineup. Despite his efforts, he dropped the match to Daniel Guanajuato, 5-0, giving the Jackrabbits an early 3-0 lead.
Julian Farber took on No. 21 Derrick Cardinal in one of the more anticipated matchups of the day. Despite Farber controlling the whole opening period, the match was scoreless. In the second period, Farber was able to escape and
add a takedown to give himself a comfortable 4-0 lead.
But he wasn’t done yet. Farber erupted for six more points, winning by a 10-1 major decision and getting the Panthers on the board.
At 141 pounds, senior Connor Thorpe took on No. 19 Julian Tagg. Thorpe fell in a 14-3 major decision, putting South Dakota State back ahead, 6-4. At 149, Caleb Rathjen took the mat for the Panthers. Rathjen secured a big first period takedown and rode the momentum the rest of the match, winning 10-6.
Cael Rahnavardi took on
No. 18 Cael Swensen at 157 pounds. Swensen got off to an early start with a first period takedown, and never looked back, winning the match 8-2.
At 165, Ryder Downey bested Jacob Herm. Downey secured a second period takedown to catapult him to victory.
At 174 pounds, Jared Simma wrestled No. 14 Marcus Espinoza-Owens in the match of the night featuring two ranked wrestlers. Simma came out victorious, 5-2, in a match that would turn the tide of the team race.
184 pounds featured one of the hottest wrestlers in the
country, Nick Fox for UNI.
The Big 12 Wrestler of the Week was riding high after defeating No. 8 Zack Ryder of Oklahoma State, and brought that momentum into this match against Brock Fettig. Fetting made Fox work, but in a 1-1 match, Fox broke the tie with a third period takedown to win the match.
Carson Babcock took on No. 5 Bennett Berge at 197. Babcock was able to limit the damage in the first period, but Berge found his footing in the second period with a takedown and an escape. Babcock was able to earn an escape
himself, but fell 4-1.
With the Panthers leading 16-13 heading into the last match, Ahrendsen took on No. 25 Luke Rasmussen. Ahrendsen drew first blood, securing a takedown to give himself a 3-0 lead. After giving up a reversal in the third period, Ahrendsen scrambled and ended up on top, winning the match 5-3 and lifting the Panthers to victory.
The Panthers are next in action on Feb. 14 as they host No. 16 West Virginia inside the McLeod Center. First whistle is set for 7:00 p.m.


By Mason Kalkbrenner Sports Writer
During Super Bowl week, NFL Honors takes place to recognize the league’s most spectacular players and personnel. This prestigious event captures the attention of the entire sports world. Players honored make an impact throughout the season not only on their own career trajectories but also on their teams’ success. In addition to current athletes, the greats of the past further cement their legacies with induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. Earlier in the year, I made predictions about who I thought would win several of the awards. As we all know, however, a lot can change over the course of half a season.
In the latter half of the season, the MVP race remained tight. A few early contenders fell off, while others stayed in the mix. In the first half of the season, it is easy for any quarterback to look like they are on an MVP run, but as the season progresses, the true candidates separate themselves. Ultimately, it came down to quarterbacks Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye. Up until NFL Honors night, the MVP award could have gone to either player. Stafford put together a historic season, throwing for 4,707 yards and 46 touchdowns with just eight interceptions. He led the Los Angeles Rams to the NFC Championship Game, where

