Sandra Daack-Hirsch, a clinical geneticist and assistant professor in the University of Iowa College of Nursing, is the new environmental and public health ambassador for the State Hygienic Laboratory.

University of Iowa President Sally Mason says she hopes to see an increase in good sportsmanship, not only for Saturday's football game against Penn State, but for the rest of the season.

University of Iowa recently launched the Sustainable Citizen Program, which joins the efforts of students and community members to make the area more environmentally friendly and sustainable.

The University of Iowa Symphony Orchestra, conducted by William LaRue Jones, will perform works by Richard Strauss, Benjamin Britten, Patrick Harlin, and Felix Mendelssohn in a free concert featuring faculty pianist Uriel Tsachor at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 31, in the Main Lounge of the Iowa Memorial Union.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of the composition of Sylvia Plath's Ariel poems, members of the Writers' Workshop faculty will join Robyn Schiff, director of undergraduate writing at the University of Iowa, to read from the collection at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 30, in a free Prairie Lights reading streamed live on the University of Iowa Writing University website.

The Sphinx Virtuosi, an ensemble made up of top alumni soloists for the national Sphinx Competition for Black and Latino string players, will perform in the West High School auditorium Sunday, Oct. 28, at 2 p.m.

Hualing Nieh Engle, co-founder of the University of Iowa International Writing Program, is the 2012 recipient of the university's International Impact Award. The UI graduate and professor emerita is being honored for her vision in creating the program, her commitment to freedom of expression around the globe, and her efforts to internationalize the UI campus.

An event to mark Saturday, Oct. 20 as the National Day on Writing will combine Iowa City’s two passions: literature and football. The first-ever “Writing Tailgate” will take place at the Iowa City Public Library on Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. in Meeting Room A.

University of Iowa political science professor Tim Hagle writes about the top four books he believes have had an enduring impact on the national political discussion.

The University of Iowa's Working at Iowa survey of faculty and staff is under way this month. Organizational Effectiveness—part of UI Human Resources—offers units the tools to act on the survey's results.

Monique DiCarlo, the University of Iowa's sexual misconduct response coordinator, is leading the charge to review all UI policies related to stalking and making sure they protect UI students, faculty, and staff. (Note: A paid subscription may be required.)

A student and two staff members will be honored at the University of Iowa's 2012 Disability Celebration Wednesday, Oct. 17, from 3:30 to 5 p.m., in Room 115 in the Center for Disabilities and Development. This year's theme is "Keep Me in the Loop" and will feature a presentation, via technology, on hearing loops.