Pair of SPO Events This Week

The Oct. 25 event listed below has been designated as a UNO Spirit Committee Event.

The Student Programming Organization will host a pair of events on campus this week.  The details are listed below.

Monday, Oct. 24

No Better Cause (a capella group)

Milo Bail Student Center (MBSC) Nebraska Room

Noon to 1 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 25

"Spirit of a Child" (educational comedy by Wendy Cox)

MBSC Dodge Room

Noon to 1 p.m.

For more information, call 402.554.2711.

Informational Meetings on Travel Course to China Oct. 24-25

Students, faculty and staff interested in an upcoming travel course to China are invited to attend one of two informational meetings set for this week on campus.

Peter Szto, assistant professor of social work at UNO, will host the meetings Monday, Oct. 24, from 3 to 4 p.m. and Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Both meetings will be held in the Milo Bail Student Center Council Room. 

For more information, contact Dr. Szto at 402.554.2330.

Terrorism Analyst to Kick Off ABC Breakfast Series Oct. 27

Christopher Whitcomb, an on-air terrorism analyst for NBC News, will kick off the 2005-06 season of the Academy, Business and Community (ABC) Breakfast Speaker Series Thursday, Oct. 27.

A 15-year veteran of the FBI, Whitcomb speaks internationally on security and crisis-resolution matters.  He has investigated a variety of terrorist acts, including the World Trade Center bombings in 1993 and the USS Cole attack in Aden, Yemen.  His freelance work also has been featured in a number of national publications.

All ABC Breakfast events are held at the Holiday Inn Convention Center, 72nd and Grover streets.  The doors open at 7 a.m. for a breakfast buffet, followed by the speaker's presentation.

Tickets for the ABC Breakfast are $12.50 per person per breakfast or $50 for the entire season.  Tables of 10 also are available at a cost of $500 for the entire series.

The ABC Breakfast Speaker Series is made possible through the support of attendees and the generosity of TIAA-CREF, BlueCross BlueShield of Nebraska, DLR Group and Northern Natural Gas.

For more information or to purchase tickets, call 402.554.2981, or visit the Web at http://www.unomaha.edu/abc/.

Goldstein Lecture on Human Rights Oct. 27

The staff director for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum's Committee on Conscience will discuss Sudan and genocide at the 2005 Goldstein Lecture on Human Rights Thursday, Oct. 27.  The presentation, which is free and open to the public, is set for 7 p.m. in the Milo Bail Student Center Dodge Room.

Jerry Fowler is the first staff director for the committee, which guides the museum's genocide prevention efforts.  His speech is titled "Genocide Emergency Sudan: Who Will Survive Today?" 

Fowler previously served as legislative counsel for the Lawyers Committee for Human Rights, where he worked on a broad array of human rights issues, including international justice, and refugee and asylum policy.

The Shirley and Leonard Goldstein Lecture on Human Rights was established in 1997 through a significant gift from the Goldsteins, who believe it is important to focus attention on the plight of people around the world who suffer from the abuse of human rights.  For more than 25 years, Shirley Goldstein devoted her life to promoting human rights around the world, especially in securing freedom for Soviet Jews.  Each year, the Goldstein Lecture brings a distinguished scholar or leading expert on human rights to the UNO campus.

Representatives from the departments of philosophy, religion, political science and international studies serve on the Goldstein Lecture Committee.

For more information, call 402.554.2628, or visit the Web at http://www.unomaha.edu/religion/goldstein.home.htm.

Trick or Treat Event Oct. 30

The African American Organization and Lambda Theta Nu will sponsor a trick or treat outing for children 12 and under Sunday, Oct. 30.  The event, which is open to the public, will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. in the UNO Milo Bail Student Center Ballroom. 

Various organizations will provide activity tables and candy for the children.

For more information, contact Jade Cardenas at 402.714.7074 or jadedaisy_99@yahoo.com.

PRSSA to Trick-Or-Treat for Omaha Food Bank

A group of UNO students will be trick-or-treating for a cause this Halloween.

Members of the UNO chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) will dress up Monday, Oct. 31, and go door-to-door in local neighborhoods seeking donations of cans or boxes of food.  Nebraska Furniture Mart has loaned the students shopping carts to collect the food. All of the donations will be combined with the Nebraska Furniture Mart food drive for the Omaha Food Bank.  Monetary donations also are welcome.

