CEDAR FALLS, IA
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2025
UNI Biology Department receives award to expand labs
By InsideUNI
The UNI Department of Biology has received a $412,905 grant from the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust to enhance, modernize and expand its Anatomy and Physiology I and II laboratories.
The funding will support the purchase of new anatomical models for the labs, as well as two additional SynDaver synthetic human cadavers — life-like models that provide students with a
realistic, hands-on anatomy experience. These improvements will help the department accommodate growing enrollment, particularly with the recent launch of UNI’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program.
“This generous support from the Carver Trust will enhance how we teach anatomy and physiology,” said Peter Berendzen, head of the Department of Biology. “It allows us to expand capacity, integrate new technology and provide more experiential,
clinically relevant lab experiences for students preparing for careers in health care and medicine.”
The department received separate funding from the university to renovate both the Anatomy and Physiology I and II laboratories, where this new equipment will be housed. Those renovations are already underway. When complete, the project will allow for larger class sections, new lab exercises and a curriculum better aligned with current professional and
clinical standards.
“We’re incredibly thankful to the Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust for supporting our vision to enhance anatomy and physiology education at UNI,” said Berendzen. “This investment directly benefits our students and strengthens Iowa’s future health care workforce.”
Earlier this year, the Carver Trust reached a milestone of $25 million in total giving to UNI, improving the institution’s teaching and learning facilities as well
as supporting UNI students through the Carver Scholars program.
The Roy J. Carver Charitable Trust is one of the largest private philanthropic foundations in the state of Iowa with assets of more than $350 million and annual grant distributions of approximately $15 million. It was created through the will of Roy J. Carver, a Muscatine industrialist and philanthropist, who died in 1981.
Destiny Dixon and the success of
CharmCharmz of Destiny Ari’e
By Estelle Johnson Executive Editor
Destiny Dixon is an undergraduate student at the University of Northern Iowa majoring in art education and minoring in TESOL teaching. Dixon is the vice president and co-editor-in-chief of Prolific Magazine, a student publication at UNI. Dixon is also the owner of CharmCharmz of Destiny Ari’e — and sells handmade jewelry and various artworks around the Cedar Valley, including the 2025 Pear Fair.
As a child, Dixon was encouraged to be creative. Dixon’s parents were self-made producers, songwriters, authors and visual artists. As a child, watching movies and reading books inspired Dixon to explore the art world further.
CharmCharmz of Destiny Ari’e started when Dixon was in ninth grade. She wanted to raise money for a school trip, and figured she’d turn one of her creative passions into a business.
“I thought I could make art and jewelry to raise money for this trip,” said Dixon. “Making jewelry and art is something that I’m already interested in, so, it went hand in hand.”
Dixon’s jewelry is made with polymer clay and assorted gemstones. Bracelets, earrings, necklaces and rings are some of the few pieces sold in her shop. Dixon also makes small charms for backpacks and keychains.
NORTHERN IOWAN
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With 470 followers on Instagram, Dixon’s small business is growing — and a resource she used was the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center on UNI campus. Dixon had an incubator space from her freshman year until recently in her junior year.
“I received tips in the JPEC on how I could find different vendor fares in the area, and how I should market and promote my jewelry,” Dixon said.
Being a small business owner, full-time student and residential assistant in Noehren Hall, Dixon has learned how to manage her time — making sure that her schoolwork is complete, checking up on residents and still taking a moment to create her art.
“I make sure that I have to do lists and things,” said Dixon. “If I have schoolwork, I focus on that stuff during the week, but I try to block out time to commit to my art shop.”
Dixon said that the overall goal of her art is to bring people a sense of peace — and having something tangible to keep and carry with them.
“I feel people really like to gravitate towards my jewelry,” Dixon said. “I create to bring comfort to other people.”
Dixon said that as an extrovert, it brings happiness to her seeing others enjoy her art. From
EDITORIAL STAFF
LILY MUNNIK News Editor munnikl@uni.edu
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commissioned paintings to personalized jewelry, CharmCharmz has something for everyone.
A main theme behind Dixon’s artwork is nature. “My work revolves around the small movements in nature, and things like light and darkness,” she said.
“It’s been nice to see how my artwork inspires other people,” said Dixon. “I have some friends and other students that have said, oh, your work ethic is really inspiring — and it kind of motivates me to figure things out with my own art.”
Dixon is finding success in her small business and artwork — but, she still has to face typical challenges of college students.
“Sometimes it can be challenging to play your part out, while trying to be true to yourself,” Dixon noted.
If students are interested in commissions or collaborating on a piece, Dixon said that she’s ready for a new endeavor. She is always interested in other ideas, and encourages fellow student artists to reach out to her.
“Being passionate about what you’re doing will help you to grow as a person,” Dixon noted. “Don’t be a bro — put yourself out there, and be authentically you.”
COHEN HUISMAN Campus Life Editor huismcaa@uni.edu
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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.
