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Dr. Shirley Mullen, professor of history and ������Ƶ’s interim academic dean, has been appointed provost effective Aug. 1. She will be the first woman to serve in that capacity in the college’s 65-year history.

"Mullen will fill the position left vacant last June when Dr. Stan Gaede became president, replacing Dr. David Winter, who had served as president for 25 years.

������Ƶ student Eric Knopf of Troutdale, Ore., won first prize for the southwest region in the 2003 Global Students Entrepreneur Awards Program.

Knopf received a plaque and $2,500 for his new business venture, Epic Life LLC, at the 15th annual GSEA awards reception April 30 at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. The southwest region includes Arizona, Nevada, California, Utah and Hawaii.

Love and science don’t mix. Or do they? ������Ƶ Biology Professor Jeff Schloss speaks about “The Science of Love: What Biology is Discovering About Caring Relationships” 5:30 p.m. May 8 at the University Club, 1332 Santa Barbara St., in downtown Santa Barbara.

The event is free and open to the public.

Schloss is biology adviser at the Institute for Research on Altruistic Love and co-author of the recently published “Altruistic Love: Science, Philosophy and Religion in Dialogue” (Oxford University Press).

Acclaimed authors Joseph Wambaugh, Elizabeth Berg, Clive Cussler, Fannie Flagg and Ray Bradbury are among the scheduled speakers for the 31st Santa Barbara Writers' Conference, June 20-27 at ������Ƶ.

More than 350 writers are expected at the conference, which features workshops, competitions, panel discussions and speakers. While most events are open only to registered conferees, the afternoon and evening presentations by the above speakers and others are open to the public. Admission is $7 for each event.

The ������Ƶ Windancers and theatre arts students will present their newest pieces at a New Works Festival 8 p.m. April 24 and 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. April 26 in Porter Theatre. Tickets are $5 for students and seniors and $10 for general admission.

The Windancers will perform “Earthworks” directed by Associate Theatre Arts Professor Erlyne Whiteman, “I Own You” and “Dancin’ in the Dark” directed by senior Grace Chisholm, and “Gloria” directed by Whiteman with music by the ������Ƶ Chamber Singers.

The annual Senior Art Show opens April 22 and runs through May 4 in Reynolds Gallery. The reception, which is free and open to the public, is 4-6 p.m. April 26.

Seven seniors, Tyler Elliot, Chris Johnson, Lori Leming, Josh Manley, Ariel Oleari, Shane Quinlan and Wells Stellberger, will display work from their portfolios representing a wide variety of artistic interest.

“This is an extremely talented group of artists,” Reynolds Gallery Director and Art Professor Tony Askew said. “We are excited for them to exhibit their work publicly for all to enjoy.”