A still photograph can frame a moment, a mood and a friendshipforever.

West Virginia Universitys annual Diversity Week observance this year is Oct. 18-22, and the University is capturing the occasion with a photo contest that celebrates friendship, tolerance and understanding.

Making Friends Near and Faris the theme of the contest by the Community Coalition for Social Justice, WVU s Division of Social Work, the Perley Isaac Reed School of Journalism and College of Creative Arts.

Judging will be from Oct. 4-8, organizers said, with an Olympus Superzoom 120 35mm camera as the grand-prize offering. The second-place winner will pocket $50, and third prize gets $25.

A photograph, said Dr. Kristina Hash, a WVU social work professor who is helping coordinate the contest, can still make for a compelling visual comment on the human condition.

Friendship begins with awareness and understanding,said Hash, herself an amateur photographer.Were looking for a photographic theme that contains the importance of living in harmony with our fellow human beings, and just getting to know each other better.

Entries may be dropped off in Morgantown at WVU s Job Accommodation Network facility at 224 Spruce St., to the attention of Suzanne Gosden; or at the WVU Campus Ministry Center, 293 Willey St., to the attention of Shelly Parsons.

All entries must be printed on photo-quality paper. Professional photographers are encouraged to enter, she said, but they wont be eligible for prizes.

For more information, contact Hash at 304-293-3501, ext. 3119, or kmhash@mail.wvu.edu .