Kicking off the Jazz Fest, Brazilian guitarist Bruno Mangueira will perform his compositions for guitar, jazz ensembles and orchestra, Thursday, Feb. 27. Tickets for the Thursday performance are $10 for general admission and $5 for students with valid ID.

On Friday, Feb. 28, the performers are The Christian McBride Trio. McBride also will perform with and direct UofL’s Jazz Ensemble. Trumpeter Sean Jones will play with the UofL Jazz Ensemble and the Faculty Jazz Ensemble on Saturday, March 1.

General admission for the Friday and Saturday events is $15 per day. Student tickets are only $5 with a valid student ID. Tickets can be purchased in the School of Music lobby. Call 502-852-6907 with additional ticket purchase inquires.

All concerts start at 8 p.m. and will be in the Margaret Comstock Concert Hall.

Other events during Jazz Fest include clinics by guest artists, festival judges, and UofL faculty and a contest for regional school jazz ensembles.

Jazz Fest is part of UofL’s celebration of diversity and its observance of African American History Month.

For more information, contact , 502-852-6032 or go to the .

The concert starts at 8 p.m. in Comstock Concert Hall, School of Music. General admission is $5. Children under 10 and UofL students with a valid student ID get in free. Tickets may be reserved at 502-852-6907 or purchased at the door.

Reid will perform original music related to this year’s institute theme��“Jazz Meets the Symphony.”

has performed on countless hard bop, bebop, swing and pop sessions in his career.��As a composer, Reid explores the intersection of classic jazz with the textures of the symphonic orchestra. A movement in the 1950s known as explored this same territory. Reid’s compositions draw from both worlds resulting in a unique approach and reflection of the contributions of African Americans to all genres of music.

The 2014 African American Music Heritage Institute is an annual event created 18 years ago by jazz studies professor Jerry Tolson to promote cultural diversity. In addition to Reid’s concert, other institute events are a master class for UofL School of Music students at 3 p.m. Feb. 3, Bird Recital Hall, and a workshop presentation for area students and their instructors at 10 a.m. Feb. 4, Comstock Concert Hall. Both events are free and public.

For more information, contact at 502-852-6972.

Get Healthy Now and Great Places to Work’s Work-Life Balance Committee collaborated to create the new Caregiving Workshop series. The ten-month series is designed to support those caring for another by providing access to important resources, group support and promoting self-care.

“It’s difficult to find the time to research the issues you’re juggling when you’re always on the go between work and home duties. This series will allow you to take time out of the workday to learn more about resources that can help you provide the best care for your loved ones, including yourself,” said Rachel Howard, co-chair of Great Places to Work Work-Life Balance Committee.

She emphasized the importance of finding outlets for caregivers.

“Hopefully attendees will find common ground with others with similar needs and challenges, further building and strengthening their own support network,” Howard continued. “I think that this sense of community is a hallmark of a great place to work.”

The workshops are intended to be a resource and support group to those who are caring for others including children, grandchildren, parents, relatives, spouses or friends. The organizers have recruited UofL and community experts as speakers on various topics.

“Caregiving is a very demanding and rewarding role, and too often we overlook the importance of supporting the caregivers themselves. Knowing this, we designed this program to provide expertise and resources for those who are seeking tips and strategies to ease the pressures,” said Stephanie Weldy, program coordinator senior, for Get Healthy Now. ��“We’re grateful to have partnered with UofL’s Great Places to Work Work-Life Balance Committee on this initiative, as they have provided us with a sponsorship to ensure all��of the UofL community has access to these workshops.”

Each workshop will be digitally recorded and available online, allowing the information be shared widely. This series is modeled after the very successful , which was launched in partnership with the Commission on the Status of Women a few years back.”

