7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

The Department of English MFA Program in Creative Writing hosts an alumni spotlight event featuring readings by Lea Marshall, Katy Resch George, Patty Smith and Audrey Walls in Cabell Library, Third Floor Lecture Hall, Room 303. All VCU Visiting Writers Series events are free and open to the public.

For more information, visit https://english.vcu.edu/about/visiting-writers/.

7 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Rams in Recovery invites students, faculty and staff in recovery and their allies to celebrate milestones in their recovery in the Wellness Resource Center, Recovery Clubhouse.

For more information, visit http://www.thewell.vcu.edu/recovery-support/.

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 at 11 a.m.

Join President Michael Rao for the State of the University Address in the James Branch Cabell Library, Lecture Hall, Room 303. Doors will open at 10:30 a.m. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. R.S.V.P. by visiting https://goo.gl/k3G0S6. A live webcast of the State of the University Address will be streamed on VCU's home page, www.vcu.edu, and VCU's Facebook page, go.vcu.edu/vcufacebook

For more information, visit https://goo.gl/k3G0S6.

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 from noon to 1 p.m.

The Institute for Women's Health hosts it ongoing "How to Treat a Woman: Strategies for Health Care and Self-Care" brown bag lunch series in Main Hospital's Learning Center. Susan Wolver, M.D., a board certified obesity medicine specialist at VCU, will address looking at your diet in a new way and will share strategies to start to reverse chronic disease. No pre-registration is required. Open to all.

For more information, visit http://www.womenshealth.vcu.edu .

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 from noon to 1 p.m.

The VCU Community Health Education Center hosts a weight loss surgery information session at the center, VCU Medical Center, Gateway Building, Ground Floor. This program will be presented by the VCU Surgical Weight Loss Center. Refreshments will be provided and registration is required. To register, use the contact information below.

For more information, visit http://wp.vcu.edu/chec/2017/01/18/jan-26-weight-loss-surgery/.

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

VCUDine, the VCU Chinese Student Association and GLOBE welcome the Year of the Rooster with the ultimate Chinese New Year celebration in the Shafer Court Dining Center. Those that swipe in to Shafer between 5-10 p.m. will get to try a variety of authentic Chinese dishes, including marinated beef bao, dan dan noodles, a bubble tea bar and a Dim Sum station. Participants will enjoy live dance and martial arts performances, learn calligraphy and learn more about VCU's study abroad opportunities in Asia.

For more information, visit http://vcu.campusdish.com.

Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 from 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.

The Department of Family Medicine and Population Health's Division of Epidemiology and the College Behavioral and Emotional Health Institute host Jaakko Kaprio, M.D., Ph.D., as a special invited speaker in One Capitol Square, Sixth Floor, Room 644. Kaprio, director of Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland FIMM, will present "Smoking, Dependence and Tobacco-Related Disease: The Role of Genes."

Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 from noon to 12:50 p.m.

The Department of Biostatistics presents its spring 2017 seminar series featuring Codruta Chiuzan, Ph.D., assistant professor, Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Columbia University, discussing "Precision Medicine Meets Cancer Immunotherapy: (New) Statistical Challenges in Dose-Finding Trials" in One Capitol Square, Third Floor, Room 305.

For more information, visit http://www.biostatistics.vcu.edu/seminars-invited-talks/.

Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Muslim Student Association hosts "Warm Meal Gifts" to feed the homeless in Richmond by giving warm meal gifts to those hungry at the Baptist Collegiate Ministry, 819 S. Cathedral Place. Meals will also be made at this location.

Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Muevelo holds an interest workshop in the University Student Commons, Commons Underground. Participants will dance salsa, bachata and hip hop with the Muevelo family.

Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 at 7 p.m.

The Activities Programming Board presents a showing of "Ghostbusters" (2016) starting at 7 p.m. and "Star Trek Beyond" starting at 9:30 p.m. in the Commons Theater. Movies will also be shown on Saturday, Jan. 28, with "Star Trek Beyond" starting at 7 p.m. and "Ghostbusters" (2016) starting at 9:30 p.m. also in the Commons Theater. Free popcorn will be available on both nights.

Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The Muslim Student Association hosts a get-together for sisters on campus at 1200 W. Marshall St. Those outside the faith are more than welcome to join the event.

