The University of Iowa School of Music will present a concert by the jazz quartet Koplant No at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, in the University Capitol Centre Recital Hall on the UI campus. The performance is free, and the public is welcome.

The University of Iowa School of Music will present a free concert by the UI Symphony Band and the UI Concert Band at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, in the Second Floor Ballroom of the Iowa Memorial Union.

Christopher Merrill, director of the University of Iowa International Writing Program, will read from his most recent books of poetry, "Boat" and "Necessities," at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 14, in a free reading at Prairie Lights Books in downtown Iowa City. The reading also will be streamed live on the University of Iowa Writing University website.

The University of Iowa Center for Human Rights will host a community-based, humanitarian aid summit for Syria Tuesday Oct. 15, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. in Jones Commons, Room 300 in Lindquist Center North on the UI campus.

The Iowa City Book Festival will celebrate its fifth year in the City of Literature with an ambitious and varied slate of programming that includes more than 70 events from Oct. 10-13. Several events have University of Iowa ties, including a discussion with Writers' Workshop affiliates in the Englert Theatre.

The University of Iowa National Speech-Language and Hearing Association will host a benefit auction Friday Oct. 18, at the University Athletic Club.The evening includes a buffet style dinner and live music. Proceeds will go toward student scholarships and client services.

In 1951, cells from cancer patient Henrietta Lacks were used in research without her consent. Those cells, called HeLa, have contributed to many medical breakthroughs, along with raising questions about science, ethics, and privacy. Two members of the Lacks family will give talks in Iowa City on Thursday, Oct. 10.

Live coverage of the University of Iowa's annual Homcoming parade, starting 5:45 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4.

The University of Iowa School of Music will present a free performance by the UI Chamber Orchestra, led by William LaRue Jones, director of orchestral studies, at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 6, in Riverside Recital Hall.

University staff, faculty, students, and alumni are accomplishing great things every day. See who's making news with awards, publications, promotion and tenure, and more.

Fourteen staff members at the University of Iowa received 2013 awards for excellence presented by the UI Staff Council.

Andy Grewal is now officially a friend of the United States Supreme Court. Grewal, a professor at the University of Iowa College of Law, filed an amicus curiae brief for a case that will be heard by the Supreme Court this fall.