WUSTL hydrogeologist Robert Criss, PhD, wasn’t particularly surprised by the spring floods on the Mississippi this year. Floods are becoming more frequent and more severe, he says. “There are far better ways to deal with this problem than have municipalities compete with one another to build the highest levee,” he says. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/22298.aspx

Architecture is a global profession. Just ask Aaron Plewke, who will receive his master’s degree in architecture May 20. In recent months, Plewke and his fiance, fellow graduate student Meredith Klein, managed construction of Washington University in Shanghai — a new study center located at Fudan University — from their studios in Givens Hall. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/22304.aspx

WUSTL’s inaugural Lavender Recognition Ceremony will take place at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 18, in College Hall in the South 40 House. Co-hosted by LGBT Student Involvement and Leadership and the Social Justice Center, the ceremony honors the contributions of graduating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer students and their allies. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/22315.aspx

Akhila Narla, a junior in Arts & Sciences, was among 135 students from across the country named a Newman Civic Fellow for 2011 by Campus Compact. The awards recognize inspiring college student leaders who have demonstrated an investment in finding solutions for challenges facing communities throughout the country and the world. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/22313.aspx

WUSTL has awarded five Bear Cub Fund grants totaling $240,000 to seven WUSTL researchers to support innovative research that has shown commercial potential. The fund, made up of endowment income and capital from private sources, is administered through the university’s Office of Technology Management. The funding helps scientists further develop their technology. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/22314.aspx

• 2 p.m. 93rd Annual Army ROTC Commissioning Ceremony. Under Secretary of the Army Joseph Westphal will preside over the ceremony recognizing seniors graduating from WUSTL, Saint Louis University, Fontbonne, Lindenwood and UMSL. He will deliver a talk on leadership and the future of the Army. Seating is reserved and limited but standing room is available. Danforth University Center, Tisch Commons. (314) 935-7200.

• Severe weather alerts posted on WUSTL emergency website. In the event of severe weather, watches and warnings from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service will automatically be posted on the university’s emergency website, emergency.wustl.edu. The alerts will be posted on the right-hand side of the page and will provide a link to view all active weather alerts.

• Stein, Woods selected to play in NCAA tournament. The No. 5 men’s tennis team will send two singles players and a doubles team to the 2011 NCAA Division III men’s tennis championships May 27-29 in Southern California. Seniors Isaac Stein and Max Woods will represent WUSTL in the 32-man singles draw and also will play as one of 16 doubles teams.