Friday, Jan. 27, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The School of Education presents the 2017 annual Research Colloquium in Cabell Library, Third Floor Conference Room and Atrium. The schedule will be as follows: keynote speaker from 10-11:30 a.m.; student research roundtable and lunch from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.; a panel discussion from 1:15-3 p.m.; and reception from 3:15-5 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2017 at 4 p.m.

The Humanities Research Center and the Department of English presents Ayanna Thompson, George Washington University, as part of the spring 2017 speaker series, "What the 'Literary Greats' Have to Say to Us Today," in Cabell Library, Lecture Hall. Thompson will discuss "Is Shakespeare Beyond Race?" Admission is free and all are welcome.

For more information, visit https://humanitiescenter.vcu.edu/ayanna-thompson/.

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2017 from 9 a.m. to noon

The Office of Environmental Health and Safety conducts required training in the George Ben Johnston Auditorium for VCU or VCU Health employees who handle (as in receipt, pack, mark, label or prepare/sign shipping documents) dangerous goods. Registration is NOT required. Handling dangerous goods without training or when training has lapsed is illegal and may lead to fines for the handler and the university.

Friday, Feb. 10, 2017 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

University College, the Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs and the Office of Faculty Affairs host an informal conversation focused on "Navigating Difficult Dialogues Inside and Outside the Classroom" at The Depot. This is an opportunity for faculty in different disciplines to socialize and discuss 13th, Just Mercy and pedagogical strategies. H'ors d'oeuvres will be served and a cash bar will be available. Register by Monday, Feb. 6, by visiting the website below.

For more information, visit https://goo.gl/forms/ZLZSx6iSoGz15E6r2.

Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2017 from noon to 1 p.m.

Work/Life Resources offers an overview for participants to learn more about the Anthem Employee Assistance Program available to employees with COVA Care and COVA HDHP benefits in the Lindsey House Conference Room. The session will help employees learn when and how to use the EAP, such as why people call, how the process works and confidentiality. To register visit the website below.

For more information, visit https://training.vcu.edu/course_detail.asp?ID=15634.

For the year 2017, the VCU Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) offers undergraduate student fellowship awards for research projects mentored by VCU faculty. Successful student/faculty partners will receive funding of $2,000 ($1,500 per student, $500 for faculty mentors). To find details about fellowship opportunities related to global education, community engagement, clinical and translational research and inclusive excellence, visit the website below. Proposals are due Wednesday, March 1.

For more information, visit http://wp.vcu.edu/vcuurop/2017/01/03/2017fellowshipscall/.

VCU Libraries offers free 30-minute tours of James Branch Cabell Library every Tuesday at 4 p.m. and every Wednesday at 11 a.m. and 8 p.m. beginning Tuesday, Jan. 17 and continuing through Wednesday, April 26. No registration is necessary. Participants should meet in the lobby. All are welcome.

VCU Alumni sponsors Alumni Month in April, when spring programming at the university is at its highest. A list of events happening in April is being developed to promote to alumni to encourage them to come back to campus and engage with their alma mater. VCU Alumni would like to include your events in Alumni Month promotions.

For more information, visit http://www.vcualumni.org.

The Mary and Frances Youth Center's Discovery program accepts class proposals for summer 2017. Discovery will be offering week-long career exploration classes focused on STEM, arts and health sciences for middle school youth from July 24 to Aug. 18. Faculty, staff and students are invited to become class instructors and internship opportunities are also available for students pursuing a career in education.

For more information, visit http://mfyc.vcu.edu/summer-programs/discovery/teach-a-class/.

The Commonwealth Society, VCUarts' educational organization for adult learners, opens registration for its spring semester on Wednesday, Jan. 25. The Commonwealth Society connects community learners to the resources of VCU and the robust Richmond arts scene through classes and other programming. To register, visit the website below.

For more information, visit http://arts.vcu.edu/csociety.

Rec Sports is forming a standing advisory committee to receive on-going feedback from its users. The committee will review facility changes/upgrades, provide feedback on rules and guidelines changes and offer regular insight and advice on the user experience. Rec Sports is seeking broad representation. If interested in serving in this capacity and learning more about this opportunity, email the contact below by Friday, Feb. 10.

For more information, visit http://recsports.vcu.edu.