The University of Toledo is a community that celebrates and respects people of all backgrounds and experiences. As an institution, we remain committed to building an inclusive environment free of racism, sexism, bigotry and other negative influences.

The events of the past week have brought to light the critical role higher education can and must play in facilitating open and honest discussions that empower us as a community and a nation to translate our ideals into actionable change.

As such, UToledo will host a virtual roundtable Thursday, June 4, at 5:30 p.m. It is through this open dialogue that we can move forward, together, and breathe.

Access information will be released next week.

ProForma Specialty Printing is launching a T-shirt fundraiser to support The University of Toledo COVID-19 Student Emergency Support Fund.

The shirts, representing the Fueling Tomorrows brand, will be supplied by longtime UToledo supporter ProForma Specialty Printing. Each shirt will cost $20 plus shipping and will be available at utoledostrong.buyproforma.com.

All proceeds from the fundraiser will go toward the COVID-19 Student Emergency Support Fund and UToledo scholarships.

“We’re very excited about the opportunity to add to the great work being done to help UToledo students through the COVID-19 Student Emergency Support Fund,” said Billy Pierce, UToledo associate vice president of alumni engagement. “We think a T-shirt fundraiser will be another great way to continue to support this important initiative, and we hope the Rocket community will agree.”

The fundraiser will run through Monday, June 15.

The 2020 Thomas Baither Memorial Rocket Golf Classic presented by UBS Financial Services has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The annual event, which was originally scheduled for June 18 at Stone Oak Country Club, is held every year and helps benefit The University of Toledo Athletic Department.

“The Rocket Golf Classic is an event that many of our supporters look forward to every year, so we are very disappointed that we have to cancel it this year,” said Deputy Athletic Director Dave Nottke. “We appreciate their enthusiasm and support for our student-athletes, and look forward to the day in the very near future when we can once again gather together and celebrate our passion for the Rockets.

“We also very much appreciate any contributions to the Rocket Fund as we move into a significant fiscal challenge for our athletic department,” he added.

In light of the cancellation of the golf tournament, supporters may make contributions to the Athletic Department on The University of Toledo Foundation website.

Rocket Sports Properties is teaming up with The University of Toledo Athletics’ corporate partner Wingstop to donate 400 lunches to doctors, nurses and other hospital staff at UTMC Tuesday, May 19.

Meals will be provided at 11:30 a.m. for the day-shift employees and at 7:30 p.m. for night-shift personnel.

“It’s a privilege for us to be able to do this with Wingstop — to serve our community and to provide food for very deserving hospital personnel who are doing so much to protect us during the pandemic,” said Robert Rice, general manager for Rocket Sports Properties, the University’s athletics multimedia rightsholder and locally based Learfield IMG College team.

“Right now, more than ever, it’s important for us to give back to our community, and there are millions of people who need our help,” said Tommy Pipatjarasgit, Wingstop brand partner. “We have donated thousands of wings to hospital workers, fire fighters and police departments working the front lines in Detroit and Toledo. It has really boosted team morale that they are making a difference by giving back, and it gives everyone a sense of hope and positivity.”

Pipatjarasgit’s Wingstop locations are at 3330 Central Ave. in Toledo and 1399 Conant St. in Maumee.

The University of Toledo is canceling this year’s National Youth Sports Program (NYSP) due to the pandemic.

It would have been the 51st year for the free three-week camp that provides recreational and educational opportunities for local income-eligible children.

“Following the COVID-19 update provided by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, UToledo is taking action to reduce exposure risk for the safety of our faculty, staff, students and campus visitors. Therefore, we are canceling the 2020 National Youth Sports Program,” said Dr. Ruthie Kucharewski, professor in the School of Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, and NYSP administrator.

This is the first time the summer tradition for kids has been canceled, according to Kucharewski.

“Thank you for your continued support of UToledo. We hope to see you at next year’s camp,” she said.

Starting in 1968, UToledo was one of the first universities in the country to offer the federally funded program sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

After federal funding for the program was cut, the University has continued to operate the camp through fundraising, in-kind donations, and commitment from the University to provide some support and facilities.

The Chicago production of a play written by Dr. Matt Foss, assistant professor of theatre with The University of Toledo Department of Theatre and Film, has garnered seven nominations for the prestigious 2020 Non-Equity Jeff Awards and is tied with four other productions for having the most nominations this year.

As the Tony Awards honor top theater in New York, the Jeff Awards recognize Chicago’s top theater each year.

“All Quiet on the Western Front” is Foss’ adaptation for the stage of the historic novel by Erich Maria Remarque. The play premiered at The University of Toledo with a student cast in fall 2018 in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended World War I, the war in which the novel is set.

The professional premiere of the play featured a unique collaboration between the University co-producing the production with Red Tape Theatre and the Greenhouse Theatre Center — two professional companies in Chicago. UToledo’s support resulted in an extension of classroom learning in a professional setting, with theatre faculty member Stephen Sakowski and a number of former students also participating in the project. Sakowski also received a nomination for his lighting design.

The opening of the production culminated in a unique showcase event highlighting the UToledo College of Arts and Letters’ commitment to the arts, student experiences and innovation.

Two UToledo alumni, Austin Rambo (Theatre 2019) and Bianca Caniglia (Environmental Science and Women’s Studies 2018), also were part of the Chicago production’s cast.

This production was nominated for seven Jeff Awards: production — play; new work (Foss); director (Foss); sound design (Dan Poppen); lighting design (Sakowski, UToledo assistant professor of lighting design); and choreography (Leah Urzendowski). The play also was nominated for best ensemble — considered one of the most prestigious awards in the Chicago theater community for its recognition of exceptional collaboration.

