Happening in April
What are the first things that come to mind when you think of April? Is it cotton candy and carnival rides? It is for many members of the UA and Tucson communities as the University gears up for its signature springtime carnival, Spring Fling.
But April isn't just cotton candy and carnival rides. You'll also have the chance to give back to the community with Stuff the Cat Tran, catch a movie on campus, celebrate your co-workers' contributions to the UA or get away for the weekend and explore the spring wildflowers at Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Round out the month with a look at the marvels created by UA seniors for their capstone project.
For more family-friendly events, lectures and performances, be sure to check out the UA Master Calendar.
Stuff the Cat Tran | April 4
UA4Food, the UA's annual springtime food drive to benefit the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona and the UA Campus Pantry, will culminate with an effort to fill a Cat Tran shuttle with peanut butter, canned soups, fruit, cereal, granola bars, pasta, rice, beans and any other items members of the campus community bring.
From 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., UA4Food ambassadors will be collecting food and monetary donations at the corner of North Cherry Avenue and East University Boulevard in the passenger drop-off zone. At the end of the day, all donations will be delivered to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, with some of the donations going to the Campus Pantry.
Donations of nonperishable food items are being accepted across campus in UA4Food boxes or online at the Community Food Bank's virtual giving center.
Wildflower Walks at Boyce Thompson Arboretum | April 7, 8, 21 and 22
The UA's Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior invites you to get outside and literally smell the roses – or, in this case, the wildflowers. Join guides Angie Dale, Barb Vender Meulen and Cass Blodgett for wildflower walks through the arboretum. Attendees will learn to identify unique flowers, such as penstemons, poppies and primrose. The walks begin at 10 a.m. and are included with daily admission to the arboretum. For more information, click here.
Spring Fling | April 13-15
Try a fried Oreo, take a ride on the Ferris wheel or try your luck at winning a prize when Spring Fling returns for its 44th year.
The carnival, run by the Associated Students of the University of Arizona, will feature live music and more than 20 unique food booths that will raise money for various UA clubs and organizations. This year, the carnival will have more than 35 rides and games for all ages.
Admission is free with a CatCard or military ID. For more information, visit the website.
Widescreen Wednesdays Film Series – 'Do the Right Thing' | April 25
Join the School of Theatre, Film and Television at the Center for Creative Photography for a movie night with some of the UA's own film experts.
This Widescreen Wednesday will feature the 1989 classic "Do the Right Thing." In the film, Spike Lee stars as a pizza delivery man who finds himself confronted with racial tensions between his boss and the African-American community.
Before the movie screening, a faculty member from the School of Theatre, Film and Television will introduce the film, explaining its significance in their life, its historical and artistic context and why they chose it. Additionally, movie-goers will get the chance to watch a short film made by a student in the school's Bachelor of Fine Arts program.
2018 UA Awards for Excellence Ceremony | April 27
Join the Classified Staff Council, the Appointed Professionals Advisory Council and the President's Cabinet for a ceremony recognizing dedicated and helpful UA employees who go above and beyond to make the UA a great workplace.
The ceremony will honor individuals, departments and teams for their outstanding contributions to the UA. The awards include the UA Award for Excellence, the Billy Joe Varney Award for Excellence, the UA Team Award for Excellence and the Department Award for Excellence.
Engineering Design Day | April 30
Get the very first look at groundbreaking designs and technologies produced by UA seniors from the College of Engineering, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Optical Sciences. Interdisciplinary teams of four to six seniors will present their yearlong capstone design projects to the public. Seniors will amaze as they push the boundaries of electronics, energy, medicine and more.
More than 100 professional engineers will evaluate the projects and decide who will win corporate-sponsored cash prizes.
Projects from last year included a drone that pollinates date palm trees and a telescope transport system.
Find out for yourself what the seniors will design this year when they present on the UA Mall and in the Student Union Memorial Center.