Author: Barbara Rea

In his first two books, Predictably Irrational and The Upside of Irrationality, Ariely shows how we often fail to act in our own best interests. With his third book, The (Honest) Truth about Dishonesty: How We Lie to Everyone – especially Ourselves, Ariely examines dishonesty in American culture and has some surprising findings to share at an Assembly Series presentation at 2 p.m. Wed., March 6 in Graham Chapel.

On Monday, Feb. 18, alumna Susannah Cahalan will read from her new memoir, Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness, as part of the Assembly Series. The book focuses on her ordeal with a rare and terrifying disease. A panel discussion will follow. The event, free and open to the public, will be held at 5 p.m. in Simon Hall’s May Auditorium.

For a majority of the pollsters and established pundits, the outcome of the 2012 presidential election was a shock. For statistician/author/blogger Nate Silver, it was anything but. In his Assembly Series presentation on Feb. 11, he will describe one of his secrets: discerning the “signal” from the “noise.”​

Regina (Gina) F. Frey, PhD, associate professor of STEM education in the department of chemistry in Arts & Sciences and executive director of the Teaching Center, will be installed as the initial Florence E. Moog Professor of STEM Education on January 31, 2013.The professorship honors two of WUSTL’s women scientists, one past and one present, while also recognizing its deep commitment to excel in teaching the disciplines of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

UCLA European historian and political scientist Anthony Pagden will deliver two public talks on Feb. 6 and 7 for the Interdisciplinary Project in the Humanities.

The spring 2013 list of Assembly Series speakers begins January 31 with the prominent young American playwright Sarah Ruhl (left), author of “In the Next Room or the vibrator play” and concludes April 17 with a presentation by General Motors’ vice president of global human resources, Cynthia Brinkley.

Less than a month after national elections, veteran political journalist George Will delivers the fall keynote lecture for the John C. Danforth Center on Religion & Politics. His talk, “Religion and Politics in the First Modern Nation,” begins at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 4, in Graham Chapel.

Over the course of 30-plus years and more than 20 documentaries, Ken Burns’ films have illuminated the country’s past and brought history to life through techniques such as first person narration. For these lasting contributions, Burns will receive WUSTL’s International Humanities Medal. The event on Friday, Nov. 16, includes a preview and commentary of his upcoming films.

At the annual Founders Day gala Saturday, Nov. 3, six outstanding alumni and two exceptional supporters will be honored for their dedication to Washington University.

The university will celebrate its 1853 founding during the Founders Day gala Nov. 3 at the St. Louis Union Station Hotel. The keynote speaker is Robert Gates, former U.S. defense secretary. At the event, WUSTL will honor distinguished faculty, alumni and Robert S. Brookings award recipients.