Last spring, the play received the Kennedy Center’s David Mark Cohen National Playwriting Award, recognizing the year’s outstanding new work premiered at a college or university.

The 47th Annual Non-Equity Jeff Awards and Community Unity Celebration will be held virtually Monday, June 8. Details on accessing the free program will be made available in early June.

Names of award recipients will be released immediately following the virtual program on the Jeff Awards website under Non-Equity Awards.

The University of Toledo’s Art on the Mall will not take place this summer due to the pandemic.

“With the continued uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic and for the safety of our alumni, artists, volunteers and community, The University of Toledo Alumni Association has made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 Art on the Mall juried art show that was scheduled for July 26,” Ansley Abrams-Frederick, director of alumni programming in the UToledo Office of Alumni Engagement, said.

This is the first time the annual summer tradition has been canceled since it started nearly three decades ago.

“We thank our artists, sponsors, volunteers, community and friends, and appreciate their understanding during these difficult times,” Abrams-Frederick said. “We look forward to this event in the future.”

Career Services is hosting Senior Launch Day Wednesday, May 6, to help graduating students learn more about career development and job searching.

The virtual event will include a series of round-table discussions where graduating students can ask questions, learn from employers and professionals, and build their career-ready toolkit for success.

Joining the discussions will be representatives from several companies, including Cedar Point, Amazon, Target, Highland Insurance, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Domino’s and Jo-Ann Fabrics.

Five round-table sessions are scheduled through WebEx during the afternoon:

• Noon — Negotiating and Accepting Job Offers. Learn how to navigate salary conversations respectfully and what to consider when accepting an offer. The session will cover benefits, cost of living, understanding your industry, and knowing your worth.

• 1 p.m. — Interviewing in 2020. Interviews are moving to virtual formats with Zoom, WebEx and Skype. Learn the best way to stand out in an interview.

• 2 p.m. — LinkedIn and Virtual Networking. Virtual networking is more critical than ever. Find out how to make your LinkedIn profile the best it can be and tips on how to grow your network.

• 3 p.m. — Resumés and CVs. Attend this discussion on how to avoid common resumé mistakes, how to use key words, and how to tailor your resumé.

• 4 p.m. — What a Boss Wants. Discover what the top skills employers are looking for and how to stand out as a candidate.

If you missed a session, or have questions, stop into Career Services’ virtual drop-in hours. No appointment is needed between noon and 5 p.m.

“We are here to help students and alumni with our virtual career center that students can access 24/7,” Shelly Drouillard, director of career services, said. “We offer interview preparation, job boards, and Rocket Connect, which allows UToledo alumni and our students an opportunity to network.”

In addition, Career Services will continue to offer virtual appointments for students and alumni.

For more information, go to the Career Services website or email careerservices@utoledo.edu.

The Senior Design Expo, a tradition in The University of Toledo College of Engineering for decades, is for the first time moving online amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Students split into 75 teams will present projects ranging from a tricycle for a girl with cerebral palsy; a portable, bicycle-powered electric generator; and a triple-balloon catheter system that stops blood flow in vessels during surgical repair.

“The College of Engineering is excited to hold our first-ever virtual senior design exposition,” Dr. Matthew J. Franchetti, associate dean of undergraduate studies and professor of mechanical, industrial and manufacturing engineering, said. “The students, instructors and clients overcame massive difficulties when they were thrust into an emergency remote learning environment and not able to work face to face. This event will celebrate the students’ dedication and commitment to their problem-solving projects.”

To attend the Expo on Friday, May 1, click on the links below:

• 1:30 to 1:45 p.m.: Welcome/Overview of the Virtual Senior Design Expo;

• 1:45 to 3:15 p.m.: Virtual Senior Design Expo Projects and Virtual Rooms.

Visitors can enter the senior design teams’ personal WebEx rooms directly through the Virtual Senior Design Expo Projects and Virtual Rooms, where you can find the following information:

• Team project overview;

• Design team members;

• Team leader and their contact information;

• Faculty adviser;

• Client/sponsor (if applicable);

• Informational video (if applicable); and

• Guests will be able to sort projects by major and live presentation.

As part of required senior design/capstone projects, UToledo engineering teams worked with local businesses, industries and federal agencies to help solve technical and business challenges. Students will present their final prototypes, provide demonstrations, and answer questions about their experiences.

Get up and get moving: UToledo students, faculty, staff and alumni are encouraged to join the Spring 2020 National Recreation Movement and log their activity minutes.

The challenge is designed to keep everyone active by accessing online workout classes from 40 colleges and universities across the country. The national goal: 5 million minutes of movement.

“This is a way for all of us to come together to be part of something bigger during the pandemic — and it’s good for our well-being,” Rachel Decker, associate director of programs and assessment at the Office of Recreational Services, said. “We are excited for UToledo community members to represent Rocket Nation.”

As of April 26, The University of Toledo ranked No. 25 in the country in average workout minutes per student. A total of 61 schools are participating in the virtual event, which runs through Wednesday, May 6.

“We are proud of our showing so far, but we would love to crack the top 20,” Decker said.

To help the University boost its active minute average, go to the National Recreation Movement website and create an account with your UToledo email address. Once you have an account, you have access to live and recorded workout, fitness and movement classes.

UToledo is offering a different virtual fitness class schedule every week. Check out the many activities available; these include Zumba, Pilates, yoga, cardio drumming and kickboxing.

“This challenge is about staying active together even when we’re apart,” Decker said. “Moving at your own pace is not only good for your physical health, but for your mental health, too, and that’s so important, especially now.”

UToledo community members who are physically active throughout the day are asked to log their total number of active minutes.

And TikTok videos showing how you #RecAtHome are welcome.

Go to the National Recreation Movement website to learn more.