5 things to know for Monday

1. The President picked a Panther
Two-time FIU alumnus Richard Blanco will be reading an original poem at the presidential inauguration on Monday, Jan. 21. Watch the coverage live on television or online through the major networks, or by downloading the official Inaugural 2013 app on your mobile device. Coverage starts around 9:30 a.m. EST, the ceremony around 10 a.m. and the swearing in occurs at noon.

2. Hats off to MLK
FIU will be closed on Monday, Jan. 21 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr., a revolutionary figure in the battle for civil rights. Though the holiday was signed into law in 1983 and first observed in 1986, it was not officially observed in all 50 states until 2000.

3. Lectures galore
Catch FIU experts speaking on current topics around Miami. On Tuesday, Jan. 22, Nathan Katz explores contemporary global spirituality and how it differs from religion in a lecture at Temple Israel of Greater Miami. Dr. Joe Greer, our resident “activist physician” speaks on Wednesday, Jan. 23 at the Green Library (MMC). Also on Jan. 23, Professor Elizabeth Anderson talks about how FIU’s Global Water for Sustainability (GLOWS) Program is working to address fresh water crises around the world at the Deering Estate.

4. Major decisions
Still struggling to decide on a major? The Undergraduate Education Academic Advising Center can help. Check out the major exploration and decision workshop on Thursday, Jan. 24 at 1 p.m. in GC 314 (MMC).

5. FIU’s got talent
The FIU Chamber Players present “The Austro-Hungarians” on Tuesday, Jan. 22 at the Wertheim Performing Arts Center. FIU Theatre’s latest production, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, opens Jan. 25 and runs through Feb. 3. See the full schedule and buy tickets at LivetheArts.com.