Graduate students get time to shine

The event is coordinated with the National Association of Graduate and Professional Students' appreciation week, now in its fourth year.

Aaron Rashotte, a plant sciences graduate student and coordinator for the event, said activities are planned for the entire week.

"Last year we only had an event planned for one day, but we had more of a turnout than we expected, so we decided to expand the events for this year," he said.

The events include a Graduate College open house from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Monday; an ice cream social on the University of Arizona Mall from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. Tuesday; a barbecue on the Mall from 5:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. Thursday, and a special showing of "Young Frankenstein" at Gallagher Theatre at 12:30 a.m. Saturday.

On Wednesday, GPSC is also hosting a research exposition in the Memorial Student Union Senior Ballroom from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m.

The week was officially recognized by Arizona Gov. Fife Symington and UA President Manuel Pacheco, Rashotte said.

Rashotte said he felt this week was important for graduate and professional students to be able to show off all their hard work.

"We want them to be generally recognized for what they do during the year, and to raise awareness on campus about these students," he said.

Anthony Rosati, secretary of the National Association of Graduate and Professional Students board of directors, said previous appreciation weeks have been generally well-received.

"Many universities found it rewarding simply from their constituency's viewpoint," he said. "Graduate and professional students learned about services and issues that they didn't realize were available or important."