PRSSA hopes to raise more than 1,000 pounds of food to help feed those in need, said event organizers Sarah Julius and Jackie Normington.  Nearly 50,000 people live below the poverty level in Douglas County, with 41 percent of those being children.

Due to the Hurricane Katrina and Rita relief efforts, local food banks have depleted supplies. The most needed food items at the Omaha Food Bank include coffee, tuna fish and other canned meats, cereal, soup, canned fruits and vegetables, 100 percent fruit juices, peanut butter, and macaroni and cheese.

The UNO chapter of the PRSSA is sponsored by the UNO School of Communication.  For more information on how to participate or donate, contact Julius at sjulius@mail.unomaha.edu or Normington at jnormington@mail.unomaha.edu.

For more information about Omaha Food Bank, visit the Web at http://www.omahafoodbank.org.

Day of the Dead Nov. 2; Workshop to Create Altar Oct. 26

The Office of Latino/Latin American Studies (OLLAS) at UNO will celebrate the Day of the Dead Wednesday, Nov. 2.  The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the UNO Art Gallery.

The Day of the Dead tradition, later mixed with Catholic rituals, is celebrated throughout the Americas, said Lourdes Gouveia, OLLAS director and professor of sociology at UNO.  In Mexico and Central America, people build elaborate altars in honor of a particular person or group.  They then fill the altars with items that the honored person or group enjoyed in life.

The 2005 OLLAS altar will honor the Latino/a victims of Hurricane Katrina, Dr. Gouveia said.  It will feature food, candy, beverages and other items that were used and enjoyed by those the altar honors.

On Wednesday, Oct. 26, OLLAS will host an ofrenda workshop to install the altar at 5 p.m. in the UNO Art Gallery.  "Ofrenda" is the Spanish word for "offering."  The workshop, which is free and open to the public, will be facilitated by Martin G. Ramirez Correa.  Correa has practiced traditional Mexican folk arts for the past two decades.  His current U.S. tour includes an installation in Los Angeles and working with Omaha Public Schools art departments.  He is an artist-in-residence with Las Artes, a Chicano/a cultural arts organization.  Participants are encouraged to bring an X-Acto knife or scissors to the workshop.

The Nov. 2 event also will feature Day of the Dead bread from South Omaha and hot chocolate prepared with Mexican ingredients by Maria Arbelaez, associate professor of history and a member of the OLLAS faculty at UNO.

At noon, OLLAS faculty will give a presentation on the history and contemporary manifestation of this pre-colonial tradition across the Americas.

The UNO Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the Weber Fine Arts Building.  Funding for both events is provided in part by the U.S. Department of Education. 

For more information, contact Lucy Garza, OLLAS project coordinator, at 402.554.3835 or lgarza@mail.unomaha.edu.

Entries Sought for IS&P Photo Contest

International Studies and Programs is sponsoring its annual "Eyes on the World" photo exhibit and contest.

UNO students, faculty and staff are encouraged to enter photos that depict local and international experiences.  Entry forms are available in 238 and 241 Arts and Sciences Hall (ASH).  There is a limit of three entries per person.  The deadline is Friday, Nov. 4.  All entry forms and photos should be turned in to 241 ASH.

The photos will be on display at University Library Nov. 9-20 as part of International Education Week.  During this time, UNO students, faculty and staff can vote for their favorite photos.  The winners will be announced Tuesday, Nov. 15, at 3 p.m. during the Café International event.  Prizes will be awarded to the top four entries, and winners do not need to be present to win.

For more information, contact Jerrad Jones at 402.657.1209 or jgjones@mail.unomaha.edu

Student United Way Campaign Under Way

The Emerging Leaders will sponsor the 2005 Student United Way Campaign Oct. 24-28 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On Monday through Wednesday, Oct. 24-26, the group will raffle off items donated by Omaha businesses and sell chances to guess how much candy is in a jar.  Whichever guess is closest at the conclusion of the event wins the contents.  The cost is $1 for a single raffle ticket or guess, or $2 for three raffle tickets or three guesses.

