BYU

OPEN HOUSE -- The senior design students of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Brigham Young University will be presenting posters describing their projects on Dec. 8 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. An open house will be held in the step-down lounge of the Clyde Building to highlight their accomplishments this semester. Please come meet with the students to discuss their projects and provide feedback on their work. Light refreshments will be served.

DEVOTIONAL -- Sarah Westerberg, associate dean of students, will speak at 11:05 a.m. Tuesday in the Marriott Center.

CONCERT -- University Orchestra and University Strings will perform at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday in the De Jong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center. Admission is free.

READING EVENT -- Children 10 and younger can enjoy story time at the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum every Wednesday at 11 a.m., hearing stories about animals and nature read by a professional storyteller.

OPEN HOUSE -- There will be two sessions of an open house for the accessibility Center. The student session will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and free homemade root beer floats are being offered to all who attend. Students can find out about what the office does and sign up to volunteer to help out as well. There is a second session for all faculty, administrative employees and staff from 2-4pm that day. Free J-Dawgs will be given to attendees for that session.

CONCERT -- Acoustic Explosion has outgrown the Traditions Lounge so it's moved to the Varsity Theater. Come enjoy an evening of acoustic performance at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. If you are interested in performing at an upcoming show, submit a demo to the student activities board in 3371 Wilkinson Student Center. For info on upcoming shows, go to stab.byu.edu.

SHOWCASE -- The BYU Songwriters' Showcase will be presented in the Madsen Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Admission is free.

CONCERT -- Eric Hansen will conduct the Symphony Orchestra in the de Jong Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday. All seats are $6. Tickets can be purchased at the Fine Arts Ticket Office, by calling (801) 422-4322 or by visiting byuarts.com.

SERVICE PROJECT -- The BYU Graduate Student Society would like to invite every BYU student, faculty or staff member to come and lend a helping hand during its annual Winter Service Project. There will be several projects in conjunction with the BYU Center for Service & Learning. In addition, members of the Red Cross will be on hand to provide basic CPR courses for interested individuals. This is a great opportunity to come out and help others who are in need. There will be refreshments for those who come and participate. If you have any questions, please e-mail us at byugss@byu.edu.

LECTURE --Nephi Noble will discuss his background in math and how it helped him reach his career goals in the National Security Agency at 4 p.m. on Thursday in 1170 Talmage Math Sciences / Computer Building. The Careers in Math series seeks to educate students about the many possibilities a math degree can have outside the traditional academic role.

CONCERT -- The Flute Choir will present a free concert in the Madsen Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday.

EVENT -- The Stories from Around the World program, designed for preschoolers and toddlers, explores the folk tales of different nations around the world. A new theme is introduced at 11 a.m. on Friday each week and includes a story and corresponding craft. Free admission. For more information visit mpc.byu.edu

EVENT -- The Divine Comedy "Best of" Show will be on Friday and Saturday in the Joseph Smith Building Auditorium. Tickets will be on sale after Monday at the Wilkinson Center Information Desk, $5, or $6 at the door. Shows are at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

EVENT -- The BYU choirs and Philharmonic Orchestra will perform "A Celebration of Christmas" at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the de Jong Concert Hall. A matinee performance will begin at 3 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets are $16, or $11 with a BYU or student ID. Tickets can be purchased at the Fine Arts Ticket Office, by calling (801) 422-4322 or by visiting byuarts.com.

EVENT -- BYU folk dancers, directed by Ed Austin, present a taste of Christmas cultures from nations across the globe in "Christmas Around the World" at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday in the Marriott Center. To purchase tickets, contact the Marriott Center Ticket Office at (801) 422-2981 or visit byutickets.com.

EVENT -- Humor U presents another show of all new original stand-up comedy at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday in the Maeser Auditorium. Proceeds from this event will go to a charity of the audience's choosing - Merry Christmas! Tickets are $3 at the WSC Info Desk and $4 at the door. For more information, go to humoru.org.

