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The annual African Film Festival at Washington University in St. Louis begins Friday, March 23. Over the course of three days, eight different films will showcase the African continent and its people. During a youth matinee, award-winning director, writer and animator Cilia Sawadogo will answer audience questions about her film.

Junior Carol Nnabuife (left) and freshman Eiftu Haile, both in Arts & Sciences, dance during ‘A Taste of Africa,’ a Feb. 27 kick-off event for Africa Week. The full week of activities also featured fashion and comedy shows, an in-depth roundtable discussion and a dance workshop.

Just in time for spring baseball, the Assembly Series at Washington University in St. Louis presents its version of a doubleheader: back-to-back lectures in one day by prominent speakers. On Tuesday, March 5, Science historian Susan Lindee, PhD, will speak at 4 p.m. in McDonnell Hall on the evolution of a treatment for cystic fibrosis, once a fatal disease of children. Best-selling author, law professor and “Tiger Mom” Amy Chua, JD, follows at 5 p.m. in Graham Chapel. Both lectures are free and open to the public.

CAUSE — the Committee for the Assessment of the Undergraduate Student Experience — is a new group established to more thoroughly and accurately measure the WUSTL undergraduate student experience.The committee, 15 members from throughtout the university community, will coordinate WUSTL assessment efforts, educate the campus community and keep an archive of existing and prior assessments.

p, , {margin:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Cambria;} div.WordSection1 {page:WordSection1;} Jeffrey G. Trzeciak, university librarian at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, has been named university librarian at Washington University in St. Louis, effective July 1, 2012. Trzeciak replaces Shirley K. Baker, vice chancellor for scholarly resources and dean of University Libraries, who will retire after 23 years of service to WUSTL on June 30, 2012.

Oh, for a bit of wrought iron. Using tried-and-true triangular trusses, Lesley Olson (right), a junior in chemical engineering in the School of Engineering & Applied Science, helps high school girls compete to erect the tallest marshmallow and toothpick tower during Engineering Olympics Feb. 25, the final day of EnWeek. The week, intended to inspire current and future engineers, began Feb. 19 with a variety of activities intended to make increase awareness in engineering as a profession.

WUSTL is proposing an $80 million investment in retail and student apartments in the Parkview Gardens neighborhood, located along the Delmar Loop in both University City and St. Louis. The area was identified by two significant community studies as a prime location for retail along Delmar and higher-density multi-family housing. 

The Washington University Police Department and Parking Services, in partnership with Hartmann’s Towing, will sponsor a free vehicle inspection service to students, faculty and staff Saturday, March 3. Persons anticipating traveling by car for spring break can bring their vehicle to the to the lower level of Millbrook Garage between noon-2:30pm for a free inspection. The staff will check tire pressure, fluid levels, wipers and head- and taillights.

OUTLaw, a student group at Washington University in St. Louis School of Law, will be hosting its annual Midwest LGBT Law Conference Friday to Sunday, March 2-4. This year’s theme is “Family Matters.” Nancy Polikoff, JD, professor of law at American University and 2011 recipient of the national LGBT Bar Association’s highest honor, will serve as conference keynote speaker.

Humans today struggle with environmental problems such as a depleted ozone layer and global warming — influences of humans on the environment that put our own existence at risk. But humans altering their environment with disastrous results is nothing new. Just ask archeologist T.R. Kidder, PhD, professor of anthropology in Arts & Sciences, who has spent the past four summers excavating the Han Dynasty village of Sanyangzhuang.