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Bella Markley/Uprising Magazine
Destiny Dixon is the owner of CharmCharmz of Destiny Ari’e. She sells handmade jewelry around the Cedar Valley and also offers commissioned paintings.
TheatreUNI marks over 145 years with open house
By Theo Trimble Staff Writer
Performing on stage has been a long tradition at UNI. As the university marks 150 years, the theatre department still stands after over 145 years of showing students what they can be on stage.
On Saturday, the spotlight shone on TheatreUNI’s first Open House event, showcasing the history of the department and the current impact of Strayer Wood Theatre. Alumni, students, and staff gathered for this community event, connecting with stories of past and present memories.
“The event really helps with community outreach,” explained Eric Chen, a double major in Theatre: Youth and Communities and Design and Production. “It gets current students and alumni connected, which can lead to several great opportunities.
Three main student organizations are directly involved with the theatre: UNI Student Theatre Association (UNISTA), the all-around student theatre program. UNI Theatre Technicians (UNITT), an organization for technical theatre students, and Alpha Psi Omega (APO), a Greek life group organized for theatre students in honors. They all attended the event to advertise what they do and how other people can get involved in their programs.
“We can get a lot of reach with this event,” said UNITT President
Hannah Tibbs, “It really helps out with finding new and old students who are interested in our work.”
The Bertha Martin Theatre (BMT), the smaller black-box theatre inside Strayer Wood, hosted a large exhibit displaying the history of the department. Visitors were invited to walk the space and witness how TheatreUNI’s program has evolved and expanded throughout the years.
“It’s exciting to celebrate all the uniqueness of the department,” said Mary Black, Dean of the College of Humanities, Arts, and Sciences. “I really enjoyed seeing how the shows themselves have evolved over the years as well.”
In addition to Youth Shows, the history highlights the many classes that are offered throughout time, which have a very positive impact on students. Tours of the Strayer-Wood Theatre building were also offered to anyone unfamiliar with the area, and a place for food and drink was set up for alumni and students to relax and chat about what they discovered about TheatreUNI.
“The 150th anniversary is a great time to be looking back, and also to look at what is next for all programs, not just TheatreUNI,” said Black.
Rod Library hosts art exhibit to support survivors of sexual abuse
By Mackenzie Poock Staff Writer
The Art of C.H.A.N.G.E. exhibit appeared on the main floor of Rod Library on Monday, Nov. 3. The display features creative works from both survivors of sexual abuse and supporters of the organization. Founded by former UNI student Karrah Bates in 2020, it has become a place for individuals to express their emotions and share their story.
Since then, the exhibit has been seen as a light to those who’ve experienced harmful assault and a way to spread awareness on the college campus.
“When people realize our UNI community is the one who put together the art, it’s inspirational, “ said Brenda White, UNI’s investigator and prevention specialist.
The exhibit is one of the many displays and outreach events put on by UNI’s Office of Civil Rights Compliance (OCRC), an organization dedicated to upholding students’ civil rights and fostering an inclusive environment within the college atmosphere.
According to Hayden Burke, OCRC’s graduate assistant for gender violence prevention, the purpose extends far beyond simply raising awareness on campus and in the surrounding
community.
“Karrah Bates’ hope for the exhibit was to utilize survivors’ works to promote their stories,” said Burke.
The exhibit will remain on display in Rod Library through Dec. 19. Students, faculty and community members are encouraged to visit the artwork and witness the strength and courage that defines those who’ve experienced harmful violence.
The Art of C.H.A.N.G.E. exhibit serves as a symbol of not only hope but a voice for the voiceless. If you have or are currently experiencing sexual assault, help is available. On campus you can reach the OCRC office at 117 Gilchrist Hall. You can also contact them at 319-247-2846 or civilrights@uni.edu.
Other options include reaching out to the on-campus counseling center located in office 103 at the Student Health Center. You can also contact them at 319-237-2676. For 24/7 off-campus support that’s confidential, you can call the Riverview Center (sexual assault and advocacy) at 888-557-0310 or text
“IOWAHELP” to 20121.
Theo Trimble
The Bertha Martin Theatre hosted a large exhibit showcasing the history of the theatre department which included the attendance of three student theatre organizations.
Mackenzie Poock
The Art of C.H.A.N.G.E. exhibit features artwork by sexual abuse survivors and supporters of the organization, bringing a voice to the voiceless and serving as a symbol of hope.
N.I. EN ESPAÑOL
EN ESPAÑOL
Estudiante de UNI funge como enlace con la ciudad UNI student serves as liaison to the city
Dee Dee Benton ama todo lo relacionado con Cedar Falls. Como nuevo enlace estudiantil entre la ciudad y la comunidad universitaria de la Universidad del Norte de Iowa, planea trabajar para que sus compañeros aprendan a querer su ciudad natal tanto como ella.