CONCERT -- A Harp Solo and Ensemble music showcase will be presented in the Madsen Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Admission is free.

UVU

UVU student named student of the year

A Utah Valley University student was selected by the Public Relations Society of America Greater Salt Lake Chapter as the Utah Public Relations Student of the Year. The winner, Britnee Nguyen, was one of more than 40 communications students across Utah and Idaho to compete for a $1,000 cash prize and an internship with the 2008 nonprofit client, Utah Cancer Foundation.

The contest began in October when students submitted a written public relations strategy for the Utah Cancer Foundation to increase name awareness of the organization and raise funds for its lawn service. Each document included research, objectives, tactics and a time line for the proposed events. A panel of Salt Lake area PR professionals judged the entries and selected five finalists. Each finalist was given the chance to develop and present a campaign plan to PR agency directors and the executive director of the Utah Cancer Foundation in Salt Lake City, Nov. 1. The Public Relations Society of America is the world's largest organization for public relations professionals. The Society has nearly 32,000 professional and student members.

UVU artist in residence to perform 'Sonosophy'

UVU's artist in residence Alex Caldiero will challenge minds and 'shake words' in his newest performance titled, "In Tongues: a Study in Sonosophy," at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the auditorium of the new library. The event is in connection with a class Caldiero co-teaches, "Language, Most Dangerous Possession."

The intended message of this event has been described as 'listenfeelknow.' It is a theme and an art that envelopes Caldiero's life. He explains that getting involved with this type of performance happened so gradually over the years that he now cannot distinguish it from his life, and as artist in residence it is his duty to practice. Caldiero has performed at dozens of campus events and classroom demonstrations. He is the author of several books, anthologies, articles and exhibitions. He has performed at locations such as the Utah Art's Festival and on National Public Radio.

This event is free and open to the public. Parking is provided in the lot just north of the library.

UVU to kick off homecoming week

A week full of events such as a dodgeball tournament, bonfire and basketball game can only mean one thing -- it's Homecoming Week. The annual Utah Valley University Homecoming Week will celebrate the UVU community, friends and alumni and is set to kick off on Monday and end on Saturday.

The kick-off event begins on Monday at noon in the courtyard with free chili and hot chocolate served. Activities such as the "polar bear plunge" and the UVU dance and cheer squad performance will also take place. In the evening, the "Eclipse" concert featuring the UVU a capella choir will be held in the Sorensen Student Center Grande Ballroom from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $3 for students, faculty and staff and $5 for general admission and are available at Campus Connection.

On Tuesday, students will compete in a dodgeball tournament in the Grande Ballroom from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The two dodgeball finalist teams will face off for the championship game two days later on the McKay Events Center floor during the homecoming basketball game halftime. On Wednesday at 9 p.m. there will be a bonfire in the parking lot located west of the McKay Events Center.

The homecoming game will feature the UVU men's basketball team against University of California-Santa Barbara on Thursday at 7 p.m. with a kid's night tailgate party at 5:30 p.m. in the McKay Events Center. A post-game movie will be shown afterward.

On Friday, an alumni awards luncheon will recognize alumni, students and individuals for their continued efforts at UVU. Festivities will conclude Saturday with a Breakfast with Santa at 8 a.m. in the Grande Ballroom. The price is $2 per person and $8 for families with more than five.

Coming up ...

CONCERT -- The UVU Ballroom Dance Co. Winter Concert 2008 will be from 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Monday, and at 2 p.m. on Monday. Tickets are $10 per person for 7:30 p.m. shows and $8 per person for 2 p.m. show. Get your tickets at Campus Connection, a ballroom company member or at the door.

PLAY -- Shakespeare's "Twelfth Night" will be performed Thursday through Dec. 13 in the Black Box Theatre. Tickets can be purchased at Campus Connection at (801) 863-8797 or at the Campus Connection Desk in the Sorensen Student Center for $6 per UVU student ID, $8 per UVU faculty/staff, student, seniors or groups of 10 or more people. All other tickets are $10.