With OSIRIS-REx, the first spacecraft destined to return a sample from a primitive asteroid, still taking shape, the mission’s University of Arizona-led team started the official countdown clock on Monday at 5:43 p.m. MST. At that exact moment, 999 days remained until the opening of the mission’s launch window on Sept. 3, 2016. The start of the clock also marks the launch of a new outreach and social media campaign to share the excitement about the mission, which comes with largest grant the UA has ever been awarded. The OSIRIS-REx mission is budgeted for more than $800 million, plus the launch rocket, which is supplied by NASA.    “This is a pioneering effort, both technologically and scientifically,” said Dante Lauretta, the mission's principal investigator and a UA professor of planetary science. “Starting the countdown clock carries a lot of symbolism for us. We now have a constant reminder when we come to work in the morning of the time remaining to send OSIRIS-REx on its quest to return a sample of asteroid Bennu.”   Mike Donnelly, OSIRIS-REx project manager at NASA's Goddard Spaceflight Center, said, “Nine hundred and ninety-nine days seems a long time to get the spacecraft on the pad, but we know that time will pass quickly. There is lots of work to do before our spacecraft begins its journey, and we have to be very disciplined to get everything done in time.”   The world will be able to follow along on the team website. Daily updates about the mission – and interesting information about asteroid science – will be posted on Facebook; Twitter followers will get a special treat as the spacecraft itself will begin tweeting about its progress as it is comes together at the Lockheed Martin facility in Littleton, Colo.    OSIRIS-REx is scheduled to rendezvous with Bennu in 2018. Bennu is a primitive, carbonaceous asteroid that might pose a collision hazard to Earth at some point in the very distant future. OSIRIS-REx will swoop down onto the asteroid's surface, collect a sample and return it to Earth in 2023. The OSIRIS-REx mission promises to help scientists address some basic questions about the composition of the very early solar system, the source of organic materials and water that made life possible on Earth, and to better predict the orbits of asteroids that represent collision threats to the Earth.     “Osiris, the Egyptian god for which the project is named, was formed from pieces scattered across ancient Egypt, where he awoke as the bringer of life and ruler of the underworld," Lauretta said. "Our spacecraft has a similar story – it will consist of components fabricated in locations around the world that, once together, will allow us to connect with the outer reaches of our solar system.”    In the next 999 days, the OSIRIS-REx team has to go through the last set of critical design reviews, Lauretta explained, to prove to NASA that all the hardware is space-flight-worthy.    "We are building the hardware in an engineering model form, which has the same form and function as the units that are going to fly on the spacecraft," he explained.   The spacecraft's three cameras are now under construction. They are: PolyCam, which will image the asteroid from afar and later from ultra close up; MapCam, used to scan and map the space rock; and SamCam, the sampling camera, which Lauretta said has just finished its first round of environmental qualification testing.   "We'll put those through what we call the shake-and-bake tests – we're going to shake them harder than the rocket is going to shake them, and bake them hotter than the sun is going to bake them, and put them through all the different environments they're going to experience in deep space and make sure they can still operate and achieve their functions out there. Every instrument, every subsystem on that spacecraft, has to go through that process."    With the starting of the countdown clock on Monday, the OSIRIS-REx website will kick off a new video feature called "321Science!," which will provide the public with an opportunity to learn more about scientific concepts important to our mission,” said Lauretta.   321Science! focuses on asteroids and the OSIRIS-REx mission through a series of entertaining and engaging videos designed to explain concepts in planetary science and promote communication about and public engagement in the mission and solar system exploration. Regular installments are posted to the OSIRIS-REx YouTube page.   "Our goal is to make OSIRIS-REx a public mission," said Lauretta, who is blogging at dslauretta.com. "We want to share that journey, and that is why we are kicking off this new social campaign."    The OSIRIS-REx project is a partnership of the University of Arizona, NASA and the Lockheed Martin Company.   Editor: Daniel StolteWriter: Daniel StolteByline: Daniel StolteByline Affiliation: University CommunicationsHeader image: YesNo Image: Subheading: OSIRIS-REx, NASA's first mission to a pristine carbonaceous asteroid that may hold clues to the origins of life in our solar system, officially kicked off its 999 days-to-launch countdown with a social media and outreach campaign.Include in UANow: yesInclude in Olympic Coverage: noFeature on Olympic Page: noUANow Image: 

Begun by French street artist JR in 2011, "Inside Out" is an international, participatory art project that encourages people to paste larger-than-life self-portraits in public places. The idea is to give participants an opportunity to share their portrait and make a statement about what they stand for. On Monday, portraits of 48 students from the Department of Spanish and Portuguese were placed on the outside of the Modern Languages building.

Video Thumbnail: Category(s): Arts and HumanitiesYouTube Video:  Video: 'Inside Out' Project Brings Global Art Movement to UA Campus Video of Video: 'Inside Out' Project Brings Global Art Movement to UA Campus Feature Sticky: OffFeature on Front: NoMedium Summary: Begun by French street artist JR in 2011, "Inside Out" is an international, participatory art project that encourages people to paste larger-than-life self-portraits in public places. The idea is to give participants an opportunity to share their portrait and make a statement about what they stand for. On Monday, portraits of 48 students from the Department of Spanish and Portuguese were placed on the outside of the Modern Languages building.Long Summary: Begun by French street artist JR in 2011, "Inside Out" is an international, participatory art project that encourages people to paste larger-than-life self-portraits in public places. The idea is to give participants an opportunity to share their portrait and make a statement about what they stand for. On Monday, portraits of 48 students from the Department of Spanish and Portuguese were placed on the outside of the Modern Languages building.UANow Image: Include in Olympic coverage: noInclude in UANow: yesDate of Publication: Monday, December 9, 2013

The UA Steward Observatory Mirror Lab has unveiled the third primary mirror for the Giant Magellan Telescope. After spending three months rotating in a custom-built furnace, the mirror is ready for polishing.

