UNC-system happenings for Sept. 11, 2015

Laverne Cox to speak at NCCU

Laverne Cox, an Emmy-nominated transgender actress and the first trans woman of color to play a leading role on mainstream television, will give a speech at N.C. Central University for the Lyceum Series on Sept. 24.

The NCCU annual series invites leaders and performers in various fields to promote students’ academic and cultural development. Cox’s visit will support the LGBT community on campus.

Best known for her role as Sophia Burset on “Orange is the New Black,” Cox has been featured on the cover of Time magazine and nominated for “Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series” at the Primetime Emmy Awards.

In a 2013 visit to give a speech at UNC, Cox spoke about discovering and struggling with her gender identity.

Cox’s speech at NCCU will be held at the B.N. Duke Auditorium at 7 p.m.

UNC-G class studies Coen films

UNC-Greensboro is offering a new course on film, starring the Coen brothers.

Jeffrey Adams, professor at UNC-G, is teaching Media 321, which will feature popular Coen Brothers films like “No Country for Old Men,” “The Man Who Wasn’t There” and “Fargo,” among others.

The class does not focus solely on the directors’ movies, but also delves deeper into their cultural and social influences. The class is structured to show one film a week, which are accompanied by readings, analytical discussions and film theory.

Adams believes the Coen brothers are a good duo to focus on, both because of the popularity of their films and also because of their deviation from other filmmakers’ styles and popular constructs.

Adams also teaches horror and is the author of the popular book “The Cinema of the Coen Brothers.”

Dog Olympics come to NC State

The 24th Annual Dog Olympics will be held at N.C. State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine on Sept. 19.

“It is an opportunity to celebrate human and animal bonds and an effort to raise public awareness and funds of shelter dogs,” said veterinary school spokesman Dave Green.

Family dogs are invited to socialize and participate in athletic and nonathletic competitions such as Frisbee toss, limbo, longest tail and howling contest.

People who are interested in getting a dog can observe different breeds and talk with their owners.

Admission to the event will cost $5; it covers access to both an event and a digital photo of a champion. Additional events will cost another $3 apiece, and each additional photo will cost another $2.

All proceeds, including those from nonprofit vendors, will support the rescue groups in attendance.

UNC-P student missing abroad

The search continues for UNC-Pembroke student Deon Greene, who went missing Sunday while studying abroad in Costa Rica.

The 21-year-old, who was studying Spanish at the National University of Costa Rica, was last seen heading into the ocean when he went under and never resurfaced, according to a host-country representative who spoke with officials on Monday.

Both the Red Cross and the U.S. Coast Guard are involved in the search while UNC-P works with the family.

The National University of Costa Rica has assembled air-, water- and ground-searching parties, but officials have not succeeded in locating the UNC-P junior.

UNC-P has promised to keep the campus up-to-date on the search for Greene, and UNC-P’s counseling service has restated that it is on hand for any students who need to discuss the disappearance.