Digest -- U.Va. Top News Daily

Students vie for Jefferson Scholarships; offers made to 44
Fourty-four high school seniors who competed as finalists in the Jefferson Scholars Selection Weekend, held at U.Va. March 16-19, have been extended offers of a Jefferson Scholarship. The merit-based scholarships, awarded for demonstrated excellence and exceptional potential in the areas of leadership, scholarship and citizenship, cover the full cost of attending the University, including tuition and fees, room and board, books and other expenses. Over four years, an in-state Jefferson Scholar receives approximately $66,000; an out-of-state Jefferson Scholar receives over $130,000. (March 22)

Gomez: U.Va. leading the debate over ethics and research
On March 16 and 17, the University of Virginia hosted a national conference on the medical, ethical and policy issues involved in human embryonic stem cell research and living donor transplantation. This was the first conference to focus on the voluntary guidelines for stem cell research that were issued by the National Academy of Sciences last year. While less controversial, living donor transplantation also presents ethical challenges. This conference brought together leading scientists, ethicists and policy-makers from top academic institutions and private and public sector organizations and marked an important phase in stem cell research and donor transplantation. To read the entire faculty opinion by R. Ariel Gomez, vice president for research and graduate studies, go to www.virginia.edu/topnews/releases2006/20060323ArielGomez.html. (March 23)

Fiscal crisis looms unless government reforms, predicts Comptroller General David Walker
If the U.S. government continues to operate business as usual, it will inevitably mean financial ruination in the future, according to David Walker, Comptroller General of the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Walker spoke at the Conference on Public Service & the Law dinner held at the Law School on March 17, where he argued that the necessary changes would require leaders with courage, integrity, creativity and stewardship, and who are willing to reform entitlement policies, namely Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. (March 29)