El concejo aprobó el nombramiento de Benton como enlace estudiantil el 6 de octubre. La estudiante de tercer año en UNI se dirigió brevemente al concejo para explicar por qué desea fortalecer la conexión entre el campus y la comunidad.
“Creo que es muy importante que los estudiantes se conecten con la ciudad y su cultura, ya que yo la he amado toda mi vida”, expresó. “También considero esencial que la ciudad se conecte con la universidad, porque creo que le da nueva vida a nuestra comunidad”.
La posición de enlace estudiantil se volvió permanente el 17 de abril de 2017, cuando el entonces alcalde Jim Brown firmó una resolución tras un periodo de prueba exitoso. El candidato para el cargo anual es seleccionado por el Gobierno Estudiantil del Norte de Iowa (NISG), recomendado al alcalde y aprobado por el Concejo Municipal de Cedar Falls. La resolución detalla las funciones del puesto y señala que el enlace puede sentarse en el estrado durante las reuniones del concejo, pero en las sesiones del Comité General deberá ubicarse entre el público.
Entre quienes trabajaron para establecer el puesto se encuentran Tom Blanford, entonces concejal del Distrito 4 y egresado de UNI en ciencias políticas y derecho (2013), y Drew Stensland, egresado en 2019 y exsenador del NISG, además de presidente del Comité de Relaciones Externas del gobierno estudiantil.
Para ser elegible, el candidato debe formar parte del gobierno estudiantil. Cade Olmstead, estudiante de sociología y filosofía, ocupó el cargo de 2017 a 2018.
Tras una interrupción tem-
poral durante la pandemia de COVID-19, Noah Hackbart asumió el rol para reconstruirlo y revitalizarlo, devolviéndole presencia y propósito. Sirvió de 2022 a 2024.
“Le dije a la directiva: ‘Seré interino. Pueden reemplazarme cuando quieran. Solo necesitamos a alguien en el Ayuntamiento”, recordó Hackbart. “La pandemia realmente desvió nuestros esfuerzos para mantener una presencia estudiantil constante”.
Durante sus 18 meses en el cargo, Hackbart colaboró con dos alcaldes y dos concejos, estableciendo vínculos y trabajando estrechamente con funcionarios municipales en la transición hacia operaciones pospandemia. Participó en las discusiones del plan College Hill Vision, representó las perspectivas estudiantiles en temas de seguridad pública y asistió a reuniones de comités, incluso sesiones cerradas.
Al reflexionar sobre la historia del puesto, Stensland, quien luego fue presidente del cuerpo estudiantil de UNI, expresó que es gratificante saber que las voces estudiantiles aún se escuchan en el concejo.
“Me alegra mucho que el puesto siga vigente”, dijo.
“Cuando lo creamos, no imaginábamos que seguiría tan fuerte hasta hoy”.
Graduada de la preparatoria Cedar Falls en 2023, Benton espera servir como puente entre el campus y la comunidad en la que creció.
“Nací aquí, he vivido toda mi vida en North Cedar”, comentó. “Mi papá me enseñó que es importante involucrarse en tu comunidad de cualquier forma posible. Siempre he sido una Panther”.
En su último año de preparatoria, Benton cursó varias materias con doble crédito, lo que le permitió especializarse en tres áreas en UNI: ciencias políticas, comunicación política y psicología, además de obtener menores en asuntos internacionales y justicia social.
A principios de este año, el exenlace Isaac Mata la recomendó al concejo. Benton comentó que se unió al gobierno estudiantil para ser elegible para el puesto.
“Mi meta es organizar una gran sesión de lluvia de ideas con miembros del NISG y del Concejo Municipal”, dijo. “Hablemos de cómo podemos apoyarnos mutuamente. ¿Cómo pueden los estudiantes
involucrarse más con Cedar Falls? ¿Y cómo pueden los residentes conectarse más con UNI?”
Benton considera importante que los estudiantes de UNI asistan a eventos comunitarios fuera del campus para sumergirse en la cultura local. Entre sus prioridades está involucrar a los estudiantes en la revitalización de College Hill y promover los pequeños negocios del área.
“Me sorprende cuántos estudiantes ni siquiera saben qué es Four Queens”, dijo. “Deberíamos involucrarnos más con los negocios locales pequeños. Hay mucha alegría que los estudiantes pueden encontrar en ellos”.
“Se trata de conexión”, agregó. “Porque la universidad le da mucha vida a Cedar Falls, y Cedar Falls devuelve mucho. Necesitamos mantener esa energía más allá del Block Party [un festival que se celebra en agosto]”.
Tras graduarse, Benton planea estudiar derecho estatal en la facultad de derecho.
“Quiero ayudar a las personas a alcanzar sus metas”, dijo. “El derecho estatal me permite hacerlo sin que sea tan emocionalmente agotador”.
Si se presenta la oportunidad, Benton no descarta una carrera política en el futuro.
“Si la vida de abogada se vuelve muy aburrida”, bromeó, “podría verme involucrada a nivel municipal o estatal”.
