Washington Times

On Nov. 19, 1863, Abraham Lincoln delivered the following speech at the Dedication of the National Cemetery at Gettysburg. We reprint in observance of Memorial Day.

RICHMOND (AP) — A pilot project at nine Virginia high schools will eliminate one step in college admissions: mailing transcripts to colleges. The Virginia Department of Education is testing an electronic-transcript program designed to create a faster and more secure way to get transcripts to colleges and universities, said Bethann Canada, director of information management.

By Anne Yastremski
Officials of Lynchburg's Randolph College are accustomed to thumbing their noses at alumnae, donors and public opinion. Now they're thumbing their noses at the Virginia Supreme Court.

ANNAPOLIS — Tough economic conditions have contributed to an unprecedented drive for the largest shares of the state's $341 million school-construction money, exposing political rifts throughout the state.

By Jason R. Edwards
Like swallows returning to Capistrano, spring always marks the flocking of parents with their high-school senior children to my college classroom. Nobly, parents take their charges on multiple tours of colleges and universities in order to make an informed choice on perhaps the biggest decision the family has yet to face.

CATONSVILLE, Md. (AP) — "Using SLERP on quarternians is the best way to avoid gimble lock," the lecturer recently told a class at the University of Maryland at Baltimore County.

WISE, Va. (AP) — The University of Virginia-Wise has stopped mixed martial arts events, following a recent cage fight in which several people were injured.

By Mona Charen
Last week millions of high school seniors across the nation mailed forms and checks to colleges announcing their intention to matriculate. It's the culmination of what some say was the toughest year ever to pry open the golden doors of academe.

President Bush said yesterday that the credit crunch is threatening student loan availability and his administration is helping with emergency loans but prodded Congress for authority to do more.

BY JANICE SHAW CROUSE
Two research studies presented findings this week at the National Press Club indicating abstinence programs produce positive outcomes.

By Jeanne Allen
With Pope Benedict XVI safely home from American soil, many reflect on how his charge that we raise our children to seek peace and justice can occur without the institution of Catholic schools.

BY DOUG SCHNEIDER
As pointed out in Ben Stein's new documentary, "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed": "If professors value their careers, they will keep their mouths shut." This is the perfect example of liberal bias and political correctness ruling the day on college campuses... and why the Collegiate Network established the Campus Outrage Awards.

A new "stakeholder" mentality is emerging among the financial supporters of American universities in recent years. This is to the good. The typical American university today is not very accountable to either students or donors.

By Jim McElhatton
Keisha Whitaker-Duncan, a mother of six, splits her time away from home as an administrative assistant and student at Southeastern University.

During this week's much-anticipated papal visit, Pope Benedict is slated to deliver an unusual address to Catholic college and university presidents on Catholic education.