On the Fourth Sunday of Easter The Church proclaims John 10:1-18, in which Jesus declares, “I am the good shepherd.” This Gospel highlights Christ’s intimate knowledge of his flock, his sacrificial death for them, and his role as the gate of salvation. The sheep hear his voice and follow him to eternal life. It is also observed as the World Day of Prayer for Vocations, calling the faithful to pray for priests, deacons, and consecrated persons.
The USNA Glee Club performed in front of a sold-out audience of more than 1,500 people at Duke University Chapel on Saturday, March 15th. This was the final performance of their spring tour which included concerts in Orlando, Tampa, and Jacksonville. pic.twitter.com/xWV6yBVbG1
“A Square with Imaginary Buildings” | Hendrik van Steenwijck (1614)
A partial list of the standards developers who produce consensus documents that are referenced in education facility design guidelines and construction contracts is shown below:
In other words, apart from open-source and consortia-developed standards, the safety and sustainability of the education facility industry is almost entirely dependent upon intellectual property that must be available free of charge to the public if local and state governments incorporate them by reference to meet their pubic safety assurance obligation.
While ANSI has managed a reconciliation on the issue generically called “incorporation by reference” there a few fine points that are noteworthy. These are usually discussed during World Standards Week and summarized periodically at the link below:
We refresh our understanding of this topic several times a year; typically during our Incorporation by Reference colloquium during which time we also examine state-level activity
Issue: [Various]
Category: Administration & Management, Public Policy, US Department of Commerce
The Sheep Farm supports research, teaching and extension missions required of Land Grant Universities. It supports a flock on 25 acres of pasture, with a main barn for teaching and a hay barn for stored feed and equipment. Lambing occurs primarily in the late winter and early spring so that spring forages can be utilized for lactating ewes and growing lambs.
Earlier today, the Grain Bin Entrapment Simulator traveled to the South Carolina Corn & Soybean Association Annual Growers Meeting in Santee, SC. During the event, the program showcased our two new maps that were developed through a grant from the SC Corn Board. pic.twitter.com/lrLnT6W0ix
— Clemson Agricultural Safety Program (@ClemsonAgSafety) December 17, 2025
The Permanent University Fund is Texas’s most powerful tool for higher education capitalization. Established by the Texas Constitution of 1876, the PUF dedicates 2.1 million acres of state land—primarily in West Texas—to support institutions in the University of Texas and Texas A&M University systems. Its core purpose is to provide a stable, perpetual source of funding for academic excellence, research, faculty recruitment, student programs, and campus infrastructure without relying solely on taxpayer dollars.
Early land grants proved largely unproductive until the 1923 discovery of oil at the Santa Rita No. 1 well on university land in Reagan County. Mineral royalties were constitutionally protected as principal, allowing the fund to grow rapidly rather than being spent immediately. By the 1930s, the PUF generated significant income. A constitutional split allocated two-thirds of available funds to the UT System and one-third to the Texas A&M System. Over decades, prudent investment and resource revenues transformed the endowment into a major financial pillar for public higher education.
As of early 2026, the PUF’s invested assets exceed $42.5 billion, managed by UTIMCO. Mineral income from oil, gas, and other leases adds to the principal, while surface leases (grazing, wind) and investment returns flow into the Available University Fund (AUF). Annual distributions—typically around 5% and capped at 7% of market value—support bond debt service for construction and enrich academic programs across dozens of campuses serving hundreds of thousands of students. The PUF remains one of the largest public university endowments in the nation, safeguarding Texas’s competitive edge in higher education for generations to come.
Rebecca graduated from the University of Montevallo in 1984 and enjoyed a lengthy and distinguished career as a virtuoso actress, concert soloist and recording artist.
To honor her memory following her passing in 2020 the University has named the stage of the Center for the Arts in her honor.
This content is accessible to paid subscribers. To view it please enter your password below or send mike@standardsmichigan.com a request for subscription details.
“Whether it’s chili with beans, barbecued beef or meatballs in marinara sauce, members of the United States military are served up a rotating menu of entrees through meals, ready to eat rations. Packed in individual pouches, these self-contained meals can be eaten during combat operations, humanitarian missions or field trainings, providing nourishment on the go. Yet while MREs were first piloted for U.S. military members during the Vietnam War, it wasn’t until the 1990s that it’s been possible for these meals to be served hot…
…We can thank a University of Cincinatti Professor of Mechanical Engineering for that.” (And transforming the civilian emergency food industry, to boot)
The choice of red, white, and blue in national flags often carries historical, cultural, and political significance. Here are some reasons why various nations have chosen these colors:
Historical Connections:
United States: The colors were chosen for their flag in 1777 and have been interpreted to symbolize valor (red), purity (white), and justice (blue). The colors were influenced by the British Union Jack.
