Author: Diane Toroian Keaggy

Washington University students Katie Caul (left) and Christy Marx both benefitted from the Children’s Miracle Network as kids. Today, they help lead the annual Dance Marathon, a 12-hour party that features themed dance hours, performances, games, free food and visits from Miracle kids.​ This year’s event takes place beginning at 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, in the Danforth University Center.

Comedian Kenan Thompson, who got his start as a teenager on the popular Nickelodeon show “All That,” invited a packed crowd in Graham Chapel — many of whom grew up with the show — to sing along to the “All That” theme song. Thompson is currently a cast member of “Saturday Night Live” and also talked about life backstage at Studio 8H during his Nov. 6 appearance on the Washington University campus.

Knight Hall and Bauer Hall are the latest buildings at Washington University in St. Louis to earn LEED Gold certification for their green design and construction. Home to Olin Business School, Knight and Bauer halls feature locally sourced and recycled materials, high-tech glass and an innovative layout that fosters collaboration.

Former Army Sgt. Mike Pereira lost a little bit of himself after a friend and fellow veteran shot himself. But Pereira found that, through service, veterans could find purpose, community and healing. Today, he serves dying veterans at hospice and, as a University College student at Washington University in St. Louis, conducts rigorous research about veterans who volunteer in their communities. 

​The Washington University Police Department is again helping with the annual Warners’ Warm-Up Coat Drive. Faculty, staff and students can bring new or gently used winter coats to donate to the Police Department in Lien House on the South 40 area of campus through Friday, Nov. 14.

The Association of College Unions International has awarded the Danforth University Center the Bernard Pitts Role of the College Union Award in recognition of its DUC Presents series and other outstanding programming.

​Known to generations of Washington University students and faculty members as “Sam and Betty,” Sam Lachterman and Betty Wynn, a homeless brother-and-sister who spent decades attending programs on campus, bequeathed $54,000 to Washington University. Half of their gift will fund the Nov. 1-2 performances of an Assembly Series event chosen just for them, “Three Acts, Two Dancers, One Radio Host” at Edison Theatre. The other half will live on in bequests to the School of Law, the Kemper Museum and Arts & Sciences.

Some 300 youngsters from across the St. Louis region were welcomed to the South 40 on the Danforth Campus of Washington University in St. Louis Oct. 25 for Safe Trick of Treat, an annual tradition.

Adam Schefkind, a biology major in Arts & Sciences with minors in public and jazz studies, says his two passions – medicine and music – both demand precision and creativity. Schefkind and his band will perform at Jazz at Holmes at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30. He is the first student to headline the venerable jazz series, according to his mentor William Lenihan, professor of the practice in music and director of jazz performance.

Janet Owen, technical support specialist in the Sam Fox School​ of Design & Visual Arts, recommends “Rawstock,” a film festival that highlights entertainingly offbeat materials from the University Libraries’ Film & Media Archive. The event takes place at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, at Melt, 2712 Cherokee St.