1. Lara Waldrop

T-minus seven days until the scheduled launch of the Carruthers Geocorona Observatory from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. Leading the mission, which will orbit the sun and capture high-res ultraviolet images of Earth's upper atmosphere: Waldrop, the UI's Y.T. Lo Fellow in Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Touted by the Grainger College of Engineering as "the first Illinois-led NASA mission," it honors the late George Carruthers, a space physicist/engineer, UI grad and one of the first African American men to earn a doctorate in astrophysics. Blast-off is scheduled for 6:30 a.m. on Sept. 23.

2. The brothers Odenkirk

Show-biz siblings and Land of Lincoln natives Bob and Bill Odenkirk dropped by the WILL studios last week to film a segment on "Prairie Fire" and pledge their support for public media following federal funding cuts.

In a video he filmed on site, Bob, star of "Better Call Saul," said: "Federal funding for Illinois Public Media has been cut. That means if you want trusted news, shows that educate your kids and British dramas where people stare out windows meaningfully, consider a gift today. Don't wait for a shady lawyer in a loud suit to tell you what's right. Support Illinois Public Media -- because unlike Saul's clients, this station is totally innocent."

3. Clarence Shelley

Now hanging at the corner of Sixth and John streets: a sign marking Dean Clarence Shelley Way, honoring the beloved late dean of students, Project 500 pioneer and mentor to many.

Not far from his first and final offices, at 610 and 601 E. John St., the "location holds deep significance for our family, representing a pivotal chapter in his life and career at the University of Illinois," Mr. Shelley's wife, Sharon Ormsby Shelley, and daughter, Pamela Alyse Shelley, wrote in a nomination letter, which the Champaign City Council approved in June, noting his "commitment to higher educational access and opportunity for first generation, low-income and Black students."