Former U.S. Congressman Jim Leach has been appointed a visiting professor of law and the University of Iowa Chair in Public Affairs, UI President Sally Mason announced at the Board of Regents meeting Wednesday.

Coralville Lake is now expected to crest at about 708 feet—4 feet below the top of the dam—before dropping by Friday, more encouraging news as the University of Iowa begins putting final touches on its protective measures.

Derek Heckman, a University of Iowa junior from Peoria, Ill., has been named a 2013 Beinecke Scholar—the UI’s first winner of the fellowship designed to support advanced study in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

Doug Eltoft, chief technology officer for the College of Engineering, received the inaugural IT Leadership Award in recognition of his visionary capacity to imagine, collaborate, design, and create an ever-changing and robust computing environment.

Continued favorable weather forecasts, dropping levels in the Coralville reservoir, and lower-than-anticipated flow and elevation of the Iowa River through Iowa City are giving the University of Iowa a chance to catch its collective breath and begin taking a longer view of campus operations through the summer.

Thanks to the University of Iowa College of Education's REACH (Realizing Educational and Career Hopes) Program, Daniel Peters has landed a dream job with Carousel Nissan in Iowa City, where the car connoisseur is contributing his time and talents.

Standing on the Iowa Memorial Union footbridge, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds surveyed the University of Iowa’s defenses against a swollen Iowa River, remarking on just how much the state has learned about floods and flood protection over the past five years.

The University of Iowa continues to closely monitor projections of Coralville Reservoir outflow and Iowa River flow through Iowa City, adjusting protective measures accordingly. Monday, June 3, flood projections are more optimistic than last week’s.

A swollen Iowa River is making travel to campus more difficult, but all activities at the Levitt Center for University Advancement June 7-9 will go on as scheduled.

MusicIC, Iowa City’s summer chamber music festival, returns June 12-16 for its third season, which will also be its first season as a Summer of the Arts Event. The festival includes three evening concerts, a Sunday afternoon family concert, and a mid-week discussion and performance of “love and loss in poetry and music.” And it’s all free and open to the public.

Loyce Arthur, UI theater arts associate professor, is working with the community to create costumes and props for a Carnaval Parade Sunday, June 9, that begins at 9:45 a.m. downtown as part of the Iowa Arts Festival. (Note: A paid subscription may be required.)

John P. Culshaw, senior associate dean of libraries at the University of Colorado, Boulder, has been named university librarian for the University of Iowa, effective Aug. 1.