School of Engineering awards top seniors

A mechanical engineering student from Andover received the Sammie and Carl Locke Award for Outstanding Graduating Senior during the Kansas University School of Engineering’s recognition ceremony. Bethany Anderson received the award Sunday at the Lied Center.

The School of Engineering also named outstanding seniors in each of its disciplines. Winners are Katherine Allen, Independence, Mo., civil engineering; Anderson, mechanical engineering; Heather Bowman, Leawood, computer science; Jana Chester, Glade, petroleum engineering; Brandon Heavey, Overland Park, computer engineering; Carl Johnson, Baldwin, aerospace engineering; Cheyenna Moore, Overland Park, architectural engineering; James Pingenot, Manhattan, electrical engineering, and Chris Ploetz, Kansas City, Kan., chemical engineering.

ROTC commissions 15 KU graduates

The Kansas University ROTC program commissioned 15 KU graduates from the class of 2003 as armed forces officers Monday in the Kansas Union Ballroom. Cadets and midshipmen in KU’s ROTC program include three students from Washburn University in Topeka.

Among the officers was Ensign Ryan Willette, Lawrence. He earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from KU and will be going into Naval Special Warfare, Basic Underwater Demolitions, SEALs. His parents, Scott and Mary Ann Willette, Lawrence, pinned on his ensign bars.

Two Baker professors receive teaching awards

Two Baker University professors were honored with teaching awards Sunday at the university’s commencement ceremonies.

Darcy Russell, professor of biology, received the Kopke Teaching Award. The award is named for Charles H. Kopke of Kansas City, Mo., who donated $100,000 to provide $5,000 a year to an outstanding faculty member.

Peggy Harris, associate professor of education, received the Exemplary Teacher Award from the United Methodist Church General Board of Higher Education and Ministry. The award recognizes a faculty member who has provided excellent teaching and service to the church and community.

Walk offers information about native plants

The Kansas Land Trust’s Wildflower Walk will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday on the Akin Prairie in Douglas County, east of Lawrence. Kelly Kindscher, author of “Edible Wild Plants of the Prairie” and “Medicinal Plants of the Prairie,” will lead the walk.

The Akin Prairie is a 16-acre tract of native prairie protected as a memorial to Dorothy Akin. Kindscher will identify prairie grasses and flowers and share information and folklore about native plants. Refreshments will be served after the walk.

For more information, call 749-3297.

Memorial Day festivities planned in Leavenworth

Leavenworth — The Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth salute battery and color guard will participate in two Memorial Day ceremonies Monday in Leavenworth.

The first event will be at 9 a.m. in Leavenworth National Cemetery at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Col. Gregory Lynch will speak at the second ceremony, which begins at 11:40 a.m. in Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery.

Both ceremonies, which are open to the public, will include a 21-gun national salute. Those with car alarms are asked to park in the far ends of lots to avoid cannon fire triggering the alarms.

Boy Scout groups will decorate graves with miniature American flags Saturday.

Cosmosphere announces dates for space camps

Hutchinson — The Cosmosphere has announced dates for three summer space camps:

• The Future Astronaut Training Program provides a curriculum based on actual astronaut training for children in grades seven through 10. The camp is offered in 12 six-day sessions that begin from May 28 to July 27.
• Mars Academy is a three-day residential camp for students who have completed fourth or fifth grade. Students will build test rockets, do experiments in the Martian Laboratory and take a simulated mission to Mars. There are four sessions in May and June.
• Investigate Space is a weeklong half-day program for children who have completed first, second or third grade. Students will launch rockets and create a simulated space community on the moon. Three sessions are offered in June.

For more information or to register, see www.cosmo.org or call (800) 397-0330.