Fund-raising powwow tonight at Haskell

Haskell Indian Nations University will play host to a fund-raising powwow today at Coffin Sports Complex.

Though the event is free and open to the public, the money raised will be used to support this year’s commencement ceremony.

The Apache Crown Dancers are expected to perform at 8:30 p.m.

Italian-American society to honor KU professor

Valentino Stella, professor of pharmaceutical chemistry at Kansas University, will receive the National Marconi Science Award from the nation’s largest Italian-American service organization.

The award, from UNICO, will be given today during a ceremony in Phoenix.

Stella, who was born in Australia to parents of Italian descent, has been on the KU faculty since 1973. He has invented two drugs, Cerebyx, for treatment of epilepsy, and Viread, for the treatment of AIDS. He also has helped found three companies — Cydex, Crititech and ProQuest Pharmaceuticals.

The award is named for Guglielmo Marconi, a pioneer in the area of wireless telegraphy. It is given annually to recognize a living scientist who exemplifies Marconi’s scientific and creative accomplishments.