Weekly Bulletin

Doctoral oral exams for April 22-26

The graduate dean invites all graduate faculty to attend the final oral examinations for the doctoral candidates scheduled as follows:

Katharine Kirakosian, Ph.D., Anthropology. Wednesday, April 24, 1 p.m., 903 Campus Center. Dissertation: “Curious Monuments of the Simplest Kind: Shell Midden Archaeology in Massachusetts (1868-2008).” Elizabeth Chilton, chr.

Alumni share fashion industry insights with students

Students interested in careers in the fashion industry can hear from eight alumni who are now executives in clothing and footwear companies during a Dining With the Stars program on Thursday, April 25 at 5:30 p.m. in the Amherst Room, 10th floor of the Campus Center.
 
“Success Stories from Top Fashion Executives” will provide “real world” answers and advice on a professional career. The evening format includes a formal dinner with one executive per table of eight attendees. After dinner, there will be time for two rotations to new tables to hear from other alumni presenters.
 
Participating

Visiting Writers Series reading features 3 alumni poets

The Visiting Writers Series hosts three alumni poets, Matthew Zapruder ’99, Dan Chelotti ’01 and Lisa Olstein ’02, on Thursday, April 25 at 8 p.m. in the University Museum of Contemporary Art.
 
Zapruder is the author of three collections of poetry, most recently “Come On All You Ghosts,” a New York Times Notable Book of the Year. His poems, essays and translations have appeared in Tin House, Paris Review, The New Yorker and The Believer.

UWN offers ‘Speed Networking’ luncheon on April 17

The University Women’s Network (UWN) is holding a “Speed Networking” luncheon Wednesday, April 17 from noon to 1 p.m. in the Cape Cod Lounge in the Student Union.

Speed Networking is a quick, easy and low-pressure way for introverts, extroverts, new UWN members or more experienced to meet people. UWN members and guests are invited to spend an hour sipping mocktails, munching on appetizers and taking time to learn about other attendees.

The menu will be turkey, ham, roast beef and vegetarian mini-wraps, mini-fruit kabobs, antipasto skewers, eclairs, cannoli, tea cookies, fruit tartlets and

Police chief urges attention to pedestrian safety as spring arrives

With the onset of spring and anticipation of warmer temperatures, UMass Police Chief John Horvath and the Pedestrian Safety Committee would like to remind all members of the campus community to be safe when moving about on campus. Drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists and skateboarders should be mindful of traffic lights, crosswalks and pedestrian-only zones to prevent pedestrian accidents.

The Pedestrian Safety Committee is reiterating the importance of their “R U Ready 2 Stop?” campaign, created in an effort to educate drivers and pedestrians of the dangers of texting while driving and crossing

Memorial service for Jacqueline Mellen

A memorial service for alumna and former staff member Jacqueline Mellen is being held Sunday, April 14 from 3-6 p.m. in the Amherst Room on the 10th floor of the Campus Center.
 
Mellen. who died Jan. 1, was a convention aide in the Student Union, a Continuing Education instructor and also worked in Asian Studies and International Programs.
 
All are welcome to share memories of her at 4 p.m.
 

CPPA plans launch party for new book by Gubrium and Harper

To celebrate the publication of “Participatory Visual and Digital Methods” by Aline Gubrium, assistant professor of Public Health, and Krista Harper, associate professor of Anthropology and Public Policy, the Center for Public Policy and Administration (CPPA) is hosting a book launch party on Wednesday, April 17 at 5 p.m. in the Gordon Hall Atrium. There will be free refreshments and books for purchase.
 
In “Participatory Visual and Digital Methods” (Left Coast Press), Gubrium and Harper describe how to conduct an ethnographic study that engages subjects by using visual and digital methods.

5 teams vying in Innovation Challenge on April 17

Five teams of student entrepreneurs will pitch their business plans to a panel of expert judges at the eighth annual Innovation Challenge on Wednesday, April 17. The teams will be competing for $50,000 in prize money at the event held in the Amherst Room, 10th floor, Campus Center, starting at 3:30 p.m. The competition is free and open to the public.
           
Ideas that will be featured include solar space-heating window units, a mobile application that shows discount coupons for retail stores, advanced videoconferencing software, new medical technology software and crowd source

Chem-E-Car competition planned as part of AIChE regional student conference

The campus chapter of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers will host the group’s Northeast Regional Student Conference April 13-14.

The event features the regional Chem-E-Car competition, where students design, build and run model vehicles powered and controlled solely by chemical reactions, a Jeopardy-style quiz for student teams, a keynote speaker and networking workshops.

The conference takes place at various locations on campus including the Integrated Sciences Building.

The keynote speaker is Michael Sarli, a lecturer in the chemical engineering department, who will speak Sunday,

Festival of Madness and Mayhem continues with 'Merchant of Venice'

The Festival of Madness and Mayhem continues performances of Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice," directed by Dori Robinson, in the Black Box Theater at the Renaissance Center, 650 East Pleasant St.

Performance times are April 18, 20, 25 and 27 at 7 p.m. and April 21 at 2 p.m.

Admission is $7 adults and $5 for students. Call 577-3600 to reserve seats. Pay for seats at the time of the show, cash only.

The festival is co-sponsored by Renaissance Center and UMass Hillel and is made possible in part by a grant from the UMass Arts Council.
 
For information, contact the center at

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