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In 1989, CU-Boulder Professor Richard Noble decided it was time to begin sharing part of his life working with people in need and began searching for a group that could use his skills.

It wasnÂ’t a marriage made in heaven. And now, after years of bickering, the partnership between the urban and rural West is on the rocks. In a program that is both fun and serious, the Center of the American West at the University of Colorado at Boulder will explore the complex relationship between urban and rural interests and cast it in very human terms. "The Urban-Rural Divorce in the American West," will begin at 1 p.m. May 9 at the Boulder Public Library Auditorium, 1000 Canyon Blvd. The event is free and open to the public.

Stephen Ambrose, acclaimed author of the best-selling book "Undaunted Courage," and renowned historian Patricia Nelson Limerick of the University of Colorado at Boulder will meet in Denver May 8 for a public discussion and debate on heroes and American history. Ambrose and Limerick will discuss "Good Guys, Bad Guys, Complex Guys? Praising and Appraising AmericaÂ’s Heroes" at 6 p.m. at the Denver Athletic Club, 1325 Glenarm Place. Tickets are $5 at the door and a book signing will follow.

G. Dale Meyer, an internationally renowned business professor at the University of Colorado at Boulder, has been selected to receive the Hazel Barnes Prize, the campusÂ’ highest honor for teaching and research. The prize includes an engraved University Medal and cash award of $20,000. Chancellor Richard L. Byyny announced that Meyer, who helped establish CU-BoulderÂ’s highly ranked entrepreneurship program, will be recognized during commencement exercises May 15 in Folsom Stadium.

Jeffrey Cox, professor of English at Texas A&M University, has been named the first director of the Center for Humanities and the Arts at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The center was launched in the spring of 1997 as an interdisciplinary program uniting the humanities and arts departments across campus.

CU-Boulder will hold the annual recognition ceremony and reception for the recipients of the Boulder Faculty Assembly Excellence Awards on Friday, April 24 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the University Club Lounge. Up to four recipients are nominated and selected by their colleagues each spring in each of three categories: teaching, service, and research, scholarly or creative work. Each award includes $3,000.

CU-Boulder undergraduates will present research findings in the fields of psychology, biology and kinesiology on April 29 from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Glenn Miller Ballroom of the University Memorial Center. About 25 students will offer poster displays explaining their research results and will be available to answer questions during the third annual Undergraduate Research Day. Topics will include how spouses influence each otherÂ’s health and age-related changes in vision.

High school students in Strasburg, Limon and Cheyenne Wells will see Shakespeare taken from the page to the stage this month by the University of Colorado at BoulderÂ’s acclaimed Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Two professional actors with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival will perform scenes, songs and sonnets in a program titled, "Boy Meets Girl Meets Shakespeare," in a tour of the three communities April 27 and April 28. The actors will begin their tour with a performance at Cheyenne Wells High School, starting at 1 p.m. on April 27.

The wonders of light -- from how you get a suntan to how fiber optics can transmit a telephone conversation -- will be the subject of the next CU Wizards science show for children at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Optical physicist and Professor Dana Anderson will explain the light spectrum, from ultraviolet to infrared, and demonstrate the wonderful world of lasers in "Fantastic Light." HeÂ’ll use a laser to explode a balloon within a balloon and perform other hands-on demonstrations designed for children in grades 5 through 9.

High school students in Strasburg, Limon and Cheyenne Wells will see Shakespeare taken from the page to the stage this month by the University of Colorado at BoulderÂ’s acclaimed Colorado Shakespeare Festival. Two professional actors with the Colorado Shakespeare Festival will perform scenes, songs and sonnets in a program titled, "Boy Meets Girl Meets Shakespeare," in a tour of the three communities April 27 and April 28. The actors will begin their tour with a performance at Cheyenne Wells High School, starting at 1 p.m. on April 27.