Capital lecture
A key figure in the public debate about capital punishment will speak at the University today.
Sister Helen Prejean, author of "Dead Man Walking," will give two lectures on her experiences working with death row inmates. The first lecture, "Ethics and Capital Punishment," will be in Wilson 402. The talk, which is open to the public, will begin at 3:30 p.m. and will last about an hour and 15 minutes, said Marcia Day Childress, director of Humanities in Medicine and the Medical Center Hour.
The second talk, "Dead Man Walking -- The Journey" is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at the Charlottesville Center for Performing Arts. Prejean will sign copies of her book after her speech, Childress said.
Prejean gained public attention with her 1993 book against capital punishment, which later was adapted into a film starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn.
Childress said she expects a large turnout. She said Humanities in Medicine and other event organizers chose the Charlottesville Performing Arts Center for the evening presentation because of concerns about on-Grounds auditoriums not having sufficient audience capacity.
A number of groups will sponsor Prejean's appearance, she added.
In addition to Humanities in Medicine and the Medical Center Hour, sponsors include the Institute for Practical Ethics, the Department of Religious Studies, the Church of the Incarnation and St. Thomas Aquinas Church.
Childress said Humanities in Medicine was interested in sponsoring the appearance because of capital punishment's connection with medicine.
"The issue of capital punishment is one that involves physicians," she said. "Whether you're talking about the electric chair or lethal injection, a physician has to be present."
Snow job
Yesterday's closings:
Charlottesville City Schools
Albemarle County Schools
Fluvanna County Schools (yesterday and today)
Piedmont Virginia Community College (yesterday and today)
State government in Richmond
College of William & Mary
Albemarle General District Court
Charlottesville Emergency Food Bank
George Mason University
American University
Catholic University
George Washington University
Orange County Schools (yesterday and today)
First Virginia Bank
Albemarle County Budget Meeting (postponed)
Blue Ridge Community College day and evening classes
Washington D.C. government
Federal government in Washington D.C.
University of Maryland at College Park and University College
Northern Virginia Community College
Maryland State Offices
Airports in Washington D.C. and Richmond area
Quantico Marine Base
Internal Revenue Service
Compiled by Andrew Merson
Read More
It’s okay not to be okay
By Mai Hukuoka | 6 days agoWhether talking to a friend, a loved one or a professional, it is so necessary, and human, to need more than you can provide for yourself.
Taking a break at Tangerines Kitchen
By Charley Thomas | January 6, 2025What the restaurant somewhat lacks in ambiance, it compensates for in tasty dishes and prompt service.
Virginia Policy Lab — a hub for student-led policy action
By Katherine Haden | December 9, 2024Students propose their own projects and collaborate with other members to research their issues of interest, brainstorm solutions and write policy proposals.
