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Friday, October 21, 2005 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Connie Hansen, coordinator, UNI student organizations, (319) 273-6335
Vicki Grimes, University Marketing & Public Relations, (319) 273-6728
Note to editors/news directors: Note to editors/news directors: A 200 dpi color image of the Even family is available at
http://www.uni.edu/pubrel/newsroom/photos/05familyoftheyear.jpg
From left to right, back row: Russ, Eugene, Paula and Wes. Front row: Matt, Amanda, Chris
Even family named University of Northern Iowa 2005 Family of the Year CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --The support of her family upon returning to college after a 17-year hiatus was a strong factor in a mother nominating her family, the Even family of Gilbertville, to be the University of Northern Iowa's 2005 Family of the Year.
The Even family will be honored Saturday, Oct. 29, at the Family Weekend tailgate event, and will receive recognition at halftime of UNI's 3 p.m. football game with the Penguins of Youngstown State University.
Family members includes parents, Eugene and Paula, and their five children. Sons Chris and Wes graduated with their mother two years ago when she received her B.A. degree in earth science. Chris majored in technology management and Wes in physics. Their son Russ, is a UNI double major in physics and public administration; their daughter Amanda is a UNI freshman majoring in earth science; and son Matt, plans to enter UNI in 2007, majoring in either earth science or physics.
Paula, who received her master's degree in environmental programs from UNI in May, says the most significant effect her family has had on her is to make her always want to do her best in school and learn as much as possible.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to be here and would not be without their support and sacrifices," wrote Paul in her nomination. "My second son said to me, as he graduated from high school, 'Come to college with me, Mom.' He knew I had always wanted to complete college. I am very blessed to have a family who has supported and encouraged me to follow my dreams."
Paula, who began her undergraduate career as a home economics major, joined him and changed her major to earth science. She says she is a better person because of her family's support for one another. Not only did this help her become a more giving, patient and flexible person as she struggled to accommodate everyone's schedules, but also it helped her to keep sight of what she says is most important in life, each other.
"I make an effort to bring everyone together to celebrate holidays and special occasions, as well as to relax together on a Sunday afternoon," she wrote. "I have learned to make time for the simple things in life, like sitting under the stars on a summer evening and talking for hours to my children.
"My family truly is a UNI family and has played an important role in my collegiate experience, with all of them assisting me in some way throughout my college career. Chris proofed my papers while Russ gave me graphic advice. My husband, Amanda and Matt assisted me in collecting samples and taking pictures for projects."
But she says son, Wes, has played the most significant role, patiently tutoring her for "countless hours" in calculus and physics, as well as providing computer guidance. In the two classes they took together, they were often busy typing away at their computers, calling out questions to each other, while in an observational astronomy class, they spent several nights out until the "wee hours of the morning" gathering data for their projects.
He also was willing to pitch in and cook a meal or take his little brother to scout functions if she had a test to study for or a paper to write.
"My family's support has played such a vital part in my being able to go to college, and UNI has been such an important part of our family."
The Family of the Year program is sponsored by the UNI Family Weekend Committee. For more information on UNI's Family Weekend, visit www.uni.edu/familyweekend
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