Register via AccessPlus (click on Employee > HRS Training > Courses).

• Creating an Inclusive Classroom -- International Students, April 10 (11-11:50 a.m., 2030 Morrill)

• Blackboard Learn Users Group, April 12 (11:30 a.m.-noon, 2030 Morrill)

Pitch competition for entrepreneurial students is April 9

Students in ISU's Entrepreneurship and Innovation Learning Community will host their 2nd annual Innovation Pitch Competition April 9 (5:30 p.m., Delta Upsilon Fraternity, 117 Ash Ave.). Up to 35 student teams have 90 seconds to pitch their new business or product ideas to a panel of judges, competing for more than $1,500 in cash and prizes. The public is invited to attend.

Federal cuts will end ISU's host role with national pork center

Effective July 1, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will withdraw as the host of the U.S. Pork Center of Excellence. The change will save the college approximately $100,000 in overhead and administrative costs and salary for a half-time position.

Fountain preservation brings new life to historic courtyard

A newly restored -- and well hidden -- fountain sculpture will be celebrated during an April 19 reception. Christian Petersen's The History of Dairying mural is the centerpiece of the Food Sciences courtyard, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Changes at nutrition, wellness center take effect in May

The focus of the 6-year-old center Nutrition and Wellness Research Center will shift to providing space and state-of-the-art equipment for health, nutrition and activity-related research in the College of Human Sciences when administrative changes take effect next month.

This week

• Retirement: Carol Swenson, facilities planning and management, April 5 (2-4 p.m., program at 3 p.m., 200H General Services Building)

Next week

• Opening reception: Focus juried and Focus grant exhibits of student art, April 9 (6 p.m., MU Pioneer Room)

Cyclone softball to break in new facility

The Iowa State softball team will play its inaugural game at the new Cyclone Sports Complex this weekend, hosting Big 12 Conference foe Oklahoma State. Friday's game is slated for a 4 p.m. start, while Saturday and Sunday games begin at noon. Admission is free.

Hear the beat of the drums

Iowa State's music and theatre department is hosting Iowa Day of Percussion 2013, April 5-6. The free two-day event will feature high school and university percussionists as well as other performers. All concerts take place in the Tye Recital Hall in the Music Building. A list of concerts and events is available online.

April 10 events will honor female veterans

Cedar Rapids native, ISU alumna (2004) and U.S. veteran Miyoko Hikiji will talk about her experiences as a female soldier on April 10 (2-3:30 p.m., MU Great Hall). Hikiji served for 400 days in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom and her book about it was published last month. Her talk is preceded by a book signing (1-2 p.m., MU Oak Room) and a brunch for ISU's female veterans -- employee or student (11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., MU South Ballroom). RSVP to veterans services coordinator Jathan Chicoine for the brunch.

Global Gala is Friday

The Student Union Board's 8th annual Global Gala event is Friday, April 5, in the Memorial Union Great Hall. The multicultural celebration showcases fashion, music and performances by student organizations. Light refreshments also will be served. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., the program begins at 6 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.