France: The Tricolour flag adopted during the French Revolution represents liberty (blue), equality (white), and fraternity (red).
United Kingdom: The Union Jack combines elements from the flags of England (red and white), Scotland (blue and white), and Ireland (red and white).
Cultural and Political Significance:
Russia: The flag’s colors were adopted from the Dutch flag, symbolizing pan-Slavism (red for bravery, blue for faithfulness, and white for honesty).
Netherlands: The Dutch flag’s colors (originally derived from the Prince’s Flag) have historical roots, symbolizing the struggle for independence and liberty.
Czech Republic and Slovakia: Both countries use red, white, and blue to represent their Slavic heritage.
Influence and Inspiration:
Chile, Costa Rica, and Panama: These countries were influenced by the colors and symbolism of other flags (e.g., the French and American flags) during their independence movements.
Australia and New Zealand: Both countries incorporate the Union Jack in their flags, reflecting their colonial history with the United Kingdom.
Symbolism:
Croatia, Serbia, and Slovenia: The colors are traditional pan-Slavic colors, representing freedom and national unity.
Iceland and Norway: The colors reflect their historical and cultural ties to other Scandinavian countries.
The exact reasons can vary, but often the colors reflect a mix of historical alliances, cultural heritage, and political ideals.
This content is accessible to paid subscribers. To view it please enter your password below or send mike@standardsmichigan.com a request for subscription details.
The steeplechase event requires a combination of speed, endurance, and jumping ability, as athletes must clear the barriers while maintaining their pace and negotiating the water jump. The rules and specifications for the steeplechase event are set by the International Association of Athletics Federations the governing body for the sport of athletics (track and field) worldwide; with minor adaptations by the NCAA for intercollegiate competition.
Emma Coburn | University of Colorado Boulder
The steeplechase is a distance race with barriers and a water pit that athletes must clear during the race. According to the NCAA Track and Field and Cross Country rulebook, the standards for the steeplechase water jump are as follows:
Length: The water pit must be at least 3.66 meters (12 feet) long.
Width: The water pit must be at least 3.66 meters (12 feet) wide.
Depth: The water pit must have a minimum depth of 0.7 meters (2 feet 4 inches) and a maximum depth of 0.9 meters (2 feet 11 inches).
Slope: The slope of the water pit must not exceed 1:5, meaning that for every 5 meters in length, the water pit can rise by no more than 1 meter in height.
Barrier: The water pit must be preceded by a solid barrier that is 91.4 cm (3 feet) high. Athletes are required to clear this barrier before landing in the water pit.
These standards may be subject to change and may vary depending on the specific NCAA division (Division I, Division II, or Division III) and other factors such as venue requirements. Therefore, it’s always best to refer to the official NCAA rules and regulations for the most up-to-date and accurate information on the steeplechase water jump standards in NCAA competitions.
ASTM F 2157-09 (2018) Standard Specification for Synthetic Surfaced Running Tracks
This specification establishes the minimum performance requirements and classification when tested in accordance with the procedures outlined within this specification. All documents referencing this specification must include classification required.
ASTM F 2569-11 Standard Test Method for Evaluating the Force Reduction Properties of Surfaces for Athletic Use
This test method covers the quantitative measurement and normalization of impact forces generated through a mechanical impact test on an athletic surface. The impact forces simulated in this test method are intended to represent those produced by lower extremities of an athlete during landing events on sport or athletic surfaces.
ASTM F 2949-12 Standard Specification for Pole Vault Box Collars
This specification covers minimum requirements of size, physical characteristics of materials, standard testing procedures, labeling and identification of pole vault box collars.
ASTM F 1162/F1162M-18 Standard Specification for Pole Vault Landing Systems
This specification covers minimum requirements of size, physical characteristics of materials, standard testing procedures, labeling and identification of pole vault landing systems.
ASTM F 2270-12 (2018) Standard Guide for Construction and Maintenance of Warning Track Areas on Sports Fields This guide covers techniques that are appropriate for the construction and maintenance of warning track areas on sports fields. This guide provides guidance for the selection of materials, such as soil and sand for use in constructing or reconditioning warning track areas and for selection of management practices that will maintain a safe and functioning warning track.
ASTM F 2650-17e1 Standard Terminology Relating to Impact Testing of Sports Surfaces and Equipment
This terminology covers terms related to impact test methods and impact attenuation specifications of sports equipment and surfaces.
New update alert! The 2022 update to the Trademark Assignment Dataset is now available online. Find 1.29 million trademark assignments, involving 2.28 million unique trademark properties issued by the USPTO between March 1952 and January 2023: https://t.co/njrDAbSpwBpic.twitter.com/GkAXrHoQ9T
_Mauritshuis_171.jpg)
