Seven University of Iowa minority students completed their doctorates in math in 2012, a record number for a department already recognized as a national leader in its efforts to promote diversity within its Ph.D. program.

Promising dancer Venezia Manuel, who will be a freshman at the University of Iowa this fall, is profiled.

Every spring, a small group of faculty sets out to see Iowa through the eyes of folks outside Iowa City. They meet with Iowans and listen to stories of triumph and challenge, and they return with a new perspective on the state, their students and their lives as UI faculty.

Florencia Mallon will read from her first novel, "Beyond the Ties of Blood," at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, in Prairie Lights Books and on the Writing University website of the University of Iowa.

Iowa Citian Mary Vermillion, the author of the Mara Gilgannon mystery series, will present a free reading at 7 p.m. Monday, June 18.

A mini-Carnaval at 4:30 p.m., Friday, June 8, outside the University of Iowa Theatre Building will feature music, dance, masks, and puppets, along with stilt-walkers from Canada's Swizzlestick Theatre.

Former UI student Zach Wahls, in full Eagle Scout regalia, delivered petitions to the Boy Scouts of America advocating change in policies that exclude gay members and leaders.

Former and future University of Iowa engineering student Zach Wahls is interviewed about his new book about his two moms.

The Hancher-commissioned theater production "Mayberry," which explores issues of race and class in Iowa City, quickly sold out its April run and prompted the addition of two performances. The play is the brainchild of UI graduate Sean Lewis, who was first inspired to write it while in Tanzania.

The first Eastern Iowa Transgender Medical Symposium Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20, will help to bridge the gap between the local transgender community and health care providers. The University of Iowa’s community and campus group, TransCollaborations, is organizing the symposium.

University of Iowa students are always needed as volunteers for the University of Iowa Center for Diversity and Enrichment’s (CDE) Pen Pal Program.

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.