Author: Ken Duenke

Being honored are Thomas M. De Fer, Nicholas Dopuch, Milorad Dudukovic, Beata Grant, Lucy Lopata, and Eric and Evelyn Newman.

Kevin LowderA bike rack designed by senior James Lewis was inspired by the movements of Soulard Market patrons.

StewartCan Martha Stewart regain the trust of her customers or could Enron’s former chief Ken Lay get a new job under the clouds of suspicion left in the wake of their legal problems? It depends upon the match between how they respond to the allegations and the extent to which the alleged offense is perceived to involve their integrity or their competence, according to a recent study by Washington University in St. Louis professor Kurt T. Dirks and three colleagues.

In November, 26 incumbent U.S. senators will be on election ballots. Chances are, most of them will win, according to a study by Washington University in St. Louis professor Gautam Gowrisankaran and two colleagues.

President George W. Bush’s recent push for the establishment of an ownership society features partial privatization of Social Security by diverting a portion of the payroll tax into individual accounts. “Privatizing Social Security is a dangerous idea,” says Merton Bernstein, a nationally recognized expert on Social Security. “Despite widespread criticism and misunderstanding, Social Security is in good shape for the future and its funding can be made solid by modest measures. In contrast, privatization would cost $3.75 trillion.”

Studying elderly people with mild to moderately elevated blood pressure, researchers at the School of Medicine have found that exercise is just as effective as blood pressure medicine at reducing heart mass and the thickness of the heart wall. Exercise also provided benefits that blood pressure medicine did not, such as lowering an individual’s risk of developing diabetes.

Many Americans are faced with the fear of going hungry.Most Americans don’t think they’ll ever be faced with the question of how they will get their next meal, but a recent study co-authored by a social welfare expert at Washington University in St. Louis shows that at least 42 percent of the U.S. population will deal with food insecurity during their lifetime. “Food insecurity goes beyond the fear of going hungry,” explains Mark R. Rank, Ph.D., the Herbert S. Hadley Professor of Social Welfare at the university’s George Warren Brown School of Social Work. “Food insecurity means that people are unable to provide themselves and their families nutritionally adequate food on a regular basis.

There are three things every world traveler must have: a compass, a trustworthy guide, and a craving for adventure. The University’s Travel Lecture Series offers would-be travelers two out of three as they kick off their 2004-2005 film season, aptly named Compass. Viewers need only bring a thirst for excitement.

The seminars comprise one-hour presentations on the research interests of faculty from local and national universities.

Distinguished alums will be honored at the University’s annual commemoration of its founding, to be held Oct. 2 this year.