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Kristina M. Johnson, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ since 1985, has been named dean of engineering at Duke University in Durham, N.C., effective August 1999. An internationally known expert in optics, signal processing and computing, Johnson co-founded the Center for Optoelectronic Computing Systems headquartered at CU-Â鶹ӰԺ. A joint effort with Colorado State University, the center is funded by the National Science Foundation and the Colorado Advanced Technology Institute.

The University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ and the Â鶹ӰԺ County District AttorneyÂ’s Office have joined forces to offer assessment and family therapy for juvenile offenders and their families. Prosocial Family Therapy is being provided by the psychology department's Center for the Prevention of Adverse Life Outcomes, of which Joel Silverman is the clinical director. This therapy is part of an ongoing research project under the supervision of Elaine Blechman, professor of psychology at CU-Â鶹ӰԺ.

Two national communications awards were received for programs in the CU-Â鶹ӰԺ Institutional Relations department this spring. Jim Scott, science writer for the Office of News Services at the University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ, received a silver medal in the Research, Medicine and Science Writing category for the 1999 awards program sponsored by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, CASE.

The family of a long-time benefactor of the University of Colorado School of Law has pledged $3 million to launch a fund-raising campaign for a new law building at CU-Â鶹ӰԺ, according to an announcement by law Dean Hal Bruff. The gift is a joint commitment by law school benefactors Marvin E. and Judi Wolf of Denver, MarvinÂ’s brother and sister-in-law Erving and Joyce Wolf of Houston, and Elaine Wolf of Denver, widow of their late brother Melvin. Marvin Wolf, a 1954 graduate of the law school, is co-chair of the Steering Committee for the law building campaign.

The Center for Environmental Journalism at the University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ has selected five journalists as the 1999-2000 Ted Scripps Fellows in Environmental Journalism. Starting next fall the fellows will study environmental science, policy, law and journalism for two semesters at the university. They also will work on individual research projects.

The University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ College of Engineering and Applied Science is accepting applications for the 32nd High School Honors Institute to be held on campus Aug. 1 to Aug. 4. The college will accept applications through June 11 from high school juniors with an interest in math, science and engineering. Hands-on sessions for participants will include bridge construction, solar energy projects, aerodynamics experiments and activities covering the principles of space flight, biotechnology, robotics, supercomputers, artificial intelligence and electronic circuitry.

Dana Anderson, optical physicist and professor of physics at CU-Â鶹ӰԺ, will explain the marvels of light and lasers to local children at the next CU Wizards show, "Fantastic Light," on campus on Saturday, May 29. The free presentation, at 9:30 a.m. in the Duane Physics building, room G-030, is designed for children in grades five through nine. Reservations are not required.

Migrant and seasonal workers who earned general education diplomas through the University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ’s High School Equivalency Program at Brighton/Fort Lupton will graduate on Friday, May 28. Â鶹ӰԺ 1,000 people are expected to attend the ceremony, which starts at 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Northglenn at 120th Avenue and I-25. Family, friends and other supporters will be there to see 150 students ranging in age from 16 to 63 receive their high school equivalency diplomas.

The increasing volume and complexity of development projects at the University of Colorado at Â鶹ӰԺ has led to a key staffing change within the Department of Facilities Management. Bill Deno, who joined the department in 1973, is stepping down after 15 years in the dual role of campus architect and director of facilities planning to concentrate on his duties as campus architect.

From "Disasters By Design: A Reassessment Of Natural Hazards In The United States" During the 1975-1994 study period: • Eighty percent of all natural hazards were climatological, including droughts and dust storms, extreme cold, floods, fog, hail, heat, hurricanes and tropical storms, ice, sleet, snow, lightning, snow avalanches, tornadoes, wind and wildfires. • Ten percent of natural hazards were due to geophysical hazards, including earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis and volcanoes. • Only 17 percent of natural hazards losses were insured.