Harry Potter has become a cultural icon since the first novel was published back in 1997. Katie Frick's Interim Class, What Harry Taught Me, explores several different topics in relation to the Harry Potter phenomenon including racism, religion, social activism and depression.

This January, Hanna Zinn has served as an intern in the Iowa State Senate. She has been behind the scenes of the legislative session, taking on different tasks in the Capitol building.

Ashley Lemke and Shelby Pittenger are interning at the Clay County Regional Events Center in Spencer. Ashley lent her voice to a commercial to promote an event at the center.

Spanish students and those interested in the country's culture traveled to Spain in January for a Spanish immersion experience. During the trip, students stayed with families in the region who provided lodging, food, and a glimpse into their daily lives.

Students spent January touring the most famous and beautiful spots in Europe, visiting eight countries overall. During their travels they saw the Roman Coliseum, the Eiffel Tower and Trafalgar Square.

Everyone has had the dream at one point or another of becoming a famous musician. Dr. David Klee's Interim class, How to Become a Recording Star, gives students an idea of what it's like to be a famous artist in the music industry.

BVU students enjoy a peaceful sunset during the January Interim travel course in French Polynesia. They explored environmental issues and the culture of Tahiti, Bora Bora, Huahine and Maupiti.

Brittany Poeppe is spending her January Interim as an intern with KAYL and KKIA radio stations in Storm Lake. She has already been on the air several times since her first day and is looking forward to more on-air time during the remainder of her internship.

Finding time for physical activity in our day-to-day lives can seem like quite the challenge. In Running, Reading, and Reflecting, students are encouraged to fit physical activity and exercise into their busy lives.

In Dr. Gwen Hart's Interim Class, '80s Time Machine, activities such as a blind taste test of Coca-Cola and Pepsi help to educate the students on this period in time and the importance of such events in history.

Students on the New York City and Washington, D.C. Business and Cultural Experiences Interim trip are spending this week in New York City, visiting the Statue of Liberty and other landmarks.

Buena Vista University has selected Dr. Jim Salvucci as its vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty. He will carry the faculty rank of professor of English and will assume his new responsibilities this summer.

Building a DC motor and using nanoscience in the construction of solar cells may seem foreign to some, but to Dr. Tim Ehler and his Interim class, How Things Work, they are merely the stepping stones to learning how technology works.

Creativity is a skill that aids in creating unique solutions to a variety of life's problems. In this unique Interim class, students learn how to develop their creative abilities... including monster building.

The Undergraduate Rural Medicine Education and Development program has selected Lexi Fisher, a senior biology major, for its January 2016 scholars program, and on Jan. 4 she participated in a white coat ceremony to begin a three-week internship.