- Sept. 18 - Inauguration of President Cunningham.
- New insights on the evolutionary origin of COVID-19.
- Awards and Recognition: Rex Bernardo has received the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association for Plant Breeding; and more.
Sept. 18 - Inauguration of President Cunningham
All are invited to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Rebecca Cunningham at 3 p.m., Northrop. Seating is limited; register for tickets by Sept. 5. The event will also be livestreamed. Prior to the ceremony, President Cunningham will moderate a panel discussion, “Advancing Statewide Health: The Vital Role of a Public Research University.” After the ceremony, there will be a community celebration on Northrop Mall and plaza featuring live entertainment, refreshments, and activities, which is open to all.
New insights on the evolutionary origin of COVID-19
More than four years after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global health emergency, the evolutionary origin of the SARS-CoV-2 virus remains elusive. Now, research from the U of M Medical School sheds light on the roles animals may have played in the evolution of SARS-CoV-2.
Awards and Recognition
Rex Bernardo has received the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association for Plant Breeding; Renee Frontiera and Amanda Sullivan are the 2024 recipients of the Sara Evans Leadership Award; the parent and family education program in the Department of Family Social Science has been awarded a $580,000 grant from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education; two initiatives with College of Education and Human Development ties have been named winners of the global Tools Competition; U in the News features highlights of University faculty and staff cited in the media.
Google Jamboard is retiring in fall
Starting Oct. 1, the Google Jamboard app will become view-only. Users will no longer be able to create new or edit existing Jams on any platform, including the web, iPhone, iPad, Android, and Jamboard devices. After Dec. 31, Jamboard fully retires, and users will no longer be able to access the app or your Jam files. Review the recommended actions for the University community.
New MyU accessibility mode control
As a result of a system upgrade in June, there is a new self-service accessibility mode control available to all MyU users. The option is available within the User Options menu (the menu that is labeled with your name in the main navigation). Refer to this user guide for how to enable accessibility mode. Contact Technology Help with any questions.
Fogarty Fellowship applications open until Sept. 13
Apply now for the NIH-funded Fogarty Global Health Fellowship, an opportunity for U of M doctoral and postdoctoral students to experience a year of mentored global health research training. Participants can choose a research area or select from the themes offered by the fellowship program, which include infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, environmental health, nursing, policy, and implementation science.
Apply for the fall Grant-in-Aid competition
The Grant-in-Aid of Research, Artistry, and Scholarship program, sponsored by the Research and Innovation Office (RIO), provides seed funding for a wide range of projects in seven funding categories, including a multicultural research category. RIO is especially interested in supporting entrepreneurial or collaborative projects that could result in near-term impact. The deadline to submit applications to approvers is Sept. 16; the deadline for approvers to submit final applications is Sept. 19.
Nominations open for the Sara Evans Leadership Award
The Sara Evans Leadership Award recognizes faculty and academic professionals who are leaders in the advancement of women or gender-marginalized people at the University of Minnesota. Two awards of $5,000 each are available each year: one in science and engineering and one in humanities, arts, and social sciences. Nomination instructions are available here. The nomination deadline is Nov. 12, 5 p.m.
Teaching with AI book club
In three Zoom sessions over fall semester (register), faculty, staff, and graduate students are invited to collaboratively explore Teaching with AI: A practical guide to a new era of human learning. Ebooks are available at each campus library. Participants need not read the book to benefit from the discussions.
Register for the 2024 U of M Supplier Diversity Expo
Register for the Oct. 8 U of M Supplier Diversity Expo, hosted by the Office for Supplier Diversity (OSD). The expo is designed to build connections between targeted businesses (BIPOC-, disabled-, or woman-owned businesses), non-targeted businesses, community partners, and University buyers. New this year is a section devoted to events-related targeted businesses. OSD aims to ensure representation from all U departments/units. View who's already signed up. Booth registration ends Sept. 9.
New tool helps fruit and vegetable farmers reduce microbial risks to irrigation water
Produce growers who use water for irrigation and applying crop sprays have struggled to identify and prioritize the risks associated with their water sources. A new tool makes on-the-spot evaluation using direct observations a lot simpler.
Impact: Addiction and intellectual and developmental disabilities
Circumstances and loneliness make people with disabilities vulnerable to addiction. Health providers and even family members may miss the early signs. And treatment providers may turn them away, claiming they don't know how to treat people with co-occurring conditions. The new issue of the Institute on Community Integration’s Impact magazine includes articles and podcasts exploring the research and treatment needs of people with intellectual, developmental, or other disabilities who live with addiction.
Shakespearean rhapsody: OLLI Scholar shines
“Learning is a joy and learning in community is one of life's greatest joys,” says sixth-year PhD candidate Emily Schoenbeck, reflecting on her teaching experience with the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute as a three-time OLLI Scholar. Learn more about Schoenbeck and the opportunity the OLLI Scholar program makes available to graduate students and postdocs systemwide.