Video Thumbnail: Category(s): Science and TechnologyRelated Story Link: 20 Tons of Glass, Fresh Out of the OvenUA Mirror Lab Casts Third Mirror for World's Largest TelescopeYouTube Video:  Video: Mirror Lab Unveils Third GMT Mirror Video of Video: Mirror Lab Unveils Third GMT Mirror Feature Sticky: OffFeature on Front: NoMedium Summary: The UA Steward Observatory Mirror Lab has unveiled the third primary mirror for the Giant Magellan Telescope. After spending three months rotating in a custom-built furnace, the mirror is ready for polishing.Long Summary: The UA Steward Observatory Mirror Lab has unveiled the third primary mirror for the Giant Magellan Telescope. After spending three months rotating in a custom-built furnace, the mirror is ready for polishing.UANow Image: Include in Olympic coverage: noInclude in UANow: yesDate of Publication: Monday, December 9, 2013

The holidays are a time for family, friends, joy and cheer. But it's also a season with its own set of hazardous substances. An exhibit at the Arizona Health Sciences Library - called "Tis the Season to be Poisoned" - features safety tips and resources for staying healthy and safe. The display, presented by the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, is open to the public until Jan. 9. 

Video Thumbnail: Category(s): HealthYouTube Video:  Tis the Season to be Poisoned Video of Tis the Season to be Poisoned Feature Sticky: OffFeature on Front: NoMedium Summary: The holidays are a time for family, friends, joy and cheer. But it's also a season with its own set of hazardous substances. An exhibit at the Arizona Health Sciences Library - called "Tis the Season to be Poisoned" - features safety tips and resources for staying healthy and safe. The display, presented by the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, is open to the public until Jan. 9. Long Summary: The holidays are a time for family, friends, joy and cheer. But it's also a season with its own set of hazardous substances. An exhibit at the Arizona Health Sciences Library - called "Tis the Season to be Poisoned" - features safety tips and resources for staying healthy and safe. The display, presented by the Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center, is open to the public until Jan. 9. UANow Image: Include in Olympic coverage: noInclude in UANow: yesDate of Publication: Friday, December 6, 2013

An international team of astronomers, led by a University of Arizona graduate student, has discovered the most distantly orbiting planet found to date around a single, sun-like star. It is the first exoplanet – a planet outside of our solar system – discovered at the UA.    Weighing in at 11 times Jupiter’s mass and orbiting its star at 650 times the average Earth-Sun distance, planet HD 106906 b is unlike anything in our own Solar System and throws a wrench in planet formation theories.    "This system is especially fascinating because no model of either planet or star formation fully explains what we see," said Vanessa Bailey, who led the research. Bailey is a fifth-year graduate student in the UA's Department of Astronomy.    It is thought that planets close to their stars, like Earth, coalesce from small asteroid-like bodies born in the primordial disk of dust and gas that surrounds a forming star. However, this process acts too slowly to grow giant planets far from their star. Another proposed mechanism is that giant planets can form from a fast, direct collapse of disk material. However, primordial disks rarely contain enough mass in their outer reaches to allow a planet like HD 106906 b to form. Several alternative hypotheses have been put forward, including formation like a mini binary star system.    "A binary star system can be formed when two adjacent clumps of gas collapse more or less independently to form stars, and these stars are close enough to each other to exert a mutual gravitation attraction and bind them together in an orbit," Bailey explained. "It is possible that in the case of the HD 106906 system the star and planet collapsed independently from clumps of gas, but for some reason the planet's progenitor clump was starved for material and never grew large enough to ignite and become a star."    According to Bailey, one problem with this scenario is that the mass ratio of the two stars in a binary system is typically no more than 10-to-1.    "In our case, the mass ratio is more than 100-to-1," she explained. "This extreme mass ratio is not predicted from binary star formation theories – just like planet formation theory predicts that we cannot form planets so far from the host star."   This system is also of particular interest because researchers can still detect the remnant “debris disk” of material left over from planet and star formation.    “Systems like this one, where we have additional information about the environment in which the planet resides, have the potential to help us disentangle the various formation models,” Bailey added. "Future observations of the planet's orbital motion and the primary star's debris disk may help answer that question."   At only 13 million years old, this young planet still glows from the residual heat of its formation. Because at 2,700 Fahrenheit (about 1,500 degrees Celsius) the planet is much cooler than its host star, it emits most of its energy as infrared rather than visible light. Earth, by comparison, formed 4.5 billion years ago and is thus about 350 times older than HD 106906 b.    Direct imaging observations require exquisitely sharp images, akin to those delivered by the Hubble Space Telescope. To reach this resolution from the ground requires a technology called Adaptive Optics, or AO. The team used the new Magellan Adaptive Optics (MagAO) system and Clio2 thermal infrared camera – both technologies developed at the UA – mounted on the 6.5 meter-diameter Magellan telescope in the Atacama Desert in Chile to take the discovery image.    UA astronomy professor and MagAO principal investigator Laird Close said: “MagAO was able to utilize its special Adaptive Secondary Mirror, with 585 actuators, each moving 1,000 times a second, to remove the blurring of the atmosphere. The atmospheric correction enabled the detection of the weak heat emitted from this exotic exoplanet without confusion from the hotter parent star."    “Clio was optimized for thermal infrared wavelengths, where giant planets are brightest compared to their host stars, meaning planets are most easily imaged at these wavelengths,” explained UA astronomy professor and Clio principal investigator Philip Hinz, who directs the UA Center for Astronomical Adaptive Optics.    The team was able to confirm that the planet is moving together with its host star by examining Hubble Space Telescope data taken eight years prior for another research program. Using the FIRE spectrograph, also installed at the Magellan telescope, the team confirmed the planetary nature of the companion. “Images tell us an object is there and some information about its properties but only a spectrum gives us detailed information about its nature and composition,” explained co-investigator Megan Reiter, a graduate student in the UA Department of Astronomy. "Such detailed information is rarely available for directly imaged exoplanets, making HD 106906 b a valuable target for future study."   “Every new directly detected planet pushes our understanding of how and where planets can form," said co-investigator Tiffany Meshkat, a graduate student at Leiden Observatory in the Netherlands. "This planet discovery is particularly exciting because it is in orbit so far from its parent star. This leads to many intriguing questions about its formation history and composition. Discoveries like HD 106906 b provide us with a deeper understanding of the diversity of other planetary systems.”    The research paper, “HD 106906 b: A Planetary-mass Companion Outside a Massive Debris Disk,” has been accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal Letters and will appear in a future issue.    MagAO's development was funded by the National Science Foundation's Major Research Instrumentation program, and its Telescope System Instrumentation Program and an Advanced Technologies and Instrumentation Award.   The members of the discovery team are Vanessa Bailey (UA), Tiffany Meshkat (Leiden Observatory [LO]), Megan Reiter (UA), Katie Morzinski (UA), Jared Males (UA), Kate Y. L. Su (UA), Philip M. Hinz (UA), Matthew Kenworthy (LO), Daniel Stark (UA), Eric Mamajek (University of Rochester), Runa Briguglio (Arcetri Observatory [AO]), Laird M. Close (UA), Katherine B. Follette (UA), Alfio Puglisi (AO), Timothy Rodigas (UA, Carnegie Institute of Washington [CIW]), Alycia J. Weinberger (CIW), and Marco Xompero (AO). Editor: Daniel StolteWriter: Daniel StolteByline: Vanessa Bailey/UA Dept. of Astronomy and Daniel Stolte/UANewsHeader image: YesNo Image: Subheading: The discovery of a giant planet orbiting its star at 650 times the average Earth-Sun distance has astronomers puzzled over how such a strange system came to be.Include in UANow: yesInclude in Olympic Coverage: noFeature on Olympic Page: noUANow Image: 

