UA alumnus' time in space extended due to shuttle loss

UA alumnus Don Pettit and the other two astronauts aboard the International Space Station's time in orbit was extended after the space shuttle Columbia was lost.

Originally scheduled to leave the space station in March, Pettit will stay in space until late June, if necessary, NASA officials said.

The astronauts on board the ISS station are grieving for the crewmembers of Columbia, but they are in good shape and are continuing to carry on scientific research in space.

Pettit graduated from UA in 1983 with a doctoral degree in chemical engineering. He earned his undergraduate degree in chemical engineering from Oregon State University in 1978.

Honors College announces ÎOutstanding Senior' award

Mark Lundy, a senior majoring in English and creative writing, has received the Outstanding Senior award from the Honors College.

A keen observer of culture, Mark traveled to Ireland, Mexico and China, listening to stories. He went to China without knowing Chinese and traveled to remote provinces, returning with stories and powerful observations. He tactfully negotiated recording the oral history of an Irish elder. He has also devoted time to coaching basketball, tutoring students in English and writing, volunteering with Alternative Spring break in Oaxaca, Mexico, and volunteering in the Newman Center.

Undergraduates' research published on plant genes

Robert J. Schmitz and Adria Decker, two Honors students, saw their research published in the November 2002 issue of Plant Physiology, a publication of the American Society of Plant Biologists.

Their research focused on identifying mutant genes that result in dwarf plants.

UA Honors student wins prestigious prize for paper

Matthew Kruer, University of Arizona junior majoring in history, received the Portz Prize from the National Collegiate Honors Council at its annual meeting.

The Portz Prize is awarded to three Honors students in a national competition. Matthew's paper, "A Country Wonderfully Prepared for Their Entertainment: The Aftermath of the New England Indian Epidemic of 1616," was read at the NCHC conference in Salt Lake City, where Matthew received the Portz Prize.