2015 was a busy, fruitful year at the University of Iowa. Take a couple of minutes to reflect on the research, service, academic, and athletic endeavors that made the past year one to remember.

The University of Iowa honored December 2015 graduates during a series of commencement ceremonies and other events, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 18 and 19.

On Dec. 5, the University of Iowa’s Hancher presented performance artist Taylor Mac, who performed the "1846–1856" portion of his forthcoming epic work "A 24-Hour History of Popular Music." This was the 100th work that Hancher has commissioned.

Concerns about race relations on college campuses made national news last fall. At the University of Iowa, where the first-year class is the most diverse in school history, there is an effort afoot to ensure that the residence halls provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for all 6,000 residents.

The Oakdale Community Choir shared joy, hope, and music during its recent "Community of Caring" concert. Mary Cohen, choir founder and director, is a UI associate professor of music education. The goal is for participants to learn from each other and to empower inmates to gain skills for re-entering society.

Nominations are now being taken for the newly renamed Susan C. Buckley Distinguished Achievement Award for Staff and May Brodbeck Distinguished Achievement Award for Faculty. The two awards recognize outstanding achievement and impact by persons affiliated with the UI, particularly those considered role models or mentors for women or girls.

The University of Iowa will honor December 2015 graduates in a series of commencement ceremonies and other events, Friday and Saturday, Dec. 18 and 19.

James Wetzel, a native Iowan and research assistant in physics and astronomy, has been building miniature replicas, to exacting specifications, of the world's most advanced particle detector. The UI physics graduate used a bank of 3-D printers to create models of the Compact Muon Solenoid detector.

The University of Iowa Office of the Provost announced today (Wednesday, Dec. 9) that Christopher C. Morphew, executive associate dean for research and innovation in the UI College of Education, is the first candidate for the UI College of Education dean.

Death notices for current and retired University of Iowa employees. Links to online obituaries provided when available.

Willy Tan, a UI accounting major and bike fanatic from Marshalltown, rides bikes, makes bikes, and is now helping to build a program to share bikes.

University of Iowa administrators ask for community support rejecting instances of harassment and hateful behavior and upholding the UI's policies for diversity and inclusiveness. Officials also applaud the efforts of students, faculty, and staff who have gone beyond a mere personal commitment and have organized collective anti-discrimination action.