W&L law school gets $2 million gift

$2 million gift for W&L will revamp curriculum

Washington and Lee University's School of Law has received a $2 million gift to help revamp its third-year curriculum.

The gift from John Huss of the law class of 1965 and his wife, Ruth, will support efforts to change the way third-year students prepare for the transition to legal practitioners.

Curriculum changes will begin in the 2009-10 academic year. Recently, 75 second-year students -- more than half of the class -- volunteered to be the first group to go through the program, which will engage them in real-world and simulated applications of legal knowledge.

VCU marks anniversary of Darwin and 'Species'

Virginia Commonwealth University will hold two public lectures to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 150th anniversary of his "The Origin of Species."

Francisco Ayala, an evolutionary biologist from the University of California at Irvine, will discuss "Darwin's gift to science and religion," Monday at 3 p.m.

"Glad to have evolved" is the topic of a lecture by Olivia Judson of Imperial College in London on March 23 at 7 p.m.

Both lectures will be held at the University Student Commons, 907 Floyd Ave., and are free and open to the public.

JSR receives U.S. funds to promote road safety

J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College has received a federal $18,750 grant to support pedestrian and highway safety.

The funds, awarded through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles' Highway Safety Office, are being used for training, awareness and equipment for pedestrian and highway safety.

The college's Department of Police and Security Services has also made recommendations to the city of Richmond to improve safety at the downtown campus. It has asked the city to examine traffic light patterns and walking signs at the crosswalk of Eighth and Jackson streets.

NBC's Brokaw to give main address at W&M

NBC newsman Tom Brokaw will receive an honorary degree and deliver the main address at the College of William and Mary commencement exercises May 17.

Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor will speak, and actress Linda Lavin, a 1959 W&M graduate, and philanthropist Sherman Cohen will receive honorary degrees.

U.Va. professors gather Brown v. Board essays

Two University of Virginia law professors are the editors of a book exploring the impact the Brown v. Board of Education decision had on the generation that grew up during the struggle against segregation.

"Law Touched Our Hearts," published last month, features 40 personal essays compiled by professors Richard Bonnie and Mildred Robinson.

The book, published by Vanderbilt University Press, grew out of conversations that began more than 20 years ago between Robinson and Bonnie about the major influence the decision had on their lives.

They sent out about 5,000 surveys to law professors born between 1936 and 1954. The survey generated about 1,000 responses, as well as a "marvelous collection of essays," Robinson said.
Karin Kapsidelis reports on higher education. Contact her at (804) 649-6119 or .