Robert Hooper knows the powerful role media can play in bringing about social justice. The UC San Diego alumnus who teaches courses on international conflict and the media at the School of International Relations and Pacific Studies (IR/PS) has worked intensively in nations facing ethnic, religious and sectarian conflict. He has led workshops on media and conflict resolution that enable journalists to report on ethnic and sectarian conflict in South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe. He has put himself in harm’s way through his career, and he credits his ability to do so to the foundation he built at UC San Diego.
Mexico’s most visionary leaders, vibrant culture, past accomplishments and future goals will be the focus of the University of California, San Diego’s Mexico Moving Forward symposium, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on March 6. The symposium, hosted by the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies at the School of International Relations and Pacific Studies, will focus on Mexico’s progress and future goals 20 years after the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). It also will feature University of California President Janet Napolitano, UC San Diego Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla and the School of International Relations and Pacific Studies Dean Peter Cowhey, as well as experts from both sides of the border.
The University of California, San Diego will host a special tribute to James Avery, the late acclaimed actor, poet and UC San Diego graduate of 1976, on Saturday, March 1 at 2 p.m., at the campus’s Mandell Weiss Forum. The event, which is open to the public, will include an afternoon of theater, live music, personal reflections and poetry readings in Avery’s honor. Best known for his portrayal as the charismatic Uncle Phil Banks on “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” Avery was a classically trained UC San Diego actor and scholar. He died on December 31, 2013, due to complications from heart surgery. He was 68.
The League of Professional Theatre Women is honoring the work of Judith Dolan, a Tony Award-winning UC San Diego professor of theatre and dance professor and head of design, with the Ruth Morley Design Award.
Five winners have been selected to receive two free tickets to attend Eastbound: Home, a special concert at UC San Diego, featuring world-renowned jazz bassist and alumnus Nathan East, ’78 on Feb. 1. The 10 contest tickets were donated by Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla.
The University of California, San Diego will honor the history and accomplishments of African-Americans during the university’s annual celebration of Black History Month. The theme for 2014 is “Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of Civil Rights: The journey is not complete, we can and must do more.”
