In Brief: Stories From Around the Academy

UVa Names First Blackburn Scholar

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va.

A Charlottesville resident has been chosen as the first recipient of a scholarship honoring a University of Virginia dean known for increasing college access for low-income and minority students.

Ladi Smith was chosen from about 200 AccessUVa students as the first John A. Blackburn Scholar at UVa. Blackburn, who died in January after 24 years as dean of admissions, extensively promoted the AccessUVA financial aid program.

The scholarship was created by friends and colleagues of Blackburn’s. To date, they’ve raised more than $1.8 million, including contributions from all deans of admission at Virginia public universities.

Smith says she’s worked for admission to UVa since her freshman year in high school.

Researchers Seek Breast Tissue From Hispanics

INDIANAPOLIS, In.

An Indiana University cancer center is launching a campaign to shed light on why breast cancer is often more aggressive in Hispanic women than in women of other races.

Researchers at the Susan Komen Tissue Bank at the IU Simon Cancer Center are encouraging women, particularly Hispanic women, to donate breast tissue and a blood sample for their effort.

The project will collect tissue samples Aug. 8 at the IU Simon Cancer Center.

The researchers hope that a collection of samples from women with and without breast cancer will highlight genetic differences and lead to a better understanding of the disease.

Cancer researcher Ivanesa Pardo says breast cancer develops and spreads differently in Latina women, who are 2.7 times more likely to have an advanced cancer than women of other races.

Jobless NYC Woman Sues College for $70K in Tuition

NEW YORK

A New York City woman who says she can’t find a job is suing the college where she earned a bachelor’s degree.

Trina Thompson filed a lawsuit last week against Monroe College in Bronx Supreme Court. The 27-year-old is seeking the $70,000 she spent on tuition.

Thompson says she’s been unable to find gainful employment since she received her information technology degree in April.

She says the Bronx school’s Office of Career Advancement hasn’t provided her with the leads and career advice it promises.

Monroe College spokesman Gary Axelbank says Thompson’s lawsuit is completely without merit.

The college insists it helps its graduates find jobs.

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