The bravery of a lone cellist who faced down snipers to play in the streets of war-torn Bosnia to honor the dead will be the tale incoming students read and discuss this fall. Steven Galloway’s The Cellist of Sarajevo is the selection for the annual First-Year Reading Program. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/22344.aspx

In a new tradition, 66 flags representing the home countries of graduating students — including Israel and Italy shown here — were hung this week on January, Ridgley and Duncker halls in preparation for the 150th Commencement Ceremony in Brookings Quadrangle tomorrow. MORE

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/22345.aspx

In honor of tomorrow’s Commencement, the Record presents once more its complete Gallery of Outstanding Graduates. From among the 2,719 degree candidates, 12 were chosen who not only excelled academically but also stood out because of exceptional ability or community service. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/22261.aspx

Seniors enjoyed an entire week of fun in the days leading up to Commencement, including the Chancellor’s Dinner at America’s Center Ballroom May 16, where 1,200 seniors enjoyed a reception, dinner and awards ceremony before attending the Senior Gala. Other events of Senior Week included a “spooning” world record attempt as part of the freshman floor reunion, a float trip and a winery visit. MORE

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David E. Kennell, PhD, professor emeritus of molecular microbiology, died April 20, 2011. He was 78 and lived in University City, Mo. FULL STORY

URL: http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/22322.aspx

• 4 p.m. Basic Science Seminar Series 2010-2011. “Recurrent Gene Fusions in Common Solid Tumors: Implications for Personalized Medicine.” Arul Chinnaiyan, HHMI Investigator, U. of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Sponsored by Siteman Cancer Center. Free and open to the public. McDonnell Sciences Bldg., Cori Aud. (314) 454-7029.

• Commencement week activities. For a complete listing of all Commencement activities, including events, speakers and visitor information, visit commencement.wustl.edu.

• Softball gets 30-plus wins for sixth time in school history. The softball team saw its season come to an end with a 2-1, 14-inning loss to No. 16 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater May 15 in the NCAA regional, but ended the season with a 32-12-1 overall record. It was the sixth 30-win season in school history. The Bears placed second in the University Athletic Association this year and qualified for the NCAA tournament for the 10th straight season.