James E. McLeod, vice chancellor for students and dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, died Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2011, of kidney failure after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 67. In a letter addressed to the WUSTL community Sept. 6, Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton announced that “Washington University has lost one of its greatest citizens and leaders.”

Karina Mehta (left), Alexandra Blasch (center) and Maria Coronelli weed the area around the flagpole at Gateway IT School Saturday, Sept. 3. The freshmen were participating in Service First, WUSTL’s largest annual community service project that invites incoming students to get involved in the St. Louis community.

Lisa M. Moscoso, MD, PhD, has been named associate dean for student affairs at the School of Medicine. In her new role, Moscoso will be responsible for the academic and professional development of all medical students and provide oversight for student-run programs.

The Skandalaris Center will kick off its two business plan competitions tonight. Combined, the Olin Cup and YouthBridge Social Enterprise and Innovation competitions will award more than $200,000 in funding for new commercial and social ventures.

Mounting casualities in nearly 10-year-old wars in Iraq and Afghanistan might seem to serve as a catalyst for people to denounce the war. But a WUSTL study into the psychology of “sunk-costs” finds that highlighting casualties before asking for opinions on these wars actually sways people toward a more pro-war attitude.

4:15 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 8

Philosophy-Neuroscience-Psychology Program Colloquium

“Normal Mistakes.” Santiago Amaya, graduate teaching asst. in philosophy. Free and open to the public. Wilson Hall, Rm. 214. (314) 935-4297.

First campuswide blood drive Tuesday, Sept. 13

The first of four universitywide blood drives of the academic year will be held Tuesday, Sept. 13, at eight locations throughout the university and at a variety of times. All students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in this effort to replenish the region’s blood supply.

Charlie Robin

Edison’s executive director constantly seeks ‘creativity, fully expressed.’ FULL STORY

Volleyball starts 6-0

The No. 3 volleyball team swept all six of its opponents during the first week of competition. WUSTL swept Harris-Stowe State University and Culver-Stockton College Sept. 1. The Bears had 25 aces in the win over Harris-Stowe, falling one shy of the single-match school record of 26 set in 1993. The Bears also defeated Carroll University, DePauw University, the University of Texas at Dallas and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology at the Bears Classic at the Field House Sept 3 and 4.