The second year of the Full Spectrum series at the Mary Pappert School of Music will feature a variety of musically inspired activities and performances intended to draw those on the spectrum together with their neurotypical peers to connect via sound without the need for words. “I found a lot of the participants love the boom whackers because it's so fun. We all just sit on the floor and” create musical connection, said second-year Music Therapy major Senia Duganhodzic of volunteering last year. “I definitely liked giving them the autonomy to lead and do whatever they feel is most right in that moment.” (fb)

After more than 40 years in the radio business, Mark Richards, Duquesne University Liberal Arts Class of 1980, is prepared for anything—even calling sausage races. That’s just part of the fun for Milwaukee Brewers public address announcer, whose duties include everything from pre-game announcements and starting lineup introductions to the running of the sausages, including a chorizo and a bratwurst. Richards expanded his horizons by earning a degree in speech, communication and theater. An entertainer was born. He remembers spending many hours at WDUQ, the student radio station, where he worked the morning shift, served as a fill-in announcer and called play-by-play for Dukes basketball for two seasons. “I made a lot of friends at Duquesne and received a lot of encouragement from faculty,” he said. (fb)