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April 10, 1998 JOURNALISTS: Here are Purdue events during the next two weeks. University Day: The annual spring cleanup Purdue students, faculty and staff will join forces Thursday, April 16, for the third annual University Day dedicated to giving the campus a spring spruce up. Volunteers give one hour of time to plant, spread mulch, sweep or perform similar tasks between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Workers will report to stations across campus where they will be assigned duties. A celebration with food on the Memorial Mall will end the day. The event is sponsored by Purdue Student Government. CONTACT: Jason Grasty, Purdue Student Government, (765) 494-7201. University Sing: The annual spring sing-off About 120 people from 16 fraternities, sororities, residence halls and other living units will participate in the 68th University Sing on Saturday, April 18. The annual choral competition, sponsored by the Purdue Student Union Board, will start at 2 p.m. in the north and south ballrooms of the Purdue Memorial Union. The groups will be judged on musical presentation, costumes, choreography and visual impact. CONTACTS: Laura Leverton or Barb Bozarth, event coordinators, (765) 494-8976. Events Tuesday, April 14. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Ford will speak at the 67th Annual Literary Awards Banquet. 6:30-9 p.m. North Ballroom, Purdue Memorial Union. Ford, who won the Pulitzer for his 1996 novel "Independence Day," also will give a free reading from his works at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 15, in the Krannert Building Auditorium. CONTACT: Tom Ohlgren, professor of English, (765) 494-3740; e-mail, tohlgren@gte.net Saturday-Sunday, April 18-19. Spring Fest, sponsored by the Schools of Agriculture, Veterinary Medicine, and Consumer and Family Sciences. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Events include Bug Bowl, Horticulture Show, Boiler Brick Bowl, Boiler Barnyard, 35th Veterinary Medicine Open House, Wonderful World of Wood, Ways to Keep You and Your Food Safe, and Wildlife and You. A list of events and details is available on the Web at http://anr.ces.purdue.edu/anr/sfest/sfest98.html. CONTACT: Dana Neary, Spring Fest coordinator, (765) 494-9113; e-mail, dn@aes.purdue.edu Saturday, April 18. Pole qualification day for the April 25 Grand Prix go-kart race. Noon-6 p.m. Kart track north of Ross-Ade Stadium. CONTACT: Mike Sprinkle, Grand Prix promotions director, (765) 494-2708. Monday-Tuesday, April 20-21. Qualifications for the April 25 Grand Prix go-kart race. 5:30-7 p.m. Kart track north of Ross-Ade Stadium. CONTACT: Mike Sprinkle, Grand Prix promotions director, (765) 494-2708. Thursday-Sunday, April 23-26. Gala Week -- Cruisin' Home to Purdue. The Purdue Alumni Association has organized reunions, entertainment and other activities for returning alumni. Registration and activities information will be available at Gala Week headquarters in Room 118, Purdue Memorial Union. The Gala Week office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 24 and 25. CONTACT: Purdue Alumni Association, (765) 494-5175. Saturday, April 25. Grand Prix go-kart race. Kart track north of Ross-Ade Stadium. The final six spots on the 33-car starting grid will go to the top two finishers in each of three sprint races starting about 11 a.m. The events associated with the featured race, known as the "Greatest Spectacle in College Racing," are schedule to start about 1:15 p.m. CONTACT: Mike Sprinkle, Grand Prix promotions director, (765) 494-2708. Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page