Topic: University of Virginia

Commencement season: Speakers share inspiration, insight, and advice with college grads

It’s college graduation season and the strains of “Pomp and Circumstance,” which began in late April, will be heard at commencement ceremonies until mid-June. Many more speeches have yet to be given that impart the usual pearls of wisdom and advice on pursuing dreams, being daring, and contributing to society. Here’s a sampling of excerpts from speeches given to graduates around the country.

Obama loses 42 percent of Kentucky, Arkansas primary vote. Should he worry? (+video)

No and yes. The key issue here may be whether the Kentucky and Arkansas primaries are a portent of trouble for President Obama in North Carolina, a crucial swing state.

Gas prices are falling: why that might not really help Obama

Gas prices have dropped steadily in recent weeks, and the issue is barely registering with voters. While that eases some pressures on Obama, it doesn't necessarily translate into more votes.

GDP report puts Obama in economic 'gray zone.' Will Republicans profit?

GDP increased at a 2.2 percent annual rate in the first quarter, Commerce Department said Friday. That's below economists' expectations. The news gives Republicans ammunition against Obama.

Brigade that posed with dead Afghan bombers showed signs of trouble

Newly published photos show US soldiers posing with dead Afghan insurgents, trophy-like. In 2009, before that brigade had left for Afghanistan, its commander was uneasy.

Romney Etch A Sketch: Is aide's comment a present for his foes? (+video)

A Romney aide said that for the fall campaign, the candidate could hit the reset button, making the comparison to how the toy works. But the Romney Etch A Sketch comment may not be remembered for long. 

Why Illinois primary could finally give Mitt Romney momentum

Mitt Romney has been trying to fend off a Rick Santorum charge throughout March. But the Illinois primary Tuesday is a clear 'home game' for Romney.

Republicans may think 'blah' about Mitt Romney, but it's his numbers that count

The next big GOP presidential primary is Illinois on Tuesday. Mitt Romney is favored to win the most number of delegates – his likely pattern through April, which could put him ever closer to winning his party's nomination.

Law school rankings: The results are out, but do they really matter?

US News & World Report released its annual law school rankings Tuesday, reviewing about 200 schools. The rankings can have a powerful impact on universities, experts say. 

'It's the economy, stupid.' Can Mitt Romney woo South with that pitch?

Mitt Romney has built his campaign around his background as a business leader who can best manage a fragile economy. But that's far from a slam-dunk pitch with voters in the South.

Ohio looms large on Super Tuesday. Can Romney increase his delegate lead?

A win in Ohio on Super Tuesday could restore Mitt Romney's clear front-runner status. But senior Republicans are decrying the toxic nature of the campaign, and some prominent conservative commentators doubt that either Romney or Rick Santorum could beat Barack Obama.

Why Rick Santorum really needs Ohio on Super Tuesday (+video)

Ohio, the backyard to Rick Santorum’s home state of Pennsylvania and the only Super Tuesday primary race where the winner remains in doubt, may be the biggest day of Mr. Santorum's political life.

3 really good new novels with unusual anti-heroes

Talk about an anti-hero. From an overweight shut-in to Richard Nixon, these three new novels feature unlikely protagonists.

How student-built solar homes can help solve US housing and energy crisis

Few of the homes created by university teams in the Solar Decathlon are ever lived in – despite their extraordinary expense and tax on the environment. Instead of building temporary show houses, schools should build energy-efficient homes for local people who need them.

High gas prices: How big a problem for Obama?

The last five times gas prices have spiked, the incumbent party has lost the presidential election. On Tuesday, the national average price of gasoline was $3.57 a gallon.

Interracial marriage rate doubles in 30 years: how US attitudes have changed

About 15 percent of all new marriages in the US in 2010 were between spouses of different race or ethnicity, according to a Pew Center report. In 1980 it was 6.7 percent. 

Valentine's Day: cost of romance rising for flower delivery, 4 other things

When you arrange for flower delivery or take a special someone out for dinner this Valentine's Day, it'll cost more than it did a year ago. That's the cold hard fact about a warmhearted and festive day, according official US inflation data.

But the rising cost may actually be a relatively small one: Those chocolate or flower prices haven't been rising at gas-pump-fast rates. Here's the official inflation tally of five common Valentine's Day activities, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Will Ron Paul be last rival standing to Mitt Romney? (+video)

If you sort through the Nevada caucus results, look at this week’s GOP events, and add in a few financial disclosure forms, you can produce a scenario where Ron Paul outlasts others.

Why expiring tax cuts should actually expire

The charade of annual or biennial debate about perpetually “expiring” tax provisions is terrible tax policy and a symbol of our failure to come to terms with budget reality.

Can one professor teach 500,000 students at once?

Former Stanford professor Sebastian Thrun has already taught a class of 160,000. Now he's aiming to teach 500,000 students.  

Who is Mansoor Ijaz? The US businessman behind Pakistan's 'Memo-gate'

A whistle blowing hero to some, a villain doing the Pakistan military's dirty work to others, Ijaz is above all a mysterious anomaly. 

JFK library releases last secret Oval Office tapes

The newly revealed tapes provide a window into the final months of the 35th president's life.

3 reasons why China isn't overtaking the US

Most Americans fear that China will soon surpass the United States in global power and economic clout. But this widespread view is wrong, based on sloppy analysis and outdated conceptions of national power, says Michael Beckley of Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs. People who believe that China is overtaking the US make at least one of the following three mistakes.

Is Mitt Romney's Florida support collapsing? (+video)

Mitt Romney has struggled through a tough 10 days, while Newt Gingrich has had great debate performances and a win in South Carolina. Now, new polls show Mr. Gingrich leading in Florida.

Will Earth no longer define time? Leap second could be abolished.

The rotation of the Earth has defined time for as long as time has been kept, but keeping up with all of Earth's little quirks by adding and subtracting an occasional leap second is getting tiring. Timekeepers could vote Thursday to rely solely on atomic clocks.