Harvill isn't just the name of a building. It's the last name of one of UA's pioneers. The Richard A. Harvill Endowment Committee and the Office of the Provost are holding the Richard A. Harvill Conference on Higher Education beginning today, which runs through Saturday here on campus. The conference is open to anyone, and the agenda, registration information and fees are all available at http://www.place.arizona.edu. For more information, contact Garry Forger at 626-7761 or e-mail him at gforger@u.arizona.edu.

If you suffer from asthma, chances are you want to know about the latest on research to battle the mysterious lung disease. Join Penny Graves, an assistant research scientist at UA's Arizona Respiratory Center at 4:30 p.m. as she discusses the latest gene therapy issues with asthma. The speech will be in the AHSC Burbank Conference Room, Room 2343. For more information, contact Ann M. Reeves, program coordinator for the AHSC, at 626-6114 or e-mail her at annr@resp-sci.arizona.edu.

Rennie Harris Puremovement wants to make you a DJ - not just someone who changes the music, but a turntablist. UAPresents brings the art of spinning and scratching to the Nations Hall at Muse, 516 N. Fifth Ave., at 6 p.m. The show, "Techniques for Turntablists," is part of a weeklong artist residency and community engagement program. For more information, contact Wade Colwell at 626-4420 or e-mail him at wadec@email.arizona.edu.

Then, when you've learned the tricks of the trade, stick around at the Nations Hall for the "Rock da Ring" showcase of turntablists. The contest will take place in a giant boxing ring as DJs, MCs and hip-hop groups from Tucson compete in rounds. Rennie Harris Puremovement's dancers and performers will also compete. Between bouts, check out a fashion show displaying local hip-hop clothing outlets' wares. This event is also part of the weeklong community engagement program. Contact Wade Colwell for this event, too, at 626-4420 or e-mail him at wadec@email.arizona.edu.

After 14 years of service, Gordon Johnson, associate dean of administrative services in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, is retiring on Jan. 31. Anyone who wishes to see him off into his retirement can go to the Forbes building lobby from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. today for refreshments and entertainment. For more information, contact Jennifer Smith at 621-7621 or e-mail her at jsmith@ag.arizona.edu.