Digest -- U.Va. Top News Daily

Law student Ryan Almstead wins Virginia State Bar’s Oliver W. Hill Pro Bono Award
Third-year U.Va. law student Ryan Almstead (left), who has worked extensively in the community on behalf of low-income residents on housing, consumer and disability issues, has been named the 2006 recipient of the Virginia State Bar’s Oliver W. Hill Law Student Pro Bono Award. The award will be presented to Almstead during the 16th Annual VSB Pro Bono Conference on April 26 at the Miller Center of Public Affairs. Almstead is the second U.Va. student to receive the award since it was established in 2002. The award is named for Oliver W. Hill, a Richmond, Va., lawyer who was instrumental in cases that desegregated public schools. (March 1)

Construction of MR-6 research building to begin this month; expect delays

The Medical Center’s Crispell Drive will become a construction zone this month as work begins on the Carter-Harrison Medical Research Building (MR-6). The building is an addition to the south side of the existing MR-5 building, which connects to Crispell Drive in front of the South Parking Garage at the Medical Center. Disruptions of some pedestrian and vehicle traffic can be expected over the next several months. Also starting in March, underground electrical installation will require excavation on Crispell Drive between McLeod Hall and the South Parking Garage. Both entrances to the South Garage will remain open, but access will be narrowed to one lane. Construction of the new MR-6 will take about 28 months to complete. (March 15)