Patricia Raun, a professor in the School of Performing Arts/Theatre, has assumed the position of director of the Center for Communicating Science, which creates and supports opportunities for scientists, scholars, health professionals, and others to develop their abilities to communicate and connect. Thecenter, whose work is linked to that of the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science at Stony Brook University, New York, provides courses at the undergraduate and graduate level and more than 2,000 individuals have taken part in its workshops. A launch celebration took place on March 2; it included 90-second research talks by graduate students as part of the first annual Nutshell Games as well as a reception featuring National Public Radio science correspondent Joe Palca.