For the last two years Dr. Otis, a 4-year-old Goldendoodle has visited patients at the The University of Arizona Medical Center Diamond Children's. Armed with his own scrubs, a stethoscope and lots of love, Dr. Otis is a certified therapy dog who travels from room to room bringing his special breed of calmness and cheer to patients, family members and medial staff. 

Video Thumbnail: Category(s): Campus NewsHealthYouTube Video:  Kisses and Cuddles, Dr. Otis Prescribes Puppy Love to Patients at Diamond Children's Video of Kisses and Cuddles, Dr. Otis Prescribes Puppy Love to Patients at Diamond Children's Feature Sticky: OffFeature on Front: NoMedium Summary: For the last two years Dr. Otis, a 4-year-old Goldendoodle has visited patients at the The University of Arizona Medical Center Diamond Children's. Armed with his own scrubs, a stethoscope and lots of love, Dr. Otis is a certified therapy dog who travels from room to room bringing his special breed of calmness and cheer to patients, family members and medial staff. Long Summary: For the last two years Dr. Otis, a 4-year-old Goldendoodle has visited patients at the The University of Arizona Medical Center Diamond Children's. Armed with his own scrubs, a stethoscope and lots of love, Dr. Otis is a certified therapy dog who travels from room to room bringing his special breed of calmness and cheer to patients, family members and medial staff. UANow Image: Include in Olympic coverage: noInclude in UANow: yesDate of Publication: Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Seven-thousand feet above Tucson, and surrounded by the horizons, K-12 students are learning about the natural world and the night sky at the University of Arizona's UAScience Sky School at the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter.

Led by Alan Straus, director of the Mount Lemmon SkyCenter, and the UA College of Science, the Sky School program brings students out of the city and onto the mountaintop, where they explore, learn about science and the natural world, design their own experiments and interact with UA graduate student scientists.

"Students from public schools gain exposure to science content including geoscience, astronomy and ecology," Strauss said, "and at the same time they're interacting with a graduate student scientist who's challenging them to explore their preconceived notions of what it means to engage in a process of scientific inquiry."

The K-12 students get exposure to scientific concepts and processes – and a chance to run around in the woods – while UA graduate students receive a valuable teaching and mentoring experience. And the teachers who accompany school groups gain cutting-edge scientific content to take back to the classroom.

"It's been a win-win-win for everybody," Strauss said. "These kinds of opportunities haven't existed locally for students in the past."

"Science should be more than just a classroom experience," said Larry Speta, principal of the Academy of Tucson Middle School, who brought his fourth- and fifth-grade students to the SkySchool.

"In our school we believe in the Socratic teaching method, which is teaching them to think: Why is that correct? How can you support it? Where’s the evidence? Does anybody disagree?" Speta said

Thinking is exactly what students participating in the Sky School's flagship multi-day program do, designing their own science experiment and working with a UA graduate student mentor to do research and present their findings to their peers, as if they were scientists at a symposium.

"It's an immersive way of connecting Tucson K-12 students to the science of the University, and simultaneously providing an in-depth teaching experience for our graduate students," Strauss said.

"I love that we let students come up with their own research projects and guide them through the process," said Moira Hough, who is finishing a Master of Science degree in the UA's School of Natural Resources and the Environment and entering her doctoral studies in the UA's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. "They get to learn about something that really interests them and most importantly, they learn how to figure out the answers to their questions."

"Mount Lemmon is really a perfect environment for a program like Sky School because there are so many different ecosystems and so many different possibilities of questions students can ask," Hough added.

