May 12, 2005

Upcoming events

Melons will fly at physics open house May 15

The United Nations has declared 2005 the World Year of Physics to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Albert Einstein’s “Miracle Year.” It was in 1905 that the physicist published a series of scientific papers that revolutionized the world’s view of space, time and the atom.

To share the wonders of physics, the department of physics and astronomy will host an open house featuring 2003 Nobel Laureate Anthony J. Leggett and a variety of engaging demonstrations — including a cantaloupe-hurling trebuchet — from 1 to 6 p.m. May 15. The event, free and open to the public of all ages, will be held at the Technological Institute.

Durbin to speak at law convocation May 15

U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, the Senate’s second highest-ranking Democrat, will deliver the keynote address at this year’s School of Law graduation convocation May 15.

The ceremony takes place at 1:30 p.m. at the Chicago Theatre, 175 N. State St.

Elected to the U.S. Senate in 1996 and re-elected in 2002, Durbin is currently the Democratic Whip.

Renowned cardiologist to speak at medical convocation May 20

The Feinberg School of Medicine will hold graduation ceremonies at 3:30 p.m. May 20 in the Navy Pier Grand Ballroom.

Renowned cardiologist Eugene Braunwald, M.D., will be the keynote speaker. Braunwald is Hersey Distin-guished Professor of Theory and Practice of Physical Medicine at Harvard Medical School.

He recently was named a master of the American College of Cardiology, honoring his 50 years of groundbreaking research in heart failure, coronary artery disease and heart attacks.

The Feinberg School class of 2005 includes166 students who will receive an M.D. degree.

First Muslim woman to win Nobel Prize to give talk May 23

Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi — a tireless advocate for the rights of women and children in Iran — will speak on human rights in Iran and beyond Monday, May 23.

Ebadi’s lecture takes place at 6 p.m. in the Owen L. Coon Forum of Leverone Hall. Tickets will be available on a first come, first served basis at the event.

The first Muslim woman ever to win the Nobel Prize for Peace, Ebadi became one of Iran’s first female judges in 1969 but was forced off the bench after the Islamic Revolution.

The lecture is presented by the Center for International and Comparative Studies.

Italian theatre group performs through June 10

An audacious, multi-racial, one-of-a-kind theatre company combining actors from Africa and Italy will be at Northwest-ern for a month-long residency through June 10 culminating in performances of “I Polacchi” (“The Poles”) at Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Art. The troupe, which will work with Northwestern undergraduates, also will present three free, public events May 16, 17 and 27 on the Evanston campus.

Teatro delle Albe has won international awards for its performance pieces re-examining Western theatre classics in light of the massive immigration of people to Europe who, to many Europeans, only yesterday seemed impossibly foreign.

For information about the program, call (847) 467-1987.