Big things are in store for University of Iowa Class of 2014 graduates, many of whom have already found jobs in Iowa and across the country or have decided to continue with their education.

Instead of traditional May Day baskets for friends, UI freshman and Sioux City native Bridget Blair purchased items like toothpaste, soap, and socks and distributed May Day packages to homeless people on Iowa City's Pedestrian Mall.

Johnson County's Kirkwood Regional Center, a partnership between Kirkwood, the University of Iowa, the Grant Wood Area Education Agency, and K-12 school districts, is on track to open in 2015, providing STEM courses, technology, and working space for students in the UI's Research Park.

A number of graduating University of Iowa students will be walking across the stage at commencement this week and right into one of the state’s “hot jobs,” as identified by Iowa Workforce Development.

Thousands of University of Iowa students will mark educational milestones as they receive their degrees at spring 2014 commencement ceremonies, which begin May 15 and conclude in early June.

In the fall of 1970, a group of UI journalism students began a publication for students living on campus. The premiere issue of the Light-Eater included coverage of the military draft and the opening of the crisis center, as well as TV listings for four local channels.

The University of Iowa today launched a new two-step phone verification tool to help protect University of Iowa employees from work-related identity theft.

The second of three candidates for the position of University of Iowa Alumni Association President/CEO will visit campus Monday, May 12. A public forum will be held at 3:30 p.m. in the Levitt Center for University Advancement.

On Thursday afternoon, students from the UI School of Urban and Regional Planning gave Muscatine officials and residents a look at the city's possible future— a future that might have "opportunity around every bend."

A media availability will be Monday, May 12, from 1 to 2 p.m. in 2780 University Capitol Centre, when officials announce a new initiative to help student veterans succeed thanks to a partnership with the Iowa City VA Health Care System and the University of Iowa, The program, the first of its kind in the nation, is called the Iowa Consortium of Veteran Excellence.

University staff, faculty, students, and alumni are accomplishing great things every day. See who's making news with awards, publications, promotion and tenure, and more.

This week's update on Rising to the Next TIER, the transformation and efficiency study of Iowa's public universities commissioned by the Iowa Board of Regents.