"We tested different soil layers," said Niko Plant, a ninth-grade student at Tucson's Tanque Verde High School who participated in the multi-day program. "We found that the top layers were pines and decomposing materials, and we got to test the parent materials that make up the soil, like the rocks around the mountain."

"I hadn't done anything like that before," Plant said. "I felt like I learned a lot more designing my own experiment than having it assigned to me. The best thing, I think, was being able to see what scientists really do in the field."

Shelby Teitelbaum, a 12th-grade student at Tanque Verde High School, agrees. "I liked how we did a research project, but it wasn't sitting at the computer. You got to go and do it."

In addition to carrying out research projects, the students participate in several scientific activities including learning about dendrochronology – the study of annual tree growth rings that can be used to measure past climate, recording observations of nature, and measuring changes in temperature and elevation during the drive up the mountain.

Learning in the Open Air

"Get ready, get ready… look now!"

Pacifica Sommers, a doctoral candidate in the UA's Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, stands at the mountain's summit at sunset during the program, directing students to look for the famous green rim caused by light waves refracting through the Earth's atmosphere just when the sun disappears over the horizon.

For many of the students, this is the first time they have stepped outside the city and into the wilderness, or seen the clear, star-filled sky high on the mountain away from city lights.

"The stars look like one color, but if you look through a telescope they're all different colors," Teitelbaum said.

Students get to use the telescopes at the SkyCenter and interact with professional astronomers, answering trivia questions posed to them by the graduate students and their teachers to get a turn at operating the telescope: How many seconds does it take light to travel from the sun to the Earth? What type of ice can you find on Mars? Why is Mount Lemmon called a Sky Island?

After a year piloting the Sky School, "I'm increasingly aware of the value of this experience," Strauss said. "To be involved with our incredible graduate students, faculty and staff in creating something meaningful for the community and for the University of Arizona has been a wonderful opportunity. It's a chance to connect people to the University and to the place where they live, through science. This may then increase their appreciation of it, and ultimately may impact their stewardship of our natural resources."

"Even if you don’t want to study science, it's still a really cool experience," Teitelbaum said. "I think everyone should go."

The program is equally rewarding for the graduate students who serve as mentors for the children.

"It's fantastic to see how excited the students get through the process," Hough said. "That enthusiasm is contagious, re-energizing me and reminding me what a fascinating world we live in."

"I was fortunate growing up," said Sommers, whose parents are scientists. "I was exposed all my life to people asking questions about the world around us, then setting out to explore and answer those questions."

"I want to be that person, even for one day only, who makes 'science' and 'adventure' make sense in the same sentence for kids," she said.

Editor: Alexis BlueWriter: Shelley LittinByline: Shelley LittinByline Affiliation: University CommunicationsHeader image: YesNo Image: Subheading: The Sky School program brings Tucson students out of the city to the astronomical observatory atop Mt. Lemmon, where they explore, and learn about science and the natural world.Include in UANow: yesInclude in Olympic Coverage: noFeature on Olympic Page: noUANow Image: 

Katrina Verduzco hadn't thought much about going to college until a representative from the University of Arizona came to talk to her class at Flowing Wells High School. Then everything changed.

After hearing about opportunities at the University, Verduzco became determined to become a Wildcat and the first person in her family to go college.

She also became determined not to burden her family with college expenses, and she spent much of her high school senior year searching for scholarships and financial aid opportunities.

Her search led her to AZ Earn to Learn, an innovative need-based financial aid program launched last year by the UA, Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University in partnership with Live the Solution, an Arizona nonprofit.

The unique savings and financial education program was designed to provide financial support for incoming college freshmen from low-income families, while teaching them good savings habits.

The program recently was awarded a second round of funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services/Assets for Independence program, more than doubling its total funds and its reach to potential participants.

Now funded with $3.47 million in grants, AZ Earn to Learn is expected to be able to serve 1,565 students across Arizona. 

"AZ Earn to Learn is an innovative initiative that not only provides critical need-based aid, but also helps students prepare for the financial and academic rigor of university life," said Arizona Board of Regents chairman Rick Myers. "I am extremely proud that our state universities are leading the nation in this unique effort and am thrilled that the program is expanding."

To be eligible for AZ Earn to Learn, students and their families must earn less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Students begin the program with their families as seniors in high school. They are required to save at least $25 a month in a special Individual Development Account for a minimum of six consecutive months, complete financial education classes and receive one-on-one financial coaching and college readiness training. 

Once a student enrolls at one of Arizona's three state universities, they qualify to receive $8 for every $1 they saved, up to $4,000 in matching funds – $2,000 from the federal grant and $2,000 from their university of choice. That money can be used for tuition, fees and other approved education-related expenses at one of the three state universities.

The UA will use its share of the second round of funding to extend the program for a second year to existing AZ Earn to Learn scholars at the UA who wish to continue in the program, said Mike Staten, principal investigator on the UA's grant and a professor in the John & Doris Norton School of Family and Consumer Sciences. 

"We were worried that one year of support might not be enough," said Staten, also executive director of the UA's Take Charge America Institute for Consumer Financial Education and Research.

"The real question is: Can this kind of match savings support, coupled with some University resources, help get students here and keep them here?" Staten said. "We don't just want them to start, we want them to finish, so we decided to focus Project Two funds on offering our Project One participants a second round of support to get them to continue to save."

When AZ Earn to Learn launched with $1.55 million last year, the UA received the largest share of funding –  $1 million over five years. In its first year, the University enrolled about 50 students in the program and continues to recruit more.

For Verduzco, AZ Earn to Learn not only helped her pay for her first year of college, it also helped prepare her to manage money on her own.

"Before this program I never really understood anything financial. It's great that they're coaching us to be financially savvy," Verduzco said.

