UConn researchers and artists will be honored at the third annual Celebration of Faculty Research and Creativity October 6 at 3:30 p.m. in Jorgensen Gallery. This year's celebration is dedicated to the memory of Robert H. Gray, former dean of the School of Fine Arts, who died in June.

Open to the entire University community, the celebration was planned by a committee headed by Robert V. Smith, vice provost for research and graduate education and dean of the Graduate School. The program includes an address by Gary English, interim dean of the School of Fine Arts, titled "New Play Development at a University-Based Professional Theater." Following his talk, there will be a reception and a display of books and citations of original research articles by faculty.

The celebration also includes a special evening event - political humorist Mark Russell will perform at 8 p.m. in Jorgensen Auditorium. A limited number of reduced-price tickets for the show are available to faculty on a first-come, first-served basis. Call (860) 486-4226 for information.

For the first time, there is a memento designed to honor faculty research and creativity, says Smith. All faculty and staff will receive a full-color calendar highlighting the work of faculty members from a variety of disciplines. The Graduate School and University Communications worked together to create Connecticalendar TM, and hope to produce one every year.

"We wanted to create something that would communicate the value of faculty research and creativity at the University. Connecticalendar will be a daily reminder that the University honors the scholarly and creative work of its faculty," Smith says.

"Research and the creative spirit are key elements of the scholarly lives of our faculty. These efforts lead to improved understanding of our natural world, new technology to spur economic development, insights into human behavior, and artistic works that challenge perceptions," writes Smith in the calendar's introduction.

A poster commemorating the event, featuring a painting by Gray, will be available on October 26, when a retrospective of Gray's work opens at the Benton Museum.

Members of the planning committee for the event hope that the calendar, poster and special performance expand awareness of faculty research and creativity. "We're trying to develop a sense of continuity of the theme - of sharing, celebrating and recognizing faculty research and creativity for its importance in this community," says Ilze Krisst, assistant vice provost for research."

Sherry Fisher