Author: Deb Parker

The annual African Film Festival at Washington University in St. Louis begins Friday, March 23. Over the course of three days, eight different films will showcase the African continent and its people. During a youth matinee, award-winning director, writer and animator Cilia Sawadogo will answer audience questions about her film.

The Campus Diversity Collaborative, which aims to increase awareness of diversity and inclusion issues at Washington University in St. Louis, is seeking new members among faculty and staff. Those who participate do not necessarily have diversity promotion as an official job duty, but share a passion for the issue and are able to impact the greater WUSTL community through their participation.

CAUSE — the Committee for the Assessment of the Undergraduate Student Experience — is a new group established to more thoroughly and accurately measure the WUSTL undergraduate student experience.The committee, 15 members from throughtout the university community, will coordinate WUSTL assessment efforts, educate the campus community and keep an archive of existing and prior assessments.

“Africa Week 2012: Vive l’Afrique!” highlighting the far-reaching influences of the African continent, begins Monday, Feb. 27, on the Danforth Campus. Events range from free fashion and comedy shows to an in-depth roundtable discussion, a dance workshop and ‘A Taste of Africa.’  The annual week is sponsored by the African Students Association. ​

Ten thousand people with leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell and other life-threatening diseases need a bone marrow transplant to survive. Donors with diverse racial or ethnic backgrounds are especially needed, which is one reason why the student group WU Marrow Registry is conducting an on-campus registry drive at four locations on the Danforth Campus Wednesday, Feb. 29.

Pat Hollinger, a junior majoring in philosophy in Arts & Sciences, placed first out of 10 poets who performed Feb. 17 during the the Fourth Annual Poetry Grand Slam in Edison Theatre. Hollinger performed before three poems before a packed crowd of about 800. He and four other WUSTL poets will represent the university in the College Union Poetry Slam Invitational in Ontario, Calif., April 18-21.

WUSTL has been named one of the top universities nationwide for producing Peace Corps volunteers. The Peace Corps recently released the “Top Colleges” list, which ranks WUSTL No. 21 among medium-sized (5,000-15,000 undergraduates) universities. Currently, 24 alumni are serving as Peace Corps volunteers.

Due to an unavoidable conflict, a talk slated for Saturday, Feb. 18, as part of the Master of Liberal Art (MLA) Seminar Series, has been rescheduled. The talk, “The Works of Mercy,” by Daniel Bornstein, PhD, the Darrow Professor of Catholic Studies and director of the Religious Studies Program in Arts & Sciences, will now take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 3, in January Hall, Room 110.

WUSTL’s Lifelong Learning Institute (LLI) will host an information session titled “Show Me LLI” for prospective students at 1 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at West Campus. The event, free and open to senior adults ages 55 and older, will feature an orientation followed by several sample classes.

Recipients of the annual James M. Holobaugh Honor were recognized in a reception Feb. 10. The award honors individuals and organizations that promote lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality, perform direct advocacy and service to the St. Louis metro community and incorporate education and dialogue as part of their practice.