The Fall semester is nearing its end, events included professional development, service, hockey, and mural painting. Please, share your ideas for future events with us! We are already planning events for the Spring. What would you like to do with your fellow graduate students? How can we help you?

Katherine Brown, kabrown@uni.edu,
Brock Holman, bholman@uni.edu,
and Ken Nesbett, knesbett@uni.edu

Graduate Assistants, Graduate Student Life

You are invited to participate in the Second Annual Graduate Student Research Symposium an April 1, 2009. The Symposium is open to all current graduate students as well as December 2008 graduates. Students' research, scholarship, and creative achievements will be showcased by poster presentations or performances.

New for the 2009 Symposium:

• Location: Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center instead of the Seerley Hall Great Reading Room. This allows more space for poster presentations in the lobby and a venue, the Great Hall, for creative performances.
• Keynote Address: Speaker to be determined.
• Performance Category Extended: Creative performances in any field are encouraged.
• Judging by professionals in the field.
• Monetary Awards: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place prizes of $200, $100, and $50 will be given in the two categories of Poster Presentations and Performances.

As a Symposium participant, you will build your resume, vitae, and portfolio with presentation experience. Academic work will be showcased as you prepare for future conference presentations. You will extend your network to graduate students and faculty from across disciplines and share program experiences.

Scott Larson presents at the 2008 Research Symposium

More detailed information and the registration form is available at www.grad.uni.edu/symposium

Watch for flyers around campus with more details on all of these Graduate Student Social Network (GSSN) events. Please contact us if transportation is a concern. We welcome ideas, comments, and suggestions for future events

Grad Chats in the Union

Meet and network with other graduate students and Graduate College Staff. Share your graduate student experience. Stop by and stay as long as your schedule allows. Look for the Grad Chats signs near Chats!

Thursday, December 11, 10:30 - 11:30 am

Recent Graduate Student Social Network Events

Pumpkin Carving

Graduate students gathered in the ROTH meeting room on Thursday, October 23 to create gorgeous, grotesque, and ghoulish creations by carving and painting pumpkins. Thank you to the Cedar Falls Walmart and the College Square Hy-Vee for donating the pumpkins. Also, thank you to Tiesha Walker, NISG Director of Graduate Student Affairs, and NISG for contributions and support.

Above: Graduate students and friends working on pumpkins Right: Matt Osen, MA accounting, & Melissa Hinners begin carving

Hockey Night

Graduate students cheered as the Waterloo Black Hawks defeated the Des Moines Buccaneers 6-5 in overtime at Young Arena on Friday, October 24.

The Black Hawks' Mascot attacks Graduate Assistant Ken Nesbett

Graduate students Gigi Jackson & Erin Cebula enjoy the game

Polyglots

Organization: Graduate Student Association of Polyglots Purpose: Bring together different cultures and speakers of many languages. Next Meeting: Friday, December 12 at 5:00pm in Sabin 102. Come and enjoy the French film "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" and snacks.

Polyglots' German-inspired event on Halloween

Events: This semester, monthly meetings inspired by different languages have included viewing a film, sharing snacks, and sometimes a musical performance. September's Spanish-inspired meeting included a performance by UNI's own Mariache band and watching Like Water for Chocolate. October's German-inspired meeting was held on Halloween. Beyond Silence was the film and many attendees wore costumes.

Membership: Any graduate students interested in culture and language are invited to join. You need not be a polyglot (speaker of multiple languages). E-mail Geri Toresdahl at gerit4@uni.edu to receive information on future events.

Graduation Celebration for December Graduates

December 20, immediately following the 11:00am Commencement

The Graduate College and the Alumni Association will host the Graduation Celebration for Graduate Students. The Graduation Celebration will be held in the Alumni Suite of the McLeod Center. Graduates, their family and friends, and faculty are invited to attend. Refreshments will be served. No RSVP is required. Any questions may be directed to Susie Schwieger at susan.schwieger@uni.edu.

