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Local students were among the 4,043 students who received degrees May 11 during spring commencement at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The ceremony was held in Folsom Stadium on the CU-Boulder campus. The Chancellor's Recognition Award for students receiving all As in their college careers was given to Rebecca Prull of Broomfield, Colo., who received a bachelor's degree in environmental, population and organismic biology, and Tye Rattenbury of Littleton, Colo., who received a bachelor's degree in applied mathematics.

Jamal Ward has been appointed to the position of university counselor at CU-Boulder's Cultural Unity Center, according to Dale Trevino, director of the center. Ward has held the position on a temporary basis since last fall. The appointment has been approved by Chancellor Byyny and was effective immediately.

The scientific aspects of sound and air pressure will be explained when CU Wizard Michael Dubson presents his show "Boom! The Physics of Sound and Air Pressure," on Saturday, May 26, at 9:30 a.m. in Duane Physics, room G1B30. During the free hour-long show, Dubson, who is a senior instructor in the physics department at the University of Colorado at Boulder, will implode a 50-gallon steel drum using air pressure, create a sonic boom with a bullwhip and stage a tug-of-war with the pressure of the atmosphere.

Howard Hughes Medical Institute and University of Colorado researchers have identified the protective protein "caps" that form the ends of all human chromosomes, a finding that may eventually have applications for cellular aging and human diseases.

Twenty-five journalists from the United States and Canada, along with two senior environmental policy advisers from Mongolia, are scheduled to attend the second annual Scripps Howard Institute on the Environment May 14-19 at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The institute, hosted by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication's Center for Environmental Journalism, is a week-long educational program for journalists who cover environmental issues.

The State Farm Fire and Casualty Insurance Co. and State Farm General Insurance Co. have donated $100,000 toward an endowed chair to honor University of Colorado at Boulder Professor Emeritus Gilbert F. White, known worldwide as the "father of floodplain management." Becky Turner of State Farm's regional office in Greeley presented the check in a May 2 ceremony at the CU-Boulder Natural Hazards Center. The CU Foundation is hoping to raise $3 million to endow the chair by White's 90th birthday on Nov. 26.

Jason Riley and Kelly Shelton, two graduate students in integrated marketing communications at the University of Colorado at Boulder, have been awarded $8,000 fellowships to attend a national seminar at Harvard University this June, sponsored by the Direct Marketing Educational Foundation. The seminar is limited to 30 participants. According to Tom Duncan, IMC faculty adviser, the foundation's decision to give two awards to students from the same university is rare and highlights these students' exceptional work experience and strong academic performance.

With about 20,000 people expected to attend the University of Colorado at Boulder commencement exercises May 11 at 9:30 a.m. in Folsom Stadium, attendees should plan to arrive early.

Hurricane evacuation and world-class bicycle wheels were the two topics that six students from the University of Colorado at Boulder modeled while competing against math teams from around the world. Both CU teams placed in the competition, one receiving a meritorius award and the other an honorable mention.

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 11, 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 10 at 3 p.m. in Macky Auditorium, School of Journalism and Mass Communication recognition ceremony, with reception to follow. Jim Gray, an NBC sports reporter and CU-Boulder alumnus, will be the speaker.