Empowered by community and resilience
U of M Extension staff member and alumna Anna Peterson overcame a life-changing accident. She's now helping make northwest Minnesota a better place in her role as the Northwest Minnesota regional coordinator for the Clean Energy Resource Teams.
Research Brief: Study uncovers the basis of COVID-19-related brain fog
Neurological symptoms have been widely observed in COVID-19 patients, with many survivors exhibiting persistent neurological and cognitive impairment. New research from the University of Minnesota found that COVID-19 triggers inflammation in the brain, which is linked to many COVID-related symptoms such as fatigue and “brain fog.” See additional recent Research Briefs.
Student-athletes earn D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award
Sixty-six U of M Crookston student-athletes have been honored with the 2023-24 D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award. In all, the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference was one of the most represented conferences in the country, with 1,318 student-athletes receiving the accolade.
Aug. 29 - UMC Art and Garden Tours
Take a tour of U of M Crookston’s newly chronicled campus art and beautiful gardens Aug. 29, 4:30-7 p.m., starting in the historic Kiehle Building and ending at the renewed Allen and Freda Pedersen Community Garden. Self-guided tours are available at your leisure or guided tours will be held at 4:30, 5:15, and 6 p.m. Admission includes a beverage, light hors d'oeuvres, live music, and a commemorative gift.
UMD brand refresh spotlights unique academic experience
UMD is getting a new look as part of a rebranding campaign. The updated materials and direction help celebrate the Duluth campus’ unique qualities and the benefits of being a part of the University of Minnesota System. To the public, it’s a subtle change, but it truly resonates with prospective students and their families, and reflects the work of the University and what sets it apart and makes UMD so impactful.
Bulldog Welcome Week
UMD welcomes new students to campus the week of Aug. 19. Take a look at all the fun activities designed to help students get to know their classmates and community in this year’s Bulldog Welcome Week.
Fall Distinguished Visiting Professor in the Liberal Arts
This fall, U of M Morris welcomes Diane Negra as its Elizabeth S. Blake Distinguished Visiting Professor in the Liberal Arts. Negra is professor of film studies and screen culture, as well as head of film studies, at University College Dublin. She is the author, editor, or co-editor of 13 books. A dual citizen–academic trained at the University of Texas at Austin, Negra has been based in the United Kingdom and Ireland since 2002.
2024-25 Performing Arts Series
U of M Morris has announced the 2024-25 Performing Arts Series, presented by the Campus Activities Council. This season features performances by AnnaRose, Ballets with a Twist, Broadway’s Next Hit Musical, and ProMusica Minnesota.
UMR hosts International Forum on Active Learning in Classrooms
UMR recently hosted the International Forum on Active Learning in Classrooms, a two-day event dedicated to evidence-based, active, and inclusive learning pedagogies. Attendees participated in a series of dialogues, demonstrations, and workshops, with a shared goal to advance practice and research for better student learning outcomes. Keynote presentations featured George Veletsianos, professor in the U of M College of Education and Human Development, and Jill Ackers, director of education at VS America.
Elevating native voices
During a long, influential career, John Poupart (BS ’77) championed putting American Indian voices at the center of important policy issues. But before that, he needed to change the arc of his own story. Poupart's life has included poverty, violence, reflection, redemption, service, and even a brush with “the Greatest.” It could be a novel, except that the facts at times outstrip what an author might dare.
Kristin Sako: Why I chose the Humphrey School
Kristin Sako is a second-year student in the Master of Science in Science, Technology, and Environmental Policy program at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs. It's one of the leading such programs in the nation, preparing students to integrate science with policy to solve grand challenges. Sako is using the program to pursue the relatively new field of health care sustainability.
The play's the thing
Santino Fontana (BFA ’04) assumed his higher education path would center around music and his love for vocal performance—until an acting teacher told him that he was making a mistake. That turned out to be the start of a life-changing relationship for Fontana, who has gone on to enjoy a wildly successful performing career, including a Tony award in 2019. Fontana says that the training he received at the U of M was foundational to his approach to storytelling.
Join the U of M Twin Cities Bowling League
Twin Cities campus bowlers of any age and skill level are invited to join a Thursday night bowling league that starts this September in Goldy's Gameroom, Coffman Union. Eligibility is limited to employees (retired and active), alumni, and graduate students.
Featured events
Ongoing - "More Various, More Beautiful, and More Terrible"
Aug. 29 - Lunch and learn with Chad Montrie
Sept. 11 - (In)Justice Series | A Model for Rethinking Policing: El Salvador
Sept. 12 - Northrop Open House
Sept. 13 - Microbiome and Cancer Symposium
Sept. 25 - AIS Research and Management Showcase | Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center
Sept. 25-26 - Check & Connect: Global Reach Conference
Sept. 26 - Nourishment in Every Season: Online Cooking and Nutrition: Fall Workshop
Sept. 27 - Igniting Spirit: Global Surgery & Disparities Program Global Celebration