Since enrolling in the program, Verduzco has saved $45 a month and by December will have $500 of her own money set aside. She also has learned a great deal from the program's educational workshops, offered both in person and online.

"It teaches you to be confident about money instead of being scared and not understanding," said Verduzco, who also is an Arizona Assurance scholar. "The program is so supportive, and there's always someone there to answer your questions."

Editor: Alexis BlueWriter: Alexis BlueByline: Alexis BlueByline Affiliation: University CommunicationsHeader image: YesNo Image: Subheading: The unique savings and financial education program was designed to provide financial support for incoming college freshmen from low-income families, while teaching them good savings habits.Include in UANow: yesInclude in Olympic Coverage: noFeature on Olympic Page: noUANow Image: 

Park(ing) Day -- a collaboration between the Living Street Alliance, the Sustainable City Project, the Downtown Tucson Partnership and the University of Arizona College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture -- returned to Tucson in the form of mini, temporary parks the size of parking spaces. These experimental "parklets" were designed as green space, herb gardens, seating, bike parking and a place for children and families to play. 

Video Thumbnail: Category(s): Arts and HumanitiesYouTube Video:  Tiny Parks Pop Up on City Streets Video of Tiny Parks Pop Up on City Streets Feature Sticky: OffFeature on Front: NoMedium Summary: Park(ing) Day -- a collaboration between the Living Street Alliance, the Sustainable City Project, the Downtown Tucson Partnership and the University of Arizona College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture -- returned to Tucson in the form of mini, temporary parks the size of parking spaces. These experimental "parklets" were designed as green space, herb gardens, seating, bike parking and a place for children and families to play. Long Summary: Park(ing) Day -- a collaboration between the Living Street Alliance, the Sustainable City Project, the Downtown Tucson Partnership and the University of Arizona College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture -- returned to Tucson in the form of mini, temporary parks the size of parking spaces. These experimental "parklets" were designed as green space, herb gardens, seating, bike parking and a place for children and families to play. UANow Image: Include in Olympic coverage: noInclude in UANow: yesDate of Publication: Monday, November 25, 2013

A group of 10 University of Arizona students have just earned Fulbright awards for 2013-2014, earning the institution billing for being a top nationwide producer of such award recipients. 

The U.S. Department of State recently announced the complete list of colleges and universities that produced the most 2013-2014 Fulbright U.S. Students.

"The University of Arizona is thrilled to have 10 Fulbright recipients this year," said Karna Walter, assistant director for student engagement at the UA's Honors College. "These students are doing amazing research and teaching English in a variety of countries around the world, from Loas to Brazil."

Other doctoral/research institutions listed as top producers – with anywhere from 10 to 39 recipients – include Harvard University, Princeton University, Stanford University, Ohio State University and the University of California, Berkeley, among others.

All told, more than 1,800 U.S. students, artists and young professionals in more than 100 different fields of study have been offered Fulbright Program grants to study, teach English and conduct research in more than 140 countries throughout the world.

The 10 UA-affiliates, some of whom have graduated, are:

• Alumni Jovan Ruvalcaba and Tucker Bungard were each funded to complete English teaching assistantships in Brazil.
• Graduate student Desneige Hallbert, a graduate student in the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture, was funded to travel to India where she is volunteering and engaged in community-based work.
• Lily House-Peters, a doctoral candiate in the School of Geography and Development, was funded to conduct a study in Mexico. Her dissertation-related research centers on impacts of climate change, economic policy, geopolitics and drought on water use and land use decisions
• Daniela Ugaz, who earned her Master of Fine Arts, who has translated electronic health-related publications into Spanish, was also funded to conduct work in Mexico. 
• Christine Lazcano, an undergraduate, was funded to complete an English teaching assistantship in Oman.
• Michele O'Shea, a dual degree student at the College of Medicine and Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, is conducting research in Malawi under the special Fulbright Fogarty Fellowship.
• Elizabeth Phillips, who earned a master's degree from the College of Public Health, was funded to conduct a study in Nigeria.
• Jesse Washburn, who earned a master's degree in art education, was funded to complete an English teaching assistantship in Laos.
• Undergraduate student Monica Xiong of neuroscience and cognitive science, received funding for a study in New Zealand.

Dating back to 2006, the UA has had at least 10 recipients for the majority of years. The University's' Office of Nationally Competitive Scholarships (ONCS) administers the competition for the Fulbright Program, which is the U.S. government's flagship international educational exchange program.

The primary goal of the office is to help top UA students and alumni successfully compete for nationally competitive scholarships. Housed within the UA Honors College, the ONCS helps students identify potential scholarships and then assists with the application and interview process.

Editor: La Monica Everett-HaynesByline Affiliation: University CommunicationsHeader image: YesNo Image: Subheading: With 10 UA students earning Fulbright awards for 2013-2014, the UA once again has been named a top producer of such scholars across the U.S.Include in UANow: yesInclude in Olympic Coverage: noFeature on Olympic Page: noUANow Image: 

Cindy McCain, wife of U.S. Sen. John McCain, joined Mike Fourtner, star of Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch,” for a tour of The University of Arizona Medical Center – Diamond Children’s and the UA Steele Children's Research Center. After learning about UAMC's state-of-the-art facilities and research labs, McCain and Fourtner visited with patients and family members and had the opportunity to participate in some "Deadliest Catch" themed games. 

