The University of Iowa College of Education will host a discussion on the importance of skillful instruction and teacher preparation in a talk Monday, Oct. 15. Deborah Loewenberg Ball, dean of the University of Michigan’s School of Education, will discuss “(How) Can all Children get Great Teaching?” at 10 a.m. in Jones Commons, Room N300 in the Lindquist Center.

The Board of Regents, State of Iowa, recently approved plans to establish the Iowa Institute of Human Genetics as a statewide resource to promote personalized genomic clinical medicine, research, and education focused on medical and scientific advances around the human genome.

The University of Iowa College of Engineering will hold the second annual Richard L. Valentine Distinguished Lecture from 3:30 to 4:20 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, in Room W290 of the Chemistry Building on the UI Campus. The talk is free and open to the public. The subject will be the use of nanomaterials in detecting environmental contamination.

Some 250 participants, including a number of men,donned red high heels and marched to raise awareness about sexual violence during the University of Iowa Walk a Mile in her Shoes fund-raising event Sunday.

Student and faculty support, and a new student commons in the Boyd Law Building are among the priorities for the campaign, which has already raised $28 million.

Do you have an idea that advances cross-cultural understanding, strengthens positive inter-group relations, and promotes a welcoming learning environment? If so, then you're encouraged to apply for the 2012-13 University of Iowa Diversity Catalyst Seed Grants by Oct. 15 to help plant these ideas and help them grow.

Sandy Boyd, University of Iowa professor emeritus and former UI president, has divided loyalties and fond memories of a famous pig named Floyd.

Linda McGuire, with the University of Iowa College of Law, says that unpopular decisions are part of an independent court. Her comments are part of an NPR story on the battle underway in Iowa over whether or not a Supreme Court justice can keep his job.

A gift from UI Student Government to the We Care—Pass it On Fund will provide emergency financial assistance to UI students facing hardships.

IOWA (Improving Our Workplace Award) nominations are being taken until Nov. 1 by the IOWA Review Committee. The IOWA is given to UI individual staff and teams who have seen a challenge and worked to improve it using creative and ingenious solutions.

Get ready to celebrate University of Iowa athletics and 100 years of tradition before the Hawkeyes take on Minnesota on Saturday. (Note: A paid subscription is required.)

Staff Council’s service recognition program acknowledges all professional & scientific and merit staff who have reached 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, or 50 years of continuous service. Longevity Award winners receive a certificate and letter of appreciation from the Office of the President.