Homewood's Lighting of the Quads set for Wednesday night

In what has become a popular university tradition, hundreds of students are expected to gather on the Homewood campus this week for the fourth annual Lighting of the Quads. The event, scheduled for 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3, on the Keyser Quadrangle, will feature cookies, doughnuts, hot chocolate and cider, as well as musical performances by the JHU Pep Band and three a cappella groups — the All-Nighters, Octopodes and Vocal Cords.

Participants will gather on the steps of the MSE Library facing Gilman Hall and, as in past years, Wendy Brody, wife of President William R. Brody, will flip the ceremonial switch authorizing Facilities Management to illuminate lampposts around the campus that have been wrapped in white lights.

The event, which started in 2005 as a small affair, has grown into one that has attracted more than 400 students. Planners said they expect as many as 500 to turn out this year.

The rain date is Dec. 4.

 

Web guide presents Obama's take on country's challenges

As Obama-watchers count down to inauguration day, Johns Hopkins' Master of Arts in Government Program and SAIS Center on Politics and Foreign Relations have teamed up to produce a Web guide outlining the president-elect's take on the country's challenges. Called "America's 44th President On the Issues," the Web site can be found at: advanced.jhu.edu/academic/government/new-president/?lid+111 1.

In addition to summarizing Obama's positions on key foreign policy and domestic issues, the site includes a rundown on his key staffers and family and offers advice from business leaders and others, which has been compiled by graduate students in the Government Program.

 

APL named Howard County's top technology company

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory has earned the Howard Technology Council's first Technology Company of the Year Award.

APL Director Richard Roca accepted the award from Larry Collins, executive director of the council, during a ceremony held last month on the Laboratory's campus. APL was among eight individuals and companies honored by the council for their innovative approaches and contributions to the economy and the community.

"APL is the premier technology generator in Howard County," said Richard Story, chief executive officer of the Howard County Economic Development Authority, during the award presentation. "It is a unique national treasure and intellectual powerhouse, and our community is greatly enhanced by its presence."

APL is Howard County's largest private employer, with more than 4,300 scientists, engineers and related staff addressing some of the nation's toughest national security, space science and homeland protection challenges. The Lab also promotes science and technology education through internships and school partnerships, as well as graduate-level engineering programs offered through Johns Hopkins

The Howard Technology Council, a component of the Howard County Economic Development Authority, encourages business growth and develops educational programs for the county's technology community.

 

Johns Hopkins launches video streaming of athletic events

The JHU Department of Athletics, in cooperation with CBS College Sports Online, has begun streaming selected home athletic events. On this week's schedule are two basketball games vs. Franklin & Marshall; the women play on Tuesday, Dec. 2, and the men on Wednesday, Dec. 3. Events for after Jan. 1 will be added soon.

The service, which began Nov. 15, is on a pay-per-view basis with a fee of $6.95 for a single game or $69.95 for all events in a given academic year. For the 2008-2009 year, football, men's and women's basketball and selected women's lacrosse games are being offered.

Tom Calder, director of Athletics, said that the service will allow the families of student- athletes from around the country, potential recruits, alumni and fans to watch Johns Hopkins games from anywhere in the world. Providing the service, he said, had been an objective of the department for quite some time.

 

Peabody Library open, concert planned for monument lighting

The George Peabody Library will be open until 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 4, for the 37th annual lighting of the Washington Monument in Mount Vernon.

Located in the center of the cultural district, the library dates from the founding of the Peabody Institute in 1857 and is now one of the JHU Sheridan Libraries. Bound to Please, an exhibition of more than 60 beautifully bound and tooled books from the late 17th to the mid-20th century, is on display in the Peabody Gallery, and will run through Feb. 3.

In addition, the Peabody Brass Ensemble will perform "Sounds of the Season" at 7:30 p.m. that evening in Griswold Hall.

 

United Way raffle: Last chance to win services of a specialist

There's a personal twist to one of this year's fund-raising efforts for the United Way of Central Maryland campaign: You can buy raffle tickets to vie for the services of a specialist to help you. The prize list includes residential landscape and interior design consultations; DJ, carpentry and maid services; a music lesson; a room makeover; and a birthday cake decorated by Charm City Cakes. All services have been donated, so 100 percent of funds raised go directly to the campaign.

Tickets are $2 each, three for $5 or 12 for $20 and are on sale through Wednesday, Dec. 5, in the Office of Student Employment Services, 72 Garland Hall at Homewood.

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