Video Thumbnail: Category(s): Campus NewsHealthYouTube Video:  Cindy McCain, Mike Fourtner of "Deadliest Catch" Visit Diamond Children's Video of Cindy McCain, Mike Fourtner of "Deadliest Catch" Visit Diamond Children's Feature Sticky: OffFeature on Front: NoMedium Summary: Cindy McCain, wife of U.S. Sen. John McCain, joined Mike Fourtner, star of Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch,” for a tour of The University of Arizona Medical Center – Diamond Children’s and the UA Steele Children's Research Center. After learning about UAMC's state-of-the-art facilities and research labs, McCain and Fourtner visited with patients and family members and had the opportunity to participate in some "Deadliest Catch" themed games. Long Summary: Cindy McCain, wife of U.S. Sen. John McCain, joined Mike Fourtner, star of Discovery Channel’s “Deadliest Catch,” for a tour of The University of Arizona Medical Center – Diamond Children’s and the UA Steele Children's Research Center. After learning about UAMC's state-of-the-art facilities and research labs, McCain and Fourtner visited with patients and family members and had the opportunity to participate in some "Deadliest Catch" themed games. UANow Image: Include in Olympic coverage: noInclude in UANow: yesDate of Publication: Monday, November 18, 2013

Alberto Álvaro Ríos, who graduated with three degrees from the University of Arizona, including a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing in 1975, was appointed Arizona's first poet laureate in August. He recently visited his alma mater to read from his work and talk with the public about the importance of poetry. 

Video Thumbnail: Category(s): Arts and HumanitiesRelated Story Link: UA Alumnus Named Arizona's First Poet LaureateYouTube Video:  Arizona's First Poet Laureate Visits UA Campus Video of Arizona's First Poet Laureate Visits UA Campus Feature Sticky: OffFeature on Front: NoMedium Summary: Alberto Álvaro Ríos, who graduated with three degrees from the University of Arizona, including a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing in 1975, was appointed Arizona's first poet laureate in August. He recently visited his alma mater to read from his work and talk with the public about the importance of poetry. Long Summary: Alberto Álvaro Ríos, who graduated with three degrees from the University of Arizona, including a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing in 1975, was appointed Arizona's first poet laureate in August. He recently visited his alma mater to read from his work and talk with the public about the importance of poetry. UANow Image: Include in Olympic coverage: noInclude in UANow: yesDate of Publication: Thursday, November 14, 2013

The University of Arizona's Educational Interpreting Program teaches students to become interpreters for deaf and hard of hearing children in educational settings. During the three-year program, students become fluent in American Sign Language, gain an appreciation and respect for deaf culture and get practical experience.

Video Thumbnail: Category(s): Social Sciences and EducationTeaching and StudentsYouTube Video:  UA Program Gives Students Real-World Experience Working With Deaf Children Video of UA Program Gives Students Real-World Experience Working With Deaf Children Feature Sticky: OffFeature on Front: NoMedium Summary: The University of Arizona's Educational Interpreting Program teaches students to become interpreters for deaf and hard of hearing children in educational settings. During the three-year program, students become fluent in American Sign Language, gain an appreciation and respect for deaf culture and get practical experience.Long Summary: The University of Arizona's Educational Interpreting Program teaches students to become interpreters for deaf and hard of hearing children in educational settings. During the three-year program, students become fluent in American Sign Language, gain an appreciation and respect for deaf culture and get practical experience.UANow Image: Include in Olympic coverage: noInclude in UANow: yesDate of Publication: Tuesday, November 12, 2013

After serving as a combat medic in the U.S. Army for five years, Tucson native Matthew Randle decided to pursue a higher education degree.

After choosing the UA, he helped develop and expand programs for student veterans that resulted in the UA gaining notoriety across the U.S. Along the way, Randle said he found that the UA was, and still is, full of individuals willing and ready to help student veterans to be successful in all facets of life.

As a show of thanks, Randle shares a tribute:

So many faculty and staff at the University of Arizona have been advocates of student veterans and are working to change the path of the thousands of student veterans to follow.

What will always resonate with me from my journey at the University is knowing that myself and others had a real hesitation about the reception we would receive after ending our military careers and entering higher education. But we have been so resoundingly welcomed and appreciated, and that is what makes the UA a leader across the nation in its support and education of student veterans.

When other schools are copying our model and calling on us for guidance, you realize that doesn't happen by chance. And when people think about our service, it is of utmost importance to recognize the work that others do to help us.

When I think about the backbone of veteran education and support at the UA, I think about Maralynn Bernstein in the Office of the Registrar, our registrar representative. We call her "Momma Bear" because she cares. Bernstein takes the time to ensure things are done accurately and adds a caring face and soul to a process rife with red tape and speed bumps.

The V.E.T.S. Initiative director Cody Nicoholls, who is a vet himself, has gone above and beyond at every juncture to address all the issues we face. The growth of the program and support on campus has been nurtured by his guidance and wisdom. He is the calm in the storm for many of us.

I will always be deeply grateful to the work of Phil Callahan, an associate professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, who developed with Michael Marks specific courses for student veterans entering college. These two men refused to allow failure to be an option and swam against the current. The "docs" showed us we were capable and prepared for all the challenges we faced. They made us believe in ourselves.

UA Police Chief Anthony Daykin won't tell you this but, on a regular basis, he would call Papa Johns and have four or five pizzas delivered to the VETS office signed "anonymous." He is a veteran himself and has provided mentorship and guidance to many of us on our journeys.

When I was involved with the Student Veterans of America UA chapter we didn't know how to apply for money to go to conferences. Judy Harrison at the Arizona Student Unions sat us down and walked us through the process. It wasn't necessarily part of her duty but, as a result, we had a chance to send people to conferences, even at Google. That came about because she, like other people, made the effort to take the time and help.

There were former UA presidents Robert Shelton and Eugene Sander, also a veteran; I also think about vice president for Student Affairs Melissa Vito who has always been a huge supporter of student veterans. When the support comes from the top, mountains can move.

At the Disability Resource Center, I appreciate Sue Kroeger and Amanda Kraus showing us that access was possible; also, Janet Olson of the UA Healing Touch Initiative would provide healing touch massage and therapy to student veterans.