Benton cree que su tiempo como enlace estudiantil le ayudará a entender el funcionamiento del gobierno local y cómo se toman las decisiones.
Durante la reunión del 6 de octubre, la concejala Kelly Dunn elogió la disposición de Benton para servir. “No se trata solo de sentarse aquí”, dijo sobre el impacto del puesto. “Aprecio cuando los jóvenes se animan a hablar y nos hacen saber cómo se sienten los estudiantes sobre ciertos temas, para que podamos servirles mejor, no solo en la universidad, sino con suerte, para que consideren quedarse aquí para siempre”.
En entrevista con Cedar Falls News Hub, Benton concluyó: “Siempre he amado Cedar Falls”, dijo. “Es mi hogar. Y solo quiero que más estudiantes lo sientan así también”.
Escrito Brody Lovell
Escritor Invitado
Traducido por Luis Alvartez Editor Español
Courtesy/Cedar Falls News Hub
Durante la reunión del Concejo Municipal del 6 de octubre de 2025, Dee Dee Benton explicó por qué desea servir como enlace estudiantil de UNI. La joven originaria de Cedar Falls tiene como objetivo involucrar al campus y a la comunidad de manera significativa.
Yo-Yo Ma: Greatness comes from the heart, not just pure talent
By Lily Munnik News Editor
Attending a Yo-Yo Ma concert is not just an evening of music — it is an experience that changes the way you perceive art, humanity and the sheer joy of living.
I had the privilege of seeing him perform at the Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center on Sunday, Nov. 2, and it was nothing short of life-changing.
As someone who grew up learning and listening to
music, especially as a young violist, hearing Yo-Yo Ma perform pieces that shaped my own musical journey was profoundly moving. What sets Yo-Yo Ma apart is not just his technical mastery, though his skill with the cello is unmatched. It is his humanity. From the moment he stepped onto the stage, he made the audience feel seen. He began the concert by answering questions and engaging directly with the audience, effortlessly bridging the gap between performer and lis -
tener. Throughout the performance, he told stories, shared humor and radiated a kindness that seemed as fundamental to his music as the notes themselves.
Yo-Yo Ma embodies a rare combination of passion and humility. You can tell he loves what he does — not for the accolades or the fame, but for the sheer joy of making music and connecting with people. His philosophy reflects this, as he shared,
“My hero has always been the great Spanish cellist, Pablo Casals. He said, ‘I’m
a human being first. I’m a musician second. I’m a cellist third.’ I live by that. We all need to be human beings first.”
This perspective is evident in every movement of his performance. The way he plays, tells stories and celebrates the beauty of life.
He reminds us that greatness is not just about the mastery of craft but also how one touches the lives of others.
In an era where talent is often measured by technical perfection alone, Yo-Yo
Ma exemplifies the idea that true greatness combines skill, heart and humility. He inspires not only budding musicians but anyone striving to bring excellence and compassion into their lives. After experiencing his performance, it’s clear why Yo-Yo Ma is not just a legendary cellist but one of the greatest artists of all time — because he is a master of his craft and, more importantly, a master of connecting humanity through music.
Lily Munnik/Northern Iowan
Yo-Yo Ma performed at the Gallagher Bluedorn on Nov. 2, as the signature artist featured for GBPAC 25-year milestone. During the show, Ma shared personal stories and his philosophies with the audience.
Lily Munnik/Northern Iowan
Yo Yo Ma has performed as a soloist with orchestras around the world, recorded more than 92 albums, and received 19 Grammy Awards throughout his musical career.
Lily Munnik/Northern Iowan Alongside his music, Yo Yo Ma has been a United Nations Messenger of Peace since 2006. He has received numerous awards, including the National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Second round of sesquicentennial project awards announced Oct. 22
By NI Staff
The UNI Sesquicentennial Committee offered more funding of public programming, research and class projects that integrate one or more of the guiding principles of the UNI 150th Anniversary Celebration. The following initiatives have been awarded.
75 YEARS OF JAZZ
As part of a celebration of 150 years of UNI and 75 of Jazz at UNI, a concert and alumni event on Feb. 20, 2026, will feature a newly commissioned work by UNI professor Bob Washut.
PHILOSOPHY AND WORLD RELIGIONS
On May 1 and 2, 2026, the Department of Philosophy and World Religions will host alumni Cara Burnidge to celebrate its 55th anniversary. As part of the event, a photo exhibit highlighting the program’s history will be produced.
UNI MEMORY MAP
A public-facing web application will be developed to encourage intuitive, interactive exploration of a rich collection of UNI-specific historical photographs (over 1500 from 1872 to 2000) sourced from UNI Special Collections, the UNI museum and from donors, which are available through fortepan.us.
UNI COUNSELING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
In celebration of UNI’s tradition of community engagement, faculty and graduate students from the Department of Family, Aging and Counseling will design and deliver a series of free, research-informed community workshops focused on wellness, resilience and mental health.
