Humanities & Society

Money going to faith-based organizations can bring a financial benefit to donors.In the aftermath of the Asian tsunami, Americans generously donated money to relief groups around the world. But it appears Americans don’t need a major disaster to give money. Annually, Americans donate $183 billion, with nearly half of that amount going to faith-based organizations. Money going to faith-based organizations, such as churches, mosques, the Salvation Army and Catholic Charities, not only can help provide needed social services to communities, but it can also bring a financial benefit to donors, says a noted community development expert at Washington University in St. Louis. “People who donate money on a regular basis take a closer look at where their money is going,” says Stephanie Boddie, Ph.D., assistant professor of social work in the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University. “They are able to figure out and set aside the money they can donate on a weekly or monthly basis. This can lead to more financial responsibility in the areas of debt repayment and asset building.”

MacDonaldShaken by numerous accounting-related scandals in recent years, some investors are clamoring for better legal protection for their investments. But does investor protection through government regulation foster economic growth? To assess the widely-held view that it does, WUSTL economics professor Glenn MacDonald and two colleagues have completed a study concluding that the positive effect of investor protection on economic growth is stronger for countries with fewer restrictions on international capital flows.

SmithSenate Majority Leader Bill Frist is playing with fire when he suggests that Republicans will deploy the so-called “go nuclear” option to prevent Democrats from using filibusters to block controversial judicial nominations expected to reach the floor in mid-to-late February, says congressional expert Steven S. Smith.

Streams of junk mail with personalized offers for a myriad of services seem never-ending. While annoying, these solicitations raise significant privacy concerns about how these companies know so much about the recipient’s life. Many legislators and legal experts shy away from legislation that would protect the privacy of American’s personal information claiming that such rules would violate the First Amendment. But Neil M. Richards, noted privacy law expert and associate professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis, denies such assumptions.

KerreyRobert Kerrey, current president of New School University, 9-11 Commissioner, and former U.S. senator from Nebraska will deliver the Stein Lecture in Ethics as part of the Assembly Series at 4 p.m. Feb. 8 in Graham Chapel. His talk, “Uncovering the Truth in a Democratic Society,” will focus on his work with the 9-11 Commission.

Sen. Jim Talent, Michael DeBaun and Isaac Singleton Jr. help raise awareness about sickle cell disease at a recent stamp dedication ceremony.In sickle cell disease, red blood cells change from their normal round shape to a curved, or sickle-shape. Sickle-shaped cells become stuck in blood vessels, causing damage to tissues and organs. WUSM pediatric hematologist Michael DeBaun says that ongoing blood transfusion therapy is vitally important for children with sickle cell disease, and treatment requires a sufficient supply of blood from African-American donors. “Black History Month is an ideal time to encourage African-Americans to come out and donate blood,” he says.

Union of Concerned Scientists co-founder Kurt Gottfried will present evidence in support of their claim that the Bush administration has systematically distorted scientific fact in the service of policy goals on the environment, biomedical research, nuclear weapons and other issues. His talk is at 11 a.m. on Feb. 9 in Graham Chapel.

Students from Washington University in St. Louis Olin School of Business will have a shot at being Donald Trump’s next “Apprentice.” Recruiters for the popular NBC reality series, “The Apprentice,” will be on campus Feb. 10 to interview MBA students from the Olin School of Business.

OlsonTheodore B. Olson, former United States Solicitor General and partner at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, will deliver the School of Law’s 2005 Tyrrell Williams Lecture. “A Conversation With Theodore B. Olson” will begin at 4 p.m. Feb. 8 in the Bryan Cave Moot Courtroom in Anheuser-Busch Hall. Olson is expected to discuss his experience as one of the nation’s premier advocates before the Supreme Court of the United States. He has argued 41 cases before the Court including Bush v. Gore and Bush v. Palm Beach County Canvassing Board. Olson will also answer questions from the audience throughout his lecture.

It’s not uncommon for a child with Down Syndrome to receive regular care from as many as six or seven specialists. The new Down Syndrome Center at St. Louis Children’s Hospital allows families to coordinate all these doctor visits into one trip.