Though a decade separates UI sophomore elementary education major Rachel Revelez and West Liberty Elementary School fourth grader Brian Collins, the two have discovered they have much in common through the UI Center for Diversity and Enrichment Pen Pal Program.

The UI Department of Mathematics will write another chapter in its renowned history of supporting minority doctoral degrees when it, in coordination with the UI Graduate College’s Applied Mathematics and Computational Sciences program, awards seven doctorates to members of underrepresented minority groups during 2012.

University of Iowa graduating gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or queer (GLBTQ) students and their allies are invited to the UI Rainbow Graduation 2012, an annual celebration at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 8, in the Old Capitol Senate Chamber. Though free, registration is requested by Tuesday, May 1.

A semester-long storytelling project will take place the day after the play 'Mayberry' concludes its successful run in Iowa City.

The collaborative community art project Stir-Fry, which uses art to focus on how people resettle into new communities and cultures, will culminate its semester-long activities with a series of free public events from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, April 27, at the Iowa City/Johnson County Senior Center Assembly Room, 28 South Linn St., Iowa City.

Greek Week is an annual celebration of and for all 40 of Iowa’s sororities and fraternities. This year, the community is shining a spotlight on its growing number of culturally based groups as it wraps up the week with the NPHC Stroll Competition at 7 p.m., Saturday, April 21.

Temple Grandin, widely considered to be the most accomplished and best-known adult with autism in the world, will speak in the Main Lounge of the Iowa Memorial Union at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 18.

Four graduating seniors were recognized by the Chief Diversity Office for their achievements, leadership, and service.

The University of Iowa honored outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni on April 10 at the 95th anniversary Finkbine Dinner, one of the university’s most prestigious award ceremonies.

Ernest Pascarella, Mary Louise Petersen Professor of Higher Education at the UI College of Education, participated in a study that illustrates the surprising impact of college on students' interest in diversity and racial understanding. As undergraduates progress in higher education, they become less interested, on average, in promoting racial understanding.

Much of the world identifies people by one of two genders. Rather than accept the status quo, stef shuster is changing it—one presentation, paper, and conversation at a time.

stef shuster will give the keynote address at the University of Iowa College of Education’s “Beyond Tolerance Diversity Conference” at about 12:20 p.m. Thursday, April 19, in the Jones Commons, Room N300, in the UI Lindquist Center. shuster will begin speaking at approximately 12:20 p.m.

Law professor Lea VanderVelde writes that Harriet Scott may have played an important role in her husband's legal quest for freedom.

American Indian music, competitive dance, art, and food took center stage Saturday-Sunday, April 7-8, at the 19th annual UI Powwow.

Walk It Out, a multicultural fashion show that will tout both domestic and international diversity, will be held Saturday, April 7, in the Iowa Memorial Union Main Lounge.

The annual Celebration of Excellence and Achievement Among Women presents some of the university's top honors for faculty and staff, as well as scholarships for promising students.

Eddie Etsey will serve as co-emcee of the Celebrating Cultural Diversity Festival this weekend. It's one of many roles the alumnus from Ghana plays on the UI campus.

Marilynne Robinson, faculty member of the Iowa Writers' Workshop and Pulitzer Prize winning author, will speak at the “Finding God at Iowa” lunch forum Friday, April 13.

Queer, transgender, and disability rights activist Eli Clare will visit Iowa City Thursday, April 5 thanks to the University of Iowa’s student and community-based group, TransCollaborations, and the UI Council on Disability Awareness.

The University of Iowa will host the Celebrating Cultural Diversity Festival from noon to 5 p.m., Saturday, March 31, in the UI Field House.