On Thursday and Friday, Oct. 27-28, the group will be collecting donations outside the Milo Bail Student Center.

For more information, contact Barb Treadway-Janousek or student coordinator Melanie Schreiber at 402.554.2711.

Graduate and Professional School Fair Nov. 9

Are you thinking about graduate school?  Plan to attend the UNO Graduate and Professional School Fair Wednesday, Nov. 9.  The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Milo Bail Student Center Ballroom.

Students and alumni will have the opportunity to meet representatives from institutions with academic programs in business, medicine, law, pharmacy, education, liberal arts, science and more.

In addition, Kaplan will be presenting a workshop on graduate school admission at 11 a.m. in the Milo Bail Student Center Aksarben Room on the day of the event.

Career Exploration and Outreach also holds résumé reviews and mock interviews each Tuesday and Thursday from 3 to 5 p.m. in 211 Eppley Administration Building (EAB).  To schedule an appointment, call Pat Cotton at 402.554.3672.

Visit the Web at http://unoceo.unomaha.edu and register on CareerConnect, the on-line job search system. Students are granted full access to the system upon creating a profile and uploading a résumé.  Registering provides you with 24-7 access to job listings, on-campus interview schedules and more at no cost.

For more information about the fair, CareerConnect and other services, contact Career Exploration and Outreach at 402.554.3672 or stop by 211 EAB.

UNO Student Receives Multicultural Affairs Scholarship

Kimberly Bryant, a senior journalism major in the UNO School of Communication, is the recipient of a 2005 Public Relations Student Society of America's (PRSSA) Multicultural Affairs Scholarship.

The scholarship is awarded to only two students nationwide.  Bryant will be honored at an awards dinner Monday, Oct. 24, during the National PRSSA Conference in Miami Beach, Fla.

Bryant, who serves as the newsletter editor for PRSSA, will receive a $1,500 award.  She was a member of the 2005 Bateman National Case Study team and a former editor-in-chief for The Gateway.  She is also an intern for BlueCross BlueShield of Nebraska.

"Kim is one of the most talented and hardest working students in our program and is truly deserving of this honor," said Karen Weber, PRSSA faculty adviser.

The PRSSA Multicultural Affairs Scholarship Program, established in 1989 by PRSA's Multicultural Affairs Committee, assists and recognizes students for outstanding academic achievement and commitment to the practice of public relations.  PRSSA has more than 8,500 members in 270 chapters on college campuses across the country.

Maverick Watch

Go Mavs!  Support your Mavericks by attending their home events.

Students are admitted free to all home athletic games with a valid UNO ID and game day ticket.  The spouses, significant others and children of UNO students also are admitted free.  At the game, students must present a valid UNO ID to receive a ticket.  Tickets do not have to be ordered in advance and are available on the day of the game at each home event.  For more information, call 402.554-MAVS (6287).

At home this week…

Friday, Oct. 28

Soccer vs. North Dakota

Ak-Sar-Ben Soccer Field

2 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 29

Volleyball vs. South Dakota

Sapp Fieldhouse

6 p.m.

For more information about UNO Athletics, visit the Web at http://gomavs.unomaha.edu.

New UNO Athletic Ticket Policy Clarified

In order to attend any home UNO athletic event, students, faculty and staff must show a valid UNO ID and, in addition, will receive a paper ticket to the sporting event.

"This will allow the athletic department to monitor actual attendance figures," said Bob Flannery, assistant athletic director for marketing and promotions at UNO.  "As a bonus for our students, faculty and staff, all tickets have a coupon on the back from Burger King."

Tickets do not have to be ordered in advance. Tickets will be available on the day of the game at each home event.

For more information, contact Flannery at 402.554.3882 or rflannery@mail.unomaha.edu.

Flu Shots Available Oct. 31 in the MBSC

Student Health Services (SHS) will be administering flu shots to interested UNO students, faculty and staff Monday, Oct. 31, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in SHS.

The shots are $15 for students, and $20 for faculty and staff. Cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted, and an exact payment is appreciated. No appointment is necessary, and refreshments will be served. SHS is located on the first floor of the Milo Bail Student Center.

For more information, call 402.554.2374.