A Note About the WRC

Wellness and Recreation Services (WRS) offers everything from the pleasure of massage to the exhilaration of outdoor adventure to help you relax, relieve stress, socialize, get fit, compete, and have fun. Through consultations and programs, WRS can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle during your busy life. Bring your children to the Wellness and Recreation Center during family time to enjoy the climbing wall, leisure pool, and water slide. WRS Paddling Panther Swim lessons for kids are also available. Plus, you have already paid for most of these services through your student fees!

Check out all the possibilities at www.uni.edu/wellrec

Kathy Green, Director
Wellness and Recreation Service

In This Issue

Conferences

UNI graduate students attended and presented at many conferences this Fall semester. Information on graduate student participation at the following events can be found on this issue's news page.

UNI MidTESOL Presenters

IWLA: Iowa World Language Association Conference

ISPA: Iowa Student Personnel Association Conference

MidTESOL: Mid-America Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages Conference

MBA Capstone Experience

About twenty students graduate from UNI's MBA program every year. As a culmination of their program, students participate in the MBA Capstone Experience, working on consulting teams with fellow students for Cedar Valley businesses and non-profit organizations. Learn details about this valuable, real-world experience for MBA students here.

MBA Students Present

Graduate Students' Teaching and Publication

"Citizenship Education: Engaging Children in Building Community" by Lynn E. Nielsen, Judith M. Finkelstein, Amy Schmidt, and Annette Duncan was published in the September/October 2008 Social Studies and the Young Learner v.21, no.1. Schmidt and Duncan are Ed. D. candidates at UNI and teachers at the Dr. Walter Cunningham School for Excellence.

Read about their experience co-authoring this article on the news page.

Grad Students Help the Food Bank

Seventeen graduate students gave their time and energy on Saturday, November 15 to help out at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. See photos and hear about the experience on the news page.

Alyssa Slaby sorts food during the service event

Social Work Colloquium

The Social Work Field Instruction Colloquium was held at UNI on October 1, 2008. Masters of Social Work students attended and networked with 200 community professionals. The conference focused on professional ethics in training and practice.

MSW students Dickyi Charwathakyi, Erika Meyer, and Florence Kamau at the colloquium

Career Services for Graduate Students

Need help in developing your resume or curriculum vitae?
Interested in improving your job search strategies including your interview skills?

Make an appointment with Susie Schwieger, the Director of Graduate Student Life, who has 18 years experience in career services. For an office or phone appointment, contact Susie at susan.schwieger@uni.edu or 319-273-3044.

Writing Workshops Posted Online

Dr. Deanne Gute, the Writing Center, presented three writing workshops this semester. Her PowerPoint presentations of "The Focused Graduate Student," "The Productive Graduate Student," and "The Eloquent Graduate Student" can be found on the Graduate College website.

To make an appointment with Dr. Gute, call 319-273-2361. You are welcome to email questions to her at deanne.gute@uni.edu

Visit the Where are they now? page to learn about these two UNI graduates at different stages in their careers.

Karen Koenig 2007 MA in Science Education Teaches 7th grade science in Iowa Falls and biology at Ellsworth Community College.

Karen Koenig

Jinger Bremer 2006 MAE in Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs, 2004 BA majoring in Psychology and Sociology, all from UNI. Currently the Residence Life Coordinator and Coordinator of Athletics at Franklin College in Lugano, Switzerland

Jinger Bremer

Pasha Agoes

First year MA student in Communication Studies, Emphasis in Organizational Communication He has authored two published books, one in English and one in Indonesian Learn more about Pasha Agoes on the International Graduate Student Profile page.

Pasha Agoes

2008-09 Outstanding Graduate Paper Award in Women's & Gender Studies

Current UNI graduate students from all departments and programs are eligible to apply for this award. The author of the winning paper will receive $100. Deadline for the paper is February 13, 2009.

For more information, visit their website at www.uni.edu/womenstudies or contact Dr. Phyllis Baker at 273-7102.

The Graffito is a publication of the University of Northern Iowa Graduate College.