May 15, 2014
News Digest: New cherry trees, Mushroom May-nia, autism assessments, Honor: Daily staff
Celebrate gift of cherry trees May 20
Join the ceremony Tuesday, May 20, as the UW dedicates more than 30 new flowering cherry trees, a gift to the University of Washington from the people of Japan. Eighteen trees were planted this spring at Rainier Vista and 14 have been added to the UW’s plant collection at the Washington Park Arboretum.
The gift to the UW Department of American Ethnic Studies and the university came through the Japan Commerce Association of Washington, D.C.
The ceremony, at 11 a.m. on Rainier Vista south of Drumheller Fountain, is open to everyone. Speaking will be Masahiro Omura, Japanese consul general; Norman Mineta, former congressman and U.S. secretary of transportation; and Michael K. Young, UW president.
In addition to longstanding relations between Japan and the U.S., the gift of cherry trees also symbolizes the 120-year history of Japanese and Japanese American students at the university, according to information from Stephen Sumida, UW professor of American ethnic studies. The history of these students has included eras of discrimination and exclusion that required strength and dedication to overcome, he wrote.
Granite plaques at the planting sites will recognize both the history of relations between the UW and Japan, and the history and spirit of Japanese and Japanese American students at the university since 1894.
The Rainier Vista trees have been planted in the lawns between Johnson and Mary Gates halls, and adjacent to the Sylvan and Island groves.
‘Mushroom May-nia’ coming May 19-23
Got a fondness for fungi? If so, stop by one of the many events of Mushroom Maynia, throughout the week of May 19 at locations across campus.
There will be cooking demonstrations and tastings, displays, prizes and more as UW Dining, The Whole U and the Mushroom Council and Ostrom Mushrooms team up to spend the week celebrating all things mushroom. Also, many campus dining locations will feature mushrooms in their recipes through the week. Some events require advance registration. Learn more and register online. Also, check UW Dining on Facebook for specials throughout the week.
UW autism researchers offer free assessments
Early behavioral intervention for children showing signs of autism spectrum disorder can get them back on track to developing social, emotional and cognitive skills. But the current tools for diagnosing autism are expensive and time-consuming.
UW researchers hope to streamline the process and are recruiting Seattle area families to help. They’re looking for children 24 months to 39 months old who are suspected of having an autism spectrum disorder or developmental delay and who have recently completed, or are scheduled for, a diagnostic evaluation.
Participating families will be given a newly developed assessment, which includes a video-guided parent report measure, direct observation of the child by the UW researchers and a parent interview. The accuracy of the shortened assessment will be compared with the standard evaluation.
The study will involve one to two visits to UW. Learn more on the UW’s Research in Early Autism Detection and Intervention Lab’s website, or contact the researchers at 206-685-4304 or READiLab@uw.edu
Daily wins regional awards
The UW student newspaper The Daily claimed four awards May 2 in the Society of Professional Journalists’ regional competition for student publications. The UW students competed with schools having 10,000 or more students in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. Winners were Kevin Dowd for sports writing, “Fight club;” the editorial staff for editorial writing; Joshua Bessex for breaking news photography, “Now that’s the ticket;” and the staff producing “The Daily’s Double Shot,” which won a TV award.
Joshua Bessex’s winning photo for The Daily.Joshua Bessex
Tag(s): cherry blossoms
