It's a career that has given her not only a sweeping overview of the American judicial system, but a practical understanding of how the law works in the everyday lives of the American people.

CNN: Transcript of Obama-Sotomayor announcement

Dale Nordquist, associate director of the Center for Farm Financial Management at the University of Minnesota, said Missouri's practical approach to understanding farm finances is relatively uncommon at large, land-grant universities where both students and professors are more likely to concentrate on theoretical approaches as opposed to practical solutions, and the use of personal data can still be seen as an intrusion.

NPR: Future Heads Of Family Farms Dig Into Financials

Teacher Michelle Heryet explained that the seven students were adding practical skills to the theoretical understanding they gained during November's practice News Day .

BBC: December's practice News Day

Ms. Sabira Soltongeldieva, a UNESCO consultant for the implementation of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the ICH, stated that the training was aimed at improving the understanding and use of practical mechanisms for implementing the Convention at the national level.

UNESCO: Culture Sector - Intangible Heritage - 2003 Convention

As for cultural specificity, understanding in minute detail the practical rules governing each extra-legal society is the essence of Mr de Soto's approach.

ECONOMIST: Face value

The University of Virginia and other leading universities are making a concerted effort to build entrepreneurial ecosystems and programs that provide students and faculty the academic foundation, practical tools, and opportunities to cross-collaborate, with the understanding that great ideas are not created in isolation, and great businesses are inherently multi-disciplinary.

FORBES: The Next Silicon Valley? Small Town America.