At the James E. Rogers College of Law, the support of faculty members Paul Bennett and Kenny Hegland is what made the vet court and vet clinic a reality.

Not only did they selflessly give of themselves and their time but they encouraged and mentored us to believe we could succeed.

Also, Mandy Shoemaker, the registrar at the law school, is caring and personable, always taking the time to answer questions about the most stressful of things. Willie Jordan-Curtis, assistant dean of Student Affairs at the law school who is also a veteran, has been a rock for those of us who needed support and is always willing to help make difficult tasks clear and achievable. And College of Law dean Marc L. Miller has become a champion of all issues surrounding veterans advocacy and education at the law school.

Education is the key to success, and independence and self-worth. And so many people have gone out of their way to help us.

That's the great part – for student veterans, our individual experiences at the university are unique, in that we have interacted in many different people and departments. But what is not unique is that those people have been friendly and helpful in making sure we achieve our dreams.

-Matthew Randle, a third-year student in the UA James E. Rogers College of Law, has helped usher in important programs and services for student veterans at the UA, helping the institution become a national model for supporting military veterans returning from service and entering higher education. In 2011, Randle graduated from the UA College of Agriculture and Life Sciences with a Bachelor of Science in family studies and human development. He first served as the Veterans' Education and Transition Services Office student director and is past president of the UA chapter of the Student Veterans of America. Randle plans to graduate with his Juris Doctorate from the UA in May 2014. (Photo credit: Patrick McArdle/UANews)

Categories: Teaching and StudentsThis is a Wildcat Corner feature: Images: Tags: StudentsStudent LifeOutreachFacultyStaffThe Wildcat WayByline: University Communications |UANow Image: Editor: Alexis BlueInclude in UANow: 0Date of Publication: Thursday, November 7, 2013Feature on Front: NoShort Summary: UA student veterans continue their service well after leaving the military.

Old Main, the University of Arizona's oldest building, is undergoing the most comprehensive renovation in its history. In the process, much is being learned about the design and unique architectural features of the 19th-century building. The project's lead architect, Corky Poster, discusses how his firm plans to bring the building into modern times while preserving its original design and vision. For more information visit http://saveoldmain.org. 

Video Thumbnail: Category(s): Campus NewsRelated Story Link: Restoring Old Main, the Project of a LifetimeSave Old Main YouTube Video:  Old Main Renovation Reveals Hidden Secrets Video of Old Main Renovation Reveals Hidden Secrets Feature Sticky: OffFeature on Front: NoMedium Summary: Old Main, the University of Arizona's oldest building, is undergoing the most comprehensive renovation in its history. In the process, much is being learned about the design and unique architectural features of the 19th-century building. The project's lead architect, Corky Poster, discusses how his firm plans to bring the building into modern times while preserving its original design and vision. For more information visit http://saveoldmain.org. Long Summary: Old Main, the University of Arizona's oldest building, is undergoing the most comprehensive renovation in its history. In the process, much is being learned about the design and unique architectural features of the 19th-century building. The project's lead architect, Corky Poster, discusses how his firm plans to bring the building into modern times while preserving its original design and vision. For more information visit http://saveoldmain.org. UANow Image: Include in Olympic coverage: noInclude in UANow: yesDate of Publication: Tuesday, November 5, 2013

In celebration of Native American Heritage Month in November, Arizona Public Media will present a diverse series of programs showcasing the rich history and modern culture Native Americans. A complete list of programs on PBS 6, WORLD and the UA Channel is available at azpm.org.

Some program highlights include:

"Seeking Water From the Sun," an Emmy Award-winning AZPM original production, looks at the drama of science and the reality of life on the Navajo Nation. It explores the trials and tribulations faced by University of Arizona scientists designing and building a solar powered water distillation prototype, the first step of a plan to purify ground water for easier access to the Navajo people and their livestock. The documentary addresses the dire drought within the Navajo Nation and how UA scientists are exploring using solar energy as a source of clean water for the tribe.

Independent Lens: "Indian Relay" follows the trials and triumphs of a Native American horse-racing season in the Rocky Mountain West. Representative teams of the Shoshone-Bannock nation from Idaho and the Crow and Blackfeet Nations of Montana go head to head in competition. Intense action plays out as rival nations battle towards the Indian relay horse racing national championship.

"Apache 8," tells the story of the all-women wildland firefighting crew from the White Mountain Apache Tribe. These extraordinary women have been fighting fires on the reservation and throughout the United States for more than 30 years. With humor and tenderness, four women from different generations of the Apache 8 crew share their personal stories.

"Kind Hearted Woman," a touching two-part documentary by David Southerland, tells the story of an Oglala Sioux woman, a 32-year-old single mother, who must rebuild a life for her family after years of sexual abuse from her ex-husband. Through her journey she finds inner-strength and returns to her reservation in an effort to help other members of her tribe who have also been victims of abuse.

"Sitting Bull: A Stone in My Heart," featured at film festivals across the United States, gives viewers a more intimate look at one of the most prominent figures in Native American history, Lakota Sioux chief Sitting Bull. "Sitting Bull: A Stone in My Heart" was made possible by historians Robert M. Utley and Donald Fixio who served as advisers on the film. Using speeches, interviews and photographs, filmmakers were able to construct an accurate representation of Sitting Bull's life.

"Injunuity" uses animation, music and the voices of real people to tell nine short stories about the world infused with guidance from a Native American perspective. Topics discussed include language preservation, sacred sites and the environment.

Arizona Public Media thanks the UA's Native American Student Affairs, Department of American Indian Studies and the Arizona State Museum for their support in promoting these programs.