THE AUGUST WILSON BLUES FESTIVAL
A group of UNI and Cedar Valley community members will offer a staged reading of August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone to be performed at UNI and at Cedar Valley locations on March 30 and April 1.
CLASS PROJECTS
UNI history tours will be available at the Fairview Cemetery in Cedar Falls. Tours will be October 2026 and led by Dr. Thomas Connors, a professor in the department of history.
Students in HIST 2011 will coordinate with the Cedar Falls Historical Society to conduct a walking tour of Fairview Cemetery, where three UNI presidents and half of UNI’s original faculty are buried.
CLASS PROJECTS
Media for Change: Shaping Future Leaders will be taught by Francesca Soans, a professor in the Department of Communication and Media.
Students in COMM DM 3651: Advanced Digital Media (Television) will produce a scripted television show examining student empowerment at UNI now and in the past.
CLASS PROJECTS
Arduino-Based Control System with Sam Liang, a professor in the Department of Applied Engineering.
Students in TECH 3129: Linear Control Systems will design and showcase control system projects focused on the Campanile, the UNI Greenhouse and an environmental monitoring system.
Making a mascot: 15 years of TK at UNI
When UNI fans come in contact with TK the mascot, they find a sassy, confident, cute kitten who complements her older brother TC perfectly. Making her debut during Homecoming 2010, TK is celebrating her 15th birthday this fall!
“At the time we brought TK into existence, it just felt right,” said longtime UNI employee Connie Hansen, who created the concept and crafted the very first suit.
While students in the program competed at a national mascot competition, Hansen noticed some schools had not one mascot, but two. She started to see some of the benefits of having two different people who could simultaneously wear the suit.
“As the mom of a girl, the representation of having a female mascot was important to me,” she said. “I’m also an elementary education alum from
UNI, so I love little kids. I noticed a lot of little kids were scared of TC because he’s so big. So the idea of having a mascot who was a little smaller and less intimidating was also appealing to me.”
This was not the first time other mascots had accompanied TC. For example, a second cat would sometimes pop up at high-attendance games in the 1980s. But Hansen wanted to help create a longer lasting complementary figure.
Before UNI could start fundraising for a second mascot, Hansen had to prove the effort would be worth it. Using an old TC suit, Hansen began sewing together a smaller, female version over the course of a weekend. Her daughter, in junior high at the time, served as a model.
Next, there was a contest on campus to name the secondary mascot. Hansen developed a few possible names, including TShe and TLC (The Little Cat). The campus community voted. TK, short for “The Kit-
ten,” took off as the runaway favorite.
Hansen thought it would be a good idea to launch the TK mascot — including the new name — at the Homecoming football game in 2010. She connected with student employee Lindsey Rhodes (now Lindsey Leonard) and asked if she’d be willing to get in suit. Rhodes, a former cheerleader, was happy to help, following Hansen’s instructions to be a cuter, sassier mascot.
On October 23, 2010, TK made her debut at halftime of the Homecoming football game in the UNI-Dome. As Hansen recalls it, the crowd went wild. In fact, TK was so caught up in the moment that Hansen had to call her by her real first name — a major no-no for mascots — to get her attention to come off the field when the football team got back in formation.
“I got an email from two coaches the week after we introduced her, and they both said they wanted her at every single one of our home games,”
said Hansen. “Imagine who they were: Bobbi Peterson and Tanya Warren. They both loved having a female mascot and wanted her to show little girls they can do anything they want to do.”
Hansen then worked with a company to design a real TK head.
“I wanted her to be softer and a little rounder,” said Hansen. “I wanted her to have really big, open, pretty eyes with the purple eyeshadow. And I wanted her to always have some kind of a bow in her hair, just so that she doesn’t look just like TC. That’s my signature thing — I always wear some kind of headband or bow.”
UNI fundraised for the project, and TK secured her place in the UNI community. Soon, in addition to athletic and community events, TK attended weddings, birthday parties and more, quickly becoming embraced and beloved by Panther fans everywhere.
There are logistical benefits to having two mascots.
“It was very taxing for TC to be at everything,” said Hansen. “Our big pitch to students is not to get overly involved. So it was important for us to not overly involve TC as well.”
15 years later, one young fan is Hansen’s three-year-old granddaughter, Kenna. Just as Hansen had hoped all those years ago, Kenna finds TK to be easier to interact with.
“That was always my hope, that no child would be frightened and know this is a lovable, kind, caring representation of what I think our university is like,” Hansen explained. “UNI is a kind, warm place and builds really good community. So I wanted the mascots to always build community, and I got to watch that.”
After 37 years of working at UNI, it has occurred to Hansen that the creation of TK could end up being her legacy — and, if it does, she’s okay with that.
“It’s a good legacy to have.”
Courtesy/InsideUNI
TK greeting students inside McCloud Center.
By Anna Flanders InsideUNI
Courtesy/InsideUNI
Original TK mascot with TC at TK’s grand reveal.
