At The U Email

May 4, 2026

Stories, announcements and events for the University of Utah community

LEAD STORY

Arthur C. Brooks to Class of 2026: Take risks that matter

Brooks spoke at the 157th General Commencement on Thursday, April 30.

READ THE STORY

FEATURED

Featured Stories

Highlights from across campus, selected for this issue.

Biochemist Brenda Bass wins Rosenblatt Prize

Distinguished professor helped reveal the inner workings of RNA, the molecule that carries genetic instruction for building proteins.

Like mother, like daughter, like diploma

This week, Nathalia Alvarez graduates from the College of Fine Arts. Though it’s the first degree she’s earned from the college, it won’t be the first time ...

Blanket ceremony honors Native graduates

For some Native American students, the graduation season is also a time to commemorate their ancestral heritage

6 books for new beginnings, navigating life and everything in between

Featuring memoirs, poems and short stories, these six books offer fresh perspectives during times of change.

Getting outside: A prescription for better mental health in just 10 minutes

Research shows that with as little as 10 minutes outside, we begin to feel better, improving symptoms such as anxiety, depression, cognitive function, stress and other issues.

Developmental language disorder and reading comprehension: The overlooked link

Some children can read words accurately without grasping their meaning, while others understand language well but struggle to read the words themselves. In both cases, comprehension breaks down.

Nuclear is booming. The workforce isn’t ready

Researchers, policy makers and industry experts gathered at the U to examine nuclear expansion in the Intermountain West at the 2026 John Horan Health Physics Symposium.

How to CT scan a 400-pound crocodile

Hogle Zoo and University of Utah Health come together to treat Bill, a 10-foot-long aging Siamese crocodile.

In mice, viruses gain virulence in some individuals, depending on genetics and sex

Influenza virus appears to gain virulence more quickly as it evolves through female hosts, according to research led by U biologists.

Small seeds, big impact

Red Butte Garden’s Matthew Wang takes microscopic images of seeds. They may transform how scientists study ecosystems, restore landscapes and even combat plant poaching.

University of Utah hosts second annual Startup Launchpad

The team at the Technology Licensing Office is grateful to all who attended the Startup Launchpad.

Senate Summary | April 27, 2026

If you missed the April 27 Academic Senate meeting or need a refresher, keep reading for the highlights from the meeting. Meetings are open to the public and held on Zoom.

Humans of the U: Gaby Karakcheyeva

"Conserving wildlife isn’t just the work of biologists. It requires communities that value nature and policies that protect it."

Humans of the U: Morgan Tucker

"Adventures come with learning, and I’m not done yet."

Humans of the U: Brandt Winn

"My favorite memory is conducting fieldwork along the Paria River."

TO KNOW

Announcements

2026 Staff Excellence Awards nominations now open

Nominations should be made in line with the University’s Six Commitments to Our Community.

Stress Busters reaches new heights thanks to ASUU class gift

Stress Buster Week in total reached nearly 4,000 students over the course of four days, an increase of roughly 19%.

Designing Deseret Symposium

The symposium explores one of the most ambitious printing experiments in American history: the Deseret Alphabet.

U vocology researcher receives prestigious award

Ingo Titze was awarded the deRoaldes award by the American Laryngological Association.

Two IT downtime events on May 6-7

Due to planned database life-cycle upgrades, UIT has two downtime notices to announce.

ON CAMPUS

Featured Events

Dates to keep on your radar.

May

Teacher Appreciation Day

Event details →

May

Foothill Nature Walk

Event details →

May

Annual Spring Plant Sale

Event details →

SEE ALL EVENTS

If you'd like to submit an article or event for consideration in the @theU Newsletter, please send an email to ThisWeek@utah.edu.

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