Making an IMPACT globally is the theme for the week ahead at Stetson! From IMPACT Conference activities to Relay for Life to Bead for Life, see how you can make a difference in the world. Even the week’s cultural activities have an international flavor, including Mayan Week events and the Caribbean-themed Carnival 2012. This week’s calendar is jam-packed – with something for everyone! Here are some highlights:

Remembering Trayvon: Students, faculty and staff are invited to join in a community reflection on the tragic death of Trayvon Martin, starting at 11:45 a.m. Friday, March 30, on the front steps of CUB.

It’s Mayan Week: Some say the world will end 12-21-12. Learn the TRUTH during Mayan Week, April 3-5, hosted by Latin American Studies and Artists and Lecturers. Q’anjob’al Maya author Gaspar Gonzalez will speak on “Mayan Culture at the Close of the 13th Bak’tun,” at 7 p.m., Tuesday, April 3, in the Rinker Auditorium of the LBC; the film “What do the Maya say about 2012?” will be shown at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, in Room 25 of the library/Media Services; and the talk and demonstration “A Mayan Life: An Evening with Nicolasa Jerónimo” (Maya weaver), will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 5, also in Room 25 of the library/Media Services.

Make an IMPACT: As part of this week’s IMPACT Conference, students and employees can network with reps from top national non-profits at the Opportunity Fair, 2:45-4:30 p.m. Friday, March 30, and noon-3 p.m. Saturday, March 31, in the Rinker Field House inside the Hollis Center. Full IMPACT Conference Program is here. Also as part of IMPACT, see the documentary film “Education Under Fire” on deprivation of educational rights of Iranian Baha’i students, followed by small group discussion and “action stations,” 9-10:30 p.m. Sunday, April 1, in the Stetson Room.

Relay for Life: While we’re focusing on making an impact, let’s come together to fight cancer at Relay for Life, noon Saturday, March 31, to 6 a.m. Sunday, April 1.

In your dreams: Psychology Professor Camille Tessitore King will lecture on “In your dreams! Sleep…it’s when (some) memories are made,” part of the Betty Batson Bell Brain & Learning Lecture Series, noon-1:15 p.m. Friday, March 30, in Room 25 of the library.

Why Can’t I Say That? The fact is: words have power, and certain words can really hurt. Housing and ResLife’s Social Justice Committee will have a panel discussion between students about how to promote sensitivity in language usage and discourage social injustice as well, from 7-8 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, in the Stetson Room.

Stay healthy: Information about different types of natural remedies will be featured at the Health Hut from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, in the Quad.

Talk to your congresswoman: U.S. Rep. Sandy Adams, FL District 24, will visit from 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, in the Stetson Room.

Caribbean culture: Celebrate at Carnival 2012, featuring Caribbean food, music and history, from 6 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday, March 30, on Rinker Field.

Hear the talent: A spring of outstanding concerts from the School of Music continues with the Student Composers Concert, featuring Nathan Stang, Demi Nicks, Eli Garland, Jeremy Umlauf, Justin Ward Weber, Joshua Albert, Paul Kollas and Alexis Rowe, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 30; the Percussion Ensembles concert, directed by Professor Marja Kerney, at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 31; the Brass Ensembles concert, featuring music from Renaissance to modern times by a Trombone Quartet, eight-member Trumpet Ensemble (Tom Macklin, conductor), five-member Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble (Tom Waid, director) and 13-member Trombone Ensemble (David Schmidt, director) at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 1; and the Chamber Orchestra concert, Anthony Hose, conductor, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 3. All four concerts will be in Lee Chapel; free with Stetson ID.

Last chance: Uma Coisa Into Another, a retrospective of Stetson Poet Terri Witek and visual artist Cyriaco Lopes’ collaborative work will be open one last day Friday, March 30, in the Hand Art Center. Don’t miss it!

Bead for Life: Support the women of Uganda by purchasing their beautiful jewelry at a Bead for Life bead party from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, April 3, in the Faculty Lounge in the CUB.

This week in Athletics: There’s plenty of sports action at home this week, including Women’s Tennis, Softball, Men’s Tennis, Baseball and Sand Volleyball. Check out the complete schedule, and for full Athletics info, visit www.GoHatters.com.

Continuing:  Ross Allen and Florida Natural History: A Photographic Exhibition will continue through Thursday, April 12, at Gillespie Museum, and Concentrated Color: Watercolors by Oscar Bluemner from the Vera Bluemner Kouba Collection will remain up through May 2 in the Hand Art Center. Details for these – and much more – can be found on the Arts Events listing.

For a comprehensive listing of what’s happening on campus, visit the University Calendar.

 The Stetson Today team