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The Cultural Unity Center at the University of Colorado at Boulder is offering a new program to retain students who are at risk of withdrawing from college.

David Samuels found a University of Colorado at Boulder program to be invaluable to his success during an internship with Sony Corp. in Japan last summer. The CU-Boulder graduate student participates in the Optical Science and Engineering Program, or OSEP, which provides unique high-tech training intended to better prepare young scientists and engineers for jobs in optics. In Japan, Samuels had a running start.

Patrons at the University of Colorado at Boulder's libraries are now enjoying faster service and improved privacy thanks to new electronic self-checkout technology. Bar code scanners and radio frequency identification tags on CU-Boulder library books allow borrowers to check out books without the assistance of a circulation attendant, eliminating wait time and increasing privacy, library officials said. "People can check out their own items without someone else seeing or hearing their private information," said Norlin Library circulation staff member Lynette Leiker.

Note to Editors: Contents embargoed until 11:30 a.m. EDT on Feb. 14. Two new studies led by University of Colorado at Boulder biology Professor Norman Pace indicate trillions of microorganisms may be living on a single home vinyl shower curtain or in the air hovering over indoor pools and hot tubs.

Note to Editors: Contents embargoed until 6 a.m. EDT on Feb. 14. University of Colorado at Boulder Professor Kristi Anseth, an investigator with the prestigious Howard Hughes Medical Institute, has high hopes for the future of tissue engineering as a way to make people healthier, happier and to live longer.

Women interested in exploring career opportunities in engineering and technology are invited to register for the University of Colorado at Boulder's annual "Engineering Career Day for Women" on Saturday, March 6. The all-day program will be held on the Boulder campus from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will introduce high school and community college students to the field of engineering through hands-on activities. Participants also will meet women who study and work in the field of engineering, and will tour the CU-Boulder campus with college students.

The University of Colorado at Boulder Center for Asian Studies will hold the third annual Asia Day cultural event on Sunday, Feb. 29, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fleming Law Building. The event is free and open to the public and is funded by a grant from the Freeman Foundation. Activities for children will be held throughout the day. Cultural activities for the day include calligraphy workshops, flower arranging, tai chi demonstrations, language classes and origami. Other festivities include music and dance from Asia, documentaries and informative talks.

A talk on "Glenn Miller's Music and the Swing Era" by one of the foremost authorities on music of the swing era will be presented by CU-Boulder Friends of the Libraries on Wednesday, Feb. 25. The event begins at 7 p.m. at the Center for British and Irish Studies on the fifth floor of Norlin Library on the University of Colorado at Boulder campus. The program is free and open to the public and a reception will follow. Entrance to the library will be through the west door.

Kevin Lane Keller, an academic pioneer in the study of brands, branding and brand equity, will speak to CU-Boulder Leeds School of Business MBA students on Feb. 27 from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. in room 218. Keller has served as brand adviser to marketers for some of the world's most successful brands, including Accenture, Disney, Ford, Intel, Levi-Strauss, Procter & Gamble and Starbucks. He also has served as a marketing consultant for the Bank of America.

Desmond Tutu, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and former Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa, will discuss his new book March 29 in a public event at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Tutu will talk about "God Has a Dream: A Vision of Hope for Our Times," the book he calls a "cumulative expression" of his life's work, at 7 p.m. in the Coors Events/Conference Center. Tickets are $17.50 for the public, $5.50 for CU students and are available through TicketsWest.com or at King Soopers stores. Premium floor seats will be available for $52.