Courtesy/InsideUNI Original TK mascot at grand reveal in 2010.
UNI Department of Communication and Media annual Costume Contest
By NI Staff
Courtesy/UNI Communication and Media Associate Prof Gayle Pohl deservedly took the top place in the Best Overall Costume category as Batwoman.
Courtesy/UNI Communication and Media Assistant Professor of Instruction Scott Bredman dressed as a UNI student. He and Adriana Cruz, a grad student, won the Funniest Costume Category.
Courtesy/UNI Communication and Media Associate Prof Tom Hall took second place for Best Overall Costume as Mario, the main character in the popular franchise.
Courtesy/UNI Communication and Media Kat Golsan, assistant adjunct professor, looked quite spooky in her Fortune Teller costume. Not surprisingly, she won the Spookiest Costume top spot.
Courtesy/UNI Communication and Media Student Adriana Cruz donned a squid costume and, to make it more realistic, laid on the floor (at least for the picture).
Panthers drop hard faught game to Redbirds
By Michael Spahn Assistant Sports Editor
The Northern Iowa football team fell to the Illinois State Redbirds on Saturday by a score of 31-16, falling to 2-7 on the season. This was the first game since head coach Todd Stepsis made a quarterback change, switching to redshirt-junior Jaxon Dailey.
The Panthers got the ball first and drove into Redbird territory early. The drive ended with a punt after eight plays. The Redbird offense got off to a hot start, marching down the field for an 80-yard drive capped off by a 4-yard rushing touchdown to go up 7-0.
After the Panther offense went 3-and-out, the Redbirds struck again with a two-yard rushing touchdown, extending the lead to 14-0. On their next defensive possession, the Panthers were able to hold the Redbirds to a 45-yard field goal attempt, which was no good. The offense gave it right back on the first play after the missed kick, as the Redbirds intercepted a pass from Dailey.
Shortly after, the Redbirds capitalized converting on their first touchdown pass of the day to make it 21-0 late in the
second half.
The Panthers didn’t leave the half empty handed. With under a minute to go in the
half Max Bartachek connected on a 28-yard field goal to make the score 21-3. Coming out of the break,
the Panthers forced a fourth down and short situation. The Redbirds completed a pass that was ultimately short of
the line to gain.
After the turnover on downs, running back Harrison Bey-Buie accelerated up the middle of the field for a gain of 14 down to the 35-yard line. Shortly after, Dailey found Derek Anderson down the field for a gain of 22-yards. Bey-Buie capped off the drive with a two-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 21-10.
The Redbirds responded with a 12 play, 75-yard drive capped off with a 9-yard touchdown run to make it 28-10 Redbirds.
The Panthers continued to fight back. At the start of the fourth quarter, Dailey found JC Roque Jr. down the field for a 41-yard touchdown to make the score 28-16.
The Redbirds kicked a field goal late to make it 31-16, which would end up being the final score.
UNI falls to 2-7 on the season, and hold a six game losing streak dating back to their loss against Utah Tech.
The Panthers will welcome in the Murray State Racers on Saturday Nov. 8. The game can be found on ESPN+ and Panther Sports Radio Network.
Photo Courtesy/UNI Athletics
The Panthers look to bounce back this weekend against Murray State. Game time is at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Sonderman, Lillie Lead Panthers at MVC
By Carter Lust Sports Writer
Each year, the University of Northern Iowa men’s and women’s cross-country teams look to the Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) Championships as one of the premier races of the season. After hosting the event at Pheasant Ridge Golf Course in 2024, the Panthers traveled to Evansville, Indiana, for the 33rd edition of the men’s championship and 47th edition of the women’s. Following a strong showing in last year’s competition, both UNI squads hoped for another standout outing on a crisp Halloween morning.
Sunny skies and temperatures in the mid-50s provided nearly perfect running conditions on race day. Winds below 10 mph offered a welcome change from the recent gusty weather in Cedar Falls.
The Northern Iowa women took advantage of the ideal conditions to finish fifth out of The Valley’s 11 teams. Freshman Lindsey Sonderman led the Panthers, covering the 6K course in 21:32.79 to finish 16th overall, narrowly missing the final All-Conference honorable mention spot. Trailing Sonderman was senior Millie Hill, who returned from injury
to bolster UNI’s depth, placing 19th in 21:39.89. Fellow senior Melody Ochana followed in 24th at 21:52.99, just ahead of teammate Meghan
Wheatley, who took 25th in 21:54.25.
Leah Klapatauskas rounded out the scoring for UNI, finishing 31st in 22:05.06.
Kaylee Woolery placed 34th in 22:11.37, while Claire Wright broke the 23-minute barrier with a 22:53.48 for 53rd. Sarah Feddersen fol-
lowed in 55th at 22:57.71. Brookie O’Brien capped the lineup with a 23:16.66 for 62nd.
Bradley University dominated the women’s field, earning a perfect team score of 15 points. The Braves’ Kaitlyn Sheppard won the individual title in 20:48.73.
