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Seven CU-Boulder students in the McNair Scholars Program came out on top this year in the oral presentation competition at the Rocky Mountain McNair Scholars Research Symposium and Graduate Education Conference held April 14-16. The fifth annual conference, sponsored by CU-Boulder, Colorado State University, the University of Northern Colorado and the University of Wyoming, featured students from 28 institutions.

Special recognition ceremonies will be hosted by most University of Colorado at Boulder schools and colleges in addition to the main University Commencement Ceremony on Friday, May 12, at 9:30 a.m. in Folsom Stadium. Following is a schedule of special events in the schools and colleges to honor the graduates, their families and guests. * May 11 at 3 p.m. in Macky Auditorium, School of Journalism and Mass Communication recognition ceremony. The speaker will be Deborah Howell, director of Newhouse News Service.

The University of Colorado at Boulder will confer 4,089 degrees on Friday, May 12, in Folsom Stadium. The first CU-Boulder commencement ceremony of the new century will focus on the significant role CU-Boulder has played in the exploration of space over the past 50 years by highlighting several astronaut alumni who will be on campus for commencement.

Nine CU-Boulder astronaut alumni will stand proudly at Folsom Field May 12 during Spring 2000 Commencement as a jet squadron thunders overhead in salute to past and present university space pioneers who played key roles in the nationÂ’s space exploration.

Facilities for the assembly and test of space flight experiments and hardware -- in addition to other leading edge research -- will get a boost with the construction of the new Discovery Learning Center by CU-BoulderÂ’s College of Engineering and Applied Science. The college will break ground on the new research and learning laboratory on May 12 at 2 p.m., following spring commencement.

The University of Colorado at BoulderÂ’s 50-year involvement in AmericaÂ’s space program comes to life in the CU Heritage Center, a museum packed with exhibits depicting the universityÂ’s history. The space gallery, one of seven galleries tucked away on the third floor of Old Main, displays numerous articles taken into space by CUÂ’s 15 astronaut alumni. Visitors also can learn about the universityÂ’s contributions to space exploration and the technology that dots the solar system after CUÂ’s 50-year involvement in the quest to explore and learn about space.

A new, high-speed fiber-optic network capable of sending the equivalent of scores of encyclopedia sets per second is up and running in Boulder, connecting CU researchers with colleagues at major federal laboratories and the City of Boulder. "This joint project is an excellent example of the goals of the administrationÂ’s Information Technology Initiative," said U.S. Congressman Mark Udall, who spoke at a news briefing on the subject at CU-Boulder April 28. "ItÂ’s a wonderful model for partnering among local, state and federal government agencies."

Since the late 1940s, when CU-Boulder scientists first begin designing and launching instruments on sounding rockets, the campus has become known worldwide for its extensive space science, exploration and education program.

CU-Boulder researchers have made a large number of astronomy and space discoveries in recent years that have impacted the nation and world. Following is a list of some -- but certainly not all -- of the major accomplishments faculty and students have achieved in recent years.

The University of Colorado at Boulder College of Engineering and Applied Science is accepting applications for the 33rd High School Honors Institute to be held on campus July 31 to Aug. 2.