/NORTHERNIOWAN
CEDAR FALLS, IA
@NORTHERNIOWAN
WWW.NORTHERNIOWAN.COM
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 25, 2026
VOLUME 122, ISSUE 24
Salazar, Benton win NISG election
By Estelle Johnson Executive Editor
On March 11 at 7 p.m., the winners of the 2026 – 2027 Northern Iowa Student Government election results were announced. Gabriel Salazar and DeeDee Benton are the new president and vice president of the student body, winning 780 to 104 votes. Their opponents were freshmen Jason Vinsick and Jasper DeWolf. Salazar and Benton’s term will begin at the start of the next academic school year in August 2026. The event was live streamed on the NISG Instagram. Chief Justice Hunter Van Beek announced the results of the election. Salazar, who is from Muscatine, is a digital media production and political communication double major, and currently serves as the NISG vice president. Benton, a Cedar Falls native, is double majoring in political science and psychology — and is the student government liaison to the Cedar Falls City Council. In their campaign, Salazar and Benton said that they will focus on increasing awareness of free campus resources and cre-
ating a stronger community among UNI students. On the senate slate, two write-in candidates, Shelby Jenkins and Bree Garrison, will represent the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Elijah Yates and Nick Schreyer will represent students from the College of Humanities, Arts and Sciences. No candidates ran for the Wilson College of Business, College of Education or Graduate College. Those seats will be filled through open applications at the beginning of next semester. Students will be notified when applications open through official channels, including NISG social media. Senator selection is overseen by the NISG Senate. “I would just like to thank the student body. This year we’ve seen a lot of student engagement, especially in the election,” Salazar said. “We’d also like to applaud the other ticket. Jason and Jasper did a phenomenal job, especially as freshmen. It was amazing to see them step up.” “I’m incredibly proud of the work that we’ve
Maci Swanson/Northern Iowan Gabriel Salazar and DeeDee Benton will be the president and vice president of the Northern Iowa Student Government for the 2026 – 2027 academic year.
done for this campaign, and I couldn’t have done it without Gabriel, Gabi Meza, Meghan Rosheim and the wonderful women that have guided me along the way,” Benton added. “I’m excited to continue the strong advocacy for the UNI community!”
UNI community mourns Brennan Haag, alumn and campus facilities employee By NI Staff
Brennan Haag, a groundskeeper for UNI Facilities and a UNI alumnus, passed away on March 13. Brennan graduated from UNI with his bachelor of arts degree in biology in 2019. He was currently enrolled in the Nonprofit Leadership certificate program through the College of Education, according to the Office of the President. “Brennan Haag was a one of a kind person. His unique personality made him who he was,” said Abrianna Haag, his sister, in a Facebook post. “Brennan would bring a lively energy to every place he went.” The Employee Assistance Program is available to support UNI employees who may be struggling with grief and other personal obligations. Information can be found at hrs. uni.edu/mybenefits/eap.
Courtesy Photo UNI alumnus and groundskeeper for UNI Facilities passed away on March 13.
hrs.uni.edu/mybenefits/eap
Northern Iowan welcomes new talent to the team My name is Grant Hospodarsky! I’m one of the associate multimedia editors here at the Northern Iowan. I’m a senior studying digital media production and interactive digital studies. I also have minors in marketing and digital media leadership but what YOU, our beloved reader needs to know is that I’m a passionate storyteller. I love getting to craft, tailor and create content for the various things I do. I’m GRANT HOSPODARSKY involved in MANY oth- MULTIMEDIA EDITOR er things around campus, and I like to stay busy. My parents and my one brothfavorite season is Spring er went to UNI as well. (Easter is my favorite hol- One of my favorite muiday), and I’m really excit- sic groups I’ve been into ed to graduate. I love play- recently is Electric Light ing basketball, I feel like Orchestra (ELO for short), I’m always shooting hoops and I LOVE Crunch bars or working out at the rec. and Buncha Crunch candy. Apart from staying active, I look forward to making I’m a huge video game and some fire content this semovie fan. I’m originally mester! from Monticello, Iowa. My
Meet the other editors on pg. 2