On the men’s side, Northern Iowa finished ninth out of 11 conference teams. Junior Colin Lillie again led the Panthers, clocking 25:15.25 for 22nd place on the 8K course. Freshman Ethan Olds followed closely in 23rd at 25:16.45 — a promising result for his first MVC Championship.
Micah Rees finished 48th in 25:47.84, while Drew Dombrosky ran 26:07.80 for 59th. Ty Getz rounded out the scoring five, placing 70th in 26:20.99. Caleb Kass took 75th in 26:30.35, and Jonas VanDis followed in 78th at 26:39.74. Brayden Picken placed 85th in 27:24.85, and Josh Gormley closed out the UNI lineup in 88th at 27:31.75. Bradley also claimed the men’s team title with 49 points, led by individual champion Jayde Rosslee, who won in 24:01.52. Both UNI squads return to action Nov. 14 when they travel to Stillwater, Oklahoma, for the NCAA Midwest Regional.
Panthers extend MVC win streak with two wins
By Nicole Waters Sports Writer
The UNI volleyball team opened its weekend slate with a dominant sweep over the Belmont Bruins. The Panthers came out firing with a 5-0 scoring run, taking eight of the first nine points.
Cassidy Hartman, Taryn Rice, and Sydney Golden each served an ace to extend the early lead into double digits. Hartman tallied four kills in the first set, while Maryn Bixby and Isabelle Elliott added three apiece to help UNI take the opener, 25-16.
The Bruins pushed back in the second set, challenging the Panthers early, but UNI quickly regained control behind strong offense from Hartman, Elliott, and Lindsay Oldendorf, each posting four kills. Northern Iowa used sharp attacking and steady blocking to win the set 25-18, taking a twoset lead.
Belmont jumped ahead 6-1 in the third set before UNI rallied behind tough serving and net defense. Aces by Golden and Hartman, along with a key block from Molly
held on for a 25-19 win to complete the sweep, 3-0. The Panthers carried that
momentum into their next match against Southern Illinois. The first 20 points
of the opening set were evenly split before UNI pulled away with a 15-7 scoring run to take the set 25-17. Lily Dykstra led the way with five kills, while Hartman and Elliott added four apiece, and Bixby contributed two aces.
Set two proved to be a battle, with UNI trailing for much of the frame before tying it 13-13. Hartman exploded for 14 kills in the set as the Panthers fought back. SIU went on a 5-0 run to go up 18-16, but UNI forced extra points and took the set 28-26, going up two sets to none. Dykstra added another five kills in the set.
Southern Illinois responded in the third, winning 25-23 after a tightly contested frame that featured ties at 6-6, 13-13, and 22-22. The Panthers bounced back in the fourth, pulling away from an 8-8 tie behind strong hitting from Hartman and Dykstra, and key blocks from Elliott, Bixby, and Oldendorf. UNI closed out the match 25-20 to secure the 3-1 victory.
Photo Courtesy/UNI Athletics
The Panthers set their eyes to the NCAA Midwest Regional in Stillwater, Oklahoma on Nov. 14.
Shafer, helped the Panthers tie the score at 16-16. UNI then went on an 8-0 run and
Photo Courtesy/UNI Athletics The Panthers have now won 54 straight matches over MVC opponents.
French-speaking big man looks to make an impact
By Kolton Becker Guest Writer
Meet the new Frenchspeaking big man on the UNI men’s basketball team. Ismaël Diouf looks to bring a mix of size, skill and past experiences to help the Panthers get over the hump in the Missouri Valley Conference.
“Control what you can control” — that’s something Diouf lives by. And with a path like his to UNI, how else could you go about it? From Canada to Raleigh and now to Cedar Falls, he’s seen enough and then some. His optimism perfectly encapsulates the atmosphere building around the 2025–26 UNI squad.
Diouf is a 23-year-old, 6-foot-9 transfer forward from North Carolina State University. His journey to UNI has been one of dedication, hard work and constant adaptation. His father, who was also his youth basketball coach, is a big reason why Diouf fosters this mentality.
“It was kind of hard sometimes because it was really intense, he knew my potential and what I could do,” Diouf said.
Those values show on the court, where he focuses on being a team player who likes to get others involved. His
skills and versatility make him a valuable option for the Panthers.
“I can shoot, I can dribble, I can drive and block. That would be my role, to be versatile,” he said. “Crash offensive rebounds, be a good two-way. Be a good communicator off the court and on the court.”
Diouf grew up in Quebec in a town a little smaller than Cedar Rapids called SaintJean-sur-Richelieu. He first picked up a basketball at age six and was coached by his father until he was 12. He began his collegiate career at Laval University in Quebec.
In two years there, he earned honors such as being named to the Regional All-Rookie Team and the U Sports Final 8 Tournament MVP — the Canadian equivalent of the NCAA Division I basketball tournament’s Most Outstanding Player.
