Cosmic commencement

HARTFORD, Conn.

- University of Connecticut alumnus Rick Mastracchio would have liked to deliver this year's graduation address to the school of engineering in person. But he'll be out of town next Saturday - orbiting the globe on the International Space Station.

So UConn has arranged for the 54-year-old astronaut to give the speech from space.

His recorded address will be shown on the video boards at Gampel Pavilion to about 5,000 people, including more than 400 graduating seniors and their families, and several members of Mastracchio's family, including his wife, Candi.

He is wrapping up his fourth trip into space, an eight-month stint aboard the space station.

- Associated Press