The Board of Trustees of Washington University in St. Louis met Oct. 6 to discuss strategic planning, according to Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton. Three topics were considered: 1.) societal challenges that the University should address in the future; 2.) University constituencies and how well they are being served; and 3.) undergraduate enrollment issues.
Following the business meeting, the trustees organized themselves into three groups to discuss these three topics, which were developed by the trustee steering committee chaired by John S. McDonnell, retired chairman of the board of McDonnell Douglas Corporation. The strategic planning initiative continues during the rest of the academic year.
In his report to the trustees, Wrighton first reviewed the success of the Danforth Campus dedication on Sept. 17 that honored William H. Danforth, his late wife, Elizabeth, the Danforth family and the Danforth Foundation. He reminded the trustees that three important presentations will continue the celebration of the Danforth Campus naming throughout this semester, including a well-attended event on Oct. 3 featuring William H. Danforth on the topic of “Medicine and Society.”
The series, with its overarching theme of “A Higher Sense of Purpose,” will continue Oct. 16 with former Senator and Ambassador John C. Danforth speaking on “Faith and Politics,” and on Nov. 13, P. Roy Vagelos, M.D., former chairman and CEO of Merck, speaking on “The Social Responsibility of Business.”
Wrighton reported that the freshman class of 2010 is the most academically talented student group in the University’s history, with 95 percent graduating in the top 10 percent of their high school classes. Approximately one third of the students are minority or international students who hail from 49 states and 20 countries. The class is divided equally between men and women.
Wrighton also reported that the first 17 students to enroll in the McDonnell International Scholars Academy were welcomed to campus from 12 of Asia’s leading universities. He noted that 12 corporate sponsors are supporting the program and that professor James V. Wertsch, Ph.D., director of the academy, has developed an ambitious program to continue the growth of the academy.
Wrighton announced that the academy will sponsor a major convocation on May 4 for academic leaders from partner institutions, together with leaders in the areas of energy and the environment. Thomas R. “Tom” Pickering, a 40-year veteran of foreign service who served as U.S. Ambassador to the UN from 1989 to 1992 and as Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs from 1997 to 2001 will be the featured speaker.
Wrighton reminded trustees that the dedication of the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts and the opening of the Mildred Lane Kemper Art Museum will take place on Oct. 25.
In other news, the chancellor noted that the opening of MetroLink has brought a significant benefit to the University community and that students, faculty and staff have welcomed the free Metro passes made available to all benefits-eligible employees and to all full-time students. Lastly, he noted that Founders Day will feature Sir John Major, former prime minister of the United Kingdom, at the Adams Mark Hotel on Nov. 4. More than 1,000 guests are expected to attend.
In other action, the trustees heard reports on the new structure for endowment oversight and management from John Biggs, former chairman and CEO of TIAA-CREF. He described the organizational structure under which the newly appointed chief investment officer, Kimberly Gayle Walker, will operate in managing the University’s endowment assets. She will head a new entity within the university trustee governance structure — the Washington University Investment Management Company.
Reports were also received from the following committees: development, educational policy, audit, university finance, medical finance, and the alumni board of governors.