Friday, Aug. 10 - UofL Night at Cincinnati's National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, 5:30-8:30 p.m. A tour of the "Everyday Freedom Heroes" exhibit will follow cocktail reception talks by College of Arts and Sciences Dean Blaine Hudson and School of Medicine Dean Edward Halperin. Free. RSVP to the Alumni Association, 502-852-6186 or 800-813-8635.
Wednesday, Aug. 29 - Arts & Sciences Centennial Alumni Picnic, 5-8 p.m., Quadrangle in front of Ekstrom Library. With live Reggae music by the Hugh Peterson Group, "dunk the professors" dunking booth, games, giveaways, pizza, ice cream and a balloon artist. Free A&S t-shirts to the first 100 people. RSVP to 502-852-6490 or AS100@louisville.edu
Thursday, Aug. 30 - UofL vs. Murray State football game, 7:30 p.m. kickoff, Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, and Liberty Mutual UofL Alumni Association's Tailgate Central, Jim Patterson Stadium. Starting three hours before the game, the tailgate includes $1 drinks, $1 hot dogs, music, games, a rock-climbing wall and contests. Free. For more info, call 502-852-6186 or 800-813-8635. To purchase game tickets only, call the UofL Ticket Office at 502-852-5151.
Thursday, Sept. 6 - UofL vs. Middle Tennessee football game, 7 p.m. kickoff, Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, and Liberty Mutual UofL Alumni Association's Tailgate Central, Jim Patterson Stadium. Same details as event above.
Thursday, Sept. 6 - A&S Meet the Professor Luncheon with Dean Blaine Hudson, noon, University Club. Hudson will discuss the Underground Railroad. For reservations and more information, 502-852-2247.
Friday, Sept. 7 - First Friday Gallery Hop, 5:30-10 p.m., downtown Louisville. Attend a First Friday Gallery Hop with a UofL twist! Collect a C, A, R, D and S flyer at five designated galleries to enter a drawing for a great prize. Meet at the Cressman Center, First and Main Streets, between 5:30-6:30 p.m. to receive instructions. We'll conclude the evening at Riverbend Winery, 10th and Market Streets. Contact Valerie French for more information, 502-852-6186.
Wednesday, Sept. 12 - President's State of the University Address, 3:30 p.m., Bigelow Hall, Belknap Campus. President James Ramsey invites the entire UofL community to attend the annual State of the University Address, where he will discuss UofL's achievements, vision for the future and how the university remains accountable to its students, alumni, donors and legislators. Free. RSVP to the Alumni Association, 502-852-6186 or 800-813-8635.
Community partnerships
Governor announces $2.5 billion for health sciences plan
Today Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher announced a $2.5 billion capital investment over the next two decades to develop a 30-block health sciences area in downtown Louisville that includes the UofL Health Sciences Center. Investments in the new Haymarket Business and Research Park will fund construction for research labs; hiring of new UofL faculty, researchers and support staff; growth of new businesses to generate economic activity across Kentucky; and infrastructure for UofL researchers and entrepreneurs to take health science technology to the marketplace.
Philanthropy in action
Kosair gives $12 million to fight children's cancers
Kosair Charities announced Aug. 1 they will give $12 million over six years to create the Kosair Charities Pediatric Cancer Research Center at UofL's James Graham Brown Cancer Center. The gift will establish a one-of-a-kind, world-class research center with the specific goal of developing new drugs that target children's cancer. "Treatments and drugs that are only tested on adults can have unexpected and sometimes adverse side effects in kids," said Donald M. Miller, director of the Brown Cancer Center. "That's why we felt it was important to focus this program on children."
Accountability
Trustees praise Ramsey for 'exceptional year'
The UofL Board of Trustees praised President James Ramsey for an "exceptional year" in 2006-07 and predicted that his accomplishments will move the university toward national preeminence "more quickly than at any time in the past." The board gave Ramsey a glowing review at its monthly meeting July 12 and noted that he and his leadership team had accomplished 21 of 23 goals set by the trustees last year.
Student experiences
UofL gears up to welcome new students
UofL's 3,700 freshmen and transfer students will likely form their first impression of college life at UofL before classes even start. Between Aug. 16-19, they will take part in Welcome Weekend, a tradition that started five years ago and continues this year with a new program and events. Alumni are invited to attend the Welcome Weekend Alumni Picnic, 5-7 p.m., Grawemeyer Oval Lawn. Help us welcome new students and their parents! RSVP to the Alumni Association, 502-852-6186.
Alumni services
Alumni Association launches Cardinal Circle
Last week the UofL Alumni Association launched Cardinal Circle, an online social and professional network -- and more than 1,600 alumni have signed up so far. Through Cardinal Circle, alumni can communicate through messaging, photo albums, blogs and forum discussions. They can reconnect with classmates, join interest groups, search for and post jobs, and search for alumni who share common interests. Join now at CardinalCircle.com.
Student experiences
Students travel to Russia; learn more than language
When UofL Russian language students left for a monthlong stay in that country earlier this summer, most did not know what to expect. They wondered if they would receive a hostile reception because they are Americans. (They didn't.) They thought they might find a dangerous country overrun by crime and gangs. (It wasn't.) They didn't think they would be able to get the things they might need at Russian stores. (They could.) The students stayed with host families in Perm, where they improved their language skills -- and learned a lot more.
Research achievement
Dental school receives grants totaling $5.8 million
The UofL School of Dentistry recently received grants and awards totaling $5.8 million for research related to birth defects and periodontal disease, a common, destructive disease of the supporting structures of the teeth. One of every 600 babies born each year has a craniofacial defect, and birth defects are the leading cause of infant mortality worldwide. In the United States, more than $14 billion is spent yearly on treatment of periodontal disease.
Sports
Swimmer makes Olympic qualifying time in breaststroke
UofL swimmer and sophomore-to-be Anna Dishuck made Olympic Qualifying times with her swim in the 200-meter breaststroke at the ConocoPhillips USA Swimming National Championships. The native of Tuscaloosa, Ala., and 2006 Louisville freshman of the year swam a 2:35.04 to finish 32nd overall. Dishuck will compete in the Olympic Trials next summer in Omaha, Neb.
Sports
Football greats to be honored at black tie event
Tickets are on sale for the Louisville Legends' first annual "We Appreciate You" Celebration Saturday, Aug. 18. Football greats Chris Redman, Ibn Green, Athletic Director Tom Jurich, Arnold Jackson, Don Bibb, Tony Stallings and others will be honored at the black-tie event at the Brown and Williamson Club, Papa John's Cardinal Stadium. Attend the 7-10 p.m. dinner and ceremony for $40. This will be followed by an after-celebration, 11 p.m.-4 a.m. for $15. Or attend both events for $50. Purchase tickets in person and in advance at the UofL Ticket Office, Student Activities Center.