The workshops will be held from noon to 12:45 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month in the Chao Auditorium in Ekstrom Library. Pre-registration is not required. Dates and topics are as follows:

• Jan. 21 – “Navigating the Needs: Caregiving and a System of Support”
• Feb. 18 – “Smarter than the System: Tips for Self-Advocacy”
• March 18 – “Self-Care for the Caregiver”
• April 15 – “Mind the Medical Gap”
• May 20 – “Financial Freedom: Resources that help”
• June 17 – “Legal Issues + Expertise”
• July 15 – “Relationship Dynamics: Endure Change and Challenges”
• Aug. 19 – “Developmental Needs: Hanging with the generations”
• Sep. 16 – “Psychological Needs: What to look for? Who to call?”
• Oct. 21 – “Caregiving with Confidence”

To learn more about the workshops and schedule, call Stephanie Weldy at 852-6549, email ghn@louisville.edu or visit Get Healthy Now at

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Within the Environment and Occupational Sciences program, she researched the intricacies of lung damage due to chemical elements.

Even though Musah logged many hours in the lab, she still found time to be a leader and mentor to several of her fellow peers.

An avid basketball fan, the graduate rarely missed a home basketball game.

Musah has been selected as this semester’s outstanding graduate. ��She will speak during the 7 p.m. Dec. 19 commencement ceremony at the KFC Yum! Center.

UofL Today caught up with Musah to talk about why she chose UofL, her research and what’s next in her life.

Why did you choose UofL?

My academic goal was to continue my graduate studies in Public Health with a concentration in Environmental Health. The School of Public Health’s program in Environmental and Occupational Health was just the perfect fit.

Tell us a little about the activities you were involved with while on campus.

I was a graduate research assistant and my research involved repair of the lung after chemical injury. My research also included investigating mechanisms by which particulates in air pollution cause adverse effects on the lungs. I also had the opportunity to mentor new students assigned to work in my mentor’s lab. I was responsible for teaching and supervising these students in biological techniques that were employed by our lab.

What did you gain from all of those experiences?

I have acquired skills that have not only equipped me to work as a research scientist, but have also afforded me leadership abilities. My experience has also contributed to developing my social skills through presenting my research at conferences and interacting with others in my research field.

What’s led to your success?

I would say my faith, hard work, and perseverance. There have been times during this journey when I have felt like throwing in the towel. I’m glad that I always found the strength to forge ahead. That, I believe, has gotten me this far.

What’s been your favorite experience at UofL?

I’m a huge basketball fan and the Cardinals winning the NCAA championship crowned it all for me.

What’s next for you?

My next step is to start off my career as a research scientist. I don’t know exactly where yet, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

What will you tell your peers during your commencement speech?

I’m still working on my speech but I would share with my fellow graduating students about the need to strive further to achieve more than we think ourselves capable of by moving beyond our comfort zone to take advantage of every opportunity in order to attain our full potential.

“Elect Her – Campus Women Win” is a five-hour workshop for students that will feature research and information about women and politics, inspiring local speakers and interactive campaign exercises.

The event, which will take place at 30 colleges in the United States and Jamaica, is part of a program offered this year by the American Association of University Women and Running Start.

“Elect Her – Campus Women Win” will run from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Floyd Theater, Student Activities Center, Belknap Campus. UofL’s Engage Lead Serve Board is hosting the event, and the Student Activities Board is co-sponsor.

Guest speaker will be Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge Angela Bisig. The Office of Student Involvement will facilitate the event.

“We’re training women to bridge the gender leadership gap by starting early,” said Linda Hallman, executive director, American Association of University Women. “By encouraging and supporting more women to be political leaders on their own campuses, we are helping to set them up for success in leadership roles later.”

“It is critical that more young women run for elected student positions during their college years,” said Pam Curtis, director of student leadership and service. “Most importantly, this training will prepare anyone to run strong, positive and effective campaigns for local, state and federal offices.”

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The dinner is part of Sodexo’s efforts to showcase the university’s sustainability and awareness initiatives, including buying food from local farms and dietary education.

“Food grown by nearby farmers tastes great, and Sodexo’s purchases help improve the economy of rural communities, preserve our beautiful countryside and provide nutritious food for the UofL community,” said Charlie Clabaugh, Sodexo’s marketing and sustainability coordinator.

