Student Edition - Dec. 16, 2016

CU Boulder’s student news site, CU Independent (CUI), is one of four student news sites to receive the 2016 Online Pacemaker award from the Associated Collegiate Press. "This award is a huge testament to how hard this staff works on a daily basis," says CUI Editor-in-Chief Xandra McMahon.

CU cornerback Chidobe Awuzie, who played a major role in helping the Buffs produce their 2016 turnaround season, will wrap up his college football career with a host of awards and honors, including a bachelor's from the Leeds School of Business that took him just three and a half years to complete.

Lindsey Nichols grew up walking her pigs so they developed muscles for 4-H Club competitions. Ethan Gonzales dabbles in freestyle rapping. Meet Ethan and Lindsey and two other students whose love of academics, service and athletics led to winning the Justice Byron R. and Marion S. White Memorial Scholarship.

University of Colorado Boulder Police Chief Melissa Zak, who for the past three years has helped lead the campus through crises and high-profile events such as floods, a presidential debate and demonstrations, will assume a new role Jan. 1 as the university’s assistant vice chancellor of safety.

This week's top research stories include findings on a "natural thermostat" in Earth's upper atmosphere and new research that suggests that an army of trained "lay counselors" could someday provide a solution to the global mental health treatment gap.