"Meet Eleanor Roosevelt" Oct. 26

Boston-based actress Elena Dodd will deliver a one-woman performance depicting the life of Eleanor Roosevelt Wednesday, Oct. 26, at UNO."Meet Eleanor Roosevelt: Advocate for Universal Human Rights" will begin at 7 p.m. in Eppley Auditorium.  The event is free and open to the public.

Eleanor Roosevelt was the first president's wife to hold press conferences, write a newspaper column and travel widely.  The Oct. 26 program covers Roosevelt's experience after her husband died, when she was named as a U.S. delegate to the United Nations and served as chair of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights. 

Following the performance, Dodd will answer questions from the audience.  The event is sponsored by the United Nations Association-Omaha, the Nebraska Humanities Council, the UNO Women's Studies Program, the UNO School of Social Work, the UNO Departments of History and Political Science, and The Goodrich Program.

The program will be followed by a reception with the artist.

For more information, contact Karen Falconer Al-Hindi at 402.554.3834.

Symphonic Wind and Jazz Ensembles to Perform Oct. 30

The UNO Symphonic Wind Ensemble, conducted by James Saker, and the UNO Jazz Ensemble, directed by Peter Madsen, will perform Sunday, Oct. 30, in conjunction with the grand opening celebration of the Holland Performing Arts Center in downtown Omaha.

The two groups will perform in the center's concert hall at 4:15 p.m., and this event is free and open to the public. 

For more information, contact the University Bands Office at 402.554.3352.

Heartland Philharmonic to Present "Hauntcert" Oct. 31

The UNO Heartland Philharmonic Orchestra will present its annual "Hauntcert" Monday, Oct. 31, at 7:30 p.m. in the Strauss Performing Arts Center Recital Hall.  Tickets are $4 for students and seniors, and $5 for adults.   

"'Hauntcert,' an audience favorite, will feature an exciting program of spooky music and guests," said Christopher Stanichar, assistant professor of music at UNO.  "Everyone is invited to attend this family-friendly event, as well as come dressed in costumes."

The program will feature Webber's Selections from The Phantom of the Opera, Bach's Toccata in D minor, Davis's Suite from Dracula and Dvorak's The Noonwitch.  The orchestra also will be joined by Michael Shuman, pianist and winner of this year's UNO Concerto-Aria competition, in a performance of Liszt's Dance of Death.  The orchestra, conducted by Dr. Stanichar, will present the concert in costume.

Complimentary doughnuts and cider will be provided following the concert.

For tickets or more information, call 402.554.3427.

Experimental Film and Media Series Continues Nov. 5

The UNO Experimental Film and Media Series continues Saturday, Nov. 5, with a screening of Dave Ellsworth's Super-8 experimental work.  The event will begin at 7 p.m. in the UNO Art Gallery.

Ellsworth teaches film and video production at Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Mich.  He worked in video post-production at Broadway Video in New York City for 10 years.  Since then, Ellsworth has made award-winning short films that have appeared at festivals in the United States and around the world.  His work as a filmmaker and still photographer is an ongoing exploration of the ways people of different cultures and locales navigate their built environment and public space.

The series is sponsored by Echotrope, a local arts group dedicated to expanding the presence of experimental art and digital literacy in the metro area, and the UNO Art Gallery.

Echotrope was founded by the wife and husband team of Jody Boyer and Russ Nordman, both art and art history faculty at UNO.  Boyer serves as the group's curator/organizer, and Nordman is Echotrope's technical director.

"With this new series, Echotrope hopes to offer Omaha and the UNO community more opportunities to engage with independent film and experimental video," Boyer said.  "Also, with the creation of a new digital cinema program in the UNO Department of Art and Art History, these screenings will also serve as a way for students to become more familiar with new media and independent film and video."

All screenings, which are free and open to the public, will be held at 7 p.m. in the UNO Art Gallery, located on the first floor of the Weber Fine Arts Building.  The remaining schedule is listed below.

Saturday, Nov. 19

"Conditioned Love" by filmmaker River Branch

Saturday, Nov. 19

For more information about the series, contact Boyer at activate@echotrope.org.  For more information about Echotrope, visit the Web at http://www.echotrope.org.  For more information about the UNO Art Gallery, call 402.554.2796.