The Farm to Table event will feature farm fresh veggies and no-hormone, grass-fed beef. Participating Kentucky farms include Boones Creek Creamery, Lexington; Kenny’s Farmhouse Cheese, Barren County; Broadbent’s, Kuttawa; Marksbury Farm Market, Lancaster. Huber’s Orchard, Borden, Ind., and other farms represented by Louisville-based distributor Creation Gardens will provide food for the event.

Seating for the dinner is limited. Reservations can be made or in person at Ville Grill, 300 W. Brandeis Ave. The cost is $25 (cash or credit), or two meal plan swipes.

To highlight in season and local food, Chef Melissa Ingram specially crafted the event’s menu using traditional and longstanding cooking techniques such as roasting meat in hay or poaching fruit in bourbon.

The dinner’s menu includes: Appetizers: Charcuterie plate of smoked meats, cheeses, dried fruits, nuts and fresh baked breads; Main Course: Crown rack of beef ribs in sweet alfalfa hay with winter squash, brussels sprouts, fingerling potatoes and applewood bacon wilted kale; Vegetarian Option (must indicate on reservation): Cavatappi with browned brussels sprouts, mushrooms and buttery breadcrumbs; Dessert: Bourbon poached pears with chocolate ganache coated in caramelized sugar.

The annual luncheon will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the University Club on Belknap Campus. Doors open at 11:15 a.m. Tickets are $50 each or $400 for a table of eight; to reserve tickets by the Nov. 7 deadline, call the Women’s Center at 502-852-8976.

Brinkley, the senior vice president of operations at Catholic Health Initiatives and president/CEO of KentuckyOne Health, will speak on “Women Leaders: Leveraging the Power of Excellence and Influence.”

The Women’s Center selects as its luncheon speakers people who, through example and words, have the potential to empower the women in attendance.

At the luncheon, the Women’s Center will present its Women’s Empowerment Award to University Provost Shirley Willihnganz and Eleanor Jordan, executive director of the Kentucky Commission on Women.

Also at the event, the Women’s Center will honor winners of the 2013 Mary K. Tachau Gender Equity Award and the Dr. M. Celeste Nichols Professional Development Award. UofL’s Commission on the Status of Women sponsors the Tachau award to recognize a person who has worked to improve gender equity in the community. The university’s Commission on Diversity and Racial Equality and the Dennis C. Golden Torchbearer Endowment Program in the Division of Student Affairs sponsor the Nichols award to support academic or professional enrichment for graduate or professional students.

It wasn’t just for warmth and sunshine though. The group of ten participated in Student Affairs’ Alternative Service Break. This winter break the Office of Student Involvement traveled internationally through the Service for Peace Global Peace Makers’ program. Their mission was to build the foundation for a new school house in the rural Dominican Republic town, La Represa.

The volunteers slept on mats in the school house instead of a staying in a nearby hotel. Kathy Meyer, coordinator of Student Leadership in Office of Student Involvement, shared her feelings about the immersive experience when UofL Today caught up with her.

“We had the advantage to stay in the school house and be on the worksite which not only helped with time, but the community would just stop by and interact with us. It was really nice that way,” she said.

Stephanie Dooper, UofL student and volunteer, added “Our efforts would not have been complete if it were not for the locals helping us and showing us the ropes – even the kids were working with us.”

While service was the main purpose for the trip, the participants were able to catch a few rays at the beach and take historical tours of Santo Domingo. ��The volunteers tried to connect on various levels with the community before departure and found the La Represa community to be more like home than expected.

“The one thing we realized was baseball plays a large part in their culture. One of the things we did was take donations from the Louisville community. The Louisville Slugger Museum gave one of our student-volunteers five baseball bats to take. Also, our own baseball team donated a couple of used gloves and baseballs,” Meyer said.

“Although there was a language barrier, this trip taught many of us that there are many universal languages: laughter, sincerity and love. We experienced all these things and much more. It reminded us to live in the now and to bring passion into everything we do,” Dooper shared with UofL Today some of the priceless life-lessons she learned on the service trip.

The Office of Student Involvement will host another Alternative Service Break and travel to New Orleans during Spring Break week, March 8 to March 14.�� Their service will be focused on wetland renewal projects, environmental sustainability and other green initiatives.

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