The University of Scranton's Concert Band, a 75-plus member ensemble comprised of student musicians who play woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments, will perform in concert on Friday, Nov. 19, at 7:30 p.m. at the Houlihan-McLean Center (Mulberry St. at Jefferson Ave.). Admission is free.

The students are from majors spanning the curriculum, brought together by their love for making music. The program includes music by Joseph Turrin, Vaclav Nelhybel, Frank Ticheli, Philip Sparke, Claude Smith, Stephen Paulus, David Gillingham, Morten Lauridsen and Ian MacDougall.

For more information about Performance Music events, visit http://academic.scranton.edu/department/bandsing/events.shtml. 

M. Jayne Lucas, B. Mus., M.A., A.B.D., director of liturgy and liturgical music at The University of Scranton, will be performing an organ recital at Elm Park United Methodist Church, located on the corner of Jefferson and Linden Streets, Scranton, on Sunday, Nov. 21, at 4 p.m.

This free concert, open to the public, will include organ works by Bach, Karg-Elert, Balbastre, Messiaen and Widor. Lucas has studied organ with Sister M. Reginald, I.H.M., Robert Rosencrans, Dr. Peter Marshall and Dr. Robert Grogan. She is currently a student of Kent Tritle, principal organist and director of music at St. Ignatius Loyola Parish, Park Avenue, New York City. Tritle also serves as the organist of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.

For more information, contact Jayne Lucas at 941-6152.

Need 20 minutes of peace, quiet and relaxation? Make plans to come experience the labyrinth on Tuesday, Nov. 30, from 4 p.m. to midnight in the DeNaples Center ballroom. Come walk, pray and meditate. An opportunity for individual confession will also be available during this time.

The labyrinth is a Christian spiritual tool used for meditation and reflection. The labyrinth involves praying, meditating and reflecting on your journey through life as you follow a single walking path. The event is sponsored by the Office of University Ministries. For more information, call 941-7419. 

“Love is Louder” – a day of awareness and activities on campus – is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 17, in the DeNaples Center, second floor, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

A peaceful rally for an end to hate- based violence is slated for 6:30 p.m. on the DeNaples Center patio. 

“Love is Louder” is a new organization developed by actress Brittany Snow, along with the Jed Foundation and MTV. It was developed in response to the unprecedented number of teen suicides in September 2010.  “Love is Louder” aims to spread the message that love and support is stronger than anything, internal or external, for anyone who has experienced hate or violence in any fashion. 

For more information, contact Beth Ryan at ryane3@scranton.edu.

The Asian Studies' "Tour" of Asia continues in November with a focus on Thailand.

Please join us for an evening of fun entitled "Encounter Thailand" on Monday, Nov. 22, at the DeNaples Center's fourth-floor lobby area and theater, starting at 6 p.m.

Activities includes sampling Thai food, learning of Thai history and culture, and public screening of a Thai film.  All are free of charge and open to the public.

Food will be served at 6 p.m., with Dr. Pornthip Chalungsooth presenting an overview of Thai history and culture at 6:15 p.m. At 7 p.m., the Thai film "Ong Bak: Muay Thai Warrior" will be shown.

The events are organized by Asian Studies, the Office of Study Abroad Programs and Global Initiatives and International Programs and Service. "Tour of Asia" is in part supported by the Diversity Initiative Grant awarded by The Office of Equity and Diversity.

For more information about "Encounter Thailand," contact Mike Simons, organizer of the evening's events and Director of Study Abroad Programs and Global Initiatives, at 941-4303.      

Come to a free cooking lesson hosted by USPB's Mission and Identity! The lesson is scheduled Monday, Nov. 22, at 8 p.m. in the McIlhenny Ballroom on the fourth floor of the DeNaples Center. The first 25 to the door receive a free prize! Admission is one canned food item. For more information, contact Maria at marxm3@scranton.edu or David at hoveyd2@scranton.edu.

It's that time of year again! The Panuska College of Professional Studies is collecting books for our Blessing of the Books event. Please donate your children's books. Receptacles may be found in the DeNaples Center, Hyland Hall, the Long Center and McGurrin Hall. Also, please join us for The Blessing on Tuesday, Nov. 30, in the lobby of McGurrin Hall at 3:30 p.m. 

Make sure to check out the event's promotional flyer.

It’s that time again ... The Community Outreach Office will be sponsoring its annual Adopt an Angel and Giving Tree programs for the holidays.

Since our semester ends so early this year, gifts are all due back to our office on Monday, Dec. 6. We will be delivering to the agencies later that week.

Here's how it works:

ADOPT AN ANGEL: Purchase toys and clothing for a child in need from our local community. Names, sizes and wishes are provided. Cost is approximately $100. Gifts are due, unwrapped, to the Community Outreach Office by Monday, Dec. 6. Please include a roll of wrapping paper and tape. Be sure to include batteries if your items require them. 

GIVING TREE: Tree will be on the second floor of the DeNaples Center by Friday, Nov. 12. Take an ornament for a boy or girl, ages 0-teens, and purchase a gift of your choice for a value of about $25. Return, unwrapped, to the Community Outreach Office, by Monday, Dec. 6.

Contact Ellen Judge at judgee2@scranton.edu by Monday, Nov. 20, to have your angel info sent to you by e-mail! 

This year, most of our children are from area Headstart preschool programs. They must meet federal poverty standards to attend this program. A family of four can make no more than $22,050. Other programs that will benefit from our holiday programs are Friends of the Poor, United Neighborhood Centers and area group foster homes.

Members of The University of Scranton SIFE (Students In Free Enterprise) team are working to help fight hunger by participating in the 2011 Campbell’s Let’s Can Hunger Challenge, with the goal of collecting 5,000 canned good items throughout the 2010-2011 school year. All food collections will benefit the Leahy Food Pantry, Scranton.
 
The following events will take place throughout the remainder of the fall semester:

• Food Collection: DeNaples Student Center on Nov. 18-22. A table will be set up on the first floor of the DeNaples Center where students have the opportunity to drop off non-perishable food and canned goods between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.. 
• 5K race and walk hosted by SIFE on Saturday, Nov. 20, at 11 a.m. at Nay Aug Park. Registration is $5 for students and $10 for faculty and staff. This event is also open to the public and day-of registration will begin at 10 a.m. on Nov. 20. 
• Donation bins will also be set up for several sporting events including:

• SIFE will close out its food collections for the fall semester by selling “candy grams” to the campus community. Students, faculty and staff can purchase a candy gram to send to a friend for $2, or a two canned good donation. Candy grams can be purchased in the DeNaples Student Center on Dec. 1-3.