Diouf was then drafted with the first overall pick in the 2024 Canadian Elite Basketball League draft by the Montreal Alliance. There, he connected with an agent who told him about NCAA opportunities in the United States. After speaking with several teams, he chose to join N.C. State.
During his time there, Diouf learned and adjusted to
the American style of play.
“It’s a different style of play, different attitude, mindset,” Diouf said. “Canadian basketball is really a mix of American basketball and European basketball.”
He also noted how business-driven the power conferences can be, saying that players are often viewed for their monetary value, creating an environment different from what he was used to.
Diouf left N.C. State at the end of the season, deciding to transfer to UNI. He joins 11 returning players along with five other newcomers. That team continuity has created a culture that fits his team-centered style of play.
“The culture that they have here is more like a family and everybody’s here for each other,” Diouf said. “That’s why they have like eleven returners from last year. It shows a lot about the people that Coach [Ben] Jacobson recruits.”
He’s rooming with redshirt freshman Ben Schweiger, who transferred last year. Schweiger has helped Diouf learn about UNI and how the program operates. Fellow transfer Tristan Smith has also helped, as have veterans like Trey Campbell and Leon Bond III, who’ve shown Diouf the ropes of how Jacobson
runs the team.
With so many returners, team chemistry is at an alltime high, even with a handful of new faces.
“On the court we’re really competitive. We push each other, but outside everybody’s hanging out with everybody,” Diouf said. “We have fun and we’re not afraid to talk. It’s all love. The coaches are great. They’re really involved with each player and I really appreciate that.”
Being mentally strong is crucial in basketball, and with all the moving around he’s done, Diouf’s mindset has been tested plenty.
“My first year, of course, I wasn’t close with my team, so I was kind of alone,” he said.
“I’d FaceTime with my girlfriend and with my family all the time. It was kind of hard to be in a place where I don’t even know a lot of people. But here, I think I’m with the guys
almost every day.”
Almost anyone who’s a sixhour flight away from home is going to miss it. Still, Diouf chooses to stay optimistic and embrace wherever he’s at in the moment.
“Yes, I miss home. It’s far, but I think it’s a good way to get out of my comfort zone and also adapt,” he said. “Like speaking more English, being more fluent and developing as a person.”
Diouf is an easygoing team player who absorbs the knowledge and energy of the people around him. Last year, he spoke with a psychologist who gave him advice that stuck.
“Control what you can control, that’s what I’ve learned to cherish,” he said. “You can only control the work you put into it. You cannot control if you make a shot, but you can control how many times you practiced working on it.”
Photo Courtesy/Kolton Becker
The Panthers open up the 2025-26 season at home vs Cal State Northridge on Nov. 6.
CROSSWORD
BY RYAN SALES
SUDOKU
Across
1) French friend
5) Breaks down 9) "___ my case!"
14) Fly high
15) French possessive
16) Sudden shocks
17) Writer Kingsley
18) Local band named after two foods
20) UNI Students
22) More than half of humanity
23) Surg. sites
24) These, in Tours
25) Doesn't work hard
29) "C'mon, be ___!"
31) Air rifle ammo 34) "Holy mackerel!"
35) Golf ball supports 36) ___ grievance
37) Iowa Senator that attended UNI 40) "Star Wars" princess
41) Orator's platform
42) Mare : foal :: cow : ___ 43) Morsel 44) Talks from a Rev. 45) Feeling one
46) Scale notes 47) Skillet 48) General assemblies 51) Civil War battlefield 56) Vegan shop in Cedar Falls 58) Pasta ___ Norma 59) "You win" 60) Mars: Prefix 61) Dirty 62) Sometime ally of Godzilla 63) Pub orders 64) Cong. period
Down
1) "Stat!" 2) NYC cultural center 3) "Young Sheldon" star Armitage
4) Once, once 5) Fencing swords
6) Bradley and Sharif
7) Peaty places
8) German pronoun
9) Dutch branch of the Rhine
10) Indian flatbreads
11) Zeno's home
12) Lee of Marvel Comics
13) Sounds of disapproval
JENNA WESTENDORF Managing Editor
19) The house, to José
21) Monopoly purchase
25) Pedicab alternative
26) Aaher's partner
27) Look forward to
28) Blood fluids
29) Umbrella
30) The "P" in PIN: Abbr.
31) Fives and tens
32) Musical equivalent of two whole notes
33) Nay follower
35) Old Russian ruler
36) Straight ___ arrow
38) Historic Mesopotamian city
39) Extended operatic solo
44) German seven
45) Some plasma TVs
46) Didn't ___ beat
47) Eartha Kitt's "Mambo de ___"
48) "The Kite Runner" boy
49) Caramel-filled candy
50) Frame of mind
51) Jazzman Saunders
52) Lip
53) ___ gin fizz
54) Boxers Muhammad and Laila
55) Pizzeria in "Do the Right Thing"
57) "The Jungle Book" python
