"A Lens on the World: Through the Eyes of St. Thomas Students Studying Abroad," an exhibition of photos marking the 25th anniversary of the International Education Center at the University of St. Thomas, runs through March 21 in the Lobby Gallery of O'Shaughnessy Educational Center on the university's St. Paul campus.

An opening reception will be held at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 14, in the gallery. The reception and exhibition are free and open to the public.

The exhibit features 46 outstanding photographs taken by St. Thomas students during their studies abroad. Every year since 1988, the university's International Education Center has conducted an annual photo contest for study-abroad returnees. Photos are judged in two categories: "An International Experience," photos capturing people meeting and the interaction of cultures, and "A Sense of Place," photos that show best the unique atmosphere of the countries visited. Last year, a record 842 undergraduate and graduate St. Thomas students participated in studies outside the United States.

To preview contest-winning photographs online, see http://www.stthomas.edu/studyabroad/undergraduate/returnees/

The Lobby Gallery of O'Shaughnessy Educational Center is open 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 10 p.m. Sundays.