Briefs

VCU recognized for alcohol-, drug-prevention efforts

The U.S. Department of Education has awarded VCU a grant for its campus alcohol- and drug-prevention efforts. The university will receive $129,705 over the next 12 months. The money will be used to initiate new alcohol- and drug-abuse-prevention efforts with technology-based enhancements.

Information provided by VCU News Center

Award for journalism professor

June Nicholson, associate director and associate professor in the VCU School of Mass Communications, will receive the 2008 Robert P. Knight Multicultural Recruitment Award Friday in Chicago at the convention of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication.

Information provided by VCU News Center

Faculty member pressured over Monroe degree

Former coordinator of VCU’s Interdisciplinary Studies Linda L. Spinelli says she was pressured by an administrator to approve a degree for former Richmond Police Chief Rodney Monroe after he completed only two courses at VCU.

Approving this degree is in violation of the university’s standards that students complete at least 21 courses at the university.

Spinelli says she refused to sign Monroe’s graduation application, because she thought it was unfair to students who are required to follow the standard despite credits they may have received from other institutions. S. Jon Steingass, former dean of the University College, later signed the application.

Information provided by the Richmond Times-Dispatch

Teenager convicted of Binsted killing faces hard time

Howard R. Scott III, 17, was convicted Monday in the Richmond Circuit Court of charges related to the March 27 killing of Tyler J. Binsted.

The VCU student was walking in Byrd Park with his girlfriend during early morning hours when Scott and two others confronted the couple and attempted to rob them. The situation ended with the shooting death of Binsted.

While not admitting guilt, Scott entered a plea admitting there was enough evidence to be convicted of the charges. Scott’s pleas were not accompanied by an arrangement with prosecutors about a recommended length of sentence, so Judge Beverly W. Snukals will be responsible for determining Scott’s incarceration length.

With one count of first-degree murder, two of robbery and three of using a firearm in a felony, Scott could face three life terms at his Nov. 17 sentencing.

Information provided by the Richmond Times-Dispatch

Obama to visit Chesterfield

Soon-to-be democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama continues his tour of Virginia today with a stop in Chesterfield County. He visited Martinsville and Lynchburg earlier this week to promote his economic agenda.

To focus on his economic plans, Obama has been visiting parts of rural Virginia strongly affected by job loss in the textile, apparel and furniture industries.

Information provided by the Richmond Times-Dispatch