Emeritus professor to give IMS distinguished lecture
Anthony T. DiBenedetto, emeritus professor of chemical engineering, will give the Spring 1998 Institute of Materials Science Distinguished Lecture. His lecture, "Interfaces in Polymer Composite Materials," is scheduled for 4 p.m., Thursday, April 16, in Room 20, Edward V. Gant Science Complex. DiBenedetto is internationally known in the field of polymer composites and composite/ matrix interactions. He is a leading authority on the fracture mechanics of polymer composite interphases and has received many awards during his career, including the Plueddeman Award for Composite Interface Research, which recognizes lifetime achievement. The IMS Distinguished Lecture series has featured many world-renowned scientists, including five Nobel Laureates.

Come celebrate the winners of the 1998 AAUP awards!
The UConn chapter of the American Association of University Professors invites all AAUP members, University administrators and staff to attend the presentation of the AAUP Excellence for Teaching and Research on Tuesday, April 28, at 9 a.m. in the Old Judiciary Room of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. These awards promote the faculty's continued commitment to teaching and scholarship. Recipients of the 1998 awards are.

• Teaching mentorship: Howard Lasnik, Linguistics
• Teaching innovation: Paul T. Mason, team leader, accounting 200
• Research excellence: Yaakov Bar-Shalom, Electrical & Systems Eng.
• Research excellence: Stephen C. Maxson, Psychology

Student Activities announces student organization awards
The Department of Student Activities and Union Programs is seeking nominations for registered student organizations for the following awards:

• President's Award: for an outstanding community service project.
• Chancellor's Award: for achievement of a remarkable goal or major project;
• Vice Chancellor's Award: for continuous programs, leadership or services.
• Husky Pride Award: for outstanding participation in a tournament or competition; exemplary performance is more relevant than winning.
• Program of the Year Award: recognizes an outstanding social, recreational, educational, cultural or fund raising program.

Clubs and professional or honorary societies registered during the 1997-98 year are eligible. Anyone may nominate an organization for an award, and organizations may be nominated for more than one category. The nomination must include the name, addess and phone number of the nominator, the name of the student organization, with the name, address and phone number of a contact person, and reasons why the organization is worthy of the award. Nominations may be dropped off in Student Union Room 201, sent to U-8, or e-mailed to janiceg@ops.saup.uconn.edu The deadline is April 17.

Nominations sought for undergraduate public service award
Nominations are invited for the Spirer/Dueker Humanitarian Achievement Award. The award honors an undergraduate student for outstanding contributions to public service during the preceding 12-month period. The service proj-ect must show an innovative, imaginative and practical way to solve a social, governmental or legal problem. Nominations should include name, address and phone number of the nominator and nominee, explanation and examples, and statements supporting the student's commitment to service. Nominations or self-nominations may be dropped off in Student Union Room 201, sent to U-8, or e-mailed to janiceg@ops.saup.uconn.edu The deadline is April 17.

Mockingbirds love to mimic other birds, feast on berries
Ita Kanter of WHUS has identified the bird pictured in the Advance on March 30 as a Northern Mockingbird. The slender bill, white underparts, gray back and white patches on wings and tail provide positive identification, says Kanter, although the plumage of both male and female is similar. As shown in the photograph, berries make up more than half of the mockingbird's diet. They also eat grasshoppers, beetles, caterpillars and various insects. Mimus polyglottis, the many-tongued mimic, often sings loudly during the nesting season, imitating the songs of other birds. When the moon is bright, it may sing all night. To protect their territory, male mockingbirds will attack any creature that get too close to the nest. Formerly a southern species, mockingbirds have extended their northern range into parts of Canada.