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A 38.5-acre photovoltaic array is the latest addition to the Solar Zone technology demonstration area at the UA Science and Technology Park. The 6.1-megawatt system was built by AstroSol, which expects the project to displace more than 7,700 metric tons of carbon dioxide and provide power for about 1,000 homes.

The UA has honored a handful of teachers this graduation season – and they deserve the kudos, the Arizona Daily Star writes: "If you haven't already done so, new graduate, visit, call or write to those special teachers and tell them what they mean to you. For that matter, if you graduated 30 years ago and still haven't said 'thanks,' do it today."

Thanks to the generosity of three professional meteorite hunters, the UA Lunar and Planetary Laboratory will own three samples of a rare kind of meteorite. The donated material is especially important in light of the upcoming OSIRIS-REx asteroid sample return mission, which is led by the UA.

Dr. Peter Rhee, chief of trauma, critical care and emergency surgery in the UA department of surgery, is the inaugural recipient of the Martin Gluck Endowed Chair. The endowed position was created with a $1.7 million commitment by Tucson Foundations.

Arizona Athletics and UA Alumni Association personnel are traveling around the state to meet Wildcat fans in a month-long series of school-spirit events. This week, they are meeting fans in Tempe, Ariz. The 2012 Road Tour runs through June 4.

Three UA faculty members have been selected to receive the first-ever 1885 Distinguished Scholars Awards, created by President Eugene G. Sander to acknowledge outstanding mid-career faculty whose contributions promise to catapult their disciplines to new levels of innovation.

UA student Msimbi "SimSim" Kikuyu took her citizenship test in the hospital recently after having a stroke and emergency brain surgery. Kikuyu, a native of Kenya who has been living in the U.S. since 1998, took the oath of citizenship in Phoenix last week.

The UA Office of Sustainability has completed a climate action plan to track the University's greenhouse gas emissions and provide concrete solutions to reduce them. Many efforts already are under way, with some involving faculty and students using the campus as a living lab for sustainability.

Arizona will make its 26th consecutive appearance in the NCAA Regionals this week, dating to 1987, head coach Mike Candrea's second year in Tucson. Candrea has won 23 Regionals and eight national championships. Arizona has hosted the initial round 16 times and the Super Regionals six times.

UA commencement speakers Dr. Peter Rhee and Nobel Laureate Brian Schmidt shared their past experiences and hopes for the future with more than 4,000 graduating students and their family members who attended the 2012 undergraduate and graduate commencement ceremonies.

Dr. Peter Rhee, chief of trauma, critical care and emergency surgery at The University of Arizona Medical Center-University Campus, told students about his travels and explained why today is a good day during his speech at the May 12 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony.

Brian Schmidt, who won the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics and is a 1989 graduate of the UA, shared words of wisdom during his speech May 11 at the UA Graduate Commencement Ceremony. Schmidt urged the graduates chase their dreams, find balance in life and be happy.

Katy Murray, a marketing junior and president-elect of the Associated Students of the University of Arizona, spoke with the Arizona Daily Wildcat about her plans to represent the UA undergraduate student body. She discussed her top issues, how she will balance her duties with school and how she plans to work with others to advocate for students.

UA students moving out of their residence halls are donating items to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, The Salvation Army and the Primavera Foundation. Last year, students donated about 34 tons of items. This year, the goal is to reach 40 tons. "We are trying to keep everything out of the landfills," UA residence hall coordinator Jill Ramirez said.

James Allen, a graduating political science senior, was president of the Associated Students of the University of Arizona during the 2001-12 academic year. With the Arizona Daily Wildcat, he recounts his memories, discusses what he's most proud of and shares his plans for the future.

As commencement approaches, UANews looks back at a school year full of appointments, discoveries, awards and groundbreakings. The top 10 stories of 2011-12 indicate the UA is making a difference in people's lives, both locally and around the globe.

Five leaders in the fields of music, science, education and finance will be recognized with honorary degrees during the May 11 commencement ceremony for UA master's and doctoral students. The honorees are Sérgio Assad, Harry A. George, Emily Meschter, Brian P. Schmidt and Margaret Wilch.

The second group of full-time Phoenix-based UA medical students walked out of the Phoenix Convention Center on May 9 as physicians. Forty students made up the second class of UA College of Medicine-Phoenix graduates.

UA law student Gregory Schneider is getting ready for graduation this weekend, for the birth of his third child later this year – and now for a spaceflight. He has won a suborbital trip into space, the first prize in the Space Race 2012 contest marking the 50th anniversary of the 1962 Seattle World's Fair.

UA President Eugene G. Sander is set to retire after 25 years of service to the University. Since arriving at the UA in 1987, he has served as dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, vice president for University Outreach and executive vice president and provost of the UA.