University of Iowa Staff Council’s service recognition program acknowledges all professional and 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.

Hancher and Working Group Theatre have developed a rich collaboration. Now, an important grant from the Association of Performing Arts Presenters is helping strengthen those efforts.

"Puddin’," written and developed by Bethany Jackson, and "Spot’s Community," written and directed by Taylor Cook, will be presented together on March 27 and 29. Jacob Schiller and Emilia Hodges will collaborate on "Lungs," by British playwright Duncan Macmillan; it will be presented March 28 and 30. All shows are free and open to the public.

Heavy rains have been more frequent across the upper Midwest, according to a study from the University of Iowa. The study spanned the last 60 years, up to 2010 and appears to hold true even with the current drought. Results appear in the "Journal of Climate."

The Get to Know series asks University of Iowa faculty and staff a few questions about their work and their outside interests. Today we visit with Cory Forbes, assistant professor of science education in the College of Education's Department of Teaching and Learning who also is an Eagle Scout.

"U.S. News & World Report" ranks 26 University of Iowa graduate programs and colleges among the 25 best in the country among all public and private schools.

Mary Szybist, alumna and former teaching-writing fellow at the University of Iowa Writers’ Workshop, will read from her new book of poetry, "Incarnadine," at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 26, 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.

Dafna Lemish, a leading scholar on children and the media, will present a lecture Friday, March 15, at 3 p.m. titled, “Communicating with Children: Principles and Practices to Nurture, Inspire, Excite, Educate, and Heal.” The talk is free and open to the public.

The University of Iowa has named 35 Presidential Scholars for 2013, offering them the most prestigious honor for first-year students planning to attend the university.

The maxillary sinuses, those pouches on either side of the human nose, have a purpose after all: They act as cushions to allow noses to assume different shapes. The study by a University of Iowa-led research team explains the relationship for the first time. Results appear in the journal "Anatomical Record."

Doctors have advised the legendary saxophonist to take a break from performing.

Iowa Writers’ Workshop alumna Michelle Herman will read from her new book, "Stories We Tell Ourselves," at 7 p.m. Monday, March 25, 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.