Good morning, Fayetteville.

The Volunteer Action Center at U of A is hosting Make a Difference Day on Oct.

24 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Students will gather on the Union Mall (for breakfast, T-shirt pickup, and project assignment) and join 34 volunteer projects connecting with local nonprofits.

The university will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Oct.

16 at 10 a.m. at the Pi Phi Gates to mark the Maple Street Improvements Project — adding a protected bike path and upgraded pedestrian crossings; local leaders will share remarks before a short guided walk and reception.

Three Rogers families have established scholarships at U of A to help students overcome financial challenges and pursue careers in architecture—supporting both the Land of Opportunity and a dedicated scholarship in design studies.

The AIMRC will host a seminar on Wednesday, Oct.

14 at 11:50 a.m. in BELL 2269+ Dr. Patience Okoto, Dr. Prateek Verma, and Dr. Meichen Liu will present an overview of their core research facilities while pizza and beverages are served, with Zoom available for remote attendees.

A new Early Childhood Education program launched this fall to train teacher candidates for work with children from birth through second grade.

Led by Laura Herold, it offers dual teaching licenses and hands-on training at the Jean Tyson Center+ to boost practical early learning skills.

Representatives from universities attended the National Campus Bike Summit at U of A from Oct.

7-9, beginning with a Cruise to Campus event on Old Main Lawn. The summit featured group rides, expert presentations, and campus tours, highlighting the school’s gold-level bike-friendly status (by the League of American Bicyclists).

International student Daphine Akot pursued biomedical engineering at U of A after finding inspiration from watching her uncles work, and she is now a research assistant + planning to build a medical device firm in East Africa before returning to Uganda.

Applications are open for U of A’s Big Red’s Buddies pet therapy program that certifies faculty and staff with therapy dog teams; an information session will be held (Oct.

15 from 3-4 p.m. in Mullins Library room 463) and applications must be submitted by Nov. 1.

U of A students now have access to STI testing through the Get Yourself Tested program at Pat Walker Health Center; appointments can be made via the patient portal during regular business hours (Monday to Thursday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).