they ultimately lost to the Seattle Seahawks. At 38 years old, Stafford turned back the clock and proved he still had plenty left in the tank. While Maye led the Patriots to the Super Bowl and enjoyed an incredible sophomore breakout season, the close voting swung in Stafford’s favor by a single vote. In my original predictions, I stated that Maye would win MVP, but
that it would be close. While I was right about the competitiveness of the race, Stafford proved me wrong.
The Offensive Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year awards honor the best players on each side of the ball — those who elevate both themselves and their teammates while serving as crucial pieces to their teams’ success. Initially, I picked Colts run-
ning back Jonathan Taylor and Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons to win, respectively. As mentioned earlier, however, a lot can happen even in half a season. Taylor started the year strong, but the Colts faced several challenges down the stretch. Quarterback Daniel Jones suffered multiple injuries, with his season ending in Week 14 due to an Achilles tear. Additionally, opposing teams began to figure out the offense, limiting its explosiveness. Parsons also suffered a major setback, tearing his ACL in Week 15. His injury derailed the rest of Green Bay’s season, as the Packers were eliminated from the playoffs just weeks later. Still, I did acknowledge the eventual winners in my predictions. Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba continued to shine as the season went on, totaling 1,793 yards on 119 receptions with 10 touchdowns. He played a major role in Seattle’s offensive success with Sam Darnold, ultimately helping the Seahawks win the Super Bowl. In hindsight, there was little doubt he would earn Offensive Player of the Year. Browns defensive end Myles Garrett was another no-brainer for Defensive Player of the Year. He set the single-season sack record with 23, a feat that nearly guarantees such an honor. Garrett has long been the franchise cornerstone for Cleveland and was more than deserving of the award.
No one was more deserv-
ing of Coach of the Year than Patriots coach Mike Vrabel. He led the franchise to heights it had not reached since the Brady-Belichick era. In just one season, Vrabel guided the Patriots to the Super Bowl after back-to-back 4-13 campaigns. Despite the loss, the team should be proud of how far it came in such a short time. Vrabel has established himself as one of the league’s top coaches, and this award further validates that reputation. He was my midseason pick and continued to impress down the stretch. Vrabel maximized this Patriots roster and truly unlocked Maye’s potential. He has changed the narrative surrounding New England, and with him leading the way, the franchise appears poised for sustained success. Each year, a new Pro Football Hall of Fame class is etched into history. Their careers are forever immortalized, with their accomplishments celebrated during this prestigious event. This year’s class included Larry Fitzgerald (wide receiver, Arizona Cardinals), Drew Brees (quarterback, New Orleans Saints), Luke Kuechly (linebacker, Carolina Panthers), Adam Vinatieri (kicker, Indianapolis Colts) and senior finalist Roger Craig (running back, San Francisco 49ers). Seeing some of the game’s greatest players honored once again is truly special and serves as a fitting celebration of their careers and contributions to
By Sam O’Hair Sports Writer
After his victory in Super Bowl LX over the weekend, Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak announced he will be stepping into a new role as the Raiders’ head coach next season. Kubiak’s appointment rounds out a chaotic coaching carousel that saw 10 franchises reach for a new man in charge. Each team will have a new face guiding them in what they hope is the right direction — here’s how I thought they all did.
Arizona Cardinals: Mike LaFleur, C
From Arizona’s perspective, missing out on the Kubiak sweepstakes hurt, as he reportedly rejected the position. Regardless, the team pivoted decently toward Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. LaFleur seems to be a solid leader who has proven he can guide elite offenses — but not call plays. Under Kyle
Shanahan and Sean McVay, he never had to worry about play-calling. That changed during his time as the Jets’ offensive coordinator, which ended in disaster. Not a terrible hire, just not as stable as a suffering Cardinals franchise may have liked.
Atlanta Falcons: Kevin Stefanski, C+
Arguably the most talented team with a head coach vacancy, Atlanta seemed to be all in on John Harbaugh. After missing out on the former Ravens head coach, the Falcons settled on Kevin Stefanski. The twotime Coach of the Year winner will adopt the same issue that led to his demise in Cleveland: a dramatic and complicated quarterback room. While Stefanski is certainly one of the most competent coaches this cycle, I really don’t love the fit for him in Atlanta.
Baltimore Ravens: Jesse Minter, A+
The Ravens vacancy is an odd case. The team was
massively successful under John Harbaugh throughout an 18-year stint — one that brought a Lombardi Trophy to Baltimore. Nevertheless, the cutthroat expectations for an uber-talented Ravens roster and stale results in the postseason ended up running Harbaugh out of town.
It’s always difficult to succeed a tenure like Harbaugh’s, but I believe the Ravens nailed their choice with Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. Minter should help with Baltimore’s defensive issues, which have cost them immensely in playoff failures that ultimately lost Harbaugh his job. Minter’s injury-riddled Chargers unit ranked near the top in several key metrics for two consecutive seasons, making him my favorite of the first-time head coaches.
Buffalo Bills: Joe Brady, C
Just like the Ravens, the Bills have to wonder, “Will the grass be greener on the
other side?” Unfortunately for Buffalo, this appointment isn’t quite as promising as Baltimore’s. Joe Brady is a great coordinator, and the Bills will likely still finish with a positive record next season — I simply didn’t think former head coach Sean McDermott was the problem in Buffalo. I’m not sure we ever got to see the best of McDermott’s Bills.
Cleveland Browns: Todd Monken, C+
After parting ways with Kevin Stefanski, the Browns needed stability — a presence that can balance the absurdity of Cleveland’s front office, bloated quarterback group and winning football games on Sundays. I’m not sure that’s what they get here in Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken. On the other hand, Monken has proven he can work well with quarterbacks, helping Lamar Jackson win the 2023 NFL MVP. While not addressing core issues, Monken could yield positive
results in the development of Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel.
Las Vegas Raiders: Klint Kubiak, A+
Las Vegas hits a home run with its new head coach, Super Bowl champion Klint Kubiak. The offensive coordinator was clearly due to land a head coaching position after the Seahawks’ success on offense this season. After holding out late into the postseason, it was clear Kubiak was always the answer for the Raiders. With the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Kubiak will likely get his hands on Fernando Mendoza — a tall, physically athletic quarterback with elite intangibles; sound familiar? Mendoza also ran a pro-style offense at Indiana and has the best arm in his class. All the more reason to get excited for Kubiak in Las Vegas. To read about the rest of the hires, visit our website at www.northerniowan.com.


