In Brief

Women's event honors Nan Johnson

Eleanor Smeal, president of The Feminist Majority Foundation and a leader in the drive for women's equality for over 25 years, will be the guest speaker at the Woman of the Year Award dinner co-sponsored by the Women's Caucus and the Office of the Dean of Students.

The event will honor 1999 award recipient Nan Johnson. Known for her active political and educational leadership on behalf of women, Johnson is retiring in June as director of the Susan B. Anthony University Center.

Last summer, Johnson was a co-director of Forum 98, a national women's issues conference on the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the first women's rights convention. In 1995, Johnson co-chaired the national celebration, known as "95/75," which commemorated the 75th anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote.

The event will be held on Wednesday, March 24, at 6 p.m. in The Meliora in the Frederick Douglass Building. For information on tickets or further information contact Anne Stemwedel, x4-2338.

Scholarship aids female students

The Susan B. Anthony University Center has announced the availability of the Jane R. Plitt Scholarship. The award is open to any part-time or full-time female University student who displays leadership qualities and exceptional community outreach.

The scholarship was created by Plitt's sister, Arlene Kossoff, and her husband, Richard Kossoff, to encourage others to emulate Plitt's lifetime commitment to equal rights for women. The first award will be given for the 1999-2000 academic year in the amount of $500. Nominations will be accepted until March 31. Academic achievement is not a factor and self-nominations are welcome. The name of the winner will be announced at the annual Susan B. Anthony Dinner, held every February.

Entries sought for student award

The multidisciplinary Human Values Cluster--which bridges the School of Nursing, the College, and the School of Medicine and Dentistry--and SMD's Division of Medical Humanities are again sponsoring a Creative Excellence Award. The award is given to the University student--graduate or undergraduate--who submits the best creative work in any medium, including poetry, fiction, fine arts, photography, or personal essay. The work must deal with issues of human values in health care. Submissions will be evaluated based on such factors as clarity of expression, originality, presentation skill, and overall quality. The winner receives a $200 prize and an inscribed plaque.

The deadline for submissions is Friday, April 9, at 4 p.m. Submissions can be brought to Helen Wood Hall, SON, 3rd floor, Room 3W-152. Entries also may be sent via intramural mail to Madeline Schmitt, Box SON. The student's name, year and field of study, mailing address, and phone number should accompany the entry. For more information call Schmitt, x5-8889.

Strong EAP offers free screenings

The Strong Employee Assistance Program will be offering free screenings on an ongoing basis to all University employees and their family members for depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and alcohol and drug use. All contacts with EAP will be strictly confidential; the results of the screening will be available only to employees and the EAP professional they meet with. When a screening is requested, an appointment will be scheduled with an EAP professional to discuss the results and offer further services, if necessary. To use this free service call x5-4987 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Calling all longtime staffers

Staff members who will have worked for the University for 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 years by June 30, 1999, have been sent a gift selection card and brochure. Any staff members who think they're eligible for such a gift and who haven't received a card should contact Doris Robinson in Human Resources, x3-4644. All cards must be returned by April 2.

Teachers honored by Warner School

Seventy-one area educators were honored with awards for excellence in secondary-school teaching by the Margaret Warner Graduate School of Education and Human Development at a March 15 dinner.

Guest speaker U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter praised the group "for understanding your art and being able to communicate to children." She described teachers as this country's problem-solvers. "It's an awful burden on your shoulders, but you're the only hope for some children," Slaughter said. "I don't think society is nearly as grateful as it ought to be for your work."

The annual event, sponsored by Charter One Financial Inc., recognizes teachers who demonstrate a thorough knowledge and enthusiasm for their subject, and make their classrooms conducive to learning.

At the dinner, one of three educators singled out for outstanding work was Patricia Iman, an English teacher at Pittsford Mendon High School who earned her master's degree in English at the College.