Thai Princess, dedicated to children, visits Public Health

Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand visited Johns Hopkins on Feb. 10. She was greeted with flowers by Thai students at the School of Public Health; attended a symposium to address issues of interest to her, including vitamin A, iron deficiency, child health and environmental health; and received the Dean's Medal from Dean Alfred Sommer for her contributions to disadvantaged people.

HRH Princess Sirindhorn has devoted her life to the nutrition and education of children in the poorest communities of her country. To that end, she has studied and travelled extensively to deepen her understanding of issues germane to community development. Proceeds from her published poetry and short stories are the main source of income for the Debaratanarajasuda Foundation, which was established to support needy students.

Princess Sirindhorn's mother, HRH Queen Sirikit, received an Honorary degree from Hopkins in 1955. Her sister, HRH Princess Chulaborn, visited the School of Public Health in the mid-1980s.
--Sharon Rippey

Solar eclipse viewing, space conference set at Bloomberg

On Feb. 26, at 1:15 p.m., one fifth of the sun will be covered by the moon. To give the Hopkins community a safe look at the solar eclipse, the Maryland Space Grant Consortium will host a viewing on the roof of Bloomberg at Homewood. Special hand-held filters will be provided, and the Morris Offit telescope will project an image of the sun onto a screen. The viewing is scheduled for 12:23 to 2:05 p.m.

On the same day, from 1 to 3 p.m., an interactive satellite conference regarding plans for a new space station will take place in the auditorium. Hosted here by the Space Grant Consortium, it is intended for audiences with scientific and technical backgrounds. Questions will be welcome. More information about the teleconference is available on the Internet at centauri. larc.nasa.gov/station.html; click on International Space Station: Open for Business.

Travel package available for Peabody debut in N.Y.

The Peabody Symphony Orchestra will have its New York City debut May 2 at Lincoln Center's Alice Tully Hall. Following the performance, the New York alumni chapter will present Broadway composer Luther Henderson with the Detlev W. Bronk Award at a champagne and dessert reception.

Hopkins has reserved premier orchestra seating for the event. Concert and reception, RT bus from D.C. via Baltimore, overnight at the St. Moritz Hotel, contintental breakfast, $225 members, $245 non-members (single supplement, $125). Bus and concert/reception only, $100. Reserve by Feb. 20. Call Korkud Egrican at Alumni Relations, 410-516-0363, or korkud@jhu.edu.