Since returning to the lineup, Max Weisbrod has provided the Panthers with great perimeter defense and three point shooting ability.
By Tyler Wood Sports Writer
UNI men’s basketball played Bradley University on Friday, Feb. 6. It was paradise in Cedar Falls, as students showed up wearing swimming trunks and Hawaiian shirts while hanging out in hot tubs for the second annual Panthers in Paradise weekend The
Panthers pulled away for a convincing win over the Braves. UNI led by seven at halftime and continued to build the advantage, closing out a 61-49 victory in a low-scoring contest.
Ben Schweiger led the Panthers with 15 points, adding three rebounds and one assist. The play of the night came when the Panthers passed the ball
to all five players on the court on a fast break, and Schweiger slammed it home to erupt Panther nation. Will Hornseth had a strong allaround performance, finishing with 10 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Kyle Pock also scored 10 points, along with four rebounds and one assist.
For the Braves, Jaquan Johnson led the way with

14 points, along with one rebound and two assists. Guard Alex Huibregtse finished with nine points and two rebounds, while forward AJ Smith added six points, one rebound and one assist.
The Panthers have now won three straight games, improving to 16-9 on the season. UNI sits sixth in the Missouri Valley Conference and will look to climb the
standings in its next matchup against conference-leader Belmont. The Bears defeated the Panthers on Jan. 7, 78-65. The game is on Feb. 12 and first tip is set for 8:00 p.m. Bradley fell to 16-9 on the season and is now third in the Missouri Valley Conference. The Braves will play Southern Illinois on Feb.1 5.

By Nicole Waters Sports Writer
Panther women’s basketball opened February with a home opener against the Belmont Bruins in a hardfought battle between the two teams. Elsie Jaeger got Northern Iowa going early, knocking down a 3-pointer to
get the scoring started. Jenna Twedt hit two 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions, but the Bruins answered inside the paint and from midrange to take a 16-14 lead heading into the second quarter.
Ryley Goebel took over for the Panthers in the second quarter, scoring six of her 14
points in the frame. UNI put up a strong defensive front and forced five turnovers, as Virginia Edmondson and Twedt each knocked down a 3-pointer to give Northern Iowa a 28-23 lead. Belmont responded with an 8-0 run to regain momentum and took a 31-28 lead into halftime.
Kaylynn Janes and Jaeger
hit three triples to keep the Panthers within reach and match Belmont’s pace. The Bruins went 6-of-10 from the field while forcing four UNI turnovers, extending their lead to eight heading into the final quarter with a 48-40 advantage.
Goebel led Northern Iowa in the fourth quarter with
nine points, but the Bruins answered by shooting over 70% from the field. UNI forced five turnovers but was unable to close the gap, as Belmont stretched its lead to as many as 16 and held on for a 12-point win over the Panthers. The Panthers fell 70-58.
MICHAEL SPAHN Assistant Sports Editor



