ATHLETICS APPOINTMENT: The UC Davis Athletics Department announced the appointment of Nona Richardson from Division I Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., as senior associate athletics director, replacing Pam Gill-Fisher, who retired from athletics administration in December in order to return to her faculty appointment. The UC Davis announcement on March 14 noted that Richardson has 28 years of intercollegiate athletics experience as a student-athlete, coach and administrator. Her duties at UC Davis, which is due to become Division I this fall, will include overseeing compliance, student services and sports medicine programs, as well as sport supervision. She is scheduled to start work here on April 1.

SOARING TO NEW HEIGHTS: Tickets for this year's Soaring to New Heights lunch must be purchased by April 6. The multicultural event -- with information booths, entertainment, and presentation of the annual Diversity and Principles of Community Achievement Recognition Awards -- is scheduled from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 17 in Freeborn Hall. The ticket price of $5 includes an international buffet. Ticket information is available online: http://occr.ucdavis.edu/soaring. Tickets will not be sold at the door.

THANK GOODNESS FOR STAFF: Staff Assembly issued several announcements regarding the Thank Goodness for Staff celebration May 9 and related events:

• Idol Talent Show -- Singers, dancers, jugglers, musicians and the like are encouraged to participate in the show that is set to take place during the TGFS Picnic.
• Recreation -- The golf tournament is set for May 5 at the Davis Golf Course. The $35-per-person cost includes 18 holes of golf, a barbecue lunch and prizes. Stay tuned for bowling and Fun Run-Walk information.
• Volunteers -- Picnic organizers are always looking for more helpers for a variety of tasks, from greeting people, to serving ice cream sandwiches, to selling raffle tickets. Interested? E-mail Jennifer Lucero, jlucero@ucdavis.edu.

  For more information and sign-up details, go to the Staff Assembly's TGFS Web site: http://staff.ucdavis.edu/tgfs/index.html.

  SENATE TO MEET APRIL 2: The Academic Senate's next meeting is scheduled from 2:10 to 4 p.m. April 2 in MU II at the Memorial Union.