Contact: Sue DeBenedette, Marketing Manager, Arizona Public Media, 520-621-5222, sdebenedette@azpm.org

Categories: Social Sciences and EducationThis is a Wildcat Corner feature: Images: Byline: University Communications UANow Image: UANow Summary: In celebration of Native American Heritage Month in November, Arizona Public Media will present a diverse series of programs showcasing the rich history, as well as the modern culture, of today's Native Americans. Some highlights include an AZPM original production about UA scientists' work with solar energy and the Navajo Nation and a program about an all-women wildland firefighting crew from the White Mountain Apache Tribe. Editor: Alexis BlueInclude in UANow: 0Date of Publication: Thursday, October 31, 2013Feature on Front: No

The Compost Cats, a UA student-run club, collects food waste on campus and turns it into compost. The club helps reduce methane emissions by collecting organic waste and disposing of it properly, "turning garbage into gardens."

Video Thumbnail: Category(s): Campus NewsYouTube Video:  Turning Garbage into Gardens Video of Turning Garbage into Gardens Feature Sticky: OffFeature on Front: NoMedium Summary: The Compost Cats, a UA student-run club, collects food waste on campus and turns it into compost. The club helps reduce methane emissions by collecting organic waste and disposing of it properly, "turning garbage into gardens."Long Summary: The Compost Cats, a UA student-run club, collects food waste on campus and turns it into compost. The club helps reduce methane emissions by collecting organic waste and disposing of it properly, "turning garbage into gardens."UANow Image: Include in Olympic coverage: noInclude in UANow: yesDate of Publication: Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Charles Zoll, a UA senior majoring in music, won the prestigious national "Rapido! A 14-Day Composition Contest," which had 400 competitors, including professors and professional musicians. A composer and pianist, Zoll says the UA has provided him a rich and robust cultural experience.

Video Thumbnail: Category(s): Arts and HumanitiesYouTube Video:  A Musical Mind Video of A Musical Mind Feature Sticky: OffFeature on Front: NoMedium Summary: Charles Zoll, a UA senior majoring in music, won the prestigious national "Rapido! A 14-Day Composition Contest," which had 400 competitors, including professors and professional musicians. A composer and pianist, Zoll says the UA has provided him a rich and robust cultural experience.Long Summary: Charles Zoll, a UA senior majoring in music, won the prestigious national "Rapido! A 14-Day Composition Contest," which had 400 competitors, including professors and professional musicians. A composer and pianist, Zoll says the UA has provided him a rich and robust cultural experience.UANow Image: Include in Olympic coverage: noInclude in UANow: yesDate of Publication: Monday, October 28, 2013

In celebration of UA's fourth annual Food Day, Well U and the Student Health Advocacy Committee hosted their first ever Iron Chef Competition. The two competing teams were chosen after proving their culinary chops in the preliminary rounds. They then had to cook two dishes using cactus as the surprise ingredient for a panel of judges, including former UA men's basketball coach Lute Olson. The Food Day Fair aims to introduce students to a nationwide movement promoting healthy, affordable and sustainable food. 

Video Thumbnail: Category(s): Campus NewsHealthYouTube Video:  Iron Chef: Cactus, UA Food Day Pits Student Chefs Head to Head Video of Iron Chef: Cactus, UA Food Day Pits Student Chefs Head to Head Feature Sticky: OffFeature on Front: NoMedium Summary: In celebration of UA's fourth annual Food Day, Well U and the Student Health Advocacy Committee hosted their first ever Iron Chef Competition. The two competing teams were chosen after proving their culinary chops in the preliminary rounds. They then had to cook two dishes using cactus as the surprise ingredient for a panel of judges, including former UA men's basketball coach Lute Olson. The Food Day Fair aims to introduce students to a nationwide movement promoting healthy, affordable and sustainable food. Long Summary: In celebration of UA's fourth annual Food Day, Well U and the Student Health Advocacy Committee hosted their first ever Iron Chef Competition. The two competing teams were chosen after proving their culinary chops in the preliminary rounds. They then had to cook two dishes using cactus as the surprise ingredient for a panel of judges, including former UA men's basketball coach Lute Olson. The Food Day Fair aims to introduce students to a nationwide movement promoting healthy, affordable and sustainable food. UANow Image: Include in Olympic coverage: noInclude in UANow: yesDate of Publication: Friday, October 25, 2013

Tucson Meet Yourself is an annual festival celebrating the culture, food, tradition and arts of Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico. It was founded 40 years ago by University of Arizona folklorist and anthropologist James “Big Jim” Griffith. Visitors to this year's festival were able to try foods from 53 different vendors and experience the work of 557 folk artists, musicians and dancers from more than 60 different cultural groups. 

Video Thumbnail: Category(s): Arts and HumanitiesSocial Sciences and EducationYouTube Video:  Tucson Meet Yourself Celebrates 40 Years Video of Tucson Meet Yourself Celebrates 40 Years Feature Sticky: OffFeature on Front: NoMedium Summary: Tucson Meet Yourself is an annual festival celebrating the culture, food, tradition and arts of Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico. It was founded 40 years ago by University of Arizona folklorist and anthropologist James “Big Jim” Griffith. Visitors to this year's festival were able to try foods from 53 different vendors and experience the work of 557 folk artists, musicians and dancers from more than 60 different cultural groups. Long Summary: Tucson Meet Yourself is an annual festival celebrating the culture, food, tradition and arts of Southern Arizona and Northern Mexico. It was founded 40 years ago by University of Arizona folklorist and anthropologist James “Big Jim” Griffith. Visitors to this year's festival were able to try foods from 53 different vendors and experience the work of 557 folk artists, musicians and dancers from more than 60 different cultural groups. UANow Image: Include in Olympic coverage: noInclude in UANow: yesDate of Publication: Monday, October 14, 2013