Hauer China studies exhibit on display at MSE Library

Erich Hauer, of the University of Berlin, was a respected China and Manchu studies scholar. When he died in 1936, he left his personal library to his sister, who shortly after made it available for sale. By acquiring in 1939 Erich Hauer's personal library, Johns Hopkins instantly formed a top-notch East Asian studies collection.

On view now at the Eisenhower Library, Homewood campus, is an exhibit called "The Hauer Collection on China Studies."

Featured are works about China in Western languages, including a 17th-century edition of a classic work by Jesuit missionary/scholar Martino Martini; block-print editions of Chinese and Manchu language books bound in traditional stitch bindings; and works by Hauer himself.

The exhibit is on display through May 31 in the Special Collections Reading Room, Level A, which is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays (until 8 p.m. on Thursday).

Kickoff event scheduled for Johns Hopkins Relay for Life

The Homewood campus will host the second annual Johns Hopkins Relay for Life, to be held on April 27 and 28. Relay for Life, designated as the American Cancer Society's nationwide signature event, is an overnight team relay that raises money to fight cancer and to raise community awareness. Participants also camp out and enjoy entertainment, food, games and camaraderie that create a community party atmosphere.

A kickoff event is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21, at Evergreen House.

The Relay for Life will take place rain or shine on Homewood's upper quad, beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and ending late Saturday morning. Anyone interested in forming a team, working on the planning committee or volunteering at the event should contact Eden Blum at 410-516-0345, Cindy Haebler at 410-955-9253, Nicole Partridge at 410-955-1197 or Sharon Young at 410-516-7227.

New Homewood House series features Peabody musicians

Homewood House will host a recital by classical guitarist Berta Rojas on Friday, March 2, kicking off a new end-of-the-work week series, "Peabody at Homewood: Music at the Museum."

The three Friday-night concerts feature musicians from the Peabody Conservatory who will perform in the reception hall of the 200-year-old Federal-style mansion. The other series performers are violist Victor de Almeida, performing on April 6, and harpist Michaela Trnkova, on May 4.

Rojas, a Peabody graduate, will perform Latin American music by Heitor Villa-Lobos, Antonio Lauro, Astor Piazzolla and Agustin Barrios; third-year viola student Almeida will perform music by Max Reger, Benjamin Britten, Milton Barnes, Lillian Fuchs and Miklos Rozsa; and Trnkova, a faculty member, will perform music by L. Shpor, J.C. Bach, Dussek and Mozart.

Each of the one-hour concerts, which begin at 5:45 p.m., will be followed by a wine and cheese reception. Seating is limited; to reserve a seat, call 410-516-8639. The concerts are free for Homewood House members, $5 for university affiliates and $7 for the general public.

Innovative online Levy music collection featured at fair

The Eisenhower Library's innovative Lester S. Levy Collection Music Recognition Project was featured Feb. 14 at the Congressional Internet Caucus Reception and Technology Fair. The event, held in Washington, featured demonstrations of cutting-edge digital projects supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, a federal agency that serves as a primary source for funds for technology research and projects at museums and libraries. The annual reception is hosted in conjunction with the 154-member bipartisan Congressional Internet Caucus and its co-chairs.

The Lester S. Levy Collection Music Recognition Project uses optical recognition software, MIDI playback and musical searching to explore the full potential of the sheet music collection, located at http://levysheetmusic.mse.jhu.edu.

Two recognized by All-USA College Academic Team judges

Amit Malhotra, a senior majoring in biomedical engineering, earned third-team honors in the 12th annual All-USA College Academic competition sponsored by USA Today. Chirag Patel, also a senior majoring in biomedical engineering, was named to the honorable mention list.

Winners were chosen from 682 students nominated by their schools. Judges considered grades, activities, leadership and how students use their intellectual skills outside the classroom.

Malhotra's research work is on the progress of neuronal death after cardiac arrest. He is the president of the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society and was plant operations chair for last year's Spring Fair. 'Race Rules' author to speak at Black History Month event In conjunction with Black History Month, the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Convocation will be held at 7 p.m. on Feb. 22 at Shriver Hall, Homewood.

This year's speaker is Michael Eric Dyson, a religious studies scholar. A frequent lecturer and talk-show guest, Dyson is an ordained Baptist minister and currently visiting distinguished professor of African-American Studies at Columbia University. Dyson's latest book is the national bestseller Race Rules: Navigating the Color Line.

The event, which is free and open to the public, is intended to honor King's historical teachings and legacy. The convocation is sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs and the Black Faculty and Students Association.