I shared last week the University’s plans to commemorate the life of Dr. Thomas Meixner and several ways we will remember and honor him one year after his untimely and tragic death. As we approach that day, Thursday, October 5, 2023, I want to again thank everyone who has prepared these remembrances and invite all of you to take part of your day this Thursday to participate as you feel comfortable.

As we approach October 5, I want to share information about the University’s plans to remember Professor Meixner. A planning group has partnered with Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences to develop these plans, in accordance with the wishes of Dr. Meixner's family.

Today, NASA’s University of Arizona-led OSIRIS-REx mission spacecraft completed its historic 7-year journey to Bennu and back, traveling billions of miles since its launch in September 2016 to obtain a sample from the near-Earth asteroid Bennu. That sample is now being retrieved from the Utah desert where the sample delivery capsule landed this morning. University Communications will post OSIRIS-REx stories throughout the day with updates.

University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins discusses the university's position as a leader in space sciences.

The University of Arizona ranked No. 22 among the top U.S. universities granted utility patents in 2022, according to a list published by the National Academy of Inventors.

The grant from the Mellon Foundation will support undergraduate research and provide a fellowship program for university faculty to learn digital and archival methods from library experts.

The New Frontiers of Sound Science and Technology Center will focus on topological acoustics, an emerging field in which researchers exploit the properties of sound in ways that could vastly improve computing, telecommunications and sensing.

The professorship, endowed by Desmond and Jean Ruley Kearns, will provide financial support and recognition to a faculty member who demonstrates expertise in, passion for and commitment to advancing natural resources law.

The new fellowship program will support research on how to reach more students from diverse communities with science, technology, engineering and math education.