It’s February 26.

Spring is 22 days away.

And this is what’s In Focus.

Spotlight: The Sloan Center

The Sloan Performing Arts Center is now about 75 percent complete, on track to open its doors in June.

Electrical, plumbing, and all the behind-the-walls work is done. Currently, finishes are being applied to cabinets and surfaces, and if that doesn’t have you excited, the construction team is waiting on some air-handler units (part of the HVAC system). Furniture and equipment selections are also being finalized.

If you’re wondering what it’s looking like inside, know that it’s already widened eyes and left mouths agape.

“We took performance [faculty and directors] through the building, and it really kind of hit them on the catwalks,” said Gregory Meyers, senior operation officer. “Seeing their faces and the gasps, you could see they were thinking, ‘Wow. It’s here.’”

An upcoming milestone: landscaping. Outdoor work will begin when weather permits.

Zooming In

On your happiness. Altruism is the only resolution you need. No—it’s not too late for New Year’s resolutions. More importantly, it’s never too late to make a positive change. Richard Ryan, an international expert on motivational research and professor emeritus of psychology at the University, says any occasion that gives us an opportunity to reflect on our lives is ultimately a good thing. The pandemic has offered plenty of time for reflection—maybe even too much. Want to be happier in 2021? Listening to Ryan is a good place to start. Read more.

On the economy. It has COVID-19. If you’re graduating in May, you may be wondering what the job market holds for you. According to economics professor Lisa Kahn, there will be jobs; they just may not be the jobs you want. In a Q&A, Kahn offers her advice to the Class of 2021 and insight on the COVID-19 recession. Read more.

Quick View

There’s a lot happening. There’s a lot of news and information being sent your way. Here are some stories you might have missed that are worth a look.

Dance. Refusing to be stopped by a pandemic, the 11th annual inspireDANCE festival moves online

Biology. A valued researcher and jovial mentor, professor emeritus Stanley Hattman remembered

Religion. A leading scholar of Sufi poetry and mysticism, professor of religion Emil Homerin remembered

Planets. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, planetary alignments were thought to be signs of famine, flood, and apocalypse

Reproduction. With her first book, Reproduction on the Reservation, Brianna Theobald scored an “academic hat trick”

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