By Michael Spahn Assistant Sports Editor
From Grand Blanc Michigan to Cedar Falls Iowa, University of Northern Iowa point guard RJ Taylor brings the energy every time he steps onto the court.
The Redshirt Sophomore has played over 200 minutes in the 2025-26 season contributing in every category the stat sheet has to offer. Taylor’s fast-paced style of play makes him a crucial component off the bench for head coach Ben Jacobson’s team.
“I really love to push the tempo and try to play an exciting brand of basketball, “said Taylor. “I bring my teammates along with me and try to get them the ball in good spots.”
Taylor was a standout basketball player at Grand Blanc High School scoring over 1,000 career points. When deciding where to play basketball at the collegiate level, Taylor identified UNI as a great fit for him early on in the process.
“UNI started recruiting
me right away. Everytime I turned the corner at an AAU event or at my high school open gym they were always there. They really showed their interest and their actions followed it.”
Basketball is in Taylor’s blood. His father Bob Taylor was the head coach for Oakland University’s Women’s Basketball team, where he led the Golden Grizzlies to a Final Four Appearance in 1990. His mother and two older sisters are also former college basketball players, and have helped shape him into who he is today.
“Growing up in the backyard we were always playing basketball, and it created a competitive environment at home,” said Taylor. “Getting to follow their journey really got me into basketball and became a natural thing for us.”
As a freshman Taylor appeared in 30 games and scored 60 total points which helped lead the Panthers to a 3rd place finish in the Missouri Valley Conference. At the beginning of his
second season with the team, he started the first eight games before suffering an Achilles tear in a game against Illinois Chicago.
After a successful summer rehabbing, Taylor was ready to go for his third season with the Panthers. UNI returned the most players to their roster heading into the 2025-26 season in all of Division-1 basketball, keeping the tight bond between the players intact.
“I don’t think that’s a coincidence,“ said Taylor. “We hang out all the time as a team, the coaches really prioritize relationships and know that’s important.”
UNI started the season off with an 8-2 record, but dwindled as conference play began. The Panthers still have everything in front of them in terms of winning a Missouri Valley Conference Tournament Championship and making it to the NCAA Tournament.
“We had a little bit of a tough patch, but now we’re looking forward and doing whatever we can to win on Sunday in St. Louis,” said
Taylor. “To go to the NCAA Tournament, win some games there, and do what so many great players haven’t been able to do is something that we really want to do.”
Taylor will continue to play a pivotal role for the Panthers in 2026 and beyond. In his remaining two seasons he will be one of the leaders of this team.
Coming from a basketball oriented family, it’s safe to say Taylor will take that challenge head on.
The Panthers currently sit at 15-9 with a conference record of 8-6. The team is currently in a three-way tie for fourth place in the Missouri Valley Conference with Illinois State and University of Illinois Chicago.


BY RYAN SALES

Across 1) They've been to the most Super Bowls
9) Rock layers
15) Strike caller?
16) Air-conditioned
17) Super Bowl 60 performer
18) Souls
19) Young socialite
20) Simon & Garfunkel genre
22) ___-fi
23) French friends
25) "The Princess and the Frog" princess
26) Future MBA's exam
27) Vodka from Austin
29) ___ Choppa, "Shotta Flow" rapper
30) A University, QB, and Rapper
31) Less taxing
33) Where soldiers go?
35) Sofer of soaps
37) QB of 30A
38) Arboreal rodents
42) Rescuer
46) Descartes and Russo
47) Warning service co-coordinated by FEMA
49) Tightly packed
50) Believers
51) 1972 missile pact
53) Pre-coll. exams
54) Chowed down
55) Early stage for a startup
57) Wee 58) Ramsay of "MasterChef"
60) Just after birth
62) Writer Jong and others
63) Playing with a full deck
64) "The Sorrow Dance" poet ___ Levertov
65) Where the "Legion of Boom" is from
Down
1) Info needed to schedule a book tour, say 2) Result of iron deficiency, to a Brit 3) Juicy morsels
4) Hold up 5) ___ to one's neck 6) "... but I could be wrong"

7) Bowling target
8) Deception party game
9) Milan's La ___
10) Honky-___
11) Lyon king
12) Poor box beneficiary
13) Treat at a social
14) What Web page sponsors may link to
21) Wee hour
24) Evening parties
26) Mourns
28) Visionaries
30) Wood nymph
32) Genetic messenger
34) Prof's helpers
36) Shed ___
38) Sorted, sort of
39) Bring back
40) Type, redundantly
41) City near Monterey Bay
43) Agitated
44) European coin until 1990
45) Thrift shop transactions
48) TV's "Remington ___"
51) Have a feeling
52) Sicily, to Sicilians
55) ___ to say
56) Lit. collection
59) Seventh-century date
61) "Eureka!"




