University of Northern Iowa — Attraction in Cedar Falls

I started my undergraduate at the University of Northern Iowa in August 2014 and ended May 4th, 2018. I originally didn't want to go to UNI because my parents pretty much forced me to go here and because some of the concrete buildings gave me the impression that UNI looked like a concentration camp. Yet again, I never found a college that hasn't given me an ugly/prison-looking vibe at first, so take this first impression for granted. After starting marching band camp the week before class started my freshman year, I was completely wrong. Going to UNI won't be some prison sentence. Rather, it would be a terrific experience I would remember forever. I participated in the UNI marching and pep bands for four years, and it was great because I got to travel on two abroad marching band trips (London 2015 and Rome 2017) and learned the inside band nerd sayings towards opposing teams at basketball games. Another major extracurricular I got involved in was the UNI Forensics Speech Team. I spent four years traveling across the Midwest to go to competitions where we used memorized speeches about advocacy to get our messages across. I also went on the Cuba Capstone in May-June of 2017, and it was great because of all the wonderful sights and perspectives we had and also because two of my high school classmates went there too. I ended becoming a Spanish major (not teaching, just Spanish) on accident because I wanted to learn more Spanish after high school, and the classes in their Department of Languages and Literatures were always the classes I kept enjoying and wanting to continue. My advice is to get the English-Spanish Translation minor like I did because it only requires an additional class of intro to linguistics (a TESOL class). I also got a creative writing minor because I enjoy writing, but one thing I would do if I went back and repeated these years again would be to get the interdisciplinary writing major, that isn't widely known and talked about because of its smallness, which is basically the combination of the professional and creative writing minors. Overall, my experience at UNI was spectacular. I got to be involved with the church at St. Stephen the Witness right next to the book store while having the ability to make new friends, see the world, and get out of my personal bubble. I highly recommend going to this university because I clearly underestimated UNI's ability to grow on me, and one's first impressions on a place does not determine the outcome. Rather, it's one's ability to grow with perspective and taste that really defines what someone would experience as a student at this...

I am proud of the young men on the basketball team for their courage and strength given so honorably today. I'm glad the outcome was so positive and exciting for you as well as your coaches and supporters.

You are good examples for 1. students who are graduating this Spring and planning to continue their education - hopefully at UNI - and, most importantly, 2. much younger students who may view you as a good person to model their lives after.

Yes, you are models. What you did today was a beautiful and rich example of what young AND old are looking for today: a way of life that brings joy and positive feelings to others as well as satisfaction and pride to yourselves.

Yes, I AM proud of you as individuals and as a team. We may never meet. It doesn't matter. I simply want you to understand what ALL you accomplished today, what you have been doing, and what you will CONTINUE to do without ever thinking about it. You are sharing yourself AND future as well as giving us, your "audience", hope for tomorrow when our present appears bleak and frightening.

Good luck as you continue this present quest. You are certainly earning the opportunities that lay before you. Enjoy your journey. You certainly deserve the rewards that have and will develop from your efforts.

I am but one who appreciates whatever you do. And...

My son is currently going to UNI and has a beautiful place to live in Panther Village, campus looks Awesome but that is about it. When we went through the financial aid process, there was no help/support with the process. I was forced to borrow money for my kids college as they don't allow him to borrow it all in his name. I am a single parent working 2 jobs and should not have been forced into debt that way. 2nd, my son is struggling and has made numerous attempts to talk with advisor but she appears too busy to work with him. He now feels backed into a corner and feeling very alone. Still trying to make connections but at this rate he will Not be returning in the fall. It's too bad we pay so much money for an education and get no support. Very frustrated...