Tab Bamford, December 30, 2013

Since the beginning of November, we?ve been sharing the inspiring stories of Big Ten students, faculty and alumni who are making a difference in the world through innovations in research, education and community service. In an effort to shine a light on even more wonderful Big Ten happenings, we?ll be serving up positive headlines every Monday morning, right here on the BTN LiveB1G blog.

Indiana University announced a $40 million gift from Cindy Simon Skjodt for renovations to Assembly Hall.

Innovation to Reality, sponsored by Purdue University's Women in Engineering Program, offers a free after-school engineering program next semester that focuses on the way we explore space for students in sixth through eighth grade. The application deadline is Jan. 13: https://engineering.purdue.edu/WIEP/Programs/K-12/I2R/I2R

The Ohio State University?s ?Shakespeare and Autism Project? is trying to raise $9,474 before Jan. 15, 2014. Learn more about this great project here: http://nisonger.osu.edu/news/shakespeare-autism-power2give-12-2013

John A. Rogers of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign received a 2013 American Ingenuity Award from Smithsonian Magazine, the publishing arm of the Smithsonian Institution: http://news.illinois.edu/news/13/1120smithsonian_JohnRogers.html

The University of Michigan announced the 2014 schedule for the Penny W. Stamps Speaker Series, featuring respected emerging and established artists/designers from a broad spectrum of media: http://art-design.umich.edu/stamps

Penn State offensive lineman John Urschel was named the recipient of the 2013 Senior CLASS Award for displaying excellence in the classroom, community, character and competition. Congrats John!