PURDUE U. | West Lafayette

Brooks Edward Bucher, son of Stanley and Marie Bucher, of Valparaiso, graduated from Purdue University in December with a bachelor's degree in civil engineering. He was accepted to graduate school at Purdue and began pursuing a master's degree in civil engineering with emphasis on construction materials in January. He is affiliated with the American Society of Civil Engineers, Purdue Concrete Canoe Team and American Concrete Institute. He received the Cementitious Materials Research Award in 2007 at Purdue. He has been an author on several publications. Bucher is a 2003 graduate of Morgan Township High School.

INDIANA WESLEYAN U. | Indianapolis

Jennifer Rhodus, a Portage High School graduate, received her master's degree in business administration this month at Indiana Wesleyan University in Indianapolis.

PRAIRIE STATE | Chicago Heights

The works of 12 Prairie State College students will be on display at the college's Annual Graduate Exhibit. The exhibit runs though May 22 in the Christopher Art Gallery on the college's main campus, 202 S. Halsted St. The professional gallery exhibit will show the graduates' work for the community. Included in the exhibit are paintings, digital images, drawings, mixed media and photography. An opening reception will be held from noon to 2 p.m. today in the gallery.

FYI: Call (708) 709-3636.

SOUTHERN METHODIST | Texas

Emily Williams achieved honor roll status for the fall semester at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. She is a freshman and a graduate of Valparaiso High School. She is a harp performance and business major.

U. OF ILLINOIS | Chicago

Ryan Mattull, a senior at the University of Illinois at Chicago, recently won the first-place award for his sculpture studio design. A student in the College of Architecture and the Arts, he is scheduled to graduate May 10 and attend Ball State University this fall to obtain his master's degree in architecture. Mattull is a graduate of Thornton Fractional South High School.

VALPARAISO U. | Valparaiso

Ben Barnard, Matthew Wellsand and Jessica Lange, of Valparaiso, are serving in Valparaiso University's Student Senate, whose members are elected by students to address student issues. Barnard is a sophomore who is serving as an at large senator, and is the son of Yvonne Barnard. Wellsand is a senior serving as a senior senator, and is the son of Edward and Lynn Wellsand. Lange is a senior serving as treasurer, and is the daughter of John Lange, of Crete, and Christina Lange, of Valparaiso.

ST. XAVIER U. | Chicago

St. Xavier University President Judith Dwyer announced the appointment of Angela Durante to serve as university provost. Durante will succeed Dominick Hart, who retires July 1. Durante comes from Lewis University in Romeoville, where she currently serves as dean of the Lewis University College of Arts and Sciences, professor of sociology, and academic associate to the provost. Durante earned her bachelor's degree from New Jersey City University and her master's degree and doctorate from Fordham University.

PURDUE U. | West Lafayette

Purdue University agricultural students and staff members were honored for their achievements at both the University Honors Convocation and the College of Agriculture Spring Awards Program on April 13. Outstanding Junior honors went to Christina Velasquez, a biochemistry major from Dyer. Velasquez is the president of Raising Awareness of International Medicine and also assists in gene expression regulation research for the biochemistry department.

INDIANA STATE U., IVY TECH | Indiana

Leaders of Indiana State University and Ivy Tech Community College signed an articulation agreement that will make it easier for students enrolled in Ivy Tech's School of Technology statewide to transfer to Indiana State's College of Technology upon completion of their associate degrees. The agreement will provide a framework for the transfer of credits earned at Ivy Tech toward an Indiana State bachelor's degree in a variety of majors offered within three departments of the College of Technology.

INDIANA UNIVERSITY NORTHWEST | Gary

Registration is under way at Indiana University Northwest for both summer sessions and the fall 2008 semester. Students presently enrolled at the university may register online using the OneStart system. Current summer and fall schedules can be viewed at onestart.iu.edu, or www.iun.edu/~regisnw/register.shtml.

FYI: For registration assistance, students can call the Registration Helpline at (219) 980-6939 or visit the Registrar's Office in Room 109 Hawthorn Hall.

How to submit campus notes:

The Times publishes notices about accomplishments of area college students. Items are submitted by the institutions and by readers. Photos are run subject to space and clarity. Submit items to Jen Pallay, The Times, 601 45th Ave., Munster, IN 46321. E-mail jpallay@nwitimes.com. Questions? Call (219) 937-5741.