April 11, 2012 — The University of Virginia and the Thomas Jefferson Foundation are observing Thomas Jefferson's birthday Friday with a slate of Founder's Day events that are free and open to the public.

Each recipient of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medals in architecture, law and citizen leadership will give a public talk at U.Va. The medals are the highest external honors bestowed by the University, which grants no honorary degrees, and the Foundation, the nonprofit organization that owns and operates Jefferson's home, Monticello.

• Jessica Tuchman Mathews, Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Citizen Leadership

CEO of the Carnegie Foundation for International Peace, Mathews speaks Thursday at noon in Garrett Hall, home of the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy. Following opening remarks, she will take questions from the audience.

Mathews will also be the featured speaker at Monticello's commemoration of Jefferson's 269th birthday, to be held Friday at 10 a.m. on the West Lawn of Monticello. The celebration is free and open to the public.

• George J. Mitchell, Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medalist in Law

Mitchell, a former senator known for efforts to broker peace in Northern Ireland and the Middle East, speaks Friday at 10 a.m. in Caplin Pavilion at the School of Law.

• Rafael Moneo, Thomas Jefferson Foundation Medal in Architecture

Moneo, a Spanish architect known for innovative modern buildings that respect existing environments, speaks Friday at 3 p.m. in Old Cabell Hall.

Each recipient will be honored at a private luncheon in the Dome Room of the Rotunda.

Also on Friday, the late Mario di Valmarana, a long-time U.Va. architecture professor, will be honored with the traditional Founder's Day tree planting at 11 a.m. on the lower Lawn in front of Rouss Hall.

For information, visit the website of the Office of Major Events.