Acclaimed writer Francine Prose, author most recently of Anne Frank: The Book, The Life, The Afterlife, will receive the 2010 Washington University International Humanities Medal Nov. 30. Awarded biennially, the medal honors the lifetime work of a noted scholar, writer or artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of letters or the arts. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/21505.aspx

Students dance during the annual Diwali, or Festival of Lights, program Nov. 12 at Edision Theatre. Diwali is one of the most widely celebrated and largest student-run productions on campus. It is organized by Ashoka, the South Asian Student Association, and it has been a WUSTL tradition for 21 years. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/21535.aspx

Van Jones, JD, wants to put Americans to work, and not just any kind of work. The former special adviser on green jobs to President Barack Obama has a vision to solve two profound challenges facing the United States today: poverty and pollution. He will share that vision for the Assembly Series at noon Tuesday, Nov. 30, in Graham Chapel. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/21521.aspx

Koong-Nah Chung, PhD, has been named associate dean and director of the Office of Medical Student Research at the School of Medicine. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/21519.aspx

The Washington University Symphony Orchestra will perform music of Ludwig van Beethoven, Franz Joseph Haydn and Nikolay Rimsky-Korsakov at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 21, in the university’s E. Desmond Lee Concert Hall. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/21530.aspx

• 11:30 a.m. Symposium. “The Importance of Mentoring Relationships in the Careers of Traditionally Underrepresented Women of Color in Higher Education.” Sponsored by a WUSTL Diversity and Inclusion grant. Free. Pre-registration and supervisor approval are required. College Hall, South 40, Danforth Campus. Contact king@wustl.edu.

• Faculty book reading and discussion today. Faculty members from all campuses are invited to join a faculty book group reading and discussion of Blue Angel by Francine Prose. Gerald L. Early, PhD, the Merle Kling Professor of Modern Letters and director of the Center for the Humanities in Arts & Sciences, will lead a discussion of the book at noon today.

• WUSTL will host the 2010 NCAA Division III Volleyball Championship at the Field House in the Athletic Complex this weekend. The tournament gets under way this afternoon. news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/21523.aspx.