February is Black History Month and there will be various events to celebrate the month on the Colorado State University-Pueblo campus. The month was declared to annually commemorate important members of the black community and their specific contributions to the progress of the quality of life for black people in America. The Diversity Resource Center plans to teach students about black history through a speech series called “Re-thinking Diversity,” which will be held every Wednesday in February. The series features professors from CSU-Pueblo discussing black history within their fields of study.

It should be easy to get the motivation to play a crucial RMAC conference game late in the season. Especially when only the top four seeds in each division are eligible for postseason play. The Colorado State University-Pueblo men’s basketball team found its motivation Thursday night, defeating Western New Mexico University, 82-58. The game on paper was supposed to be closer than the final score indicated, but the ThunderWolves (12-8, 7-6 RMAC) dominated every facet of the game to come up with a crucial conference victory against the Mustangs (7-12, 6-6).

The night was supposed to be a celebration for the individual accomplishments of junior guard Rachel Espinoza. Espinoza was 10 points away from scoring 1,000 career points and the ThunderWolves (14-7, 10-3 RMAC) were playing the last seed in the RMAC Western Division, Western New Mexico University (4-14, 4-8). The contest turned into an overtime affair as the Mustangs pushed the Pack to the limit, but CSU-Pueblo pulled out an 88-78 win.

Eight students from Pueblo County high schools will receive a scholarship for the upcoming fall 2010 semester, receiving funding covering tuition and book costs for up to five years. The Kane Scholarship is an entirely merit-based scholarship awarded to one student at each Pueblo area high school looking to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Selections for the scholarship are made based on each student’s high school academic record, essay, interview and high school recommendation.

Three Colorado State University-Pueblo students were sworn in as members of the Associated Students’ Government during a Monday meeting in the Occhiato University Center’s ASG Chambers. Mielat Asrat, 20, a freshman majoring in pre-pharmacy, will serve as the new justice, and Chris Aston, 20, a sophomore majoring in English, is now the elections commissioner. Sarah Bennett, 21, a junior majoring in business management and computer information systems, will serve as senator for the Hasan School of Business.

The Career Center at Colorado State University-Pueblo is in desperate need of student male models, and many other volunteers, for its first fashion show focused on educating students on how to dress for success. Venessa Gietl, producer for the fashion show, “CSU-Pueblo Fashion Sense 2010,” said she is still in need of at least five male models, two hosts, five student judges, security guards and a D. J. for the event to be a success. However, Gietl said she admits she is in great need of male models. She said she received a lot of interest for female models after sending out her first e-mail regarding the fashion show; now she said she needs some men to step up. All types and sizes of male models are welcome, Gietl said, and experience is not necessary.

An award-winning Canadian author captivated an audience compiled of students and community members on Tuesday, Jan. 26, at Colorado State University-Pueblo. Author Steve Hayward, 39, read pieces of his work as the first presenter for the Southern Colorado Reading Series for the spring semester. Hayward’s reading took place in the Cottonwood room located in the Occhiato University Center at CSU-Pueblo. Hayward has written two award-winning books. The first, “Buddha Stevens and Other Stories,” was published in Canada in 2001. The second, “The Secret Mitzvah of Lucio Burke,” won Italy’s Premio Grinzane Cavour prize for the best first novel.

Bonfils Blood Center will be on the Colorado State University-Pueblo campus 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 28, in the Occhiato University Center.

A memorial service for David Oliver, 34, was held at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 1 at Romero’s Family Funeral Home, 110 Cleveland St., Pueblo. Oliver, who coordinated the Help Desk Services office in the Information Technology Services department at Colorado State University-Pueblo, died unexpectedly at home Tuesday, Jan. 26. Oliver is survived by his mother, Edna Oliver; his wife of 13 years, Erica, and their children Ravan, 12, and Sarrick, 10. Oliver is a graduate of Central High School, and of the University of Southern Colorado. Oliver, who held a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems, served with the university since 2003.

Three minus two equals one. Yes, it is simple math and the answer equates to Colorado State University-Pueblo having only one official bus stop on campus beginning Jan. 25, according to a letter received by Joanne Ballard of the CSU-Pueblo Office of Finance and Administration on Jan. 6, via Brenda Boyles, director of transit for Pueblo Transit.