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CU-Boulder Friends of the Libraries will hold its annual community Information Day on Tuesday, Jan. 6. The event, which is free and open to the public, will be from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Center for British Studies on the fifth floor of Norlin Library on the University of Colorado at Boulder campus. Entrance to the library is through the west door. Information Day is intended to familiarize citizens with the contents of CU-Boulder's libraries and to inform them of methods to access the libraries' resources.

Stephen Lawrence has been appointed associate dean for academic programs at the University of Colorado at Boulder Leeds School of Business to manage the school's undergraduate and MBA programs as well as its diversity and placement activities. His appointment is effective through Aug. 31, 2007. "Stephen is a strong leader who supports the values and priorities of the Leeds School," said Steven Manaster, dean of the Leeds School. "His leadership will be instrumental as we move the school forward."

A green idea turned into the right idea for the University of Colorado at Boulder department of chemistry and biochemistry.

Editors: Enclosed are names of the degree candidates from your area. This list is subject to final grade reports. Local students were among the 2,051 students who received degrees Dec. 19 during winter commencement at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The ceremony was held in the Coors Events/Conference Center on the CU-Boulder campus.

More than $140,000 and hundreds of winter coats, sweaters and other clothing have been donated by the University of Colorado at Boulder community during the holiday season, according to organizers at the university's Office of Community Affairs. Winter Warmth Drive items were collected Nov. 3 to Dec. 5 at CU-Boulder deans' offices, the chancellor's office, the bookstore and other locations and included 247 coats, 118 sweaters, 26 blankets and dozens more hats, scarves, gloves and socks. The CU Bookstore donated several new jackets bearing the CU logo.

According to recent analyses, six-year graduation rates for minority students have risen in line with newly announced improved graduation rates for the overall student body at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The latest data from the Office of Planning and Budget Analysis show 60 percent of Asian Americans entering CU-Boulder since 1994 have graduated within six years, an increase of 5 percent to 10 percent over the rates of those who entered in the early 1990s.

Larry Bell has been appointed director of the Office of International Education at the University of Colorado at Boulder, replacing Michael Delaney who retired in June 2002. Bell has been interim director since last summer while continuing to serve as director of CU-Boulder's International Student and Scholar Services office, a division of the Office of International Education. He was hired in July 2002 for that position, and has more than 25 years of experience managing international education programs at CU-Boulder, CU-Denver and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

NEWS TIP SHEET A CU-Boulder student satellite dubbed "The Little Satellite That Did" re-entered Earth's atmosphere and burned up following nearly six years of collecting valuable data while being controlled from the CU campus.

An estimated 9,000 people are expected to attend the winter commencement ceremony at the University of Colorado at Boulder on Dec. 19 and those planning to drive should arrive early. Commencement begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Coors Events/Conference Center. It is recommended that guests arrive well before 9 a.m. Early arrival will give all guests time to be in their seats by 9:10 a.m. and will avoid delaying the ceremony.

Editors: Contents embargoed from release until Monday, Dec. 15, at 6 a.m. An expanding national economy, led by increased business spending and improving equity markets, has prompted improved economic conditions in Colorado and laid the foundation for modest growth in 2004, according to CU-Boulder economist Richard Wobbekind. Wobbekind's announcement was part of the 39th annual Business Economic Outlook Forum hosted Dec. 15 by the University of Colorado at Boulder's Leeds School of Business.