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Though the United States faces daunting challenges, from a massive national debt to misunderstandings between people of different faiths to partisan gridlock, five distinguished panelists who visited ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ on April 7 for the annual Convocation for Honors program said today’s students have the potential to restore their nation’s global reputation for innovation, education and religious freedoms.

What does it take to be a good reporter? NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams has several thoughts, including: “Know your audience. Know your subject.” One of America’s most acclaimed journalists on Friday shared with ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ students his views on the media, technology, and on balancing work and family in a Whitley Auditorium question-and-answer discussion sprinkled with wit and wisdom.

Mike Berenstain is not “Brother Bear,” a character from the Berenstain Bears children’s book series created by his parents. As Berenstain likes to joke, having an older sibling makes him “Sister Bear.” It was that kind of humor that marked Berenstain’s visit this week to ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ, where he told stories of his parents, Stan and Jan, while sharing with his audiences what the future holds for the furry family from Bear Country.

Vice Adm. William E. Gortney, director of the Joint Staff at the Pentagon and ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ's Commencement speaker this spring, is serving as the Pentagon's official spokesman for the U.S. military operations in Libya. Gortney held a media briefing on the combat operations on March 19.

ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ students started a fundraising drive this week to aid victims of the March earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan. The same students are gathering messages of support from the community that will be translated into Japanese and delivered abroad to survivors whose lives have been upended by the natural disasters.

ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ President Leo M. Lambert is one of five men being honored with a 2011 Father of the Year award by the Greater Greensboro Area Father’s Day Council.

The Office of University Relations has launched a major enhancement of the E-net news and information system, organizing videos produced by offices and individuals across campus into a central viewing system that includes a variety of video categories. All members of the campus community are invited to submit videos to this site and to explore the creative projects produced by others. Access the site with the tab at the top of the E-Net page, or go to:

David C. Porter of Sudbury, Mass., will be installed as the newest member of the ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Board of Trustees at the board's spring meeting, April 15-16. Porter and his wife, Jen, are the parents of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ senior Tim Porter, and have served on the university's Parents Council and are members of the Founder's Circle of the ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Society.

Five ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ students from Japan were joined by about 75 fellow students on March 15 in planning the community's response to the earthquake and tsunami in that country. The brainstorming session was held in the Isabella Cannon International Centre, where students came up with many ideas to raise relief funds and send messages of encouragement to those who are suffering in the wake of the disaster.

The ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ campus community is planning efforts to provide support from those suffering the effects of a massive earthquake and tsunami. The efforts were launched at the March 15 College Coffee, where students from Japan spoke about the disaster in their homeland.